Ensure that transition calves are ready for takeoff

Posted on October 30, 2024 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
Lucas Mitchell, Ph.D., Vita Plus calf and heifer specialist

As calves begin the weaning process and transition from milk to solid feed as their sole source of nutrition, producers may observe stalled growth and deteriorating health performance. The reasons for this are often due to one or a combination of the following factors: poor health in early life, poor rumen development and stressful changes.

To prevent and minimize these challenges, we need to focus on early life calf health, understand the biological changes occurring within the transition calf, and determine how to limit stress during this period of immense change.

Guide early life calf health

The following steps are key to protecting the health of calves in the first four to five weeks of life:

  • Get colostrum right. Remember the four Q’s: quality (at least 22% Brix); quantity (4 quarts for the typical Holstein heifer calf); quickly (feed within two hours of birth); and squeaky clean (low bacteria counts and clean equipment).
  • Work with your calf specialist to put together a feeding program that strikes a balance between high-quality liquid feed and high-quality starter grain.
  • Always provide calves with fresh, clean water and ensure adequate ventilation for all seasons.
  • Work with your veterinarian to develop specific vaccine protocol to address the primary disease challenges faced by calves on your farm.

Changes within the calf

The transition period of a calf’s life is a time of immense growth potential. It is not uncommon for calves to gain between 2.5 and 3 pounds per day after they are weaned. Due to rapid skeletal development and immense growth potential, the first four months of life are not the time to skimp on nutrition. While the physiological development of the rumen should be well underway by the start of weaning, there is still substantial development of rumen papillae, musculature and volume that is likely occurring until the animal reaches maturity.

Research has shown the consumption of calf grain – not milk or hay – drives rumen epithelial development. As calves age and the rumen matures, it is important to feed something that provides “scratch” or ruminal abrasiveness. Prior to weaning, texturized feeds should provide sufficient abrasiveness for healthy rumen epithelial development. After weaning, forages can play a bigger role.

Another change likely to occur during this time is a shift in microbial populations. The rumen microbial population will shift toward the growth of more fibrolytic bacteria due to the switch to grower grain and more availability of forage. With so many changes both internally and externally, it is important to handle these changes slowly to minimize the stress calves experience.

Stop the stress

There are four considerations when limiting stress in transition calves:

  1. Ensure adequate grain intake. The composition and form of the grain are important factors to consider in the transition process. If the form of the grain changes during transition, blending the two grains together for a week or so to acclimate the calves to their new grain may be beneficial. Consider where the grain is located in a new pen; it may help to provide an alternative when feeding styles are changing. For example, if calves switch from grain pails inside the hutch to a trough outside the group pen, you may also offer a bucket of grain in the new pen for a week or two until calves become familiar with the trough.
  2. Ensuring adequate water intake. Water intake may be influenced by change in location or calves needing to reach their head through something unfamiliar. Temporary access to water in tubs within the pen may help calves until they are comfortable in their new environment.
  3. Make group changes slowly. Calves that are previously paired tend to handle transitions to groups more easily. For calves not previously paired, consider groups of five to eight before moving them into larger groups.
  4. Introduce forage slowly.  Limit-feed forage initially so that calves don’t overconsume forage and decrease their grain intake.  A coccidiostat is very often delivered via the dry grain.  If dry grain consumption decreases, so too does the dose of the coccidiostat they receive, thus increasing their risk of breaking with coccidia.

Transition calves do not need to be a challenge. If we keep them healthy, develop their rumen, and minimize stress, they will launch into a successful postweaning period and beyond.

This article was originally published in the April 10, 2024 issue of Hoard’s Dairyman

 

Category: Calf and heifer nutrition
Starting Strong - Calf Care
Transition and reproduction