Many thanks for your support of the Dairy Seminars and for sponsoring Hugh Chester...

Many thanks for your support of the Dairy Seminars and for sponsoring

Hugh Chester-Jones from U of Minnesota

© 2014 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Accelerated Feeding of Calves

Hugh Chester-Jones

U of MN Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca

Missouri Dairy Profit Seminars

February 23-27, 2015

Missouri Dairy Association and University of Missouri

Discussion today will include: •SROC Calf and Heifer Commercial Calf Raising

Facilities and Management;

Accelerated vs conventional feeding systems

Post weaning transition and group housing

program brief overview

Examples of completed feeding strategies

What does it cost to raise dairy

heifers?

Knowing true costs of raising

heifers is critical.

Total cost associated with raising

dairy replacements is 15 to 25% of the

total cost to operate a dairy.

2014 (Tranel, Hoards Dairyman,

September) for 40 calf raising

operations av. cost of $5.31/day from

birth to 61 days

Custom raisers av. $3.16/day

(weaned at 45 days of age).

.

Heifer raising budget birth to 24 months

(Tranel, 2014)

Feed costs $1,224

Livestock variable costs $273.52

Facilities and equipment $230.60

Total without labor

$1,728.12 ($2.37/day; Add labor at $2.73/day)

($2,166 23 mth including value of calf and

ownership cost)

Heifer raising budget birth to 24 months

(Tranel, 2014)

Non-feed costs $1/day from birth to calving

Cost savings – reduce calving age

($94/month)

Reduce cull rate

How are costs in Wisconsin (Hagerdorn,

2013)?

Cost Per Day To Raise A Calf Calf Cost per Day*

Tie-Stall Free-Stall Grower All

Feed Costs $2.44 $2.36 $2.00 $2.37

Labor &

Management $2.29 $2.07 $0.96 $1.99

Other Variable

Costs $0.54 $0.66 $0.63 $0.64

Fixed Costs $0.21 $0.50 $0.21 $0.35

Total Cost $5.48 $5.59 $3.81 $5.34

*Does not include $150 calf value

Cost Per Day To Raise A Heifer Heifer Cost per Day*

Tiestall Freestall Grower All

Feed Costs $1.66 $1.83 $1.55 $1.71

Labor &

Management $0.66 $0.51 $0.39 $0.54

Other Variable

Costs $0.46 $0.49 $0.35 $0.44

Fixed Costs $0.42 $0.33 $0.29 $0.35

Total Cost $3.20 $3.15 $2.57 $3.04


Total Cost to Raise a Dairy Replacement from Birth to Freshening*

1999 2007 2013

Total Cost $1259.38 $1648.77 $2226.88

$3.20/day

Days on Feed 743 709 696

Calving Age

(months) 24.6 23.9 23.4


© 2013 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension

Av cost post weaning in WI to pre-fresh

was $1,323 or $2.04/day (648.5 days).

Dairy operations averaged 24 months for

first freshening. Custom raised heifers

freshened at 23 months.

According to Tranel (2014) Total costs of

raising heifers averages $94/month;

Knowing true costs of raising heifers is

critical.

SROC Calf Project: Partners since 2004 - University of Minnesota,

Allied Industry and 3 dairy farms - Minnesota Project dairy farms: Wolf Creek Dairy,

Dundas (400+ cows); Bombay Dairy, Kenyon (700+

cows); Clay View Dairy, Gooodhue (recently

expanded from 600+ to 1,000+ cows using

genomics).

Contract with each dairy reviewed annually.

Profile of the 3 commercial dairies

Photo courtesy of Ruth

Blauwiekel December 2000

Raw mean profiles of heifer calves assigned to nursery studies from 3 dairy farms from 2-5 days up to 6

months of age through 2013

Item No. study heifers

Initial BW, lb

Initial SP, g/dl

Final BW, lb

Final Hip Height, in

ADG, lb

Farm A Farm B Farm C 1,156 1,805 1,797

88.3 88.0 86.0 5.6 5.5 5.4 474 448 452 45.6 45.1 45 1.91 1.88 1.89

Over 9,700 calves have been brought into SROC to date - mortality about 1.8% Performance of calves through 6 months has

been relatively consistent across farms

Calf health and post calving survivability

“Five C’s” of Successful

Calf Rearing • Colostrum

• Cleanliness • Consistency • Calories • Comfort - Dr. Sheila McGuirk, U of WI School of

Veterinary Medicine

Colostrum basics* (Fetrow, 2009)

• Pasteurized colostrum? – batch pasteurizer 140o F for 30 (PSU) to 60 min (U of MN); PSU heat treated colostrum > IgG absorption;

• Colostrum replacers – min 100 g IgG/dose ($25-$30/dose) – feed 150-200 g IgG;

• *Remember dry cow management & nutrition

Managing calves upon arrival

Calf and Heifer Research and Extension Facility

• Two 30 ft x 200 ft calf barns •

40 calves/room all-in/all-out

•

160 individual pens (birth to 10 weeks of-age)

Record keeping

Extra calves are often fed from a milk bar.

