Raising Fiscally Responsible Replacements!
Winter Dairy Management ‘08
January 21 – Richfield Springs
January 22 – Saratoga Springs
January 23 – Randolph Ctr., VT
January 24 – Chazy
January 25 – Carthage
January 28 – Geneva
January 29 – Batavia
January 30 – Pike
January 31 – Randolph, NY
February 1 -- Cortland
HEIFER HEALTH & DISEASE
tipping the scale in our favor
Newborn
HEALTH
Pathogens
Environment
DISEASE
Presentation collaborators
Jerry Bertoldo, DVM
Dairy Specialist
Cornell University Extension/PRO-DAIRY
Julie Smith, DVM
Extension Dairy Specialist
University of Vermont
with special thanks to Dr. Chris Rossiter, Poulin Grain
and Dr. Sheila McGuirk, U. of Wisconsin for the use of
slides and materials in this presentation
Health Triad
“If you always do, what you’ve always done,
You’ll always get, what you’ve always got.”
You have a starring role!
 Develop SOP’s, train and check
for compliance
 Identify and record key
observations & treatments
 Investigate direct and indirect
factors including the use of
diagnostics and necropsies!
 Implement appropriate
practices and procedures
for treatment and prevention
The Picture of Calf Health
Health
Status
Pathogen
Exposure
Environment
Stress
Resistance
Nutrition
The Reality
9% of unweaned calves nationwide
(excluding the DOA’s) die, primarily
of diarrhea diseases
Dystocia calves (3/5 score or higher)
are 3.8 times more likely to get sick
and 4.5 times more likely to die than
ones having a normal birth
These represent 60% of all calf
deaths
Franklyn Garry, DVM, CSU
Most wanted calf killers
The most common findings on a young stock
necropsy ?
Dehydration
Under-nutrition
Metabolic Impact of Dystocia
poor awareness & underrated
Physical trauma,
inactivity and congestion
Low blood oxygen levels
Hypothermia (<101°F)
Respiratory acidosis
Transient hypoglycemia
Poor IgG absorption
Poor innate response
The Source of Disease
Adult cattle are
“hotels” for most
disease pathogens
Sick calves and
stressed adults are
the “factories”
In Utero Diseases
BVD (PI or persistently infected)
Leptospira hardjo-bovis
Neosporosis
Brucellosis
Johnes
Leucosis
Diseases from Adults
around calving
BRSV - nasal discharge
Mycoplasma - nasal and vaginal discharge,
colostrum
Leukosis – colostrum, in utero
Johnes - colostrum, manure, in utero
Salmonella - manure, colostrum, saliva
E. coli, Rotavirus, Coronavirus, Coccidia,
Cryptosporidia - manure
Understanding Pathogen Risk
Adult world bugs present a risk to
young stock which decreases with age
Scour microbes infect via the organic
matter/feces to mouth route
Respiratory ones rely on nose to nose
or aerosol transmission
Mutations guarantee pathogen change
despite a closed herd situation
Disinfectants
Work better after dirt and organic
material has been removed
Effect logarithmic reduction in
pathogen load
Affected by temperature,
concentration, pH, water hardness,
presence of organic material
Characteristics of
Disinfectants
Iodophors active at acid pH but not
alkaline
Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) most
active at pH 6
Increase in temperature rapidly
increases effectiveness of alcohols
Dilution of phenolics significantly
decreases strength of activity
Household bleach
Sanitizing strength
200 ppm, 1 Tbsp/gal
10 min contact, rm. temp., pH 6-7
Disinfecting strength
2400 ppm, 6 oz (3/4 C)/gal; 2 min
Tuberculocidal (hospital) strength
5000 ppm, 1 ½ C/gal
1 min contact, rm. temp., pH 6-7
The Everyday Challenge
“Wet” calves followed by weaned ones
present the majority of replacement
health issues on the dairy.
80% of calfhood disease is enteric with
respiratory problems majority of the rest
Local, surface lung immunity is good by 6
weeks of age, the gut takes several months
to get to the same stage
Passive Immunity from Colostrum
Immediate
Short-lived Ig (11.5-16 day half-life)
Antigen specific
3 weeks old
Birth
Active Immunity
Newborns have 20-25% of the adult
level of immune “machinery”
Only limited response possible in first
7-10 days of life
Natural exposure and vaccines use
same pathway to protection
Age is no guarantee of immune
progress
Primary and Secondary Immune Response
Titer Response
(Anamnestic Response)
2nd exposure
Memory Cells
0
14
21
28
35
Time in days from
1st antigen exposure
How to Ruin a Good
Immune Response
Increase stressors – cortisol release
Dystocia
Discomfort
Excessive heat (>85°F) or cold (?°F)
Rough handling/increase fear
Isolation from other calves
Mingling of wide range of age and sizes
Multiple procedures at one time
How to Ruin a Good
Immune Response
High endotoxin exposure
Vaccines from gram-negative bacteria such as
E. coli, salmonella, pasturella, hemophilus,
moraxella, leptospira
Coliform laden milk whether pasteurized or not
Chronic disease exposure
Coccidia
Parasitism
BVD PI’s in herd
Got scours?
Scour Facts
Most prevalent between 5-14 days
2/3 of preweaned deaths
Colostral protection in gut last only
5-7 days, but can be prolonged with
whole milk feeding
Always a “mixed bag” of pathogens
Calving pen hygiene and prompt calf
removal is key to control
Age - Clue to agents involved
Adapted from
Navarre CB, 2000
Vet Clinics N. Am.
FAP p37
Enteropathogenic E. coli
E. coli
< 5 days Acute Enterotoxigenic E. coli
Clostridium perf C
days to 3+ wks
Salmonella
3 to 7 to 14 days
Rotavirus
1 to 14 days
Corona-virus
5 to 30 days
Cryptosporidia
1 to 5 wks
Giardia
14 days to 6 mos
Coccidia
21 days to 2 years
0
Mixed infections common
5
10
15
20
25
Age (days)
30
35
40
Common ‘agents’ incriminated
in calf scours
1. Enterotoxigenic E. coli
Gram (-) bacteria
2. Salmonella (typhimurium, newport) cousin to E. coli
3. Clostridium perfringens type C, B ( A?)
Gram (+) spore-former – Sarcina - oddball
4. Non-specific ‘environmental’ bugs
Bacteria
E.coli , Gram (+) Staphs, streps – drain on immune system?
5. Rotavirus
6. Coronavirus
Ubiquitous
Viruses
7. Cryptosporidia parvum
8. Giardia
9. Eimeria coccidia
Protozoal
Parasites
1. “Non-specific” bacterial scours
Feeding Sam Leadley’s “Bacterial Soup”
Contaminated colostrum, milk, feeding utensils, etc
Streps, staphs,**E. coli - from cows and feces
Persistent, mild to moderate scours, slow
calves
We can feed calves overwhelming levels of
bugs
Room temp milk - E.coli generation
time is ~ 20 minutes.
Millions in a couple of hours is easy.
2. Enterotoxigenic E. Coli
 Acute death in healthy calf at 1-5 days.
Often before scours appears.
Intestine is susceptible only first few
days.
Calf septicemia, E. coli mastitis,
 Bacteria adhere by hairy fimbria (K99)
Toxins cause severe secretory diarrhea,
dehydration and death.
Many E. coli strains - vaccines against a
major strain, K99, are effective.
Source: cow, environment, infected calf
3. Salmonella
Cousin to E. coli
Affects calves later - 6 days to 2 weeks
Severe diarrhea; S. dublin - respiratory disease
Some species multi-drug resistant
High morbidity or mortality
Highly contagious
Different strains, different signs
Inflammation and necrosis of intestinal tract
Septicemia with
Strict animal, pest and worker biosecurity necessary
to break cycle of spread
4. Clostridium perfringens
Types C, A & Sarcina
 Usually 7 days - 4 weeks; typically acute weakness, bloat
and death in healthy calves; hemorrhagic enteritis.
