Calving and Calf Management
Paul Crosson and Edward O'Riordan from the Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre look at different beef production systems, and determine which is the most profitable.
Over the last 40 years, heifer growing programs have undergone various phases and encountered various issues, writes A. F. Kertz, as part of the proceedings from the University of Florida Dairy Extension 20th Symposium.
Research has shown that many components of the way we manage calves can have long lasting effects on the dairy animal. Studies done since the late 1960s have shown the value of colostrum, blood IgG levels in young calves, calf nutrition, calf health, and various management aspects that will all impact long term health, overall growth, and even age and body weight at first calving. There have been but a very few studies that took these factors and followed dairy calves through to calving, their first lactation, and their complete lifetime production.
By G.M. Jones, Professor of Dairy Science and Extension Dairy Scientist, Milk Quality & Milking Management, Virginia Tech; T.L. Bailey, Jr., Assistant Professor, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and Extension Veterinarian, Virginia Tech.
By Tom Bailey, Extension Specialist, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Julia M. Murphy, Extension Specialist, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Robert James, Professor, Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Tech.
By Tom Bailey, Extension Specialist, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Julia M. Murphy, Extension Specialist, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Robert James, Professor, Department of Dairy Science; Virginia Tech.
By Jeffrey F. Keown, Extension Dairy Specialist - This guide offers research findings on the appropriate weights for Holstein heifer freshening and suggests producers be aware of economic considerations involved in heifer freshening.
By Michael Looper, Extension Dairy Specialist, Greg Bethard, Technical Services Specialist, Monsanto Dairy Business, College of Agriculture and Home Economics.
Table of Contents
Why 1250 pounds?
Why 24 Months?
Monitor gains
Rations
Economics of 1250 pounds at 24 months
Summary
References
By Tom Bailey, Extension Specialist, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Julia M. Murphy, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; and Robert James, Professor of Dairy Science, Virginia Tech.
Ahmed Aufy, Tobias Steiner and Mike Watkins, from Biomin, look at the relatively new feed additives, phytogenic additives and their potential use in calf diets.
