Keep Calves , Heifers Healthy During Winter
UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre
Co.) Calves and heifers experi
ence more disease during the
winter than at any other time.
It’s important to take precau
tions to keep animals healthy
and growing, said a dairy scien
tist in Penn State’s College of
Agricultural Sciences.
“Changeable weather, cold
temperatures, and dampness all
conspire to make winters tough
for calves,” said Jud Heinrichs,
professor of dairy science exten
sion. “In addition, bams are
closed up and animals confined,
with calves often in close contact
with older animals.”
Facilities such as maternity
pens, calf stalls and heifer pens
Payments as tpw as
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get used heavily in winter, and
clean-out may be neglected,
Heinrichs adds. With marginal
ventilation, dampness, toxic
gases, and disease organisms
build up.
“All respiratory infections are
reported more frequently during
the winter,” he said. “This in
cludes viral infections such as
IBR, BVD, PIS and BRSV, as
well as bacterial infections like
pasteurella and hemophilus. Di
arrheal diseases also are more
frequent and more severe.”
Heinrichs offers tips for keep
ing animals healthy.
• Use maternity pens for calv
ing cows only, not dry or sick
cows. “Don’t keep cows in these
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pens any longer than necessary
to minimize excess manure
build-up,” he said. “Keep the
pens clean and well-bedded with
long-stem bedding.”
• Provide adequate ventila
tion in maternity and young
stock facilities to reduce moisture
and build-up of toxic gas. Avoid
drafts.
• Ensure early, high-quality
colostrum intake. “Feed three
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The one with the 2000 PA Commercial Hybrid Test Reports?
NO WORRY...
DOHSLSfi'3
236 X at 81 DAYS proved ,
to be the DRIEST (19.4%)
with nearly 116 bu/a and over
98% erect plants and 54.5 bu
test wt.(ShortSeason MatZl)
469XP at 97 DAYS &
495XYG at 100 DAYS
were TOP YIELDERS
(123.7 bu/a and 123.0 bu/a).
(Short Season MatZl).
For two years (‘99 and ‘00)
516XY at 101 DAYS
averaged the DRIEST
(19.8%)
(EarlyMedSeason MatZ2)
765XYG at 117 DAYS
was the DRIEST (22.6%)
in a two year (‘99 & ’00)
average.(LateSeason MatZ4)
quarts of colostrum as soon as
possible after birth, then feed a
minimum of four quarts within
the first eight hours of life,”
Heinrichs said. “The only way to
determine if the colostrum is
high-quality is to measure it with
a coiostrometer.”
• Plan and implement a herd
vaccination program with your
veterinarian. “This program
should protect the calf both by
29 SXP at 85 DAYS &
383 X at 87 DAYS were
among the TOP 5 of 35
for impressive DRY DOWN.
(Short Season MatZl)
For two years (‘99 and ‘00)
495XYG at 100 DAYS
YIELDED THE HIGHEST.
(137.7 bu/a)
(Short Season MatZl).
638XYG atm DAYS
ranked #3 in SILAGE
YIELD with 23.7 tons/a.
(EarlyMedSeason MatZ2)
SBO7Q at 120 DAYS
was one of the TOP 3
SILAGE VIELDERS
at 26 tons/a.
(LateMedSeason MatZ3)
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passive immunity from colos
trum and, later on, her own ac
tive immunity,” Heinrichs said.
• Check young stock twice
daily for early signs of illness.
• Seek veterinary help for
early diagnosis and prompt treat
ment of sick calves. “Herd re
placements are too valuable to
get anything but first-rate care,”
Heinrichs said.
For two years (‘99 and ‘00)
236 X at 81 DAYS &
383 X at 87 DAYS
averaged the DRIEST
(18.1% & 18.6%)
(Short Season MatZl).
469XP at 97 DAYS
was #2 in SILAGE YIELD
with 22.1 tons/a &
the DRIEST! (57.9%)
(Short Season MatZl).
642XP at 110 DAYS
was one of the TOP 5 out of
33 DRIEST at 19.9% and
for 2 years ('99 and '00) was
#3 in DRYDOWN.
(LateMedSeason MatZ3)
859XY at 121 DAYS
was the #2 SILAGE
YIELDER (26.8 tons/a).
(Late Season MatZ4)
I !