SROC option – grouping calves

prior to moving to grower heifer pens

Automatic Calf Feeding System (ACFS) Since September 2011

2 pens of 23 calves (32 sq ft/calf) in a renovated

calf room used as the 5th room in rotation with 4

rooms of 40 individually penned calves.

Used automatic grain feeders initially now feed

bunks in each pen.

Calves placed in the pens off the truck - 2

groups have been evaluated with 7 days in

individual pens then trained to the ACFS.

SROC Urban computer milk and grain feeders placed in a renovated calf room in 2011 - design by U of MN David Ziegler; ventilation help from Kevin

Janni

Cleaning All-in all out system power wash

panels and pen structures

Calf Stressors

Stressors causing variance in performance of Calves:

Dehorning - after 30 days in the

nursery.

Vaccinations - pre- and post

weaning. Tail docking - after 30 days in the

nursery (1 herd only) Socialization/grouping -

Feed changes

Environmental changes Cold vs

Heat; flies

Biosecurity !! Adapted from Hayes, SROC workshop 2006

Nursery Nutrition

Concept of accelerated feeding re-

introduced by Cornell and U of Illinois in

the 1990’s;

Suggests that calves need more protein

and energy than provided by 1 gallon of

milk or 1 lb of milk replacer powder daily;

Calves need more protein and energy than

traditional feeding programs allow;

Liquid feeding options: Conventional 20:20 to 22:20 1.25 to 1.5lbs/day –

1.2 gallons/day (still 60% of the market)

Accelerated 28:16-20 1.5 step up to 2 to 2.5

lbs/day > 2 gallons/day step-up (LOL et al)

Liquid feeding options: Moderate intensive feeding 1.5 lbs 26:17 (Akey)

Modified Intensive 24:20; 26:16, 24:16 1.5 to 2

lbs/day – 1.2 to 1.5 gallons/day (U of MN)

Whole or pasteurized waste milk solids 12.5 to

17% - 1.3 to > 2 gallons/day;

Summer Housing

Barrel to collect water from buckets - keep the

calf rooms dry

SROC Standard Feeding Protocol Starts with a strong healthy calf.

Standard control program to February 2010 -- a 20:20 medicated (2:1 NT)all-milk protein milk replacer (MR) fed at 1.25 lbs/day for 35 days and

0.625 lbs/day from day 36 to weaning at 42 days (12.5% solids).

After February 2010 used 1:1 NT (1600 g/ton)

Production goals for SROC nursery calves -

double birth weight by 2 months of age with 4

inches of frame height.

A recent goal in Holsteins includes at least 1

-

lb/day gain prior to 14 days old for good health

(ADSA 2008 calf discover conference)

20% of variation in milk production is related to

growth rate prior to weaning; (Van Amburgh, 2009)

Full potential nutrition results in greater early growth of calves

Drackley, 2009

Table Examples of calf performance using conventional programs

Parameters

20:20

22:20

20:20

20:20 50% alt all milk

all milk

all milk

wheat & plasma

Months of study

Oct-Jan, 2005

Oct-Dec, 2013

Jan-April, 2013

Jan-April, 2013

ADG 1 to 42, lbs

1.54

1.65

1.42

1.33 ADG 1 to 56, lbs

1.72

1.93

1.69

1.63

HH gain, in

4.6

4.95

4.26

4.43

BW gain, %

208

227

208

205 CS 1 to 42, lbs

57.2

60.9

53.3

46.8

CS 1 to 56, lbs

126.1

142.5

128.3

120.6 MR 1 to 42, lbs

48.2

45.9

47.0

47.0

G/F 1 to 56, lbs

0.56

0.58

0.55

0.56 SP, g/dl

5.0

5.50

5.87

6.12

Scouring d, 1 to 42

3.3

1.9

1.8

1.2

Cost 1 to 56, $

1.27

1.26

1.06

1.08

SROC example of Conventional vs

Modified Intensive or Intensive

Feeding Programs

Initiated for heifers in 2004

Performance of heifer calves fed varying

milk replacer and starter programs

(proceedings Table 2 for all MR treatments)

