LECTURE 26 FEEDING CALVES AND

REPLACEMENT HEIFERS

pp. 442-446

GOALS IN NUTRITION OF CALVES AND REPLACEMENT HEIFERS

• Maintain animal health• Have the heifer enter the milking herd between 22

and 24 months (or earlier???)– Must reach target weights

• To reach puberty• To maximize lifetime milk production• To rebreed at 80 days into first lactation• Target weights

– Age, months Weight, % of mature wt 13-15 55 22-24 82 (Holsteins: 55 inches tall) 36 92

• Prevent excessive fatness– Particularly from 3 to 9 months– Causes fat deposition in mammary gland

• Can be prevented by increasing metabolizable protein concentration of the diet

• Control feed costs

RETURN ON INVESTMENT FROM REPLACEMENT HEIFERS

Delayed 1st calving

Delayed (i.e,., lower)

return on investment.

1st Calving 2nd Calving

3rd Calving

2 years

Negative Balance Positive Balance

Investment Return on Investment

Birth

Age (month)

Net Income

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52

+

0

-- -

U of Wisconsin http://www.extension.org/pages/Heifer_Economics (May 2009)

PHASES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGESTION IN CALVES

• Preruminant– Must be fed as a nonruminant– Liquid diet

• Transition– 4 to 8 weeks age– Diet dependent

• Functional ruminant– After 4 to 8 weeks

CHANGES IN TRANSITION FROM PRERUMINANT TO RUMINANT

• Absorption• Function of the reticular groove• Enzyme activity• Volume and absorptive capacity• Development of rumen microbial population

CHANGES IN ABSORPTION IN CALF

• Newborn calf has no antibodies– Obtains maternal antibodies (immunoglobulins)

from consumption of colostrum

ABSORPTION OF COLOSTRUM ANTIBODIES

• High at birth– Absorbed whole by phagocytosis– Low proteolytic activity

• Low at 24 hours– Small intestinal epithelium closes– Proteolytic activity increases– Factors affecting efficiency of antibody absorption

• Age at first feeding• Concentration of immunoglobulins• Method of feeding

– Nipple pail > nursing• Respiratory or metabolic acid

– Dystocia

COLOSTRUM MANAGEMENT• Feed a minimum of 2 quarts of colostrum in

two feedings during first 12 hours– Should supply 100 gm IgG – Should contain > 50 gm/L

• Antibody additives can be used to increase IgG– Sources

• Dam• Frozen

• Need to attain 10 gm IgG/L blood serum

FUNCTION OF THE RETICULAR GROOVE

• Two lips of tissue that directly transfer milk from esophagus to abomasum

• Stimuli– Suckling – Milk proteins

• Efficiency of milk transfer– Equal in nipple and bucket-fed calves until 8 weeks– Better in nipple-fed calves than bucket-bed calves

after 8 weeks of age• Advantages of nipple feeding

– Sigmoidal position of neck– Rate and pattern of milk consumption– Increased saliva flow

CHANGES IN DIGESTIVE ENZYMESActivity at:

Class Enzyme Secreted by Birth 8 weeks Action

Proteases Rennin Abomasum Low (birth)

High (1 day)

Low Coagulate & hydrolyze

casein

Pepsin & HCl

Abomasum Low Adult Hydrolyze protein

Pancreatic protease

Pancreas Low Adult “

Carbo-hydrases

Lactase Small intestine

High Low (Diet dependent)

Hydrolyze lactose

Amylase Pancreas Low High Hydrolyze starch

Maltase Small intestine

Low Adult Hydrolyze maltose

Sucrase Small intestine

Never Hydrolyze sucrose

Lipase Pregastric esterase

Saliva High Low (Diet dependent)

Hydrolyze milk fat

Lipase Pancreas High Adult Hydrolyze fat

IMPLICATIONS OF CHANGES IN DIGESTIVE ENZYMES

Ingredient

Nutrient Desirable (Particularly first 3

weeks)

Acceptable Undesirable

Protein Dried skimmilkDried buttermilk

Spray-dried wheyDelactosed whey

Spray-dried plasma Soy protein isolate

Wheat protein isolateDried eggs

Red blood cell protein

Soy flourMeat solublesFish protein concentrateWheat flour

Carbohydrates Dried skimmilk Dried buttermilk

Spray-dried whey

-- Wheat flourCorn starch

Sucrose

Fats ButterfatLard

Choice white greaseTallow

Soy oilPalm oil

Coconut oil (Can’t be fed alone)

--

CONSEQUENCES OF FEEDING LOW QUALITY MILK REPLACERS

• Reduced growth rate• Scours

– Poor protein quality results in alkaline feces– Poor carbohydrate quality or excess lactose

results in acidic feces

CHANGES IN VOLUME OF THE COMPARTMENTS OF THE CALF’S STOMACH

Omasum,% 10 10 8

Reticulum,% 5 5 5

Birth 6 weeks After weaning

Total, 100 100 100

Abomasum,% 60 25 7

Rumen,% 25 60 80

U of Wisconsin

EFFECTS OF DIET ON RUMEN VOLUME

• Feeding hay – Increases the rate of increase in rumen volume– Does NOT affect mature rumen volume

