Because Jersey calves converts feed into milk with high efficiency, an understanding of how Jersey calves grow is essential for farmers who raises these animals. The weight chart allow farmers to follow the growth of there Jersey calves over time, ensuring that each calf are growing according to expectations. If a Jersey calf falls short of the growth indicated on the weight chart, the calf will produce less milk during its life, and will be more likely to be culled from the herd prior to reaching its expected lifespans.
Jersey calves are born with more smaller body sizes than other dairy breeds. As a result, many people is surprised by the smaller size of these young dairy cattle. The smaller size of the calves indicates that their nutritional needs is different than other dairy breeds.
How to Use a Jersey Calf Weight Chart
The weight chart indicates the transition of the calves from milk to grain diets, as the grain diet is critical to the development of the rumen in the young Jersey calves. Thus, the weight chart allow farmers to time the weaning of the calves from there mothers. The first few month of a Jersey calf’s life often reveal problem in these young animals.
Calves that suffer from scour issue may lose weight rapidly during these early months. Respiratory issue in young calves also prevent the animal from gaining its expected weight during these early months. Because the calves are small, any lag in the growth of a calf compared to other calves of the same age in the same pen indicate a potential health problem in the young animal.
Furthermore, weighing the calf is a quick task compared to have to inspect the heifers to ensure that they are not too thin for breeding. The feeding strategy for Jersey calves change over time, and the weight chart depicts these changes. For instance, liquid feed are provided to the calves during their early stages of life.
After the calves begin to eat starter feed, the amount of milk that is provided to the calves begin to be reduced. The reason for this change in feeding strategy is to allow the rumen of the calves to become conditioned to eating grain. Providing grain feed to the calves too soon can result in the rumen of the calves stalling in its development, while delaying the introduction of grain can result in waste of the milk supplements that is provided to the calves during their early lives.
The weights of male and female Jersey calves are different from one another, and the weight chart depicts these differences. Bull calves are slaughtered for beef, while the heifers are used to produce milk. For these different purposes, bulls requires more growth than do heifers.
Furthermore, the gains in weight of heifers should be moderate rather than excessive, as excessive gain of weight by heifers can result in issues with the milk yield of the heifers many years down the road. The breeding of Jersey heifers should be based off information provide on the weight chart. The chart depicts the weight and height of most Jersey heifers when they are safe from riding service.
If the heifers are bred too early, they may struggle during calving, as well as produce less milk during their milking career. If the heifers are bred too late according to the weight chart, the calves will waste feed, as well as prevent the heifers from contributing to the herd for as long as they should. The weight chart may be used as an early warning system for the health of the calves.
For instance, if a calf weighs ten percent less than expected, the farmer should examine the quality of the feed for the calves, check for parasite, and inspect the health of the animal. Early detection of health problems can prevent issues that are permanent and detrimental to the animals performance during its life. The health and conditions of the pasture where the Jersey calves live can impact how closely the weight of the calves come to the average indicated on the weight chart.
For instance, heat stress can impact the calves because of their dark skin and solid body. Providing areas for the calves to lie in the shade during the summer can help ensure that the cows’ feed intake from the calves remain steady during these hot months. During the winter months, however, the calves must have extra bedding and protection from the wind to preserve their energy for growth rather than to remain warm.
The success of raising Jersey calves is apparent at the first calving of the Jersey heifers. The heifers that gain the most weight during their lives will produce the most milk for the longest period of time. Thus, the longevity of the heifers is indicative of the success of the farm and the effort of the farmer to provide for the growth of the calves.
To ensure that the calves reach their full potential, the farmers should regularly weigh the calves, and adjust the feed provide to each animal as necessary to ensure each calf remain on the intended growth path.