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For suckler farmers operating an autumn-calving set-up, make sure you are on top of routine management tasks for this year’s calf crop.
With animals housed, it is easier for herd owners to handle a pen of calves for jobs such as vaccinating or disbudding. Outlined are five routine jobs for autumn-born calves.
1. Dehorning
Dehorning, or disbudding, should be carried out as early as possible.
While some calves will have prominent buds from as young as two weeks of age, some calves will be closer to two months of age before buds are showing.
This means not all calves can be dehorned on the same day, especially in herds with a more extended calving spread.
More often than not, later-born calves are overlooked for dehorning. But it is important this task is completed from a safety perspective, as well as improving the calf’s appearance.
When dehorning, clip the hair surrounding the bud and give calves an anaesthetic. Allow five to 10 minutes for it to take effect.
Make sure the iron is piping hot before applying to the horn bud. It should burn a continuous concentric ring if placed on a piece of wood.
Place the iron on the bud and rotate clockwise and anticlockwise for 10 seconds before removing the bud. Cauterise the open bud area and spray with an antiseptic spray.
2. Respiratory vaccines
With young calves housed, they are in a shared air space with cows, and possibly store animals, depending on the shed set-up.
Mature cattle can shed viral pathogens such as IBR. These pathogens can suppress the calf’s immune system, making animals more susceptible to respiratory problems or scours.
Therefore, vaccinating calves against respiratory diseases is recommended. Some vaccines will require a booster shot, so make sure to follow product guidelines properly.
3. Clostridial vaccines
Farms with a history of clostridial problems, such as blackleg, should vaccinate against such diseases. Clostridial vaccines cover multiple diseases and usually require a booster shot around four to six weeks after the primary dose.
4. Keep creep pens clean and well bedded
Autumn calves should have access to a creep area with a dry, clean bed for lying. While it is time consuming, cleaning out the creep pen at least once a month greatly improves shed hygiene and, ultimately, calf health.
A wet bed lowers the calf’s core body temperature as it lies in the creep area and affects its immunity. So do not skimp on straw when applying fresh bedding.
5. Feeding
Calves should have access to fresh fodder, concentrates and water from the creep pen, rather than competing with cows at the feed barrier.
When feeding concentrates, start calves on a coarse ration before switching to a general-purpose blend or pellet. Calves should be eating 1kg/day by the time they are four weeks old.
Offer calves a highly palatable fodder source to develop the rumen. Feeding good-quality hay or high-dry matter silage is recommended. To encourage intakes, fodder should also be fed fresh every day.
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