• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2004

This study evaluated the impact of an AI heifer calf rearing scheme on dairy stock development, in a coconut grazing and a peri-urban smallholder dairy production system in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The heifer rearing scheme included free advice on calf rearing, drugs, acaricides, minerals and subsidised concentrates for 30 months. The farmers in the coconut growing area integrate dairying with their plantation, they sell their milk to the main processors. The peri-urban farmers are intensive milk producers, who sell their milk at informal markets. To estimate the effect of the heifer rearing scheme on dairy replacement stock development, scheme farmers were compared with farmers who did not participate in the scheme. Calf mortality was twice as high in non-scheme farms (23-28%) as in scheme farms (12-14%). The scheme had a positive effect on weight development and scheme heifers calved 4.5 months earlier than non-scheme heifers. The calf rearing package is cost effective in both farming systems, however, the required cash inputs are a major constraint. The costs per in-calf heifer under the scheme are much lower than the production of such animals by either multiplication in state farms or importing them. The coconut grazing system showed the highest potential for producing surplus dairy stock.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 1999

A formal survey was carried out in Nharira-Lancashire areas located in Chivhu to assess the calf rearing systems practiced in smallholder dairy farming areas of Zimbabwe. A total of 47 farmers, collectively owning 305 cows and 194 calves of various breeds, participated in the survey. All the farmers allowed their calves to suckle their dams all day to obtain colostrum. The colostrums intake period was significantly (p < 0.05) shorter (5.2 vs 4.1 days) in the small scale commercial area (SSCA) compared to communal area (CA). Milk was first sold to the Nharira-Lancashire Milk Centre a day after the colostrum intake period ended. Most of the CA (91.3%) and SSCA (77.8%) farmers penned their cows and calves together at night during the colostrum intake period. Thereafter the calves were penned separate from their dams. After colostrum intake, two types of calf suckling systems were practised; twice a day suckling and twice a day then changed to once a day suckling. In both systems, suckling was allowed for 30 minutes after the cows had been hand milked. There was no significant (p < 0.05) difference in the mean weaning age of calves between the CA and SSCA (5.8 vs 5.4 months). The most common weaning method was through separation of the calves from the dams. The limitaitions to calf production in Chivhu were the prohibitively high costs of calf meals, poor feed resources during the dry season, a general lack of knowledge on calf rearing diseases and inappropriate calf housing.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1318-1328
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• 2011

The tropics is not an ideal location for calf rearing as the high temperatures and humidities introduce many potential disease problems to milk fed calves. In addition, the type of dairy farming (generally poorly resourced small holder farming) and the general lack of awareness of the long term implications of poorly reared stock do not encourage farmers to pay close attention to their calf and heifer rearing systems. Surveys of calf rearing systems in Asia, tropical Africa and South America highlight the high calf and heifer mortalities. A range of 15 to 25% pre-weaning calf mortality is typical on many tropical dairy farms. It is often as high as 50%, indicating very poor calf management. This contrasts with US findings of less than 8% mortality from birth to 6 months while surveys of Australian farmers report only 3% losses. Simple extension programs on farms in Sri Lanka and Kenya have drastically reduced calf mortalities and improved pre-weaning growth rates. Improved management strategies leading to lower calving intervals, higher calving rates, reduced still born and pre-weaned calf mortalities and fewer non pregnant heifers can supply many more dairy herd replacements than currently occurs. Such strategies can increase the number of replacement heifer calves in the herd from 15 to over 35%, thus allowing farmers to increase their herd sizes through natural increases. Simple management procedures such as ensuring adequate intake of good quality colostrum within the first 12 hours of life, housing and good hygiene to minimise disease transfer, providing clean drinking water, developing appropriate feeding protocols to encourage early rumen development and paying closer attention to climate control and animal health can all lead to improved calf vigour and performance. Good record keeping is also important so farmers can more easily identify susceptible calves and quickly treat potential problems.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1735-1740
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• 2005

