Experts of German Agrarian Center shared information on how to reduce calf mortality

Renowned experts from the German Agricultural Centre in Kazakhstan conducted a seminar for local livestock farmers, World of NAN reports.

The topic of the training seminar was calves. Foreign expert in cattle breeding from Germany Uwe Weddige and GAC trainer Ainagul Ayaganova spoke before Kazakh breeders.

It is worth noting that World of NAN announced this online seminar in social networks, you could have taken part in it on June 16-17.

The expert from Germany firstly noted that the aim of this seminar is to reduce calf mortality rate. According to him, this problem is very urgent for Kazakh farmers.

"I know that it is difficult to achieve these goals, but I have seen successful examples in Germany and Kazakhstan. In general, the normal indicator, in large farms, is calf mortality at 4%, the critical 10%. But in reality the picture is completely different. I met farms, where mortality reached 25%. It is terrifying!", said Uwe Weddige.

According to the German expert, if you have such a rate, you have to do a lot of work to succeed.

Thus, in order for a calf to be born healthy, it is first of all important to organize the calving process properly.

"The cow needs to be moved to a separate cubicle, where all sanitary norms must be met. Calving should not take place in a spontaneous place, because it can have a bad effect on the health of the calf," the expert added.

He noted that it is very important to monitor the health of the cow, and keep her away from stressful situations, including heat stress.

"In Kazakhstan, ventilation is a problem in general. Heat stress has a very strong effect on calf growth and overall animal health. Often in Kazakhstan ventilation is carried out only at +35 degrees, although it is just as important at 25 degrees", - explained German cattle breeder in more details.

Further he spoke about the process of birth of a calf and norms of its keeping. According to him, at the moment of birth it is very important to pay attention to details. Not only a hygienically clean place is important, but also the veterinarian's compliance with hygiene standards. For example, one of the details is the boots, which the vet should have separate ones for the birth, according to the expert. Also the transportation of the calf should be carried out with a special cart, which is used only for this purpose. According to a farmer from Germany, this approach will increase the chances of calf survival.

In turn, Ainagul Ayaganova, GAC trainer, spoke about methods of keeping and feeding calves. The growth of calves strongly depends on feeding, as such the expert showed a detailed diet in her presentation. She also advised to pay attention to details. For example, when feeding a calf, it is important that the process be as natural as possible.

"If the bucket is positioned low, some of the milk goes into the rumen, in the natural position the milk goes to its destination. My recommendation is to give milk from buckets suspended a little higher," a German cattle farmer supported his colleague.

The calves should be weighed all the time to see if feeding and working with them is effective. According to a German expert a calf should gain more than 750 grams in weight per day, if the figure is less than 600 grams - it is not enough. Naturally, the weight will be gained later, but it will not reach the required standard.

"I myself am a proponent of taking accurate measurements to determine for myself which calves are not suitable for reproduction in the herd. Only through precise measurement can you measure the growth rate of your calves, you can know their potential and use them more effectively in the future," explained Uwe Weddige.

During the seminar, the experts went through many topics in great detail: box organization, nutrition, horn removal, vaccination, etc.  And at the end they answered some questions which worried the Kazakhstan cattle breeders.

As a whole from the seminar it became clear that calf care should go in strict and correct sequence. It is important to pay attention to the little things and constantly measure the growth of the calf. If you pay proper attention to this, you will have healthy offspring and consequently more profit.

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