Dairy | Cold Winter Calf Feeding

Feeding calves during the cold weather season can be a big challenge for any calf raiser. Producers need to be sure that calves housed outside during the cold weather are meeting their nutritional needs. Research suggests that calves raised in outside hutches during cold weather benefit from extra energy during the first month of life.

Calves have been successfully raised in calf hutches to prevent respiratory disease and avoid problems with humidity and spread of pathogenic organisms. Dairy producers in areas of cold winters have expressed concern about growth and survival of young calves. Newborn calves have small amounts of body fat plus relatively high energy requirement in relation to body weight.

The effects of housing and season on calf growth were observed from birth to 7 days of age. Significantly lower average daily gain was shown by calves housed in hutches during the winter compared with calves raised in a conventionally heated barn and fed the same ration. Cold temperature alters digestive processes and therefore the nutrient requirements of domestic animals. Cold stress and feeding animals is especially important because the digestive function in younger, smaller animals may be more influenced by environmental temperature than that of older larger animals. Weight gains are usually lowest during times of low temperatures (-10°C) and highest during times of warmer temperatures (-20°C). The additional energy from dry starters is superior to low fat milk replacers for total weight gains and efficiency of feed conversion. It has been shown that calves housed at -4°C require 32% more energy for maintenance than calves housed at 10°C.

 

In another study, it was also shown that calves raised in cold environments benefit from supplemental dietary fat. Holstein calves were fed three levels of dietary fat (10%, 17.5%, or 25%) in milk replacers at two environmentally controlled temperatures (-4°C or 10°C). The 17.5% fat diet supplied 8.2% more metabolizable energy per kilogram of DM and the 25% diet supplied 17.5% more metabolizable energy per kilogram of DM than the recommendation for milk replacer. Average daily gains for the 10%, 17.5%, and 25% fat diets were as follows: 10% - -.04 at -4°C and .15 at 10°C; 17.5% - .02 at -4°C and .22 at 10°C; 25% - .09 at -4°C and .20 at 10°C. Calves housed at the lower temperature either lost weight or gained less weight than did those at higher temperature. However, in this study no starter was fed! Results do relate to increased energy requirement at cold temperatures, but not the fat level in milk replacer when a starter is fed.

The fat content of dry whole milk is approximately 30%, however, the fat fraction supplies 45% of dietary energy and protein and lactose supply the remaining 55%. The fat content of MR should be between 10 and 25%. The quantity of fat needed or supplied in a MR depends on its digestibility, the rate of growth desired, environmental conditions, and cost of fat and milk protein substitutes and palatability/ intake of starter -- which is also related to water availability. A minimum of 10% fat in MR is recommended when the temperature-wind index is above 5°C, and a minimum of 20% fat is needed when the temperature-wind index is below 5°C (again dependent on starter).

Let it be noted again, that an effective way to increase energy is to encourage drier starter intake. This is best accomplished by:

• Providing small amounts of fresh Calf Startena daily
• Provide free choice water or feed water 3-4 times daily during periods of freezing weather conditions
• As a guide, wean calves when starter intake averages 1 1/2-2 lb per calf per day

Source: E.H. Jaster, G.C. McCoy, and R.L. Fernando. 1989. Dietary fat in milk or milk replacers for dairy calves raised in hutches during the winter. J. Dairy Sci. 73:1843 E.H. Jaster, G.C. McCoy, and N. Spanski. 1992. Effect of extra energy as fat or milk replacer solids in diets of young dairy calves on growth during cold weather. J. Dairy Sci

 

We carry an extensive line of animal health products to improve the wellbeing of your animals and pets, to ensure they stay healthy and productive. A solid worming program is an important aspect of animal health, and we carry a large variety of wormers, such as Ivomec, Zimectrin, and Safeguard worming products. We also carry products from Agrilabs, Farnam, and Absorbine. If you are in need of ear tags for your cattle we carry Agritags to help keep your operation organized.

We also have a varied line of insecticides that have been proven safe and effective for use on your animals. Endure by Farnam has had good results for flies. In addition, we carry Pyranha wipe or spray, Duragaurd by Absorbine and Bronco.

Effective fly baits can help deter the problem as well. Whether you choose Quickbayt or Golden Malrin, you won't have to say "Shoo fly, don't bother me!" Pour-ons also included are Permethrin-Synergized and Ivermectin-based pour-ons.

When it comes to people and their dogs, it's like talking about family. To help keep your dogs healthy and happy, we carry products such as Happy Jack mange medicine, Canine Red Cell, performer-brand Earmite killer, Nustockn Sulfodene, Pet Tabs, and Esbilac...just to name a few.

Our employees will help you make the best decision for your animal's health, and your pocketbook's health as well. Remember, we are here to serve you, and we appreciate your consideration.