Forty-two single-bearing and 42 twin-bearing mature Angus${\times}$Hereford cows were allocated, seven per cell to 3 replications of 2 stocking rates (3.2 cows/ha; medium stocking rate [MSR], and 3.8 cows/ha; high stocking rate [HSR]) to graze summer-active and winter-active pastures from late pregnancy to the weaning of their calves. Cow liveweights and growth of calves were recorded as well as estimates of pasture quantity and forage intake. Pasture quantity did not differ in the paddocks grazed by single- and twin-bearing cows during pregnancy, nor effectively did forage intake. Subsequently, intake was higher during mid-lactation especially with twin-rearing cows (25% higher than single-rearing cows at the MSR; 9% at the HSR). However, quantity of pasture decreased for twin-rearing cows and was less than that available to single-rearing cows as lactation progressed. Liveweights of twinrearing cows decreased by 16% from late pregnancy to weaning at the MSR, and by 14% at the HSR, compared to decreases of 1% for single-rearing cows. Twin calves were lighter at birth, had slower growth rates, and were lighter at weaning than single calves. In spite of weaning smaller calves twinning increased the output (kg of calf weaned) per cow and per ha, and increased the efficiency (kg calf weaned per unit of forage eaten by the cow) over single calf production by 46% at the MSR and by 58% at the HSR. Twinning also increased the marginal returns from investment in high input pastures required by the enterprise.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.810-817
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• 2023

Objective: The aim was to compare the behavioral response to full separation of cows and calves maintained together for 100 days or 24 h. Methods: Twelve Holstein-Friesian cow-calf pairs were enrolled into either treatment or industry groups (n = 6 cow-calf pairs/group). The treatment cows and calves were maintained on pasture together for 106±8.6 d and temporarily separated twice a day for milking. The Industry cows and their calves, were separated within 24 h postpartum. Triaxial accelerometer neck-mounted sensors were fitted to cows 3 weeks before separation to measure hourly rumination and activity. Before separation, cow and calf behavior was observed by scan sampling for 15 min. During the separation process, frequency of vocalizations and turn arounds were recorded. At separation, cows were moved to an observation pen where behavior was recorded for 3 d. A CCTV camera was used to record video footage of cows within the observation pens and behavior was documented from the videos in 15 min intervals across the 3 d. Results: Before separation, industry calves were more likely to be near their mother than Treatment calves. During the separation process, vocalization and turn around behavior was similar between groups. After full separation, treatment cows vocalized three times more than industry cows. However, the frequency of time spent close to barrier, standing, lying, walking, and eating were similar between industry and treatment cows. Treatment cows had greater rumination duration, and were more active, than industry cows. Conclusion: These findings suggest a similar behavioral response to full calf separation and greater occurrence of vocalizations, from cows maintained in a long-term, pasture-based, cow-calf rearing system when ompared to cows separated within 24 h. However, further work is required to assess the impact of full separation on calf behavior.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.195-212
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• 1994

For the purpose to increase productivities of livestock the present investigations were undertaken in order to clarify the clinical and suclinical status of Korean native cattle, dairy cattle(holstein) and Korean native goat. Blood, feces and urine samples were collected from 247 Korean native cattle(222 adult and 25 calf), 224 dairy cattle(211 adult and 13 calf) and 142 Korean native goat rearing at Chonbuk area and analyzed for clinical, serum chemical, hematological and urinary findings. In addition, we were examined the infection rate of theileriosis, internal parasite and ring worm. The mean value for each component was calculated by statistical analysis using Excel computer program. From these investigations the following results were obtained. The mean values for RBC, PCV and etc in 433 adult cow(Korean native cattle and dairy cattle) were similar with other reports. But the mean values for MCHC of all species were lower than normal. Adult Korean native cattle and adult dairy cattle which showed hematologically normal levels were only 9.01% and 9.48%, respectively. Abnormally high values for PCV, RBC and Hb were recorded in 7.66% of adult Korean native cattle, 20% of korean native calf, 15.38% of dairy calf and 13.36% of Korean native goat. Adult Korean native cattle and adult dairy cattle which showed hematologically anemia were 4.95% and 19.43% respectively, but Korean native calf and dairy calf showed normal. Adult Korean native cattle, adult dairy cattle, Korean native calf and dairy calf which showed normal serum protein level 84.0%, 90.8%, 50% and 44.4%, respectively. In present investigations, 50% of Korean native calf and 55.6% of dairy calf were decreased serum protein values under range. These abnormally decreased serum protein values mean the shortage of antibody, and these have a possibility to occurs to pneumonia and diarrhea. From these results, the economical loss caused by pneumonia was calculated as 124,038,833 won in the KNC and 742,703,430 won in the dairy calf rearing in Chonbuk area. Calculated economical loss caused by enteritis was 56,658,690 won in Korean native cattle, 476,775,799 won in dairy calf, and the total loss amount of 533,434,488 won in Chonbuk area. Abnormally high values$(21.7{\pm}4.0mg/dl)$ for serum calcium were recorded 49.6% in dairy cattle. The mean values for serum total cholesterol were $170.8{\pm}99.8mg/dl$ in Korean native cattle, $196.0{\pm}40.6mg/dl$ in Korean native calf, $202.9{\pm}86.0mg/dl$ in adult dairy cattle and $289.4{\pm}97.5mg/dl$ in dairy calf. The infection rate of internal parsite were as follows; adult Korean native cattle: 21.2%, Korean native calf: 8.0%, adult dairy cattle: 67.8% and Korean native goat: 81.5%. The estimated economical loss caused by internal parasites infection were 1,120,855,837 won in Korean native calf, 4,994,959,405 won in adult Korean native cattle, 3,334,751,066 won in adult holstein, and the total loss amount to 9,450,566,308 won. The infection rate of theileriosis were 1.4% in Korean native cattle and 6.6% in dairy cattle. The presumed economical loss by T. sergenti infection were 154,408,482 won in Korean native cattle and 171,577,237 won in dairy cattle rearing at Chonbuk area. The infection rate of ringworm were 0.5% in Korean native cattle, 0.9% adult dairy cattle and 7.7% in dairy calf. The presumed economical loss by dermatomycophyte were 12,061,532 won in Korean native cattle, 16,895,403 won in dairy cattle, and the total estimated loss amount to 28,955,935 won a year in Chonbuk area.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.322-332
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• 2023

