Autumn calf preparation

Before farms begin welcoming autumn calves, it pays to prepare for their arrival. Adult cows tend to experience fewer metabolic challenges than in spring, while young calves remain highly vulnerable. Their immune systems are naïve. Exposure to pathogens like cryptosporidium, rotavirus, salmonella, or E. coli quickly leads to illness and high treatment costs. The goal is for calves grow quickly and develop strong immunity. With high calf prices, giving them the best start will help you reap the rewards.

Quality colostrum is the foundation to building immunity. A refractometer is an essential tool for any calving system and measures the Brix— how the quality of colostrum is measured. All calves should receive four L of high quality, gold colostrum within six hours of life. So, if your colostrum has low Brix, add a powdered colostrum product to bring it up to spec before feeding.

After colostrum, transition to whole milk or Calf Milk Replacer (CMR). It is important to feed enough milk, at consistent times, while also providing immediate access to water to support gut health and early growth for a strengthened immune system. Young calves, in the first few months of life, have a higher feed conversion, so it is worth taking advantage of this by feeding higher quantities of milk. This strategy means milk fuels growth, so calves grow bigger faster and are able to hit weaning targets earlier.

Autumn’s warm, damp conditions are perfect for pathogen survival in bedding and yards. Good hygiene—the shed, equipment, feeders, and staff— is critical to reduce pathogen challenge. Be sure to regularly disinfect all surfaces and equipment, replace bedding, and minimise faecal contamination.

Sheds should be clean, warm, dry, and well-ventilated. Autumn nights can get cold, so calves need to be protected from draughts. However, airflow must be maintained to reduce humidity and pathogen load. Be careful not to overcrowd the pens, as this only increases disease pressure even in the best systems.

Observe calves closely for changes in appetite, posture, dung consistency, and behaviour. Early intervention reduces spread and dramatically improves treatment success.

Autumn calves and farmers thrive when colostrum management, hygiene, environment, and consistent monitoring are prioritised.

1. Quality: test with a refractometer. Quality colostrum is > 22 percent Brix or 50 g/L IgG
2. Quantity: feed calves at least 10 percent of their bodyweight (~ 4L)
3. Quickly: feed colostrum early, ideally within the first two hours. After six hours, IgG can no longer be absorbed.
4. Quantify: blood test 10 to 12 calves during their first week to assess passive transfer success.
5. sQueaky clean: to prevent bacteria contamination, wash hands, wear gloves, and use clean buckets to collect and store colostrum. Refrigerate or freeze immediately. Fresh colostrum must be used within two hours, refrigerated within two days, and frozen within six months. 

To encourage better growth in your autumn calves, talk to your PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative.