Prenatal Nutrition May Play Big Role in Keeping Calves Alive From Birth to Weaning

Survival of the calf at or shortly after birth is critical to the net income of the cattle producer. Research has shown connections between prenatal nutrition and calf birth weights, birth rates, number of calves alive at weaning, calves exhibiting symptoms of Weak Calf Syndrome, and lower heat production.

According to R.A. Bellows of the USDA Agriculture Research Service, one study found that 100% of the calves from dams receiving adequate energy were alive at birth, compared to 90 percent for calves from the low fed dams. At weaning, 100 percent of the calves from the adequate energy dams were alive compared to 71% from the energy deficient dams. The major cause of death loss from birth to weaning was scours, with a death loss of 19% due to these factors.

Research at Colorado State University shows "dystocia, associated with varying degrees of fetal asphyxia resulted in major effects on immediate postnatal well being of the calf." These effects include calves taking longer to stand, elevated plasma lactate concentrations and depressed plasma glucose levels.

Bellows says that these findings emphasize the importance of meeting nutrient needs of the dam during gestation. Deficiencies have a marked effect on calf viability and post-partum reproduction of the dam.

This is also true regarding the effects of dystocia. Reducing effects of prolonged labor will not only increase calf survival, but will improve subsequent rebreeding of the dam.
Bellows also discusses how cold stress can lead to the development of secondary changes and possibly disease. "Mortality averaged 7% annually, with cold, wet weather being a major factor causing yearly variation in mortality rate." When a calf is born at lower environmental temperatures mortality increases. Adequate fat in the gestation diet can increase cold tolerance and rebreeding of the dam, but this may be dependent of the amount of fat and fatty acid composition.

To keep calves alive, consider that positive effects on calf heat production and rebreeding of the dam can come from gestation diets with adequate protein and energy.