Posted by Administrator on November 22 2011 10:36
Now is the Time! Address your Calves Energy Needs
Don’t let the mild fall weather fool you. Winter is coming and the baby calves on your farm are NOW in need of additional energy for maintenance and growth. When the temperature drops below 55 degrees F, the calves need to use energy to stay warm. That energy is no longer available for growth or to fight disease. Now is the time to address your calves energy needs and increase energy so that calves continue to gain weight and have the energy resources to fight disease.
At optimal temperatures (55-70 degrees F), calves need the energy in 16 oz of milk replacer just to maintain normal body functions (without growth). When the temperature drops below 50 degrees F, all calves on milk replacer have to be fed 10 oz per feeding.
When the temperature falls below 40 degrees, then additional energy is needed. There are several options to get this energy:
1. Feed 12 oz per feeding of 20:20 milk replacer. With this option water needs to be available every day so the calves can stay hydrated.
2. Switch to a higher fat milk replacer. The VMC carries a Winter Gold milk replacer with 20% protein and 24% fat.
3. Add one ounce per feeding of Super Calf Kit (added fat).
4. If you are feeding whole milk, increase the volume to 5 quarts per day.
When the temperature falls below 20 degrees, more changes need to be made to help the calves compensate. Choose one of the following options:
1. Add a third milk feeding for calves less than 3 weeks of age. (10 ounce milk replacer per feeding)
2. Feed 12 oz per feeding of Winter Gold Milk Replacer. **Water has to be made avail-able**
3. Add two ounces per feeding of Super Calf Kit.
4. If feeding whole milk, in-crease the volume on older calves. Feed 1-2 ounces of Super Calf Kit to the youngest calves.
Ask Us About…
The Tailwell tail trimmer simplifies the job of trimming tails. The tail trimmer attaches to a cordless drill and trimming only takes 3-4 seconds per cow. Tail trimming keeps the udder and rear quarters of the cow cleaner and reduces contamination of the milker. Farms are considering this alternative to tail docking. Ask us for a demonstration.
Did You Know?
Antibiotics that are used in uterine infusions to treat metritis are absorbed into the bloodstream. Meat and milk withdrawals need to be followed when antibiotics are used in uterine infusions. Please consult with your veterinarian regarding your metritis treatment protocols and proper withdrawal times.
Vet’s Choice
The Precision Xtra blood ketone meter is a simple, accurate, and cost effective way to detect subclinical and clinical ketosis. A small amount of blood from the tail vein is used and results are available within seconds. The test can be used to diagnose suspect cows or a group of fresh cows can be tested to determine the level of subclinical ketosis. Ask your vet or salesperson about using this test on your farm.