Irish Owned
This post was written by
The team at Auctus
Giving your calves the best possible start in life through good calf management has a major role in the profitability of both the dairy herd and calf to beef enterprises.
There are several factors which contribute to successful calf rearing but the most important aspect we will deal with is nutrition.
From the moment a calf is born, the clock is ticking to ensure the calf receives top quality colostrum. Time is a major factor which influences both quality and absorption of colostrum.
It is particularly important to ensure that a calf consumes a minimum of 3 litres from its’ own mother, ideally within 2 hours. This is the most effective way of getting essential antibodies, immunoglobulins, energy and minerals into a calf. This will have a positive impact on the calf’s immune system and may help fight infections and reduce incidences of scour and later setbacks.
After 2 hours, the quality of the colostrum produced by the cow declines. The ability for the calf to absorb immunoglobulins also progressively declines, particularly after 6 hours.
Following completion of the colostrum and transition milk phase, from 4 days of age, it is highly beneficial for calves to switch onto a quality calf milk replacer to achieve a minimum target of 700g/day live weight gain.
Outlined in the table below are target weights which should be realised for both Holstein and Aberdeen Angus/Herford cross bred calves. For Jersey cross calves, targets will be lower and for continental breeds, weight gain targets will be higher.
Target Weight Gain
| Holstein | AA/Hereford | ||
| Age (weeks) | Target Weight | Target Weight | Daily Live Weight Gain |
| Birth | 45kg | 48kg | |
| 6 | 70kg | 73kg | 700 grams |
| 12 | 100 kg | 102 | 800 grams |
Teagasc (2006); Teagasc (2003)
Research by Teagasc Moorepark, which can be found in the Teagasc Calf Rearing Manual 2017, indicates a significant Daily Live Weight advantage from feeding, a high quality calf milk replacer such as Opti-mum versus whole milk as indicated in the table below.
| Whole Milk | Milk Replacer
(26% protein DM basis) |
|
| Average 56 Day Weaning Weight (kg) | 75.5 | 81.5 |
| Average 70 Day Weaning Weight (kg) | 85.8 | 91.5 |
| Average Overall Weight Gain (kg) | 47.7 | 55.4 |
Milk Replacer Benefits
There are other significant benefits to feeding Champion or Opti-mum calf milk replacer which include:
- Convenience: Calves can be fed at a time which suits the farmer where calves can be fed before the evening milking commences.
- Consistency: Auctus milk replacers are fed with the same fat levels, protein levels, concentration and temperature at each feed. Whole milk will vary in fat, protein and somatic cell counts levels.
- Reduced disease transmission from, for example: Johnes.
- Increased concentrate consumption with better rumen development.
- Calf milk replacer is antibiotic free. This will reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance due to antibiotic residues present in waste whole milk.
Auctus have been supplying McLaughlins Farmcare successfully with high quality whey milk replacers for the past 4 years where John and his team are extremely aware of the advantages of both Champion and Opti-mum to the growth and health of the calf.
A quality calf milk replacer should include:
- Protein (23%-26%) for maximising frame and muscle growth.
- Contain quality whey ingredients for maximum absorption of nutrients.
- Contain a Triple Shield Protection health package that fortifies the milk replacer with vitamin/minerals; enzymes and sodium butyrate to increase digestive health and boost the calf immune system.
Optimum and Champion
Optimum and Champion milk replacers have been manufactured to continue the important work done in the first days of life.
Both Optimum and Champion both contain Triple Shield Protection and are successful in achieving important weight gain milestones. On the farm of Brendan Cremins from Lisselton, Tralee, Co. Kerry, calves fed on Champion calf milk replacer has achieved an average daily live weight gain of 870 grams/day. This growth rate will keep your calves ahead of target and lay down the foundation for strong growth rates throughout the animal’s lifespan, as the genetic merit of all calves is defined in the first six months of life.
When a calf is born, the abomasum makes up 70% of the digestive system. It can take up to the first twelve weeks of life to develop the rumen. When the rumen is developed, it will make up 70% of the digestive system.
Rumen development can be encouraged from 3 days of age. The three central elements required for rumen development are: water; fibre; and concentrate.
Fresh, clean water should be available from 3 days of age as water enters the rumen when consumed by the calf. Water consumed as part of the milk replacer mix does not count towards this as milk consumed through a teat will enter the abomasum. Water in the rumen encourages beneficial bacteria to grow which are then used to break down solid feed during rumination.
A high energy concentrate of 16% protein or higher, along with Fibre is essential for rumen development. Chopped fibre in the form of Lucerne/straw should be used for the development of the rumen papillae.
First Fibre
First Fibre has been formulated to develop the rumen to its maximum potential. This product contains a complete mix of three fibre sources of Lucerne, Chopped Timothy Grass and dried Straw mixed with a concentrate of flaked maize, barley, wheat and soya. A vitamin and mineral package, as well as a rumen conditioner has been included.
First Fibre has been dried to a low moisture content for efficient rumen development. This also prevents secondary fermentation.
For more information about calf rearing or calf management, please follow the link: http://www.auctus.ie/ or contact McLaughlins Farmcare.
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