 Overgrowth of normal inhabitant of environment and gut
 Anaerobic spore forming, gas producing bacteria
 Overgrows in favorable conditions – carbohydrate, high pH
 Produces multiple toxins
 Associated with ‘large volume’ meals (2x), early starter
intake, hard water, milk replacer vs. whole milk
 Perforating abomasal ulcers, abomasal crepitus (like
bubble wrap) may indicate Sarcina
 Need feeding management and vaccination strategy
5. Rota and Corona Viruses
 Ubiquitous - probably the most common causes of scours.
 Almost always mixed with other infections
 Calves appear bright until dehydration; wt. loss, acidosis
 Rota - 5 to 21 days of age is common.
 Damage heals with support in 5 days
 Colostral antibody in blood and gut lumen protective for 4-5 days
 Many strains of Rota that easily change
 Corona – 5 to 30 days - more severe gut villi damage.
 Depression, protracted scours, often mild respiratory bout
 Damage from corona infection takes weeks to recover
 More common in colder climates
6. Cryptosporidium parvum
 1-4 weeks of age; peak shedding at 12-14 days
 Mild scours to severe cases requiring aggressive fluid
support.
 Often mixed infection; 6-10 day duration. Calves lose wt.
 Multiples in gut (auto-infective) and re-infects intestinal cells
 VERY CONTAGIOUS - Shed in extremely high numbers
 Most farms infected
 Mortality low, frustration high
 No effective treatment ***
 Survives in environment, hard to destroy.
7. Eimeria spp. - Coccidia
 Clinical disease after 17 days (21 day life cycle)
often post-weaning, stress related disease
2 common species; several minor ones
 95% of infections are subclinical
Unthrifty, poor gains
Manure rings on tail
Immunosuppression leads to respiratory
problems
 5% are clinical
Blood in manure
Risk of death
Stunted by intestinal damage
7. Eimeria spp. – Coccidia (cont.)
 Prevention trumps treatment!
Must not rely on starter medication to prevent
infection
Normal starter and milk replacer doses will not
rid a clinical infection
Medicate milk or milk replacer from day one!
Medication through weaning must be seamless
 Not all products are the same
 Rumensin®, Bovatec®, amprolium kill
 Deccox® inhibits
8. Giardia (water borne)
2 weeks to 6 months.
Very contagious; on most farms.
Giardia-associated scours - likely seen
with mixed infection with
cryptosporidia, coccidia, coronavirus
Trials did not show significant affect on
growth
May “tip” the balance with mixed infections
causing persistent scours
 Fenbendazole strategy reduces scours
and shedding if significant.
9. “Nutritional” Scours
Not a “disease”
Can occur at any age
No, mild, or temporary loss of appetite with a
change in feces consistency, color, or amount
Adaptation to ‘change’ in the diet ?:
Density, volume, timing, milk temperature, ambient
temperature, the feeder
Fat, protein, carbohydrate,, etc.
 May be an indication you need to reduce the
feeding level or amount, assess the routine –
consistency, timing, frequency, or assess product
quality.
Signs and severity of dehydration
If scours have started.. you are late to the party
Focus on detecting
these!
Acidosis
ORS = Oral replacement solution; works best 2-6% dehydration
Oral Replacement Fluids – Basics
BASICS (water!)
Any commercial electrolyte, before she
scours, calf temperature (102F)
Get comfortable using the tube feeder
Finer tuning
High glucose, bicarbonate or acetate,
glycine, especially if depressed
Switch to simple electrolyte after 1-2 days
Part as subcutaneous fluids (warm)
Approx. fluid replacement
for scouring calf (100 lbs)
%
Dehydration
New daily
diarrhea
loss
Total fluid
required per
day
Qts/d
Qts/d
Qts/d
Amt fluid
Amt. for
to replace maintenance
body water water
Qts/d
requirement
2
1
2.5
2-4
5.5-7.5
4
2
2.5
2-4
7.5-9.5
6
3
2.5
2-4
9.5-11.5
8
4
2.5
2-4
11.5-13.5
10
5
2.5
2-4
13.5-15.5
Maintenance water requirement estimated by McGuirk, 1992 ~ 25 ml/ lb /d
Oral replacement fluids most effective @ 2-6% dehydrated
Antibiotics?
Depends on severity and if
infection is systemic
Most of scour agents are
not susceptible
Effective antibiotics are
usually extra label or the
dosage needed is
Little attention to normal
gut flora restoration
Respiratory Disease
Usually a post-weaning problem unless poor
colostral immunity; 1/4 of preweaned
deaths nationwide
Better, longer IgG protection than for
scours
Pneumonia less than 3 weeks of age is
indicative of low blood selenium, poor
ventilation, airborne allergens, improper
tube feeding, large nipple holes or hot
BRSV infections in freshening heifers
Respiratory Disease
Pre-weaning usually viral
Post-weaning heavily bacterial with mixed
infections common
Coccidiosis can be a potent predisposing
factor to disease after weaning
Cold air increases the
penetration of microbes
into the lung (Grandma was
right about those drafts!)
Respiratory Disease
Impact
Much greater impact on height and
weight gains than scours
Calves with pneumonia <90 days of
age are 2.5 X more likely to die
before calving
Fresh heifers having
pneumonia histories show
higher rates of acute
pneumonia and sudden death
Addressing Respiratory
Disease
Preventative use of Terramycin ™ AureoS™, Aureomycin ™ feed additives often
effective ”band-aid”
Antibiotics are more effective for lung
disease than for scours, BUT select based
on farm experience and diagnostics AND
go high on doses and long on treatment
days!!
Early identification and prolonged therapy
is rewarding especially for mycoplasma
Addressing Respiratory
Disease
Isolating sick animals for treatment
and biosecurity
Give easy access to feed and water
Provide supportive therapy i.e. fluids,
drenches, anti-inflammatory drugs,
vitamin/min supplements
Respiratory Pathogens
Viral
IBR (uncommon w/ vaccination programs)
BVD (usually a stressor)
BRSV (primary)
Bacterial
Pasteurella multocida/ Mannheimia hemolytica primary
Mycoplasma – secondary?
Salmonella dublin - new, primary, weaned +
Hemophilus (Histophilus) - secondary, chronic
Arcanobacter (Actinomyces) – secondary, chronic
Vaccination Strategies
Do no harm!
No earlier than 3 months if closed herd OR
poor colostrum management OR no serious
problems
Avoid combination vaccines early with
unnecessary components - e.g. 4/5-way
w/Lepto
Vaccines given before 3 months of age
provide dubious “primary” protection
Vaccination Strategies
Use modified live virals at least by
breeding age
Include type 2 BVD always
Add Lepto hardjo before/at move to
group pens with or without
tetracycline “firewall”
Avoid more than two gram-negative
vaccines at a time regardless of age
Example Calf & Heifer
Vaccination Schedule
CORE
YES/NO
TIME/AGE
Clostridium C&D
NO
1-5 days of age
Intranasal IBR-PI3
NO
Newborn, pen moves;
as needed
MLV –IBR, PI3,
BRSV, BVD killed?
NO
7-14 days if early respiratory
infections;
repeat at 5-6 weeks
Pasteurella
Mannheimia
NO
5-8 weeks (and older) if
weaning age pneumonia
Lepto hardjo bovis
NO
At or just prior to weaning;
repeat in 4 weeks
Spirovac
Vista line
Haemophilus
NO
5 weeks and older if other
vaccines not controlling
pneumonias
Somubac
MLV – IBR, PI3,
BRSV, BVD killed?
