Keep the drama out of weaning calves

The weaning and transition phases can impose many stressors on dairy calves and subsequent negative impacts on welfare and performance. These stressors may be related to nutrition, the environment and/or social dynamics. Diseases such as respiratory disease and coccidiosis can be common in newly-weaned calves. This past week, at the Minnesota Nutrition Conference, Dr. Jim Drackley from the University of Illinois shared some pointers for a “no-drama” approach to weaning dairy calves.

Drackley said farms can prevent poor weaning outcomes by supporting adequate rumen development. This is achieved by feeding high-quality starter, promoting starter intake, good water management, not weaning too early or abruptly, not allowing free access to alfalfa forage and not stacking stressors at weaning.

Starter intake

Calf starter intake before weaning is the largest determinant of growth and health post-weaning. Starter intake drives rumen microbial and papillae development. Although he has supported feeding increased milk volumes over the past 20 years, Drackley shared that, with larger volumes of milk fed before weaning, starter intake, and hence rumen development, is slower to develop than in situations in which less milk is fed. He shared some compelling research and pictures from his lab reinforcing the impact starter intake can have on rumen development, resulting in more consistent performance and gain around weaning.

Typical guidelines for adequate starter intake at the time of weaning may only cover maintenance requirements. Drackley said a 187-pound calf would need to consume 2.2 pounds per day of starter just for maintenance. As winter arrives and we slip below the calf’s thermoneutral zone, energy requirements increase significantly. Drackley’s recommendations for starter consumption at weaning are a minimum of 3 pounds per day for Holstein calves and 2.2 pounds per day for Jerseys.  

Drackley suggested quality starters include palatable ingredients such as corn but cautioned against high starch content. Be sure to provide adequate total protein content from high-quality sources. Sufficient fiber (greater than 13% neutral detergent fiber) and adequate particle size are valuable. Research shows calves consuming texturized feed ate more and had greater average daily gain over calves fed a meal feed. Minimize dust or fines. Avoid feeding too high of fat content in your starter as this can depress intake and slow rumen development.

Minimize forage early in life

It has long been discussed that feeding free-choice hay to calves early in life will decrease starter intake and rumen development. Drackley shared some evidence to support a very small amount of forage (less than one-quarter pound per day) around weaning could increase starter consumption and improve feed efficiency. Dietary amounts of 5%-10% hay in postweaning calves can help prevent bloat and acidosis while maintaining intake. Control the amount of alfalfa hay offered through at least 6 months of age so that calves consume all programmed concentrates.

Water is still essential

It is hard to have a calf-related talk and not stress the importance of having clean water available to calves at all times if possible. Drackley also pointed out the need for supplemental water to enter the rumen for starter digestion and to support the microbial environment. He shared that, for every 1 kilogram of starter consumed, a calf needs 4 liters of water to maximize digestion and rumen development.

Finally, Drackley reminded us to avoid stacking stressors on calves at weaning.  Spread out vaccinations, dehorning, pen moves, nutrition changes, etc. as much as possible. Work with your calf management team to make sure these key points are followed to maximize calf performance through the weaning and transition period.

Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.