Calf weight gains is a process that require careful management in part because calf weight gain is the result of many different factor. By monitoring the weight gain of the calf, it is possible to ensure that the calf reach the specific weight that are targeted for each stage of the calf’s development. Despite the appearance of the simplicity of calf weight gain, the process is actualy influenced by the smaller decisions made during the early stage of the calf’s life.
The growth of a calf follow a specific cycle in part because the digestive system of the calf must change over time. Early growth rate of calves are slow due to the fact that the digestive system of the calf are not yet fully developed. After the introduction of starter grain, however, the rumen of the calf begin to develop.
How to Help Calves Gain Weight
The development of the rumen allow the calf to digest fiber, which allow for the growth rate of the calf to increase. Thus, if the development of the rumen of the calf is slow or delayed, the weight gains of that calf will be slow and the calf will exhibit stall in it’s growth rate. Breed of the calf is one factor that influence the weight gain of that animal.
Different breed of cows have different potentials for the weight gain of their calves. Some breed tend to produce calves that are heavier at the time of birth, and some breed produce calves that gain more weight during the weaning period. Other breed may not exhibit the same interest in gaining weight then other breed of cows, but instead in developing characteristics like heat tolerance.
Crossbreeding can be used to introduce the benefits of different breeds, but only if the growth potential of the breeds support the weight gain program for the calf. Nutrition and the resources that provides that nutrition are two essential factor in the weight gain of the calf. For instance, cows that are provide with high-protein forage and high-energy forage will gain more weight than cows that are provide with mature forage or drought-stressed forage.
In addition to the forage that is provided to the calf, minerals and water is provided to the calf; minerals and water impact the amount of feed that a calf consume. Without access to free water, or with trace minerals that is necessary by the calf are lacking in the diet of the calf, the weight gains of that calf will be unable to reach the potential of it’s genetic makeup. The management of the calves during their weaning period will have an impact upon the weight gain of that calf.
Because weaning introduce stress into the calf’s life, the weight gains of the calf may decrease during this period. However, if dry feed is introduced to the calf well in advance of its weaning period, the stress period associated with weaning can be avoided. In addition, proper management of parasites and vaccines will reduce the negative impact of any disease upon the weight gain of the calf; if calves are properly managed in regard to these aspect of their care, the total weight gain of the herd will be increase.
The feed conversion of the calf is a metric that can help to describe the ability of the calf to convert feed into weight. Calves that are young gain the most weight with the feed that is provided to them; however, as they begin to consume forage and higher-energy feed, more feed is required to gain the same amount of weight as young calves. This increase in the amount of feed that the calf requires is normal and expected during its lifetime; however, it does have an impact upon the cost of that weight gain.
Thus, those managing the herd should understand the feed conversion of the calf so as to determine whether the supplementation of feed to the calf is worth the cost. It is necessary to track the weight of the calf. By tracking the weight of the calf, it is possible to determine which cows produce calves that have high rate of weight gain, and which cows produce calves that gain little weight.
These tracking method can help to make decisions regarding the breeding of cows, and which cows should of be culled from the herd. Additionally, tracking the weight of calves will help in the detection of any problem with the pasture, water, or health of the herd prior to those problems becoming more significant issues. Overall, tracking the weight of the calves will enable the management of those cows to maintain the weight of the calves on an even upward curve, and to minimize any issues that may arise regarding the weight gain of the calves of the herd.