YES
1st dose 12-16 weeks old
Repeat in 4-8 weeks
Bovi-Shield 4
Prism 4
VACCINATION
BRAND
EXAMPLE
UltraChoice C&D
TSV-2
Bovi-Shield 4
Prism 4
One-Shot
Once PMH
Example Calf & Heifer
Vaccination Schedule
VACCINATION
CORE
YES/NO
TIME/AGE
MLV – IBR, PI3,
BVD, BRSV
+ 5 way Lepto
YES
1 month prebreeding
Lepto booster
YES
Neospora
NO
At pregnancy check
At pregnancy check
Repeat in 3-4 weeks
E. coli, Rotavirus,
Coronavirus
NO
4 and 8 weeks precalving
Live or killed
9 way
YES
4-8 weeks precalving
J-5
NO
4 and 8 weeks precalving
Clostridium
7 way
YES
4-8 weeks precalving
BRAND
EXAMPLE
Bovi-Shield 4 + L5
Prism 9
Titanium 9
Lepto-Ferm-5
Neoguard
ScourGuard 4KC
CattleMaster 4 + L5
J-Vac
Vision 7
Consider….
Antiserums, immune modulators (vit C
Immunoboost), intranasal vaccines,
oral vaccines and antibodies,
endotoxin vaccines instead of
conventional vaccines on newborns
Injectable iron dextran, selenium,
vitamin E, multi B-vitamins
Internal Parasites
Nematodes
Not a problem in total confinement
except for bedded packs with larval
contaminated manure
Larvae need 2-3 days to be infective
Any lot with grass to eat can be a
problem
Economic Loss
Depressed growth
Weakened resistance
Possible 500-1000# first lactation
milk loss
Strategic Deworming for
Heifers (no previous Rx)
Rx at
Rx
turnout Rx
turnout
Rx Rx
Don’t
overlook
wormers like fenbendazole
Rx (>90
days
grazing)
(Safeguard/Panacur)
for safety, economy and ease of use
4 3wks
wks
43
wks
wks
From
Fromprevious
previous
year
year
Larvae
From previous
From
previous
year
year
SPRING
SPRING
SUMMER
SUMMER
Deworm
Deworm(Rx)
replacements
Late fall
FALL
FALL
WINTER
WINTER
The forgotten parasite –
lice!
Less of a problem where
calves are remote from older
animals
Difficult to eliminate
Cold weather surge
Sucking lice can cause anemia
Older alcohol based pour-ons
at lower dose offer good,
cheap control
Investigating Problems
Records of who, what, when and how
are invaluable; memory only goes so
far!
Work with your veterinarian; push if
necessary!
Don’t make excuses for what went
wrong
Diagnostics
Why? Valuable information if used to
make more appropriate management and
treatment decisions.
More likely to be effective at reducing
disease. Reduce frustration.
Justification for treatment choice
Reduces indiscriminate and unwarranted
treatments, time, cost and frustration
Take ‘selected’ diagnostic samples
 Representative animals - early in
process - preferably not treated.
1) Total serum proteins on 12 calves!!
2) Fecal samples on live calves –
parasitology, culture, gram stain
3) Post-mortem representative calves!
 Euthanize calf for best samples
 Submit fresh, frozen & fixed tissue samples
4) Tracheal washes
Calf Resources on the Web
www.atticacows.com – Sam Leadley – Calving Ease
www.calfnotes.com – Jim Quigley’s Calf Notes
www.das.psu.edu/dcn/CALFMGT/ - PSU
www.ansc.purdue.edu/dairy/calves/calfpub.htm
Purdue University
www.babcock.cals.wisc.edu/- Babcock Institute
They’re counting on you!
Thank you
Koval Bros. Case Farm
What Makes a “Quality Heifer” -- (Koval)
Maintaining Management Momentum
Nail Biological
Growth Targets
55% mature weight @ breeding
82 - 85% mature weight
@ 1st calving
≥90% achieving
*Breeding: Avg. 56% MW
(67% Achieving)
*Calving: Avg. 79% MW
(67% Achieving)
(Koval)
1st Calf “Treated” as Calf/Heifer* ≤ 30% ?
24 hrs.  3 mos. ____ 4 mos.  fresh ____
DOAs in first calf heifers ≤ 9% 7.5%
Male DOAs 7% Female DOAs 8%
1st Calf avg. peak ≥ 80% of Mature 77%
or total lactation ≥ 80% of Mature 85%
1st Calf Culls ≤ 60 Days in Milk ≤ 5% 3%
1st Calf ME’s ≥ Mature > (+601)
1st Calf “Treated” in Lactation* ≤ 15% ?
≥ 85% retention (any herd) to 2nd lactation 88%
Reduce #1 reason for 1st lactation culls
(continuous improvement) Mastitis
Questions
Heifer Reproduction
A Challenge with a Payback
Jerry Bertoldo, DVM
Extension Dairy Specialist
NWNY Team CCE/PRO-DAIRY
“Reproduction is a Luxury Function”
• Priority to become
pregnant lies below
maintenance &
growth
• Heifers fortunately
lack stress levels of
lactating cattle
Heifer Repro Physiology
• Onset of puberty at 40% of mature BW
550-600# for Holsteins
• 5-12% anestrus at 12 months of age
• 16 hour/day lighting trial saw the onset
of puberty one month earlier
• 2006 USDA study – no heat stress
impacts
• No metabolic or calving insults
Cow Physiology
• Loss of
progesterone into
milk or from
accelerated liver
function after
calving
• High BUN’s (>19)
appear to be
detrimental to
fertility in some
situations
11% loss
For lactating cows
the loss between conception
and Day 28 ~ 25-30%
6% loss
2% loss
Not apparent pattern in heifers
What's Normal Cow Fertility?
• Fertilization rates for normal heifers
and lactating cows are between 90-92%
when insemination timing is correct
• Lactating cows lose about 40% of
fertilized “pregnancies” by day 42
• If HDR is 100%, both pregnancy and
conception rate would average 52%
• Pregnancy loss for heifers is assumed to
be better; data is not readily available
Conception Rates
• 2007 NYS all lactating average = 39%
• Range is from 45% for the best 1st
lactation performance to 25% for the
poorest old cows
• 2006 USDA study of 362,000 heifers
averaged 57%; others note 65%
• Using a 65% CR and 92% fertilization
rate suggests early pregnancy loss up to
42 DCC at least 27% for heifers!
Ron Butler, Cornell
What’s the important number?
• Pregnancy rate! – the speed at
which they get bred
• 55%+ is a level to shoot for
• True PR will be 2-4% below
the calculated
examples
80% HDR X 70% CR = 56% PR
or
90% HDR X 60% CR = 54% PR
Management Challenge
• Heifers often out of the
visual “flight path” on the
farm
• Facilities often not
conduce for observing,
handling, sorting,
catching, marking,
vaccinating, monitoring
• Overcrowding, footing and
ventilation common
Management Challenge
• Heifers do not have
routine disruptions like
milking that cluster estrus
behavior
• 2X daily heat detection is
necessary for results
• Tank to heifer semen time
may be an issue leading to
fertility problems
Fine Tuning and Balancing
How do we hit management targets when
we have such biological variation?
BCS
genetics
rations
Measure, Monitor and Analyze
Breeding Targets
BREED
HIP HEIGHT
(inches)
WEIGHT
(pounds)
HEART GIRTH
BODY
(inches)
CONDITION
Holstein &
Brown Swiss
49”-51”
750#-800#
64”-66”
3.0-3.25
Ayrshire &
Guersey
47”-49”
650#-700#
61”-63”
3.0-3.25
Jersey
43”-45”
550#-600#
58”-60”
3.0-3.25
The above targets are more important than age. Insemination at less than 12
months of age is generally avoided. Individual growth patterns within breed will
vary by genetics, nutrition and health experience.
“So what’s the matter with using a
good bred bull?”
• No proof of genetic transmitting
ability
• No rating of calving ease
• One-third have compromised
fertility
• Few pre-breeding exams are ever done on
dairy herd bulls
• Venereal diseases possible
• Can be dangerous
“So what’s the matter with using a
good bred bull?”
• Inaccurate breeding dates
• Pre-calving vaccination program
hard to maintain
• Difficult to evaluate breeding
program
• Bull interactions in large groups lessens
effectiveness (?)
Disease Issues
• Leptospira species – late abortions, stillborns,
weak newborns
• Lepto hardjo bovis – implantation failure, EED
(up to 45 DCC?)
