《Nutritional Management of Dairy Calves》奶牛新技术课件.pptxVIP

2015 International Dairy New Technology Conference Nutritional Management of Dairy CalvesEva Griffin China - Ireland Targets for progressive calf programs 1. Double birth weight by 56 days of age - 40 kg birth weight 80 kgs @56 days 2. Mortality less than 5% 3. Morbidity (and treatments) less than 10% (Adapted M. E. Van Amburgh; now adopted by DCHA .Gold Standards) Losses 14.5% heifers don’t make it to first lactation 1/3 don’t make it to 2nd lactation 100% heifers that calved at 22-23 months made it to second lactation spent 48% of their life producing milk Heifers calved down at 32-36 months spent only 18% of life in milk (Wathes 2009) What is the most cost efficient and biologically efficient time to attain growth of heifers? Early growth is most efficient (Kertz et al. 1998) Nutritional Management of Dairy Calves - Colostrum 1. Use colostrum from the first milking for the first feed 2. Milk the cow directly after calving for best quality colostrum 3. Give colostrum within 2 hours maximum of the calves birth 4. Give 3 litres minimum by teat or tube 5. For Holstein calves 4 litres within 1 hour after birth is ideal; Holstein calves of 40 kg BW can be tubed successfully with 4 litres within one hour of birth. Separating biology and management Biology: normal genetically programmed growth and development Management: imposing restraints or capitalizing on advantages to improve profitability What does the calf “want” to do according to nature vs. what do we allow it to do? Mother Nature’s Feeding Program Cow’s milk: ~ 26 % protein on a dry solids basis. Feeding rate: at least twice the ‘conventional’ feeding rate of milk replacers (~1 kg solids vs. ~ 0.5 kg), spread over several meals First solid feed: High-quality fresh grass (sugars, fructans, non-lignified cell walls; butyrate fermentation) Weaning: Gradually, at 3 to 6 mo Milk Replacer: ~20-25 % protein on a DM basis Feeding rate: Once/day feeding, twice/day, Automatic feeders Solid feed: High