In the second part of the ‘Calf Health Series’, we take a look at the area of nutrition and consider what options are available when it comes to feeding the calf – following an adequate intake of colostrum has been achieved.
Taking care of calves is not an easy task, it requires plenty of time and skill to attain good results during the rearing period.
Dairy farmers need to consider their priorities when it comes to allocating their work time on their farms. Calves should be close to number one on that list, especially in the case of rearing replacement heifers.
If these young females get off to a bad start it will affect the time it takes to reach their target weight at breeding and in turn affect the time they can enter the parlour for milk production.
Benefits to good calf rearing
Having a strategy in place that will take care of calf nutrition and development will ensure farmers succeed during the rearing stage.
Farmers should note that these young calves will have a higher feed conversion (FCE) compared to older animals on the farm. Keeping this in mind, they should capitalise on the rapid early growth capability of pre-weaned calves.
Benefits of this will include:
- Rapid growth of frame size – skeletal and muscle;
- Improved heaIth status;
- Decreased time to first calving;
- Optimised reproduction and milk production as a cow.
In terms of weight gains, aim for a doubling in weight from birth to weaning (40kg to 80kg by eight weeks of age).
The main benefits farmers will see is in their replacement heifer calves by having a healthier animal, reduce age at first calving (by breeding heifers younger) and increase milk yield and herd longevity.
Whole milk vs. milk replacer?
There will often be debates whether whole milk or milk replacer is better to be feeding calves; but milk replacer is a cheaper option than feeding whole milk that is saleable.
From a health perspective, milk replacer being fed to calves reduces the risk of disease such as Johne’s disease, salmonella and E. Coli.
While whole milk is capable of providing a high level of energy and proteins, it can also result in delayed intake of solid feed – which can delay the age of a successful weaning period or result in post-weaning growth checks.
- Biosecurity – made using pasteurised milk;
- Convenient and easy to use and always available;
- Lower fat; higher lactose – encouraging solid feed intake before and after weaning;
- Formulated to provide a consistent supply of energy, protein, vitamins and trace elements.
Skim Vs. Whey
Whey and skim-based milk replacers can have similar protein and fat levels. But good nutrition and calf performance is linked to more than just protein and fat levels in the milk replacer.
Important differences in amino acid and fatty acid profiles, the amount of lactose, important vitamins, minerals and trace elements, processing conditions and overall digestibility all contribute to good calf performance.
Good-quality whey-based milk formulas result in calf growth at least as good as that achieved with high-quality skim-based milk replacers. The presence of skim, and therefore the clotting effect of casein, is not the fundamental element of a milk formula influencing calf performance.
If processed correctly, both skim and whey proteins are highly digestible and deliver good calf performance. But good nutrition and calf performance is linked to more than just the type of dairy protein in the finished milk formula.
Important differences in amino acid profiles, fatty acid profiles, amount of lactose, important vitamins, minerals and trace elements, processing conditions and overall digestibility all contribute to calf performance.
To view the full range of Volac milk replacers – the Lifeguard range – justclick here
How should I feed milk replacer?
Feeding milk replacer requires careful considerations by farmers when deciding to purchase a product. Do not just buy the first bag you see in your local merchant, take the time to read the ingredients and see if you are getting value for your money.
Remember that in the early stages of a calf’s life, it is the quality of the product that is most important, not just the quantity that you can feed. Therefore, you should find a product that has quality ingredients with consistent formulation.
To get the desired results from the calves you are rearing, you should remember the criteria below when it comes to buying your milk replacer this spring.
- Minimum of 20% protein declared;
- Maximum of 8% ash declared – a target for ash content should be 6.5-7.5%;
- Minimum of 0.8% calcium;
- A trusted supplier;
- Previous calf performance and calf bloom give the best guarantee for milk replacer quality.
For farms deciding to rear their own replacements, these should be offered a higher protein, lower oil formulation. A more economic replacer can be fed to beef-cross calves containing lower levels of protein and oil.
When it comes to feeding, operating a twice-a-day feeding will provide the best opportunity to observe the calves and identify any animals that are off-form or maybe potentially ill.
Keeping the temperature of the milk replacer at 38° will allow for effective opening of the oesophageal groove which directs liquid feed straight into the abomasum.
