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Feeding management of the postnatal and preweaning calf has an important impact on calf growth and development during this critical period and affects the health and well-being of the calves. After birth, an immediate and sufficient colostrum supply is a prerequisite for successful calf rearing. Colostrum provides high amounts of nutrient as well as non-nutrient factors that promote the immune system and intestinal maturation of the calf. The maturation and function of the neonatal intestine enable the calf to digest and absorb the nutrients provided by colostrum and milk. Therefore, colostrum intake supports the start of anabolic processes in several tissues, stimulating postnatal body growth and organ development. After the colostrum feeding period, an intensive milk feeding protocol, that is, at least 20% of BW milk intake/day, is required to realise the calf potential for growth and organ development during the preweaning period. Insufficient milk intake delays postnatal growth and may have detrimental effects on organ development, for example, the intestine and the mammary gland. The somatotropic axis as the main postnatal endocrine regulatory system for body growth is stimulated by the intake of high amounts of colostrum and milk and indicates the promotion of anabolic metabolism in calves. The development of the forestomach is an important issue during the preweaning period in calves, and forestomach maturation is best achieved by solid feed intake. Unfortunately, intensive milk-feeding programmes compromise solid feed intake during the first weeks of life. In the more natural situation for beef calves, when milk and solid feed intake occurs at the same time, calves benefit from the high milk intake as evidenced by enhanced body growth and organ maturation without impaired forestomach development during weaning. To realise an intensive milk-feeding programme, it is recommended that the weaning process should not start too early and that solid feed intake should be at a high extent despite intensive milk feeding. A feeding concept based on intensive milk feeding prevents hunger and abnormal behaviour of the calves and fits the principles of animal welfare during preweaning calf rearing. Studies on milk performance in dairy cows indicate that feeding management during early calf rearing influences lifetime performance. Therefore, an intensive milk-feeding programme affects immediate as well as long-term performance, probably by programming metabolic pathways during the preweaning period.

There is an interest in alternative rearing systems that allow for prolonged cow-calf contact (CCC). Yet, a better understanding of cows' affiliative behaviour in those systems is needed. We evaluated the effect of type of CCC on calf-directed affiliative behaviour in dairy cows. Cows were permitted to have either: i) partial contact (PC) with their calf; calves were housed in a pen adjacent to the cow area allowing limited physical contact on initiative of the dam but no suckling (n = 18), or ii) full contact (FC) with their calf including suckling; calves were housed together with the dams in a free stall barn (n = 20). Proximity and physical contact between the cow and her own calf were recorded between 0 and 48 h postpartum in an individual maternity pen, and from 1 to 5 weeks postpartum in a free stall barn. Data were analysed with generalized linear models, except for behaviour with excess of zero-valued data where a Kruskal Wallis test was used. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to identify consistency of behaviour in the maternity pen and free stall barn. After parturition, latency to onset of allogrooming did not differ among treatments (mean +/- SE, 8 +/- 3 min, P = 0.39). Throughout the first 48 h postpartum, no treatment differences were found in percentage of observed time spent allogrooming the calf (PC: 7.7 +/- 1.3%, FC: 9.5 +/- 1.5%), standing in proximity (

The effects of divergent calf rearing diets and post-weaning pasture quality on growth, carcass traits, economics and the environment were investigated. Beef x dairy heifer calves were allocated to one of two rearing treatments, followed by a low (L)- or high (H) quality post-weaning pasture diet from 3 to 7 months old, in a 2 × 2 factorial design (n=50 per treatment). The R1 rearing treatment received 4 L milk/day for 5 weeks, then 2 L/day for two weeks plus concentrate pellets ad libitum for 7 weeks in group pens. These calves then grazed pasture from 7 weeks, with pellet-weaning at 12 weeks. The R2 rearing treatment were fed 8 L milk/day for 9 weeks, then 4 L for 2 weeks, weaning at 12 weeks, with ad libitum pasture outdoors after the first week. Cattle were managed as two groups, balanced for treatments, on a pasture-based diet from 7 months until slaughter at 19 to 25 months old. Calves offered the R1 diet grew slower than R2 calves with a 7 kg liveweight difference at 12 weeks (P

