Scour and digestive upsets remain a common challenge for pre-weaned calves, often leading to dehydration and setbacks in growth.

To help farmers better manage these issues, Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Ltd has introduced two new healthcare products aimed at supporting gut health and hydration during times of stress.

The new additions to the company’s Feed for Growth portfolio are particularly suitable for dairy and bought-in beef calves exposed to stressful situations that may trigger digestive upsets - such as sudden diet or weather changes, moving pen environments, or transport to another rearing unit.

Supporting gut health and hydration

New Feed For Growth Gut Rest helps support healthy gut function and a sound immune system, whilst also re-hydrating the calf when suffering from diarrhoea.

It helps slow the passage of milk through the gut, giving the calf more time to rest and recover.

Una Hickey, national sales manager at Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited explained: “Feed For Growth Gut Rest contains linseed and pectins combined with an electrolyte.

"The linseed and pectins work together to create a viscous solution, which helps slow the digestive process.

"As an added benefit, it also helps to alleviate some scours by thickening up the faeces."

Feed For Growth Gut Rest can be mixed with warm water, milk, or milk replacer.

Feeding with milk or milk replacer increases the young animal’s energy intake, which helps minimise the loss of growth and damage to the intestine.

"This is because the gut needs an energy source to heal", Una added.

Feeding guidelines

During light bouts of scour, Feed For Growth Gut Rest can provide daily support for calves between three and 14 days-of-age.

Calves needing more intensive daily support (for two to three days) can be fed Feed For Growth Gut Rest at a higher concentration in water or milk replacer (and then be fed 2L of the reconstituted solution twice daily for a maximum of three days).

Feed For Growth Gut Rest is also suitable for pre-weaned lambs suffering from digestive disturbances.

Electrolytes for rehydration during stress

For youngstock rearers needing to re-hydrate calves during stressful periods – during cold or heat stress, for example, or before weaning and/or around transportation – turn to Feed For Growth Electrolytes.

According to Una: “Feed For Growth Electrolytes contains a sweetened flavour enhancer for improved palatability, allowing it to promote water intake by the calf.

"Electrolytes should be fed in water alongside the regular milk feed and water.

"To make up new Feed For Growth Electrolyte, simply dissolve 25g in 1L of warm (35°C) water. This made-up solution will be stable for six hours under clean conditions."

Feeding recommendation

"Calves three to 14 days-of-age requiring daily electrolyte support during stressful situations, such as moving pens or transport between rearing units, need 1.5-2L of made-up Feed For Growth Electrolyte solution once daily.

"If more intensive support is required – over a two-to-three-day period – feed 2L of made-up solution twice daily," Una said.

This product is also suitable for feeding to freshly calved cows to rehydrate, lambs, goat kids and piglets when hydration support is needed

“Simply mix the product at the rate of 25g/L of warm water and feed it multiple times a day – as much as the young animal will drink,” Una advised.

Practical and long-lasting

Both Feed For Growth Gut Rest and Feed For Growth Electrolyte are available in 5kg tubs. Each tub comes with a bespoke scoop, which simplifies the mixing process for the user.

Feed For Growth Gut Rest has a 12-month shelf life, but Feed For Growth Electrolyte can be stored for use up to 24 months after purchase.

For further details, contact your local Volac Milk Replacers Ireland business manager.