You can not control what you do not measure!

The wise statement of Peter Drucker's management guru (1909-2005) - "You can not control what you do not measure!" - You can apply to all spheres of economic activity, as well as to agriculture. But very often decisions are based on human instinct.

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Article by Holger Kruze Holm & Laue, Germany www.holm-laue.com

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This also applies to the raising of calves: the goal of getting a daily gain of live weight from 800-1000 g is taken by many farmers and often harassed. Now we are aware that calves, which grow faster due to intensive cultivation, will produce more milk in the future. This effect is called metabolic programming. But it is impossible to accurately determine the body weight of calves without regular weighing. Less than 12% of farms weigh calves during the milk phase. And only 9% of farms weigh calves at least twice. This means that 91% of the farms do not determine the daily increase in the body weight of calves and thus do not have information on the individual productivity of calves. How do these households intend to make important decisions about the feeding or selection of animals? In this article you will learn more about different methods of determining body weight and their benefits for the successful cultivation of calves. There are three main ways to determine the body weight of calves: - Measuring tapes. - Mechanical or electronic scales for animals. - Built-in weights at the feeding station for calves. Measuring tapes The simplest and cheapest method for determining the body weight of animals is the use of measuring tapes that measure the animal's circumference. Weights can be calculated and fixed. It should be borne in mind that weight is only approximate. But if the calves are repeatedly measured using a measuring tape, the estimated increase is, of course, informative. It is important to measure several times during the milk phase (at birth, after 4, 8 and 12 weeks). This is the only way to get a complete understanding of the development of the calf. Mechanical or electronic scales for animals Mechanical or electronic scales for animals more accurately fix the weight of the body. In this case, too, it is necessary to weigh several calves during growing. As with the measuring tape, metrics are recorded and compared. Newer electronic scales for animals can be equipped with RFID antennas that record the body weight and then store it automatically for the appropriate calf. Data can be exported and then processed. The data is much more convenient and more informative if it is automatically transmitted to the management software. This makes the weighing operation much easier for the staff. On the market there are already systems that allow you to enter additional information during weighing. When the weight of the body at birth, the information on the process of calving, colonization, etc., is introduced directly to the animal terminal. Thus, important information is stored, which can later be supplemented in the software with other information for holistic analysis. Built-in scales at calf feeding stations Built-in weights at the calf feeding station provide the most complete information on the body weight of calves. During each visit, the body weight of calves is recorded and data is generated that provides daily information on the development of calves. Since calves suffering from diarrhea instantly lose weight, even if they are still drinking milk very well, it is possible to identify these calves more quickly by means of an alarm list of weight than the alarming list for milk consumption. Also, severe diarrhea can be avoided due to early treatment, reducing drug use. Equipment for feed calves weights, gives the opportunity to wean calves based on the individual development of body weight. With this method, calves that consume more concentrate at an early stage are gaining weight faster and may be detached from milk before. This saves the cost of milk or whole milk substitutes and promotes the further transformation of calves into ruminants. In addition, animal scales, combined with management programs and analysis software, provide very detailed information on the future effectiveness of calves in their evaluation. Various studies on the subject of metabolic programming indicate that calves with high feed intake and high daily average increments later also have higher lactation productivity. Thus, it is researched that 85-111 kg more milk is produced in the future during lactation for every 100 g increase in average daily gain of body weight. So, if calves grow at 1000 g instead of 600 g per day, you can expect 450 kg more milk during the first lactation. Thus, as an extension to the calf's genetic parameters, animal weight information provides additional important information on the following question: which calves will remain on the farm for cultivation, and which ones will be sold? In particular, in cases where resources are retained or there are territorial restrictions, the question often is whether animal welfare needs to be grown? Then these additional selection options become more and more important. Growth monitoring It is also important to understand how the calves grew. In Figures 1 and 2 you can see the feeding trajectory and the weight of the body of two calves. Calves ate the same food and almost always the full amount. But it is obvious that in the first calf weight of the body is only 75 kg at the end of cultivation, while the second calf ends the milk phase with a body weight of approximately 90 kg. The first calf almost did not grow up to 20 days, while the second calf steadily increased at a rate of about 900 g per day. The first 3-4 weeks in the life of heifers are crucial for metabolic programming and development of the udder in the early stages. Thus, the second calf takes precedence over the first choice for the future dairy herd. These data show that Peter Drucker's quote is more relevant than ever. It is difficult to make the right managerial decision based solely on human instinct. When raising calves, you need to collect a lot of information to set the right course on the farm. "Tele is the future of the farm," says every second post on this topic. Let's finally begin to act accordingly!

