Meeting the Gold Standards

Do you ever wonder how your calves’ performance measures up against other calf raisers? The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) has established its Gold Standards to help producers set goals for calf performance and health.

The Gold Standards are set for Holstein calves from birth to six months of age across the U.S.  They are divided into six categories:  Mortality, morbidity, growth rate, colostrum management, nutrition and housing. Following is what DCHA recommends for the first three categories. Look to future editions of Starting Strong for Gold Standards in the remaining categories.

Mortality

• Defined as loss of a calf more than 24 hours after birth
• Newborn calves should be put in an environment separated from adult animals and adult animal diseases
• Newborn calves need care to the navel to control infection
• Target mortality rates are:
  • Less than 5 percent for calves 1 to 60 days of age
  • Less than 2 percent for calves 61 to 120 days of age
  • Less than 1 percent for calves 121 to 180 days of age

Morbidity

• Scours: A case of diarrhea that requires intervention for more than 24 hours
  • Less than 25 percent for calves 1 to 60 days of age
  • Less than 2 percent for calves 61 to 120 days of age
  • Less than 1 percent for calves 121 to 180 days of age
• Pneumonia:  A case of respiratory disease requiring individual animal treatment with an antibiotic (not including feed-grade medication with regular ration)
  • Less than 10 percent for calves 1 to 60 days of age
  • Less than 15 percent for calves 61 to 120 days of age
  • Less than 2 percent for calves 121 to 180 days of age

Growth Rate

• Double birth weight between 1 and 60 days of age
• 2.2 pounds average daily gain between 61 and 120 days of age
• 2.0 pounds average daily gain between 121 and 180 days of age