Dairy Quality University

Health tips for "heifer ranches"

by Debra Switzky

Even in Minnesota they call them "heifer ranches," facilities for custom-raised calves. These ranches often receive calves as young as three days of age from multi-sources. To make the transition smooth, they require specific health guidelines for both owner and contractor. A veterinarian, who moonlights as a custom grower, provides his protocol for commingling wet calves.

David Scott Tomsche, D.V.M. with Veterinary Associates, a large practice with clinics in Melrose, Albany and Upsala, Minn., points out that his program has been changed probably 100 times to its current form, and this one, they think, "is the correct one."

Tomsche and his practice partners are experienced calf-raisers—they have 500 huts at Stearns Custom Calf. And their "claim to fame," Tomsche says, "is to take 60 lb. calves to 600 lb." Some go beyond—between 300-500 head go back to their owners at 22 months.

The vaccination protocol used at their "calf ranch" is for multi-source animals transported to another facility. Tomsche stresses that this program is a proven regimen, but may need modifying for farms with special problems. The veterinarians work closely with the calf owners who are expected to follow the protocol.
• At birth:
CalfGuard 30 min. before colostrum
3 qt. nonblood-tainted colostrum
Tie navel with umbilical tape and thoroughly spray with iodine
• 6 hours after birth:
Feed 3 qt. nonblood-tainted colostrum
Repeat navel dip/spray
Initial the calf chart
• Upon arrival:
Bo-Se injection (3-4 ml)
Vitamin E-300
ADB12 (4cc)
Iron dextran (5 ml)
I.D. calf and fill in calf chart with times and sign initials
TSV-2 (IBR and PI3)—if needed for early respiratory infection
• Before 3 weeks of age:
Resvac 4
ONCE PMH (pasteurella multocida/hemolytica
• 5 weeks of age:
Avoid all vaccinations during transition from maternal to auto immunity
• 6 weeks of age:
Resvac 4
ONCE RMH
Clostridial (pick one)
Alpha 7
Vision 8
• 8 weeks of age:
Dehorn and IVOMEC®
Castrate
Remove extra teats
• 4-10 months of age:
Brucellosis optional
• 5-6 months of age:
Clostridial
Resvac 4 (killed BVD annually
thereafter)
ONCE PMH

Other recommendations:
• Have home-source vaccinate dry cows with ScourGuard 3(K)/C. Shot is given at dry off and three weeks later.
• Give Bovine Ecolizer and Calf Guard to any calf born from a dam who did not receive the dry cow vaccinations.
• Watch calf navel for infection. A navel infection will cause scours and pneumonia symptoms.
"The reality is to focus on the first three weeks of life," says Tomsche, "68% of death loss is during that time. Half will die from scours, typically rota-corona and cryptosporidia, which don't respond to antibiotics. Only 22% die from E. coli; less than 20% from respiratory disease." Mortality rates at their operations are less than 3% for heifers born from heifers, and less than 2% for heifers born from second-calf cows or older.
At least a third of calf deaths, adds Tomsche, could be prevented by better colostrum management. They always feed colostrum with a esophageal feeder within two hours of birth. "And remember, feeding a gallon of colostrum will compensate for bad colostrum."
Supplemental commercial colostrum is not a management tool, says Tomsche, who travels internationally as a calf-rearing consultant. "It's not the same as fresh/frozen colostrum. Calves need 100 g to 150 g. IGG to be protected. The most these products provide is 25 g to 35 g."

Calf diseases come in three stages, continues the veterinarian: first seven days; second seven days and next seven days. If calves are sick a couple days after birth, it's likely E. coli and curable with antibiotics. If sick day three, four, or five, it could be rota or corona virus. After day seven, you can generally rule out E. coli, and over seven days it can be cryptosporidia or coccidia. After 21 days, you're home free.