In the Netherlands, an increase in ear-tagged calf mortality (3 days to 1 year of age) in dairy farms was observed. The aim was to determine why calf mortality increased and how to reduce calf mortality in herds with structural high rates. A multi-disciplinary approach was chosen to study this phenomenon. First analysis of census data revealed that the majority of the calves died in the first month of life. In addition, a panel of 236 farmers indicated that the increase in calf mortality might be related to priority, time management and the mind-set of farmers. For that reason a questionnaire was carried out to detect risk factors for mortality among young calves (

A novel bacterial strain isolated in Australia, Propionibacterium jensenii 702 (PJ702), was examined for its potential as a direct-fed microbial to improve weight gain in calves. Holstein bull calves, 24, were randomly allocated into a Treatment or Control group and held under simulated commercial calf rearing conditions. Both groups were treated identically, with the exception that the Treatment calves were given between 1.1×10 8 and 1.2×10 9 cfu/(kg day) of PJ702. Faecal recovery of PJ702 from the Treatment calves from week 2 indicated successful gastrointestinal transit of the bacterium, and blood haematology and biochemistry indicated no adverse effects following PJ702 administration. There were improvements in weight gains with the Treatment group during both the pre-weaning (P=0.001) and the weaning period (P=0.04). Eighteen weeks after cessation of treatment, and removal to an extensive farming operation, Treatment calves remained heavier to the Control calves (P=0.03), with a final weight difference between the groups of 21.3 kg.

A 2-year longitudinal observational study of 15 red deer farms was carried out in New Zealand from March 1992. Both years combined, 3364 adult and 653 yearling hinds were diagnosed pregnant in June by ultrasound scanning and monitored for reproductive success up to weaning. At weaning, pre-rut at approximately 100 days after calving, udders were palpated or observed by the farmer and hinds were categorised as lactating (wet) indicating survival of calf, or not lactating (dry). Farm management practices during calving and early lactation were recorded. Analysis of risk factors associated with progeny survival was done using path analysis (separately for adult and yearling hinds). Adult hinds >3 years old at calving, conceiving before 1 May and having a body-condition score >2 in September had 2.8, 2.4 and 2.9 times significantly higher odds of rearing a calf to weaning than other hinds, respectively. Adult hinds had about 5 times lower odds of rearing a calf to weaning when they were mixed with mature stags during calving. When farmers visited calving paddocks and checked for calving problems, adult hinds had 1.7 times higher odds of rearing a calf to weaning. When the farmer entered calving paddocks at least every second time they observed the hinds, yearling hinds had a twice higher odds of rearing a calf up to weaning. Sunny weather and high maximum temperatures were positively and negatively associated, respectively, with the probability of an adult hind being in lactation at weaning.

The author discusses the syndrome of respiratory, disease in dairy calves, reviewing the disease and the causative agents. Attention is given to the epidemiology of the disease with discussion of morbidity, mortality, proportionate mortality and risk factors associated with dairy calf pneumonia. The economic impact of dairy calf pneumonia is discussed in detail and management options for calf rearing are suggested.

A barn for rearing bull calves for beef production was divided into an open naturally ventilated part (O) and a closed-off part ventilated mechanically and with optional heating (C). Calves were kept individually (I) or in group pens (G) during the first 3 months. All calves were group-housed from 4–6 months of age. Growth rates (g/day) were respectively 671 (O), 656 (C), 677 (I), 650 (G) during the first 3 months and 991 (O) and 979 (C) during the second 3 months. However, arrears in growth were made good during the finishing period. There were no great differences in feed conversion and incidence of respiratory disorders. The mortality rates during the 6 months were 4.4% (O) and 6.3% (C). In both I and G there were 5.6% dead plus culled calves during the first 3 months. The incidence of respiratory disorders was 38.5% for I and 60.0% for G. The impact of tethering on preputial sucking was studied in the group-housed calves. Calves tethered for the first 2 weeks displayed no preputial sucking. It is concluded that calves for beef production can be reared in an open barn. Group-housing is attractive in terms of animal welfare, although it requires more farmer involvement.