• Implications– Feeding forage by itself to calves before weaning

is questionable

EFFECTS OF DIET ON DEVELOPMENT OF RUMEN EPITHELIUM AND PAPILLAE

• VFA metabolism in rumen epithelium Rumen epithelium Rumen oxygen

Carbohydrate Butyric acid Acetoacetate

fermentation (ketone)

– Effects • Stimulates blood flow Stimulates epithelial• Stimulates DNA synthesis and papillae growth

• Implications– Offer starter grain to calves at 1 week of age– Starter grain consumption should be 1.5 lb/day before

weaning– Coarse grinding and addition of a small amount of

ground forage ensures normal papillae development

EFFECTS OF STARTER COMPOSITION ON RUMEN EPITHELIUM AND PAPILLAE STRUCTURE

Development of rumen microflora• At birth, rumen contains no microorganisms• Normal development pattern Appear Peak Organisms 5-8 hours 4 days E. Coli, Clostridium welchii Streptococcus bovis ½ week 3 weeks Lactobacilli ½ week 5 weeks Lactic-acid utilizing bacteria ½ week 6 weeks Amylolytic bacteria

1 week 6 to 10 weeks Cellulolytic and Methanogenic bacteria

1 week 12 weeks Proteolytic bacteria 3 weeks 5 to 9 weeks Protozoa - 9 to 13 weeks Normal microbial population

FACTORS AFFECTING ESTABLISHMENT OF RUMEN MICROBIAL POPULATION

• Presence of the organisms• Normal population of bacteria and protozoa is established

by animal-to-animal contact between ruminant and preruminant animals

• Bacteria will still establish if calves are kept separate from mature animals.• Protozoa will not

• Favorable environment for growth• Presence of substrates• Favorable ruminal pH

• Implications• Offer coarse starter grain to calf at 1 week of age• Use of microbial inoculants is ineffective to early

establishment of rumen microbial population.

FEEDING PROGRAM FOR REPLACEMENT DAIRY HEIFERSDAY 0 to 3

• Feed 2 quarts of colostrum in two feedings in first 12 hours

• Feed colostrum at 8 to 10% of calf body weight/day

FEEDING PROGRAM FOR REPLACEMENT DAIRY HEIFERSDAY 4 to 35-56

• Feed milk or milk replacer – Feed at 8 to 10% of calf’s body weight– Liquid feed options

• Milk– Cost/day = $1.74 (4/2013)

• Milk replacer– Cost/day = $1.50 to 1.80 (4/2013)– Mix 1 part replacer/8 parts water– Composition

» 20-22% CP» 10-20% Fat (Lecithin added as emulsifier)» 40-45% Lactose» Max. of 0.15% Crude fiber» 1.00% Ca» 0.70% P» Other macro and trace minerals» 20,000 Vit. A/lb» 1,320 IU Vit. D/lb» 110 IU Vit. E/lb» B vitamins» Can contain coccidiostats ( Decoquinate/Lasalocid) and

antiobiotics (Oxytetracyline/Chlortetracyline)– Use desirable or acceptable ingredients

RECOMMENDED MINERAL AND B VITAMIN CONCENTRATIONS IN MILK REPLACERS (DM basis)

Minerals B vitaminsMg, % 0.07 Thiamin, mg/kg 6.5

Na,% 0.40 Riboflavin, mg/kg 6.5

K, % 0.65 Pyridoxine, mg/kg 6.5

Cl, % 0.25 Pantothenic acid, mg/kg 13.0

Fe, mg/kg 100 Niacin, mg/kg 10.0

Mn, mg/kg 40 Biotin, mg/kg 0.10

Zn, mg/kg 40 Folic acid, mg/kg 0.50

Cu, mg/kg 10 Vitamin B12, mg/kg 0.07

I, mg/kg 0.50 Choline, mg/kg 1,000

Co, mg/kg 0.11

Se, mg/kg 0.30

• Fermented colostrum– Cow produces enough colostrum in first 11 milkings to

meet at least ½ of calf’s total nutrient needs to weaning– Preserve in plastic container– Store at 40-80oF– May add 1% propionic acid in warm weather– Add daily with stirring– Keep for 4 weeks– Do not add milk from cows treated with antibiotics– Dilute with 1 part water to 2 or 3 parts of colostrum

• Nonsaleable milk– Do not feed milk from cows shedding pathogens

associated with Johne’s or BVD– Do not feed milk that is bloody or unusual in appearance– House calves receiving nonsaleable milk individually– Pasteurize milk before feeding– Observe antibiotic withholding periods if calves fed milk

from antibiotic-treated cows

• Offer starter grain at 1 week – Composition

• 15 to 20% CP– All natural protein– Rumen undegradable protein, 33% of CP– No NPN

• NEm, 2.46 Mcal/kg DM• NEg, 1.78 Mcal/kg DM• 80% TDN• 3% Fat• 13% NDF• 12% ADF • .70% Ca• 0.45% P• 8,800 IU vit. A/lb DM• 1,320 IU vit. D/lb DM• 55 IU vit. E/lb DM