• Neospora caninum - 5-6 mo abortions (early
loss past 45 DCC?), newborn neurological
issues
• Salmonella dublin - abortions
• IBR – abortion storms past 4 months
• BVD – infertility, EED, abortion, deformities,
persistent infections in calves
Nutrition
• Balanced for growth
targets including the
micros!
• Fat heifers are
prone to infertility
and calving difficulty
• Say NO to lots of
corn silage!
• Heifers should not
be the dumping
ground for foul feed
Exogenous Estrogens
• Zearalenone
– A mycotoxin with estrogen like effect on cattle
– The only one known to directly cause abortion
– Causes follicular cysts, irregular cycles, mid-cycle
heats, false heats in pregnant animals, premature
udder development
• Phytoestrogens
– Plant estrogens biologically active in cattle
– Prime candidate is mature first cutting alfalfa hay or
haylage growing in cool wet conditions down longer
than usual
– Same signs as zearalenone without abortions
Removal of offending feed source results in a return to normal
estrus behavior in one week or so.
“Targeted Breeding”
• Solely designed to
shorten and
synchronize estrus,
not a timed breeding
program
• 66% respond 1st shot
• 85% on 2nd
• 90%+ on 3rd
• Originally designed
for 11 day intervals
Progesterone Programs
• EZ-Breed CIDR
• MGA – melengesterol acetate
• Suppress cycle, clear off CL’s, begin
follicular development “from scratch” at
the same time
• CR dependent on heat detection and
basic heifer fertility
MGA - Melengesterol Acetate
• Cheap! Pennies per day
• One study increased
heifer PR 13% from high
40’s to low 60’s
• Must be able to ID and
segregate heifers
• Must feed MGA at
prescribed rate (0.5
mg/day/head) for right
length of time
• Not many using it
Some appointment breed 72 hours post PG
EZ-Breed CIDR’s
(Controlled Internal Drug Releasing)
• ~$9.00 each
• Individual approach
• Less facility
dependent
• Hormone delivery
not dependent on
DMI
What about Ovsynch?
• Extra follicular
waves alter response
in heifers
• Does not provide the
appointment
breeding opportunity
as in adult cattle
• Relies on
conventional heat
detection effort
Management Tools
• Visible, documented
ID
• Written protocols
• Flexible, accessible
record keeping
system
• Team approach –vet,
herdsman, AI tech
Management Tools
• Convenient areas for
restraint and
procedures
• Provisions to
measure growth
• Appropriate grouping
to make rations,
breeding, preg
checks, vaccinations,
etc. work efficiently
Evaluating your program
• When do you start breeding heifers?
• What is your heat detection rate?
• How many services result in
pregnancies?
• How many confirmed pregnancies result
in a term calf?
• How fast does this all happen?
Don’t forget…..
• Routine, timely preg checks are critical to
heifer repro just like it is for cows
• Recheck pregnancies by mid term
• Vaccination programs for reproductive health
start during calfhood
• No matter what your threshold for heifer
breeding is, heat detection must be intensive
and relentless in order to keep the age at
first calving distribution in a reasonable range
Heifer Management Evaluation Snapshot – Two Components
Replacement Generation Capacity (RGC)*
Koval Bros. Case Farm
Longer Term – Factors Affecting Asset Growth (IHG)
Herd Birth
Rate
% Heifers
Born
% Heifers
DOA (≤ 24 hrs.)
(Freshening events
as % avg. cow nos.)
(Female births
divided by all births)
(Female births DOA
divided by all births)
≥108%*
*distorted during
Expansion
(108% Koval)
≥46 – 47%
(55 – 60% sexed semen)
(49% Koval)
Annualized Heifer
Cull Rate
(Heifers died/culled
divided by avg. # heifers)
≤3%*
*distorted during
Expansion
24 hrs.  3 mos. ____
4 mos.  fresh ____
(3% Koval)
*Adapted from Farm Credit’s Business Consultants’ Heifer Management Index
≤5%
(2.2% Koval)
Age at First
Calving (Months)
(Age and standard
deviation)
23 ± 2.5 mos. SD (&
82 – 85% Mature Wt.)