Dachshund taxis - luxury or need ?! The optimum temperature of milk for calving should be 37-38 ° С.

1. At + 35 ° C, milk begins to digest after 5 minutes.
2. At temperature + 20 ° С - after 34 minutes.
3. At + 15 ° C and below - only after 6 hours.

Consider the question of milk at which temperature we can give a calf without having special equipment if the ambient temperature in the room is not higher than + 5 ° C: - the cow gives milk at a temperature of + 38 ° С; - this milk enters the tank (tank, pipeline, tank cooler), in which the temperature is equal to the air temperature, namely + 5 ° C; - further it is milk poured, for example, in poor weather and its temperature is also + 5 ° С; - after a while the milk enters the bucket from which the calf drinks, and the bucket also has a room temperature, that is not higher than + 5 ° С. The question: milk of which temperature will get a calf ??? And then: - diarrhea - no growth - lack of development - lack of milk "Dachshund taxi" - expensive or not? * 8 800,00 price is not relevant, indicated for the calculation example.   What does the farm get from using the Dairy Taxi? - healthy calves - stable growth - reduction of feeding costs - reducing the cost of treatment - Reducing the cost of human labor. To choose you !!!

Introduction. Colostrum is an excellent source of nutrients and immune proteins that transmit protection to a newborn calf. Since colostrum is very important for newborns, manufacturers must ensure that they always have a source of available colostrum. Therefore, storage of colostrum is extremely necessary. Two common ways of storing the colostrum are in the refrigerator and in the freezer. Storage of colostrum in the refrigerator. Colostrum can be stored in the refrigerator only 1 week, after the quality of the colostrum (Ig concentration) falls. If you store the colostrum in the refrigerator, check if your refrigerator is cooling well (1-2 ° C), so as not to accelerate the growth of bacteria. If the colostrum shows signs of souring, the quality of the colostrum decreases. Ig molecules in the colostrum, which transmit passive immunity to the calf, will be destroyed by bacteria, reducing the amount of immunity that colostrum can provide. Therefore, it is important that the colostrum is stored in the refrigerator for a very short time. Frozen colostrum. Colostrum can be frozen for a year, without significantly affecting Ig's composition. One study reported that colostrum was stored for 15 years without a serious deterioration in IgG. Freezing chambers "frost-free" are not suitable for long-term storage of colostrum. At them the system passes through cycles "a frost-defrosting", and therefore colostrum can melt. And this can significantly shorten the shelf life of the colostrum. Frozen colostrum in special packages, an excellent method for storing colostrum. It is very important that the package lies horizontally in the freezer. If the package lies horizontally, the degree of acceleration of the defrost increases, thereby reducing the delay between birth and feeding of the calf. The freezer should have a temperature of -5 ° C, so from time to time check your freezer. Defrosting colostrum. The main interest in defrosting frozen colostrum is to defrost the ice without damaging the immune proteins. It is best to do this with warm water (not hot) (50 ° C). As an alternative, colostrum can be melt in a microwave with little Ig damage. It is important to defrost in the microwave short periods at low power. Pour periodically melted colostrum (liquid), so do not overheat it. It is also important to avoid "hot spots" inside the frozen colostrum. Using a rotating platform minimizes Ig damage. The conclusion. Colostrum is an excellent source of nutrients and immune proteins for the calf. Handle it as a very valuable product. Protect the IgG molecule by freezing the colostrum and unfreezing it properly. Your calves will thank you. Source: www.calfnotes.com Jim Quigley

