A calving season plan
Having a calving plan in place before the season starts can save you from extra work during the season and can result in lower mortality rates, fewer sick calves, better-performing calves, and happier staff. Entering the calving season without a plan can lead to a reactionary approach, where various methods, procedures, and medications may solve problems, but it's unclear which strategy was the most effective when using this "shotgun" approach. If your calf-rearing procedure is working well, there may be no need to change it. However, maybe it needs some improvement, or perhaps you think it doesn’t - but it does. Alternatively, your procedure may be effective but costly, and you may want to save money. However, saving money could result in losses and poor-quality calves.
As a well-respected headmaster once said, “There are certain things that do not change and must not change.” We can apply this to our approach to calf management. The fundamentals are well-known and basic, including colostrum management, feed and water, basic housing needs, sanitation, and consistency. The success of the calving season also begins before the calves are born, with the vaccination program for the mothers and its timing being critical. While farms may face different challenges, the fundamentals remain the same.
We can divide the system into three key sections or measures:
- Fundamentals
- Preventative measures
- Treatments
These three aspects are also ranked in order of importance. The fundamentals must be at an acceptable level before implementing preventative and treatment measures. Preventative and treatment measures cannot correct deficiencies in the basic fundamental practices required for raising healthy calves. For example, treating all calves for sickness without addressing the root cause of the illness is inefficient and costly.
1. Importance of fundamentals:
Even with strong fundamental measures in place, excellent facilities, and well-trained staff, challenges still arise, and calves will inevitably get sick. We cannot eliminate all risks, especially when dealing with modern dairy farms that are highly stocked and have tight breeding seasons, resulting in a high concentration of calves. Large numbers of calves increase the risk of underperformance, and sicknesses spread more rapidly in crowded, confined areas. Facilities may not be adequate for the number of calves, or staff may struggle to pay attention to detail due to being overworked. This is where preventative measures can help reduce challenges, much like how people take multivitamins to boost their health when facing higher risks of illness.
2. Preventative measures:
There is a large industry focused on preventative products that can have positive effects on calf health. The challenge is finding solutions that work for your farm, are practical, and remain affordable. Preventative measures include oral minerals and vitamins, rumen development enhancers, and gut health promoters like yeasts, probiotics, and prebiotics. In a natural setting, calves wouldn't need preventative and treatment measures, but modern dairy farms are not natural environments. We need these calves to survive, grow, and perform at their best.
3. Treatment measures:
Treatment is the last and most serious stage. It's essential to consult vets and other animal health experts to develop a treatment plan. A calf that is mildly sick may follow a different treatment plan than one that is moderately or severely sick. Severely sick calves may require the "last chance" plan, which is often the most expensive. The goal is to prevent the need for drastic treatments by addressing issues early.
For example:
Fundamental measures: Good dry cow management, vaccination programs, effective colostrum management, high standards of hygiene and biosecurity, a solid weaning and nutrition plan, well-trained staff, and consistent routines.
Preventative measures: Establishing a designated sick area to prevent the spread of disease, and using products like minerals, vitamins, and other health-promoting supplements to give calves an immune boost.
Treatment measures: Develop a plan for treating calves based on the severity of their illness - whether they are slightly, moderately, or dangerously sick. For example, early treatment of scours and dehydration, or more serious cases being treated with antibiotics for infections. Your local vet can provide the best guidance for these scenarios.
Conclusion:
Having a well-thought-out plan will provide you with confidence as you head into the calving season. Plans may need to change if circumstances require adjustments, but without a clear plan, achieving the desired outcome becomes difficult. The goal is to create a balanced, cost-effective plan that improves the health and performance of your future replacement animals. Not all farms face the same challenges, and what works well for one may not work for another. It's essential to remain flexible and adapt as necessary, even if a product or method seems promising.
Contact your local De Heus technical advisor to assist in developing a calving season plan- https:// www.deheus.co.za/meet-our-team/.