Objective: We determined the impact of maintaining pasture-based dairy cows and calves together over 100 days on cow milk production, cow and calf behavior, and calf liveweight and carcass quality. Methods: Six Holstein-Friesian cows and their male calves were monitored for 106±8.6 days. Cows were temporarily separated twice a day for milking with calves remaining in the paddock. Cow and calf behaviors were recorded via scan sampling at 6 different timepoints, for the first 7 days and twice a week thereafter. Calves were weighed weekly and immediately processed for meat quality and rumen development analysis at 106±8.6 days. Daily cow milk yields were collected from enrollment until 109±8.6 days (3 days post-weaning). Results: The average daily gain of calves was 1.4±0.73 kg/d, with an average carcass dressing percentage of 59%. Calves had the greatest frequency of observed close proximity to cow and suckling in the first two weeks and decreased with experiment duration. During separation for milking, cow vocalizations and attempts to return to their calf decreased over time. Reticulorumen weight was on target for calf age, but as a proportion of total stomach weight was lower than industry averages of calves the same age due to the larger abomasum. Cows produced an average of 12±7.6 kg of milk yield per day over the 3-days before the calves were weaned and increased to mean of 31±8.3 kg/d the 3 days after weaning, indicating a consumption of close to 20 kg per calf per day. Conclusion: The impact of a pasture-based cow-calf rearing system on cow and calf behavior and the potential for high levels of calf liveweight gain when provided ad-libitum milk and feed were determined. Further research is required to determine the practicality of replicating such systems with large herds and impact on reared calves post-weaning.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.227-246
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• 1994