– Physical form• Coarsely ground

– Palatable– Provide daily and keep fresh– Consumption must be 1.5 lb/d at weaning– Increase starter consumption to 4 lb/d and maintain to 16 weeks

RECOMMENDED MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS IN STARTER GRAINS (DM basis)

MineralsMg, % 0.10

Na,% 0.15

K, % 0.65

Cl, % 0.20

Fe, mg/kg 50

Mn, mg/kg 40

Zn, mg/kg 40

Cu, mg/kg 10

I, mg/kg 0.25

Co, mg/kg 0.10

Se, mg/kg 0.30

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IN NUTRITION OF PREWEANED DAIRY CALVES

• Forage – Hay

• Small quantities may be offered starting at 1 week– If not, small quantity of ground hay may be added to

starter– Limit to maximize starter intake

– Silage• Don’t offer until at least 3 months of age

• Water– Free choice after 1 week

• Salt– Free choice

FEEDING PROGRAM FOR REPLACEMENT DAIRY HEIFERSWeaning to Lactation

Target weights, lb

Age, mo Holstein Ayrshire Guernsey Jersey

Birth 96 72 66 56

1 118 98 90 72

2 161 132 122 102

4 272 236 217 181

6 396 340 304 277

12 714 583 549 520

15 805 703 640 585

18 912 781 727 660

21 1025 885 816 740

IMPORTANCE OF TARGET WEIGHTS IN DAIRY HEIFERS

Underfeeding

• Delayed puberty• Increased maintenance

costs• Delayed economic return• Prolonged generation

time• Smaller cows at calving• Increased calving

difficulty• Reduced first lactation

milk production

Overfeeding• Fat infiltration of mammary

gland– Reduced lifetime milk

production– Can be prevented by increasing

metabolizable protein concentration of diet. Maintain a NE:MP ratio.

• Earlier puberty• If bred early age

– More calving difficulties– Less milk production in first 2

lactations– Earlier economic returns

• If bred at normal age– Increased calving difficulties

ENERGY, PROTEIN, AND FIBER REQUIREMENTS OF REPLACEMENT HEIFERS

Nutrient 3-6 Months 6-12 MonthsGreater than 12 Months

Crude Protein 16% 14% 12%

Fat 3% 3% 3%

Crude Fiber 13% 15% 15%

A.D.F. 16% 19% 19%

N.D.F. 23% 25% 25%

NEm .77 Mcal/lb. .72 .63

NEg .49 Mcal./lb. .44 .37

T.DN 69% 66% 61%

MINERAL AND VITAMIN REQUIREMENTS OF DAIRY HEIFERS

Nutrient 3-6 Months 6-12 MonthsGreater than 12 Months

Calcium .52% .41% .29%Phosphorus .31% .30% .23%Sodium .10% .10% .10%Choride .20% .20% .20%Manganese, ppm

40 40 40

Cobalt, ppm .1 .1 .1Copper, ppm 10 10 10Iodine, ppm .25 .25 .25Iron, ppm 50 50 50Zinc, ppm 40 40 40Selenium, ppm

.3 .3 .3

Vitamin A 1,000 IU/lb. 1,000 1,000Vitamin D 140 IU/lb. 140 140Vitamin E 11 IU/lb. 11 11Potassium .65% .65% .65%Sulfur .16% .16% .16%

SATISFACTORY PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING HEIFERS

Age, mo Weight, lb

DM intake,

lb/d

Forage:grain ratio

CP, % DM

TDN, % DM

Weaning 130 1-2 0:100 15-18 75

2 160 4-5 25:75 15 70-75

3 220 6-7 50:50 15 70

6 400 10-11 67:33 14 66-68

9 550 14-16 75:25 12 65

12 720 16-18 75:25 12 60-65

15 875 18-20 100:0 12 60-65

18 1040 23 100:0 12 60-65

21 1200 28 100:0 12 60-65

24 1360 33 80:20 12 65

MANAGING POSTWEANING NUTRITION OF REPLACEMENT HEIFERS

• Weaning to breeding– Feed grain at 4-6 lb/day and allow increasing forage intake to

adjust forage:grain ratio• Leave on starter grain until 4 months of age

– Place on lactating cow grain thereafter

• Assumes good quality forage fed ad libitum.– Do not feed silage prior to 3 months of age

• Rumen undegradable protein should be 35 to 40% of the crude protein to improve conception rates

– Rumen undegradable lysine and methionine also beneficial

• Monensin or lasalocid at 50 to 200 mg/day will improve growth rate

• Breeding to 6 wk prior to lactation– Maintain BW gains of 1.6 to 1.8 lb/day– Ensure CP needs met

• Rumen undegradable protein not necessary• NPN sources could be used according to directions

– Program• Good to premium quality forage

– Could be hay or haylage with or without corn silage» Do not feed corn silage as sole forage

– No grain necessary• Fair quality forage

– Supplement with 2 to 3 lb grain/day

• 6 wk prior to lactation to freshening– Feed lactation grain mix up to 1% BW– Feed same silage fed to lactating herd– Feed some premium to supreme quality long hay.