Calf Processing
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Let the cow lick her calf dry and then process the calf as
soon as possible.? The goal is that calves spend no more than one hour
with the cow and that they never stand or nurse.
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Pay careful attention
to cleanliness at all times.
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Remove calf from maternity
pen to temporary calf pen using clean cart.? Dry in the calf drier in
cold weather.
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Vaccinations: FOR HEIFERS
TO KEEP ONLY
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1 dose Calf-Guard
orally (Rota-coronavirus vaccine; Pfizer)
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10 cc Ecolizer orally
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Soak navel thoroughly
with strong iodine.
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Tag heifers that are
going to the heifer grower with American ID tags?
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Small ("Junior") tag
facing forward/button to rear in the right ear
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Emerald - Yellow
Tags
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Baldwin - White
Tags
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RFID button tag in
top of the left ear (the female, thick part of the tag goes into the
inside of the ear so that it is protected)
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All bulls and freemartins - Use
both electronic bull button tags in the top of the left ear (similar
RFID tag, yellow) and bull calf ear tag in the right ear (by color
depending on the cow's ear tag color)
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Record data onto daily
log sheet (used later for also recording into computer)
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Tube calf with one gallon
of colostrum
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Use calf's own dam
as source for colostrum as much as possible
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If there is not enough
colostrum (minimum 3 quarts), use the pre-pasteurized colostrum stored
in the freezer (heifer or bull calves the same for this).
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Clean all colostrum
feeding equipment thoroughly after each use
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Storage containers
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Feeding containers
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All tubing, etc.
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Be sure all colostrum
collection equipment is cleaned thoroughly after each use
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Equipment
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Milking claw/long
milk hoses/lid for floor pail/floor pail
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Funnel/all colostrum
storage and feeding equipment
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Cleaning of equipment
in sink at colostrum collection area
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Thoroughly clean
between cows
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Use hot water with
detergent at recommended amount
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Scrub inside and
outside of all units and equipment
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Drain all water
from teat shells
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Reassemble equipment
for next cow
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Put equipment back
into the colostrum collection area
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Clean and disinfect
temporary calf holding area once per day or more often if needed
Last updated April 17, 2006
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