Improving calf health through a health and feed plan

Improving calf health through a health plan and nutritionHealth is the key to success

The technical results speak for themselves: heifers weigh an average of 173 kg at 6 months, compared to a target of around 210 kg (CCPA Group study, 2015), a shortfall of almost 40 kg! One factor that explains this lack of growth is high mortality, which reflects high morbidity (number of sick calves). 11.6% of dairy calves under 1 month old die, compared with a target of less than 5% (BDIN and ENV Toulouse, 2011). And this figure is not improving, as it was 11.2% in 2005. The main contributing factor is diarrhoea: 65% of farms have more than 10% of calves with diarrhoea (CCPA Group, 2015).

owever, this situation is not inevitable! Certain measures can be put in place to remedy this. These require rigour and an investment of time

Implement a health, cleaning and disinfection plan on the farm.

Off-ground production has long incorporated health plans for livestock, which include feeding/medication/vaccination plans and cleaning/disinfection plans. The use of bands or batches in these production systems makes it possible to organise cleaning, disinfection and litter replacement between each group of animals. For dairy calves, this is more complicated to implement, particularly in group housing where calves arrive every day. However, farmers could reduce the incidence of disease by following a rigorous health plan.

Support the calf’s immunity by maximising the value of colostrum and feed.

At birth, calves have no immune protection, as the placenta does not allow the mother’s antibodies to pass through (unlike in humans). It is a very vulnerable animal. Its only source of immunity is colostrum. But it must act quickly: within four hours of birth, the intestine changes and begins to become impermeable. It gradually prevents antibodies from passing into the bloodstream. It is crucial to ensure both good quality colostrum and its proper absorption. Improving the quality of colostrum depends on the mother’s diet during the last weeks of gestation. Once immunity from colostrum has been acquired, it declines. The calf’s own immunity develops very gradually. There is a period of uncertainty lasting two to three weeks during which the calf is particularly vulnerable again: the immune gap. During this period, the calf’s immune system can also be supported through its diet.

Testimonial from Dr Le Nard on contamination management on a farm

Dr Le Nard, a veterinarian, illustrates the importance of health for rearing calves by presenting the situation on a dairy farm. The ongoing restructuring (herd consolidation) reduces the time farmers can spend caring for calves. This leads to difficulties in the calves’ early development, including digestive problems, stunted growth and high mortality rates.

Presentation of the results of the Gestyx Axion trial

At the end of the dry period, antioxidant reserves are greatly reduced. This is due to transfer to the foetus and colostrum. A trial was conducted on a well-known farm in north-eastern Germany (ADAP cattle breeding GMBH). It clearly illustrates the benefits of drying off associated with the use of Gestyx® Axion®.