20:20 Parameter

Non-Acidified

28:16

28:16 Feed rate lbs/day

MR Solids % Calf starter (CS), CP % Init. BW, lb

Init. HH, in

SP, g/dl

Final BW, lb

BW change vs Initial Final HH, in

1.25 1.5 2.25

13.88% 16.67% 16.67%

18% 22% 22% 90.64 89.54 88.66 31.80 31.78 31.81 5.00 4.90 4.98 169.84 179.08 188.76

187% 200% 213%

35.91 35.91 (-2%) 36.65

Performance of heifer calves fed varying milk replacer and starter programs

20:20 Parameter

Non-Acidified

28:16

28:16

Milk DM, lb

CS DM 56 d, lb

Total DM, lb

ADG 1-56 d, lb

Cost of gain 2015, $/lb

46.86 55.44 82.72

103.40 108.46 82.94 (+19.8%) (+23.6%) ---

150.26 163.90 165.66 1.4 1.61 (+12.4%) 1.76

(+19.9%)

1.21 1.53 1.81 (+26.5%) (+49.6%) (

Post weaning from 9 to 25 weeks

20:20 MR calves fed 16% grain mix (6 lb/d) and

28:16 calves fed 18% CP grain mix with free

choice hay -no differences in heifer

performance.


First calving age and lactation production (taken

from Spreadsheets by farm in 2006-2007)

Reduced first calving age for intensive (23.5 mth)

but not modified intensive (24 mth) vs 20:20 control

(24.4 mth) ; Indications of no significant milk

production differences.


305 STD ME - 28,386 lbs, (all 20:20); 28, 870 lb

(1.5 lb 28:16); 30,096 lb (2.25 lb 28:16)

Potential to cover the extra $85.59 for feeding

accelerated program if increase milk 6% and lower

calving age but a number of variables.

Autofeeder program July-September, 2014 – 22

calves/pen

•MR 20:20 1.25 lbs/day 3 feedings vs. MR 28:18 up to 2.2

lbs/day 5 feedings

•Average milk intake 49 days - 8 lbs vs. 13.5 lbs/day

1-42 Gain 1.53 vs. 1.58 lbs/day

1-56 Gain 1.82 vs. 1.88 lbs/day

2.2 x IBW vs. 2.24 x IBW

5.1 in HH gains vs. 5.5 in HH gain

Calf health very good

CS x2

What is happening elsewhere on

accelerated programs?

Overview of data from Cornell, Soberon et al 2012 –

every 1 lbs ADG pre-weaning (especially 42-56 days) >

maintenance = 850 lbs + milk; (genetic progress = 200-

250 lbs milk).

Van Amburgh, 2013 looked 12 studies (including U of MN

data) and found high milk/MR levels av. +1,582 lbs milk;

Cornell model shows + effects through 3 lactations;

Van de Haar and Weber Nielson (2013) –

conventional at 1.2% BW (1.1 lb MR) vs.

accelerated at 2% BW (1.8 lb MR); 3% more milk

and calved 2 weeks earlier;

Suggested option to recover extra costs of MR

with good milk prices, low calf mortality and lower

calving age.

Traditional vs. Accelerated Milk Replacers Courtesy of Stacey A. Hamilton Ph.D. and Scott Poock DVM

University of Missouri

Project sponsored by Hartville Feed and Milk Specialties Global Animal Nutrition

But - Penn State (Heinrichs and Jones,

2011) summarized all available published

information and found no effects of

accelerated on milk production.

Overall milk yield response 3 to 6% vs

conventional – similar to U of MN reduced

calving age in some studies; variability due

to management, environment, genetics;

Recent Strategies(Brittney et al., 2014) in Waseca

We wanted to see if we could find a

balance between feeding programs

that would meet growth goals at a cost

acceptable to the dairy producers

Develop a mid range feeding program that:

– Maximizes growth using protein and

energy ratio.

– Find feeding rate to maximize calf starter

intake.

• Avoid post-weaning slump seen in

Accelerated Program

– Compare mid range feeding program to

accelerated program.

• Lower cost of milk replacer with

accelerated growth

• Can you feed more of the same milk replacer and get the same growth?

