Calf & Heifer Rearing
Rearing calves into heifers and on to mature cattle is a major investment in both money and labour. By making sure that each calf receives the best possible treatment as a matter of course, the aim is to produce a strong, productive and profitable dairy cow.

THE CALVING COW
Any problems with calving will inhibit calf vigour
Aim for at least 2 calving pens per 100 cows
Avoid having more than 1 cow in a calving pen at any one time
Re-bed and preferably clean out the calving pen after each calving; manure contains pathogens for scours, navel infections, mastitis, Johne’s and metritis
CALVING
Let the cow lick the calf dry, then remove the calf
Disinfect the calf’s navel
Give the calf its first feed of colostrum
Aim for 3 to 4 litres of good quality colostrum (>50lgG)
Feed colostrum through a stomach tube or teat within the first few hours
Pasteurised, mature cow colostrum is best
Put the calf somewhere clean, warm and dry to sleep it off
THE FIRST FEW DAYS
House calves individually, to reduce transfer of pathogens
Feed no more than 1.5 litres per feed in the first 4 days
Try and feed them 3 times a day during this period
Feed more often rather than increase milk per feed
Feed milk powder rather than whole milk
WHOLE MILK VS MILK POWDER
Cows milk has too high a fat to protein ratio
Cows milk is low in magnesium, iron, vitamin E & selenium
Milk powder is a consistent composition
Milk powder better matches the calfs needs
Milk powder has a zero infection risk
Never use milk from antibiotic or poorly cows
CALF HOUSING
Aim for 25% more pens than calves to allow for cleaning and disinfecting
Monitor airspeed and avoid draughts. The air speed at calf level needs to be below 2m/second
Make sure there is plenty of fresh air; this helps kill bugs!
Keep moisture to a minimum as it harbours a lot of bugs
Be aware of the temperature; calves get cold!
If any of these are sub-optimal, calves need to be kept warm to keep them growing - known as the lower critical temperature
Calf jackets are a great idea - as long as they’re breathable
Use a fan and duct system to provide plenty of fresh air without creating a big draught
Make sure the pens and building can be cleaned out easily