The instructions for feeding milk replacer to calves are generally provided on the bag; for example to make up 1L of milk replacer, mix 125g of powder and 875ml of water.
The main focus should be the amount of milk solids that is fed to the calf rather than the amount of litres fed. By measuring and weighing the amount of milk replacer fed it can ensure that calf target goals are met.
How do I achieve my target goals with milk replacer?
Depending on farm targets and the growth rate you are trying to achieve, milk replacer can be fed at varying concentrations from 12.5% to 20%.
To achieve a minimum growth of 0.8kg/day pre-weaning, 700-900g of milk solids per calf/day should be fed in at least two feeds. In accordance with legislation from the EU, once-a-day (OAD) feeding should be employed as a management tool for calves over 28 days-of-age.
Good-quality milk replacer should contain 20-26% protein and 16-20% oil. Milk replacer such as Volac’s Heiferlac – with its high level of quality protein (26%) and low oil level (16%) – will help promote lean tissue growth and limit body fat deposition.
Examples of different mixing and feeding options to provide the calf with the desired amount of milk solids per day are provided in the table below.
Click to enlarge
Keeping temperature within housing is an important aspect to calf performance. Calves require more energy to keep simply themselves warm.
If their focus is to keep all this energy for maintaining heat, there will be less allocated for growth. This can also result in decreased immunity levels due to less energy and are more susceptible to respiratory infections and scours.
Farmers should look at how they can reduce the impact of draughts within housing, as this can aid in the reduction of temperature.
Will cold weather affect the required feeding levels?
Cold weather will impact the levels of milk required during feeding in order to provide them with the extra energy required.
Providing additional milk will increase the nutrient supply and will help maintain body temperature, preserve growth rates and make calves less susceptible to disease.
For example, if the outside temperature is 0°, feed calves an extra 200g/day; this can be achieved by either increasing the mixing rate or by increasing the volume fed.
For a calf older than three weeks-of-age, feed an extra 100g milk of powder per day for each 10º drop in ambient temperature below 10°. For example, if the outside temperature is 0°, feed calves an extra 100g/day.
The points below highlight how a farmer can help their calves during these cold periods and reduce the impact on their growth performance.
- Make sure every calf receives adequate colostrum;
- Accurately measure volumes of milk replacer and water;
- Increase levels of milk replacer fed gradually – to provide the extra energy and nutrients needed;
- Provide calves with a fresh clean supply of water, concentrates and straw in racks;
- Reduce cold air draughts whilst maintaining adequate ventilation, for example, by using whole bales in the shed – cold air draughts increase body heat loss;
- Use deep straw bedding – it provides a great deal of insulation and reduces body heat loss;
- Keep bedding dry and clean – much of the insulation value of bedding is lost when it is wet.
Introducing solid feed
It is important to encourage calves to eat more solid feed while they are being fed levels of milk – as this will lead to a better intake of nutrients.
The calf’s abomasum and intestines are responsible for digesting nutrients from milk (milk sugars – glucose) as the calf is born with a non-functional rumen.
You need to remember that by the time of weaning, the calf’s rumen must be sufficiently developed so that it can digest and utilise solid feed, which had been previously provided by milk. To achieve this development, fermentation of calf starter by the rumen bacteria will drive on rumen function levels.
Ideally, calf starter should be introduced at three to five days old, with more notable amounts being consumed once they reach two weeks-of-age, This meal should be fresh, clean and palatable with a crude protein content of at least 18%.
Offering forage alongside starter feed will also play a role in rumen development – it helps stabilise the rumen pH, stimulate the muscular layer of the rumen and maintain the integrity and healthiness of the rumen wall.
Furthermore, providing chopped barley straw (separately from starter) during the milk-feeding period has been shown to stimulate starter intake, improve weight gain and improve forage intake after weaning due to the calves’ increased ability to ingest and digest forage.
Part1: Calf Health Series: Giving newborn calves the best possible start
More Information
Volac has been involved in young animal nutrition for the past 40 years and is an innovator in this field.
The company is committed to helping farmers make the most of their calves and has developed a range of specialised milk replacers, which are specifically formulated for modern dairy and beef animals.
For more information, contact a Volac representative today, or visit the Volac website by clicking here