• 20:20 Low: 20:20 milk replacer fed at 1.25 lbs/d

• 20:20 High: 20:20 milk replacer fed at 1.56 lbs/d

• 24:20 Low: 24:20 milk replacer fed at 1.25 lbs/d

• 24:20 High: 24:20 milk replacer fed at 1.56 lbs/d

• What is the correct feeding rate for a 24:20 milk replacer?

– 24:20 milk replacer:

• 1.25 lbs/d (4 qt)

• 1.50 lbs/d days 1-7, 1.56 lbs/d days 8-35 (5 qt)



• What is the correct fat level for a Midrange milk replacer and how does it compare to an accelerate milk replacer in the summer months

– Treatments:

• 24:20 fed at 1.25 lbs/d (24:20 low)

• 24:20 fed at 1.56 lbs/d (24:20 mid)

• 24:16 fed at 1.56 lbs/d (24:16 mid)

• 24:16 fed at 1.88 lbs/d (24:16 high)

• 26:16 fed at 1.88 lbs/d (26:16 high)

Table. Pre- and post weaning daily feed DM and water intake when fed a 24:20 milk replacer with a 18% texturized calf starter

Days in the nursery

Total DMI, lb/d

Starter intake, lb/d

Water intake, lb/d

Water to DMI ratio

Pre-weaning 7 0.57 0.02 2.11 3.7 14 0.67 0.12 2.31 3.6 21 0.82 0.26 3.15 3.8 28 1.10 0.45 3.87 3.8 35 1.0 0.68 5.34 4.9 42 1.71 1.29 9.53 5.6 Post weaning 49 2.16 2.16 16.00 7.4 56 2.46 2.46 18.50 7.5

Water Intake by Week

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Wat

er i

nta

ke,

L/d

Experimental Week

C

C+

LF

LF+

HP+

Calf Starter Intake by Week

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

CS

DM

I, k

g/d

Experimental Week

C

C+

LF

LF+

HP+

Feeding pasteurized waste milk

Litherland, 2010

Proper pasteurization helps control pathogens; goal

of bacterial counts < 20,000 CFU/ml; make sure

waste milk is cooled in storage before pasteurizing

Comments from, a producer panel at the 2014 annual DCHA conference in Green Bay to raise the best calves.

J. Hall at Hall’s Calf Ranch Kewaunee, WI

Since 1995 have grown to raising 25,000 calves/year from 26 farms

6,800 calves housed in 4,000 hutches and barns at any one time 90% heifers.

Each calf is tested for BVD PI and serum protein - Pasteurized milk and MR when supply is low; Calves fed milk 7 weeks 1 gallon x2 daily; 18% CP starter and water;

Calves in hutches for 2 weeks after weaning then moved to groups of 10 at 9 weeks. Calves fed a TMR (HMC, haylage, corn silage, dry hay)

up to 5 months then leave the ranch (2% death loss).

Comments from, a producer panel at the 2014 annual

DCHA conference in Green Bay to raise the best calves

Michael Larson Larson Acres,, Evansville WI

2,900 cows 29,000 RHA 175 calves on milk at any 1 time;

Pasteurized milk with MR x3 daily; 1.5 to 2.25 gall fro 6-7 week moved

at 8 weeks. 2-row nursery bars with curtain sidewalls and a positive

pressure ventilation system. All in all out;

Transitioning to a TMR limit stressor; less health issues with x3 daily.

Advice to develop a team of trusted advisors to help with decisions.

Kutz Dairy, Jefferson, WI, Jerseys 2-3 quarts a feeding pasteurized

waste milk – 17.5% solids;

Comments from, a producer panel at the 2014 annual

DCHA conference in Green Bay

Joe Sutter Fertile-Ridge Dairy Mount Horeb, WI

600 Holsteins 80 calves raised year round.

Hutches in a 2-row barn at birth with ventilated back and tube.

Pasteurized colostrum at birth with antibody bolus then 12 hours later

colostrums. LOL

28:20 first 2 weeks 12 hour intervals then pasteurized milk with a 22%

CS;

Use disenfectants in the calving area; test quality of colostrum x3 times

feeding a day sanitation and cleansliness important.

Another WI farm feeds 24:18 x2 daily with fat in the winter; 18% CS

and warm water x 3 daily. Moved 10 days after weaning 16% pellet

until 16 weeks then a TMR. Uses DCHA Gold standards.

