CALVES & HEIFERS

Intensified feeding of calves for accelerated growth is a hot topic in calf management. These programs involve feeding of more milk replacer than in conventional programs, such that calves consume about twice as much dry milk replacer solids.

Getting calves off to a great start means paying attention to all the little details or “sweating the small stuff.” The young ones seem especially sensitive to changes in management, diet and even weather.

The results of lapses in management largely depend on the age of the calf and its surroundings. Early in life, management problems usually manifest themselves as diarrhea whereas, after weaning, respiratory problems are more typical.

The Grober Young Animal Development Centre opened its doors in 2009 with the mission of uncovering and presenting best rearing practices for young animals. Over the past three years, approximately 300 calves, 40 lambs and 40 kid goats have resided at our Woodstock facility for the purpose of conducting nutritional and management research.

Calf management has become increasingly important for many dairy producers, as scientific evidence suggests that the early stages of a heifer’s development can have long-lasting effects on her future production. As such, more attention has been given to adequate colostrum feeding soon after birth.

On many farms, it is not uncommon to supply calves with large quantities of milk or milk replacer, in some cases consuming 10 to 12 litres per day, which has shown to have positive effects on a heifer’s future milk production.

Raising quality dairy replacement heifers is not an inexpensive or simplistic endeavor.

The Borst family lives near Elm Creek, Manitoba, about 60 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg, where they operate Halarda Farms.

Parents Hans and Dini are now semi-retired, but still very much a part of the family dairy operation.