The Milk Producer - June 2012 - (Page 46)

CALFHEALTH By Kathleen Shore Wonders of water O Providing fresh, clean water free choice helps ensure strong early development and good health ften overlooked, water is the nutrient your young calves require in the greatest quantity, accounting for 70 to 75 per cent of their body weight. Water provided in sufficient quantity ensures strong, early development and helps maintain good health. A calf needs plenty of water daily for critical biological functions. These include transporting nutrients, excreting urine and feces, digesting feed, lubricating joints and regulating body temperature—especially heat release by the lungs and urine. Providing free access to fresh clean water is a critical part of a successful calf feeding program. The water in milk or milk replacer cannot replace it. Milk bypasses the rumen, due to the oesophageal groove, and goes directly into the abomasum, or true stomach. This process lets the calf digest and absorb milk quickly, and the groove can be active until the calf is 12 weeks old. Early rumen development requires water. Rumen bacteria can survive only in a water environment. Water stimulates starter intake and promotes greater total feed intake, leading to improved performance and health (see Table 1). Calves will often drink water because they are still hungry for milk, but bear in mind it and impairs its ability to regulate body heat. You may not be able to see symptoms, but its ear and leg extremities feel cool to the touch. As dehydration becomes more severe, at a nine to 11 per cent loss of body weight, a calf becomes depressed. When dehydration reaches 12 to 15 per cent, it may die. Table 2 shows how water requirements change according to age and temperature. Once temperatures approach 32 degrees Celsius, requirements increase dramatically Water to ensure an optimal to maintain hydration and cool calf feeding program: the calf’s body—the constant process of metabolism and digestion 1. Fresh, clean water. Drives starter intake, generates heat. Without enough encourages rumen development. water to help cool its body, the 2. Water is a separate nutrient. Water through calf will also reduce feed intake. milk or milk replacer is not enough; it is absorbed When a calf is ill or scouring, its separately within the body and is designed to water needs increase to maintain perform different functions. hydration and help heal the body. 3. Sanitation. Clean all buckets and containers A calf that consumes water when daily. Check automatic systems regularly to ensure healthy tends to have fewer days a clean and adequate water flow. scouring and, when it does scour, the outbreak is less severe. Dehydration reduces feed intake and digestibility. A calf loses water due to scours or hot, humid weather. It can also become dehydrated from lack of access to adequate clean drinking water. Even mild dehydration—a one to five per cent loss of body weight— reduces a calf’s metabolic efficiency provides no calories. Calves seem to prefer warm water. One study showed intake was 47 per cent higher for calves given warm water compared with a group offered cool water. However, there was no difference in health and growth parameters between the two groups. Whether water is offered by pail or nipple, the total amount of water consumed did not seem to be affected, according to another study. Kathleen Shore, MSc, is nutrition and quality assurance manager at Grober Nutrition, and a project leader at the Grober Young Animal Development Centre. References: Kertz et al 1984; Thickett et al, 1981; Huuskonen et al, 2011; Hepola, 2008. Table 1. Summary of water trial results Effect of free-choice water on calf performance Daily gain (grams) Calf starter intake (kg) Scour days per calf Free Choice 309 11.8 4.5 Water None 180 8.18 5.4 Table 2. Typical water intake for Holstein calves at 10-26 degrees Celsius Age (months) 1 2 3 4 Litres per day 5-7.5 5.5-9 8-10 11.5-13.5 46 | June 2012 | MilkPRODUCER

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Milk Producer - June 2012

The Milk Producer - June 2012
Contents
Editor’s Notes
DFO Chair’s Message
Dairy Update
Industry Roundup
DFC Promotion
Processor Spotlight
Research
Applied Science
Ruminations
Udder Health
Calf Health
Markets
New’n’noted
Back Forty

The Milk Producer - June 2012