Calf Starter Programs

Commercial textured starter

Physical Factors Contributing to a

Palatable High Quality Calf Starter:

• Physical form can affect

palatability and intake

• Usually coarse textured,

pelleted or a rolled meal

• Pellet too hard or too soft will affect intake

• Calves do not like finely ground mixtures

Nutrient Std texturized

CP% 18 or 22

UIP, % of CP 0.32

NDF, % 13.85

ADF, % 3.22

Fat, % 3.22

NEL, Mcals/lb 0.74

NEG, Mcals/lb 0.55

NFC, % 56.53

Nutrient composition, as-fed, of commercial CS used in SROC studies,

2004-2006

Nutrient Std texturized

TM & Salt, % 0.56

Ca, % 0.92

P, % 0.59

Mg, % 0.32

K, % 1.29

S, % 0.36

Vitamin A, IU/lb 10,150

Vitamin D, IU/lb 2,540

Nutrient composition, as-fed, of commercial CS used in SROC studies, 2004-2006 (Ionophore at

30-60 g/ton)

Calf Starter Programs - key to SROC calf growth

Studies have found that replacing steam flaked corn with

whole corn, air or flame roasted corn in completer calf

starters resulted in as good if not better calf performance

during a 56 day nursery period. There were indications of

starter differences in calf health parameters and treatment

costs.

Calf starter studies have allowed for an improved 18% CP

CS with digestible fiber levels that enhanced DMI (increased

NDF and ADF)

Calf Starter Intake

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

0-2

weeks

2-4

weeks

4-6

weeks

6-8

weeks

Control Calves

Distribution of gain 1-56 days for 124 calves

fed 1.25 lb/d 20:20 non-med MR 40

35

30

% of total

25 20 15 10 5 0 <0.5 0.5- >0.6- >0.7- >0.9

0.6 0.7 0.9 Daily gain, kg 1-56 days

Calves

Distribution of gain 1-56 days for 44 calves

fed a 1.50 lb/d of a 20:20 med MR 50

45

40

35

% of total 30

25 20

Calves 15

10

5

0 <0.5

0.5-

>0.6-

>0.7-

>0.9 0.6

0.7

0.9 Daily gain, kg 1-56 days

Distribution of gain 1-56 days for 24 calves fed up to > 2 lb/d of a 28:16 med MR (49 d) 40

35

30

% of total

25 20 15 10 5 0 <0.5 0.5- >0.6- >1.6- >0.9

0.6 0.9 1.9 Daily gain, kg 1-56 days

Calves

Other focus areas for Liquid and Calf Starter Programs (details in the proceedings)

Alternative Proteins Energy sources Ionophores and coccidiostats

Heat abatement

Use of glycerin Nutritional supplements

Transitional management

Post weaning group housing Transition management control

•

65 ft x 150 ft grower barn -- 9 to 27 weeks of age

•

120 head in 20 pens

Transition Calf management

•Calves weaned at 42 days then remain in their

stalls for 14 days then moved to group pens of 7

heifers/pen (43 sq ft/calf) with good feeding

space; • Calves raised with automatic calf feeder or in nursery group pens will be moved similarly; •Groups/pen do not differ in age by more than a

week as an all in-all out nursery system;

Transition Calf management

•Calves fed same calf starter for 7 days then transitioned to limit-fed 16% grain mix and free

choice hay program (alfalfa/grass); different

options have been assessed;

• DMI by heifers in our system will be close to 3%

of BW from 9 to 25 weeks of age.

•Ionophore feeding rate of monensin 90-100 mg

at 9 weeks to 150 mg at 6 months with a max 200 mg (lasalocid similar range).

Average Daily Hay Intake/Heifer

by days on study and diet

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1-28 d 29-56 d 57-84 d 1-84 d

CC

CCDDG

CCUP

Daily communications between staff critical for success of the calf operation.

Take Home Message

Goals for calf performance in the nursery have been attained by

both conventional, moderate accelerated or accelerated programs. Optimum calf starter intake compliments changes in liquid feeding

programs to ensure calves meet their goals.

Good quality calves and health management have been important

keys to success. Post weaning programs have maintained calf

performance which has exceeded initial expectations

Questions

Acknowledgements

•Special thanks to the dairy partners at Wolf Creek, Dundas,

Bombay, Kenyon and Clay View, Goodhue.

•Thanks to the SROC dairy staff for their excellent calf care.

•Sincere thanks to all partner collaborators who have contributed to calf research studies at SROC since 2004.

Many thanks for your support of the Dairy Seminars and for sponsoring Hugh Chester...

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Transcript of Many thanks for your support of the Dairy Seminars and for sponsoring Hugh Chester...