As a consulting officer I’m often asked about best practice for bobby calf management.
Harley Ogle is a variable-order sharemilker for the Game Family Partnership. The farm has systems in place to help achieve the best outcome for their bobbies before transportation.
He said the bobbies need to be given the same degree of care as every other calf on the farm. The farm’s policy is to follow the DairyNZ best practice guidelines which are:
Colostrum. Feed bobby calves fresh colostrum – two to four litres a calf – within the first 24 hours so the team know the calf has absorbed the antibodies that give protection from disease and enable the calf to withstand the stress of transport better.
Handling. Handle calves with care at all times. No throwing or dragging of calves is allowed.
Weather protection. Protect the bobby calf pen from extreme weather, especially wind, rain and cold at all times. Keeping the environment draught-free is really important.
Enclosure. Build calf pens with a focus on avoiding hazards that could cause injury to calves, such as sharp objects and slippery floors.
Flooring. Provide an adequate lying area that’s well drained, with comfortable material and free from unpleasant odours. Exposed concrete, bare earth and mud floors are not acceptable.
Water. Make sure bobby calves have access to clean water.
Age of presentation. Ensure no calf is sent away that’s younger than four days old.
Before transportation of bobby calves farmers should inspect them to check they are fit for transportation. Check for visible disease, such as scours, deformity, injury, blindness and disability. Check their eyes are not dull and sunken. Ears should be upright.
Calves need to be able to bear weight on all four limbs and be able to rise from a lying position and move freely around the pen. Hooves should be firm and worn, not rounded and soft. The navel by now will be dry and withered, not pink/red, raw or fleshy.
Farmers need to be aware of the requirement to feed at least half of the day’s ration of colostrum or colostrum substitute not later than two hours before pick-up.
Now is a good time to review the facilities and systems onfarm. Spend 20 minutes with staff going through best practices with your team before you get too busy.
For more information go to www.dairynz.co.nz/bobbypack.
Steve Canton is DairyNZ’s consulting officer for South Taranaki.
