Calf care

To set a dairy cow up for a long, productive life you must give her the best possible start. Extra effort now will pay dividends throughout her milking life.

Heifers that reach target weights make successful milking cows and growing them well starts from the day they are born.

Calf rearing good practice

All calves, including bobbies, must receive adequate fresh colostrum within the first 24 hours of life and should be fed colostrum, or a colostrum substitute, for at least the first four days of life.
Always handle calves gently and with care. Do not allow anyone to throw, hit or drag a calf at any time. Electric prodders must not be used on calves (MS17).
Calves that are not with their mothers must be provided with shelter so that they can stay warm and dry.
Calf pens must be fit for purpose and well maintained. Bedding areas must be comfortable, clean and dry, with adequate ventilation but draft free at the calf level. Exposed concrete, bare earth and mud are not acceptable.
Calves should be fed at the same times each day to minimise stress.
Always ensure your calves have access to plenty of fresh water.
Feed calves adequate quantities of good quality feed to rapidly achieve weaning weight with a well-developed rumen.

Download this video here.

Colostrum

Calves should drink about 4-6 litres of fresh colostrum during the first 12 hours of life to get protective antibodies. To achieve this, pick up calves twice a day and give them gold colostrum as soon as possible.
You can test the level of antibodies in a batch of colostrum using a Brix refractometer, available from your vet, farm supply store or a home brew shop. Brix higher than 22% are best for newborns.
Gold colostrum is best fed fresh but may be frozen for up to six months. Thaw/heat in warm water; do not microwave.
Store colostrum in a lidded drum or vat and stir regularly. Colostrum should be refrigerated (at 4°C) or preserved using a chemical preservative such as potassium sorbate. Find instructions on how to mix it here.

Ensure good routine hygiene and health practices

Scrub all feeding equipment well with hot water and detergent
Remove sick calves promptly to a designated sick pen
Frequently clean and disinfect pens where sick calves are treated
Disinfect hard surfaces
Ensure bedding is regularly refreshed
Control the spread of disease by minimising movement between pens. Calves of the same age should stay in the same pen. However, small or unthrifty calves may be better off with a healthy younger group.
Vaccinate, treat for parasites and provide access to shelter

Diseases that people can contract from handling dairy animals in New Zealand include Leptospirosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Campylobacter, Salmonellosis and Ringworm. To keep both humans and animals healthy, it is important to maintain high cleanliness and hygiene standards and vaccinate your herd where possible after discussing with your veterinarian.

Download this video here.

Make regular health checks

Calves must be checked twice daily for signs of ill-health and treatment given when needed.

Check that

Noses are clear of discharge and are moist and cool
Calves are alert and have responsive ears with no infection around the ear tag
Navels are clear of infection
Mouths are clear of ulcers
Calves can stand and walk normally i.e. no joint ill
All calves are feeding
Calves have shiny, supple coats.
If you lightly pinch a calf’s skin and it is slow to return to normal it may be dehydrated and need electrolytes immediately.