Purchasing non-replacement dairy calves
Meat & Livestock Australia October 4, 2024
Questions to ask dairy producers before purchasing non-replacement dairy calves
Dairy producers are experienced in raising dairy calves and can be a valuable source of information to help manage the transition calves undergo when leaving the dairy farm.
Familiarise yourself with the steps the calf producer has taken to raise a healthy, robust calf. Here are some key questions to ask:
Questions to ask
Reasoning
Genetics
What sire was used to produce the calf?
Ask yourself: Do the Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) of the sire align with the intended target market and production pathway?
(see GBfD Genetics module).
Knowing the breed and the sire of the dairy or dairy-cross calf helps predict its market success. Beef sires with higher growth and carcass EBVs typically produce better-performing beef-on-dairy calves.
Colostrum
Has the calf had at least 4L of high-quality within the first 12 hours of life?
Was the colostrum quality tested?
In addition to colostrum, ask about quantity of milk fed (encourage high volume milk feeding)
Calves must receive an adequate quantity of clean, good-quality (Brix >22) colostrum within the first 12 hours of life to ensure adequate maternal antibodies for disease prevention, growth rates and lifetime performance.
Colostrum management success can be tested by monitoring antibody levels after the calves settle into the rearing facility. This test can only be done between 24 hours and 7 days of age. Consult your vet about the best way to conduct this passive transfer test.
Nutrition – NOTE – Need to come back to this.
Has the calf consistently had [X]L of milk or milk replacer each day?
Milk rations for calves need to be considered on a dry matter basis. A calf can consume 2-3% of body weight daily early in life. This equates to an intake of 1.6-2.4kg of dry matter from milk replacer.
When we consider that many milk replacers are formulated to be included at 250 grams per litre, an 80 kg calf should be allocated 9.6 litres per day for adequate growth. This is over the traditional recommendation of feeding 10% of body weight in litres of milk figure that is commonly used.
Vaccinations
Can you provide evidence that the dairy vaccinates cows prior to calving?
Cows produce colostrum five weeks before calving. They take an additional five weeks after a vaccination booster to reach maximum antibody levels. Vaccines should be administered 8-10 weeks prior for optimal antibody transfer to calves. Pre-calving vaccinations should cover clostridial diseases, leptospirosis, and causes of calf scours, ensuring optimal disease protection during the first weeks of life.
Ask specifically about: Lepto, Clostridia, Salmonella, Pestivirus, Scourshield/Rotavec.
Health and welfare
Has the calf been housed in a clean, dry shelter?
Has the calf been housed individually, or in pairs/groups?
Calves in unsanitary or stressful conditions (cold, heat, moisture, mud, manure) are at higher risk of illness.
Research indicates that housing in pairs or groups may offer welfare benefits, with no significant increase in disease rates compared to individual housing, especially during pre- and post-weaning periods.
Signs of illness
Has the calf or its pen mates shown any signs of illness or disease?
Calves showing signs like lethargy, lack of suckling, dehydration, scouring, or coughing should be left at the birth farm. Consult your vet on managing any health issues that arise in purchased calves.
Livestock traceability
Does the calf have an NLIS ear tag?
Does the calf have a completed National Vendor Declaration (NVD)?
Legally, all calves moved off the property must have an NLIS ear tag, and the NLIS database transfer must be completed within 48 hours of the calf arriving at the new property.
The seller must provide a completed NVD at the time of sale. (See the Livestock Traceability and Food Safety module).
Livestock treatment and residues
Has the calf been fed any milk from cows containing treatment residues?
Has the calf been treated with an antibiotic or other health treatments?
Calves fed milk that contains residues or that are directly treated with antibiotics, will have a withholding period before processing.
A completed Bobby Calf NVD is required to capture this information.
Treatments may limit access to specific markets, so full disclosure is necessary to maintain market integrity.
Ensure you know your market and whether any products in the milk or milk replacer could impact your market opportunity
Biosecurity
What is the disease status of the Dairy Farm?
Does the dairy have a biosecurity plan?
Specifically ask about:
Salmonella, Mycoplasma, Pestivirus, Rotavirus, Coronavirus, E. coli, Crypto, Johne’s Disease.
(Adapted from Hunter Local Land Services (LLS), Buying Bobby Calves Factsheet)