(23 ± 2.5 Koval)
Questions
IMPROVING REPLACEMENT
PROGRAM, Where to Start
Jason Karszes
Farm Management Specialist
PRO-DAIRY
Cornell University
Cathy Wickswat
Farm Management/Dairy
Extension Educator
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Rensselaer County
Goal of The Replacement
Program
The primary goal of all heifer programs is to raise
the highest quality heifer who will maximize
profits once she enters the lactating herd. A
quality heifer is one carrying no limitations into
the dairy herd that would hinder her ability to
produce under the farm’s management system.
Profits are maximized by obtaining the quality
heifer at the lowest possible cost.
Assessment of Current Operation
• Need to have information to use in making
decisions
• If not measuring, can’t evaluate or track
current performance or changes
• Two key areas
– Quality of replacement
– Cost of replacement
Quality of The Replacement
• What is the current status of replacement
program
• Replacement Heifer Management Snapshot
– How do you compare to goals
– Which areas may provide the most opportunity
– What do you think should be worked on first
Quality of The Replacement
• 1st Calf Heifers “Treated” as Calf/Heifer*
≤30%
24 hrs.  3 mos. ____, 4 mos.  fresh ____
• DOAs in first calf heifers
≤9%
Male DOAs. ____, Female DOAs ____
• 1st Calf avg. peak
Calf lactation total yield
•
•
•
•
•
1st Calf Culls ≤ 60 Days in Milk
1st Calf ME’s
1st Calf “Treated” in Lactation*
85% retention (any herd) to 2nd lactation
Lower #1 reason for 1st lactation culls
≥80% of Mature or 1st
≥80% of Mature
≤5%
≥Mature
≤15%
≥85%
(continuous improvement
Cost of The Replacement
• What are your costs to raise the
replacement?
• Are there limitations within the replacement
system that are impacting quality and/or
costs?
• Developing a better understanding of the
replacement system
Cost of The Replacements
• Estimating/Tracking different areas
–
–
–
–
Feed
Labor
Housing
The full system
• Data collection worksheets in materials
• Spreadsheets available at????
What next
• Once you have identified quality issues and
measured costs, can start moving through a
decision making process
• Series of questions to think about
• Homework to answer some of the questions
Decision Process
• What changes do you need to make to
improve the quality of the heifer?
– Management changes
• Different inputs
• Additional inputs
– New investment
• Facilities
• Equipment
• From today’s presentations
Decision Process
• What impact will these changes to improve
the quality of the replacement have on costs
to raise the replacement?
–
–
–
–
Feed
Labor
Housing
Other
Decision Process
• Can you make changes to maintain the
current quality of the replacement and lower
costs to raise?
–
–
–
–
–
Management
Feed
Labor
Facilities
Equipment
Decision Process
• What other options do you have to improve
the quality of replacement or the costs to
raise
– Multiple options should be considered
– Role of custom heifer raising
Decision Process
• Custom Heifer Growing Services
–
–
–
–
What is available
What is the cost
What is the quality being produced
How could it fit with the dairy
•
•
•
•
0-5 months of age
5 months to checked pregnant
Checked pregnant to close-up
Excess animals beyond the current capacity of
the replacement system
Decision Process
• What is the best use of limited resources
– Only have so much available
• Labor
• Management
• Capital
– Where is the best place to invest?
Decision Process
• What are other things that could be done
within the dairy to improve overall
profitability
– Crop production
– Dairy production
• Overall business assessment
• Mission Statement
• 5-10 year strategic plan
Going Home Today
• Think about the following three questions
– How much can the dairy bottom line be
improved by improving the quality/cost of
raising dairy replacements?
– Is there other areas within the farm, if focused
on, would have a larger impact than focusing
on the replacements
– If focus on the replacements, what would the
order of priority be for changes?
Special Thanks
• Thank you for attending today
• Special thanks for the case farms
– For taking time to be here today
– For taking time over the last 3 months to look
at their replacement program
– For being “under the microscope”
Questions