Calf Nutrition And Feeding For Success

Types of feeding systems for dairy cattle - sizing, economics, TMRs, feed storage and feed bunk management.

From birth to first calving, the replacement heifer undergoes tremendous changes anatomically as well as in feeding and management practices. The calf changes from being a pseudo-monogastric to a full ruminant within a period of two months. During the same period, the calf is fed colostrum, milk, or milk replacer, and starter with or without hay. Notably, the lifetime milk production and health of a dairy cow is highly dependent on early life nutrition and management of the calf and, subsequently, the heifer. Hence, animal scientists continue to investigate critical areas such as colostrum feeding, the level of liquid feeding, gut microbial succession, energy and protein levels, housing, health management, and their interactions with the animal in an effort to help dairy producers raise successful and sustainable dairy enterprises.

Calf Nutrition and Feeding is a practical guide for people raising calves, whether a small or large operation, for people who sell goods and services to calf raisers, for students learning about calves, and for nutritionists and veterinarians whose support is vital to successful calf raising. It's a source of practical aspects of calf feeding highlighting information about the revolution of accelerated feeding and the impact of neonatal nutrition on lifetime milk production in heifers.

Dairy Cattle Feeding and Nutrition was designed to provide information needed by those interested in the feeding and nutrition of dairy cattle. It contains basic information for students in courses on feeds and feeding, dairy cattle production, and animal nutrition.

Looking for a technical but practical science-based book on Dairy Calf and Heifer Feeding and Management? Are you a field person such as a nutritionist or veterinarian or calf/heifer specialist, a commercial dairy or calf/heifer operation, a student, or dairy scientist? Al Kertz has spent 46 years doing calf and heifer research, making on-farm visits and evaluations, conducting dairy training of employees, interacting with scientists and technical people, publishing 17 scientific articles in this area, reading and studying the scientific literature, and writing articles since 2001 for Feedstuffs (>110) and Hoard's Dairyman (> 59). After periodic requests to publish a book in this area and with the approval of Feedstuffs, this book has been compiled by amalgamating, organizing, and editing many Feedstuffs' articles into a book with 9 chapters encompassing an Introduction and USA Demographics, Colostrum, Milk Replacers, Calf Starters, Water, Post-weaned Transition Month, Heifers, Other Management Issues, and Evaluations. The focus of the book is on some key concepts and practices, and it can serve as a technical reference for a variety of people. While its focus is on the USA, Kertz has spent nearly 20 years doing consulting work in over 20 countries where he finds the science and applications similar, albeit in the metric system. Alois (Al) F. Kertz grew up on a small Missouri dairy farm. He earned B.S. and M. S. degrees in dairy husbandry and nutrition from the University of Missouri under the tutelage of John Campbell before completing 2 years of US Army active duty as a research Nutrition Officer, and then managing food supply for military operations in Thailand. At Cornell University, his major professor was J. T. (Tom) Reid with a Ph. D. thesis project on growth and development of cattle. That became a great platform for understanding and working with calves, heifers, dry cows, and lactating cows and their bodily changes and metabolism. In 1973, he began employment under the direction of J.P. Everett, Jr. at Ralston Purina Company. He became another mentor from whom Al began to learn about calves and heifers. The basis for this book are the many Feedstuffs columns which he has written--many of which are excerpted and edited into this book; the Young Calf Model from the 2001 Dairy NRC publication for which he was a reviewer; and the 100-year review in the December 2017 Journal of Dairy Science on Calf Nutrition and Management made possible only through the major work by 5 co-authors: Mark Hill, Jim Quigley, Jud Heinrichs, Jim Linn, and Jim Drackley. In addition, there were the on-going grounding and understanding of practical applications provided by visiting, reviewing, and developing recommendations for many dairy operations in the U.S. and in many other countries as well. These visits often provided insights into how science could meet application. That became an on-going learning process for if the science was not applicable, then maybe we did not understand the science, or how to apply it. This book is designed to be a handy reference for field people and students, and as a reference for scientists in their teaching and research to understand concepts and how they are applied to feeding and managing dairy calves and heifers.

Animal Agriculture: Sustainability, Challenges and Innovations discusses the land-based production of high-quality protein by livestock and poultry and how it plays an important role in improving human nutrition, growth and health. With exponential growth of the global population and marked rises in meat consumption per capita, demands for animal-source protein are expected to increase 72% between 2013 and 2050. This raises concerns about the sustainability and environmental impacts of animal agriculture. An attractive solution to meeting increasing needs for animal products and mitigating undesirable effects of agricultural practices is to enhance the efficiency of animal growth, reproduction, and lactation. Currently, there is no resource that offers specific knowledge of both animal science and technology, including biotechnology for the sustainability of animal agriculture for the expanding global demand of food in the face of diminishing resources. This book fills that gap, giving readers all the necessary information on important issues facing modern animal agriculture, namely its sustainability, challenges and innovative solutions. Integrates new knowledge in animal breeding, biotechnology, nutrition, reproduction and management Addresses the urgent issue of sustainability in modern animal agriculture Provides practical solutions on how to solve the current and future problems that face animal agriculture worldwide

This new edition of T.W. Perry's classic reference provides both updated, and new information on the feeding and nutritional requirements of beef cattle, from breeding [or growing] to finishing. All the critical components of diet are dealt with: vitamins, minerals, protein, silage, etc. The different nutritional needs of breeding cattle are also detailed. Thoroughly updated to help ranchers and feedlot managers maximize yield and efficiency, this Second Edition should be on the shelves of all those involved with beef cattle herd management and production.

As members of the public becomes more concious of the food they consume and its content, higher standards are expected in the preparation of such food. The updated seventh edition of Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle explores the impact of cattle's biological, production, and environmental diversities, as well as variations on nutrient utilization and requirements. More enhanced than previous editions, this edition expands on the descriptions of cattle and their nutritional requirements taking management and environmental conditions into consideration. The book clearly communicates the current state of beef cattle nutrient requirements and animal variation by visually presenting related data via computer-generated models. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle expounds on the effects of beef cattle body condition on the state of compensatory growth, takes an in-depth look at the variations in cattle type, and documents the important effects of the environment and stress on food intake. This volume also uses new data on the development of a fetus during pregnancy to prescribe nutrient requirements of gestating cattle more precisely. By focusing on factors such as product quality and environmental awareness, Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle presents standards and advisements for acceptable nutrients in a complete and conventional manner that promotes a more practical understanding and application.