Feeding colostrum. To keep a calf with a cow or not? When a calf is born, a common question arises whether to let the calf stay near the cow or keep them separate from each other, and feed the calf with a nipple or probe. I maintain that leaving a calf near your mother is a bad idea. Usually a very bad idea. If you allow the calf to stay near the mother - the incidence of morbidity and mortality (illness and death) will increase. It is important to know the two most important things about colostrum consumption. Colostrum transmits to the calf immunoglobulins (Ig, also called antibodies), which provide passive immunity to the calf that is so much needed in the first two months, as well as throughout life. The calf is born without any Ig, so if the calf does not get Ig in the first 24 hours after birth, the chances of survival are not great. You can help yourself (and your calves) by making sure that the calves drink enough colostrum in these such important 24 hours. The only and most important component for the successful transfer of Ig from the cow to the calf through colostrum, is the intake of a sufficient amount of colostrum. Calves should get enough colostrum to provide themselves with Ig, necessary for the formation of passive immunity. On those farms where the calves are kept near the mother, there is usually no success - calves do not get as much colostrum as they can drink through a bottle or probe. Many studies suggest that calves eat small portions and do not get enough colostrum to achieve successful passive transmission. According to scientists, the number of calves that do not get enough colostrum is 25 to 40%. Therefore, so many calves are on the verge of risk. The other most important component of colostrum feeding is feeding as early as possible. How early? The effectiveness of Ig absorption in a calf falls with each subsequent hour. Therefore, the first watch is very important. Earlier, colostrum feeding is very important for obtaining passive immunity by calf. Delays in the first colostrum feeding not only cause a decrease in absorption efficiency, but also lead to illnesses and even death if the bacteria have settled in the intestine before colostrum has got there. Many calves - especially large calves that were difficult to bear, can not rise quickly after birth. A delay in getting up can also reduce the ability of the intestine to absorb Ig, thereby making the calf more susceptible to disease. Calves that stay with their mother sometimes can not find udders or nipples, and as a result they do not get enough colostrum and start drinking colostrum later than if they were fed from the bottle. The situation becomes even worse if the cow has a large swinging udder that is close to the ground. Because by nature the calf, when it sucks, raises its head upwards, and it can lose a lot of time in search of the udder. Instead of drinking colostrum, he spends time searching, and in the meantime, substances from litter or manure that contain deadly bacteria can enter the intestine. The conclusion is that the calves that remain near the cow are in a huge risk zone. They may not get enough colostrum, get colostrum too late. Therefore, you must separate the calf from the mother as quickly as possible and feed it fresh, high quality colostrum. And if the calf does not want to drink it voluntarily, then, without hesitation, resort to using the probe. Source: www.calfnotes.com Jim Quigley

"Milk Shuttle". Reduce the cost of raising calves. It takes at least two years for the heifer to return the money that was spent on her and began to generate income. Therefore, you need to use all the potential methods to reduce costs in the growing stage. Do you want to know how "Milk Shuttle" will help you save money and make you a more successful host? The following information will give you an answer to this question! Invest in the Successful Future "Milk Shuttle" is your partner, which will help to make a solid foundation for future production of your animals. Factors such as pasteurization, optimum temperature control, precise dosage of the amount - all this will help optimize the feeding process and achieve high production rates in the future. "Milk Shuttle" is your friend for many years. If you are feeding twice a day, you will use the "Milk Shuttle" more than 7,200 times in a 10-year depreciation period. Depending on the size and selected additional equipment functions, investing in "Milk Shuttle" is about 12-14 UAH per feeding! Decide for yourself, are you willing to invest $ 14 in light business days, your health, saved time? High-quality products are characterized by their service life and low depreciation costs over a long period of time. Of course, it's all about your Milk Shuttle, your daily calf catcher. Reduce energy costs by using the hot water function If you want to reduce energy costs and if you have a lot of hot water, then the option of hot water heating will help you reduce energy supply, thus saving valuable money without spending money on heating the milk. Feed correctly, avoid excessive consumption The function of the "Milk Shuttle" is to control quantity, helps to feed each calf individually and avoid unbalanced rations between feeding; it's like automatic feeding! When you are preparing a diet, you already know how much milk you need and you do not exceed the required amount. This is the same as keeping milk or milk replacer, and it will very well be reflected in the financial balance of your company. Get better calorie production Calves, which are constantly fed with the correct amount of milk formula, a mixture of the right temperature and high quality (pasteurization function), less susceptible to future diseases, grow faster, and show a more stable and high average daily gain1. Cases of diarrhea will cost you about 265 euros / head. In addition, a 10% reduction in milk production due to different cases at the growing stage will cost up to 550 euro2! 1 Jamaluddin, A.A. et al., JAVMA 209: 751-6 (1996): Minnesota Field Study, Dec. 2001 to Aug.2002; Godden S.M. et al., JAVMA 226: no. 9 (2005) 2 Luhrmann (2009), Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Saxony