Urea treatment is a method in which straw is treated by ammonia released from urea. The process is similar to ammonia treatment, and it is a technically feasible method to improve the nutritive value of straw. Application in the field depends on economic and practical considerations. Local prices of feed and produce as well as type and level of animal production determine whether there is any economic advantage in feeding treated (TS) over untreated straw (US). Two approaches are used to assess the economics of straw treatment: (a) comparison of the cost of a unit of energy (TDN) and crude protein (CP); (b) the use of least cost ration formulation (LCRF). The first approach is convenient but can be misleading because of its simplifications. The use of LCRF with linear programming can account for more factors, such as dry matter intake limitations. The calculations show that straw treatment is economically attractive (a) when treated straw is cheap compared with other supplements for cows of medium production, and (b) when animal products can be sold at a remunerative price. Secondary effects of treatment on health, calf rearing or composition of produce are reviewed and no negative effects are known. Aspects of ammonia economy and savings of concentrate as well as the use of straw for other purposes are discussed. The emphasis of this article is on urea treatment of rice straw for the tropical smallholder's farming system, especially in south and southeast Asia, with reference to work elsewhere.

The feeding of whole milk (3 kg day−1) to cross-bred calves during rearing to weaning at 3 month limits farm income from the sale of milk and processed dairy products in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa. Two experiments were conducted using up to 11 and 7 calves per treatment where whey or additional concentrate were used as a partial replacement for milk solids. In Experiment 1 (days 22–84), 0 22 and 0.29 kg day−1 whey solids or 0.16 kg day−1 additional concentrate dry matter (DM) replacing 0.16 kg day−1 milk solids did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect liveweight gain (LWG; mean 0.36 kg day−1). However, feed conversion ratios (FCR; kg feed DM kg−1 gain) were increased (P 0.05) in FCR between the milk-based diet (2.69) and that containing the low level of whey (2.70). Higher FCR (P < 0.001) occurred with diets containing a high level of whey (3.37) and the concentrate-based diet (2.94). The proportion of whey consumed of that offered increased as calves became older. Smallholder milk producers in Africa could reduce the milk used in calf rearing by one-third to 2 kg day−1 by feeding whey at 1 kg day−1 at day 15 increasing to 4 kg day−1 from day 57 to weaning. Alternatively, milk solids could be partially replaced in the rearing of cross-bred calves by providing 0.12–0.16 kg day−1 concentrate DM where this is available.

Protection of calves against enteric and respiratory disorders is dependent on the passive immunity that the calf has received, its innate resistance to infection, the burden of infection in the environment and the nutrition of the calf. Superimposed on these, are the effects of management and physical environment. The plane of nutrition required for dairy heifers during rearing depends on the age at first calving, and for meat animals depends on the carcass weight and fat deposition required at a particular slaughter date in relation to time of birth.La protection des veaux contre des troubles digestifs ou respiratoires dépend de l'immunité passive que le veau a reçue, de sa résistance innée aux infections, du taux d'infection du milieu amibant et de la nutrition du veau. S'y ajoutent les effets du ménagement des animaux et du milieu physique.Le niveau de la nutrition nécessaire des veaux d'élevage dépend pour les génisses lactières, de l'^age du premier v^elage et, pour les animaux de boucherie, du poids de carcasse et de l'état d'engraissement recherchés á un ^age á l'abattage donné.Schutz von Kälbern vor Erkrankungen der Verdauungs- und Atmungsorgane ist abhängig von der passiven Immunität des Kalbes und von seiner angeborenen Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen Infektionen, von der Infektionsbelastung seiner Umwelt und von seiner Ernährung. Die Auswirkungen von Management und der Umwelt sind diesen Faktoren übergelagert.Die erforderliche Aufzuchtintensität ist bei Färsen der Milchrassen vom Alter beim ersten Kalben abhängig. Bei Tieren für die Fleischproduktion sind das beabsichtigte Schlachtkörpergewicht und der gewünschte Verfettungsgrad am Zeitpunkt der Schlachtung, unter Berücksichtigung des Geburtstermins, massgebend.

The Herd Health and Production Service program for use in veterinary dairy practice is comprised of a basic and a flexible system. The basic system is a uniform system of data recording, standard veterinary activities and problem detection. In problem detection 4 index lists play a key role. The 4 comprise of the parameters or index figures that are relevant in monitoring the efficiency of milk production, calf rearing and cow replacement. Data on milk production, health status and reproduction of both individual animals and the herd are collected by the farmer and the veterinarian and transformed into index figures. This paper introduces index list “3”, with index figures for the monitoring of calf rearing and cow culling as parts of a herd health program. The development, implementation and significance of the index figures are presented. The index figures serve to detect unsatisfactory farm situations or problems in calf rearing and in cow culling. They trigger further investigation and aid the solution to and prevention of problems. Relationships with farm parameters mentioned in other index lists are also considered. Objectives and reference values where applicable are provided.