Raising Cattle - 12 Ways to Promote Development of Dairy Replacements and Prevent Calf Losses

A capable person who is well trained in raising
calves and management should be assigned the
task of raising the future dairy herd. Timing
and sanitation need to be given top priority in
the daily calf feeding and management procedure.
It is of utmost importance that the calf be
checked completely at least twice daily. Any
abnormal or sick calf should be isolated,
treated, and checked hourly, if necessary, until
its health has returned to normal. The following
general rules, if adhered to daily, will prevent
calf losses and promote normal development of the
young dairy replacements:

- Observe condition of hair and eyes (dullness
and brightness).
- Observe appetite at each feeding twice daily,
also nature and consistency of droppings.
- Check for external and internal parasites.
- Note coughing, possible respiratory disorder.
- Be alert to change in calf's temperature.
Normal temperature is 101.5 - 102.5 degrees F.
Temperatures may be sub-normal or as high as
107.0 degrees F. Check for panting.
- Check hay, bedding, water, salt, and mineral
supply.
- Keep feed troughs clean.
- Calves should be checked occasionally for
normal growth by using a livestock tape to
measure the heart girth.
- Turn suspicious calves out of individual pens
to check for abnormal gait, kicking at stomach
which may indicate torsion, limping for foot
rot, or other abnormalities.
- Check sick calves four times daily and isolate
them to prevent disease from spreading.
- Immunize and routinely treat according to the
veterinarian's recommendations.
- Request that the veterinarian check the entire
herd periodically, including calves, to locate
minor problems and to prevent serious outbreaks.

Many kinds of equipment are needed for the care,
treatment, and management of calves and heifers.
Failure to have the equipment conveniently
arranged and readily available often contributes
to higher calf losses.

Dairy cattle farming also requires that you have
enough funds to cover the monthly expenses of
raising cattle. Apart from the feeds, you have
to spend for routine medical care to ensure that
your cattle are always healthy. These medical
expenses would include vaccinations and disease
prevention treatments. If you feel that you
cannot handle the physical demands of dairy
cattle farming, you might have to keep a regular
crew of people to do the chores for you. Keeping
a vet on call would also be necessary. There
might be instances when you would need medical
assistance at odd hours. Fresh cows milk is
considered to be the best tasting milk. Wouldn't
you love to be able to have the luxury of being
able to drink the freshest milk everyday?

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Raising cattle can improve quality of life and
provide great satisfaction and responsibility
for families. Discover your alternatives and
then decide. If you would like more tips on
feeding cattle how to raise cattle, please go
to: http://www.howtoraisecattle.com

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