How do we create a high-producing, healthy cow? By developing a healthy calf.
Calfhood is far more than just a stage to get through before she enters the milking herd. Early life stressors shape a cow’s entire potential. Research shows calves with higher body weights and fewer health events pre-weaning have decreased health events post-weaning, greater milk production and increased longevity in the herd.
The hidden pressures on future production
Prior to weaning, calves undergo a lot of challenges. They are born without a strong immune system, leaving them susceptible to pathogens. They have no functioning rumen, making the lower gut a key focus for nutrient utilization. And they are experiencing the early stress of life, including vaccination, handling, weather and co-mingling.
One major stressor calves face is bacterial pathogens like Clostridia, E. coli and Salmonella. These pathogens induce scours — the leading cause of calf death. And with an immature immune system and underdeveloped digestive tract, these pathogens can wreak havoc causing severe illness and gut damage.
We often look to the calves to tell us when they are facing bacterial pathogens. Signs include reduced intake, diarrhea, nasal discharge, coughing, droopy ears, lethargy and fever. However, not all calves show obvious signs of being sick. In fact, the only way to truly know if a calf is facing a high load of bacterial pathogens is through testing.
This has been demonstrated through Papillon’s complimentary on-farm pathogen sampling program – we can see that nearly every farm has a calf with a high pathogen load, but no obvious signs of being sick.
A proactive approach to calf health and growth
What can producers do to ensure their calves stay on track?
- Minimize management stressors.
- Feed a consistent and quality diet.
- Provide constant access to clean water.
- Follow a veterinarian approved care plan.
- Utilize feed additives like BaciFlex®-Calf.
BaciFlex-Calf is a Lactobacillus- and Bacillus-based probiotic for dairy calves. It aids in pathogen inhibition in the gut, as well as gut healing after pathogen damage has occurred. Because the body is so interconnected, it has been shown that calves consuming BaciFlex-Calf not only have improved gut health but also a 45% reduction in respiratory disease.
These benefits free up energy for the calf to divert more energy towards growth. Across multiple studies, BaciFlex-Calf was shown to increase weaning weights and average daily gain.
Pre-weaning care pays back
How does this translate to a healthier, more productive cow? On average, calves consuming BaciFlex-Calf have an additional 0.08 lb. of average daily gain. Data shows this additional gain translates into about 240 lbs. of additional first lactation milk alone. Considering the cost of BaciFlex-Calf is about $3.00 for the pre-weaning period, this translates to an additional $40 per calf through first lactation.
With the right early life care, calves can start their lives out healthy and growing allowing for a strong start to lactation.