Present investigations were undertaken in order to clarify the clinical status of Korean native cattle and dairy cattle(holstein). Blood, Feces and urine samples were collected from 247 Korean native cattle(222 adult and 25 calf), 224 dairy cattle(211 adult and 13 calf) at Chonbuk area and analyzed for clinical, serum chemical, hematological and urinary findings. In addition, we were examined the infection rate of Theileriosis, internal patasite and ring worm. The mean value for each component was calculated by statistical analysis using Excel computer program. From these investigations the following results were obtained. The mean values for RBC, PCV and etc in 433 adult cow(Korean native cattle and dairy cattle) were similar with other reports. But the mean values for MCHC of all species were lower than normal. Adult Korean native cattle and adult dairy cattle which showed hematologically normal levels were only 9.01% and 9.48%, respectively. Ahnormally high values for PCV, RBC and Hb were recorded in 7.66% of adult Korean native cattle, 20% of Korean native calf, 15.38% of dairy calf. Adult Korean native cattle and adult dairy cattle which showed hematologically anemia were 4.95% and 19.43% respectively, but all in Korean native calf and dairy calf showed normal values. Adult Korean native cattle, adult dairy cattle, Korean native calf and dairy calf which showed normal serum protein level were 84.0%, 90.8%, 50% and 44.4%, respectively. In present investigations, 50% of Korean native calf and 55.6% of dairy calf were decreased serum protein values under normal range. These abnormally decreased serum protein values mean the shortage of antibody, and these have a possibility to occrus to pneumonia and diarrhea. From these results, the economical loss caused by pneumonia was calculated as 124, 038, 833 won in the KNC and 742, 703, 430 won in the dairy calf rearing in Chonbuk area. Calculated economical loss caused by enteritis was 56, 658, 690 won in Korean native cattle. 476, 775, 799 won in dairy calf and the total loss amount to 533, 434, 488 won in Chonbuk area. Abnormally high values($21.7{\pm}4.0mg/dl) for serum calcium were recorded 49.6% in dairy cattle. The mean values of serum total cholesterol were $170.8{\pm}99.8mg/dl in Korean native cattle, $196.0{\pm}40.6mg/dl$ in Korean native calf, $202.9{\pm}86.0mg/dl$ in adult dairy cattle and $289.4{\pm}97.5mg/dl$ in dairy calf. The infection rate of internal parasite were as follows； adult Korean native cattle：21.2%, Korean native calf：80%, adult dairy cattle：67.8%. The estimated economical loss caused by internal parasites infection were 1, 120, 855, 837 won in Korean native calf, 4, 994, 959, 405 won in adult Korean native cattle, 3, 334, 751, 066 won in adult holstein, and the total loss amount to 9, 450, 566, 308 won. The infection rate of theileriosis were 1.4% in Korean native cattle and 6.6% in dairy cattle. The presumed Economical loss by T. sergenti infection were 154, 408, 482 won in Korean native cattle and 171, 577, 237 won in dairy cattle rearing at Chonbuk area. The infection rat of ringworm were 0.5% in Korean native cattle, 0.9% in adult dairy cattle and 7.7% in dairy calf. The presumed economical loss by dermatomycophyte were 12, 061, 532 won in Korean native cattle, 16, 895, 403 won in dairy cattle, and the total estimated loss amount to 28, 955, 935 won a year in Chonbuk area. The infection rate of ringworm were 0. 5% in Korean native cattle, 0.9% in adult dairy cattle and 7.7% in dairy calf. The presumed economical loss by dermatomycophyte were 12, 061, 532 won in Korean native cattle, 16, 895, 403 won in dairy cattle, and the total estimated loss amount to 28, 955, 935 won a year in Chonbuk area.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.1114-1125
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• 2021

Supplying a sufficient amount of high-quality colostrum is a prevailing challenge in Hanwoo calf production systems. This study aimed to describe the efficiency of a lacteal-derived colostrum replacer versus natural bovine colostrum (from Holstein) fed to Hanwoo calves. Forty newborn Hanwoo calves (25 males and 15 females; 30.7 ± 3.15 kg body weight [mean ± standard deviation]) were blocked by sex and birth weight and fed either natural colostrum or a commercial colostrum replacer. Calves displayed a narrow difference in the evolution of body weight and structural body dimensions when they received a commercial versus natural colostrum. Minor differences existed in the starter and total dry matter consumption between calves fed natural or commercial colostrum. Although the colostrum source had no significant effects on days to first diarrhea (average of 7.6 days; p = 0.17), the duration of diarrhea was longer in natural colostrum-fed calves (3.2 vs. 4.5 days; p = 0.04). Consumption of natural colostrum resulted in greater mean serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) on day 2 (14.7 vs. 10.8 ± 0.92 mg/mL) and day 7 (8.21 vs. 5.12 ± 0.82 mg/mL) of calf life, resulting in a greater proportion of commercial colostrum-fed calves (50% vs. 15%; day 2) to experience failure of passive transfer of immunity (serum IgG < cutoff point of 10 mg/mL). Overall, growth rate, body frame development, and incidence of diarrheal disease were not different in both groups. These results suggested that the colostrum replacer product tested in this study could be an alternative to natural colostrum derived from Holstein cow in securing calf growth and health in Hanwoo calf-rearing operations.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.295-298
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• 1996

An experiment was planned to investigate the effect of early weaned calves on their growth performance. Twelve newly born Sahiwal male calves were employed for this study. These calves were divided into four groups (A, B, C, D); three animals in each group. Calves weaned at 13 weeks (A), a traditional method of calf rearing in Pakistan, received whole milk throughout the experimental period of 90 days while calves weaned at 8 (B), 6 (C) and 4 (D) weeks received the starter ration to compensate the reduced milk allowance. Weight gain of calves of all groups remained unaffected statistically. However, the average daily body weight gains of calves weaned at 6 (300 grams) and 8 (377 grams) weeks of age were similar to those weaned at 13 (368 grams) weeks of age. The results of this study suggest that calf weaning could successfully be obtained at 6 weeks of age with the abundant provision of palatable and nutritious starter ration.