Expenses for illness depending on distribution (75 calves grown per year)
45 sick calves, severe illnesses1	7 151 euros
30 sick calves, middle diseases	4 353 euros
19 sick calves, non-severe diseases	2 420 euros
11 sick calves, non-severe diseases4	1 452 euros

(Source: Luhrmann (2009), Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Saxony).

BAG Is specificly designed for this purpose. The bag contains 4 liters of colostrum. It is designed so that the bag surface is as large as possible, and still the bag is very handy. This maximizes heat exchange from warm water to the frozen colostrum. And likewise, the freshly harvested colostrum can be cooled very quickly. Colostrum bags are disposable.

THE CARTRIDGE Controls the colostrum bag all the way from filling the bag, via the colostrum bank, until feeding the calf. The holes and the structure inside the cartridge ensures maximum flow of warm water across the surface of the colostrum bag, when the cartridge is placed in the water bath. Identify each cartridge with date, quality etc. on the writing plate.

THE WATER BATH When a calf is born, go to the colostrum bank and take a cartridge and a bag and put it in the holder in the warm water in the water bath. Close the lid and press the start button. Constant rotation of the cartridge and colostrum bag in the warm water brings the temperature from the deep freeze to drinking temperature in an extremely quick and gentle process.

THE FILLLING RACK Makes it easy, fast and hygienically to fill the harvested colostrum into the colostrum bag.

COLOSTROMETER Check the quality of the colostrum when the colostrum is in the funnel of the filling rack. Give the best quality colostrum to the new born calves.

ESOPHAGEAL FEEDER OR TEAT When colostrum is heated and ready for the calf - put on either the esophageal tube or the nipple to the colostrum bag, which remains in the cartridge.

STRAP A shoulder strap on the cartridge makes it easy to handle the cartridge. Alternatively you can place the cartridge on the railings and have both hands ready to assist the calf.

COLOSTRUM BANK Coloquick concept is based on the establishment of a colostrum bank in a freezer or a refrigerator. But of course the system is also suitable if you choose to give the newborn calf colostrum immediately after harvesting the colostrum.

Requiprements on colostrum management: QUALITY - It can be very often when colostrum does not contain enough quantity of antibodies. It is impossible to estimate quality visually. Minimal acceptable level of IgG is 55 grams per liter of colostrum. QUANTITY - It is necessary to feed calves with maximum big quantity of colostrum - at first feeding - for getting enough quantity of antibodies. A calf that weights 40 kg should get 4 liters of colostrum (2 liters + 2 liters at first 6 hours of life with interval 2-3 hours). TIME - It is necessary to give colostrum during 15-30 minutes after birth and not later. TEMPERATURE - Temperature of colostrum should be equal to the temperature of body of a calf (40°С). CONCLUSION: BANK OF COLOSTRUM - When you have a bank of colostrum, you are sure that you have enough quantity of colostrum and this colostrum of very high quality. WATER BATH - Thanks to the system ColoQuick, freezed colostrum is heating very quickly and at correct temperature, that is why calves are getting colostrum without any delays and this colostrum is of high quality.