Tipperary dairy farmer Michael Horan is very happy with the performance of the first group of calves fed on the Volac Forster Technik computerised feeder.
Michael and his sons Billy and Robert are farming in partnership at Ballingarry, Thurles. They run a herd of 200 spring-calving cows on a milking platform of 60ha.
Labour was a major issue in the decision to move to computerised feeding. Having visited farms where feeders were installed and following detailed discussions with Rebecca O’Sullivan, business manager from Volac, they decided to purchase a Forster Technik Vario Smart feeder, with the capacity to feed 120 calves at four feed stations. The feeder was installed last January.
The Horans have a two-station feeder with the capacity to feed up to 60 calves. They fed a total of 90 calves, in two lots, last spring – 60 Friesian replacement heifers and 30 Angus and Hereford-cross calves. All Friesian bull calves and the remainder of the Hereford and Angus calves were sold at around three weeks old.
Labour cut in half
The dramatic reduction in labour is the outstanding advantage, according to Michael.
“One person can now manage the calves on his own. Before, it took two of us,” he said.
The feeder also ensures that every calf is drinking its full allocation of milk replacer. This has led to better overall performance. The end result is a very even bunch of calves.
They had little or no health issues. They found the alarm system which alerted to any calf not drinking its full allocation a great benefit. It enabled quick intervention and, if necessary, early treatment before any serious disease symptoms emerged.
70 days’ feeding curve
The Horans operate a 70-days feeding programme on the feeder. Calves are put on the feeder at around 10 days old.
The milk replacer is mixed at 150g/L and calves are fed 4L/day for the first few days. The feeding level is rapidly built up to 6L/day and maintained at this level until day 49 on the feeder.
Feeding levels are then reduced gradually for the following 21 days after which the calves are weaned. The stepped weaning encourages increased intake of concentrate.
This ensures that calves are eating around a kilo of concentrate on the day of weaning, leading to trouble-free weaning with calves continuing to thrive.
Calves have access to straw at all times. This ensures optimal rumen development.
As they prepare for the next calf rearing season, the Horans are very pleased with their purchase of the Forster Technik Vario Smart computerised feeder. They are also very happy with the service they receive from Volac.
At the leading edge of technology
The Forster Technik Vario Smart feeder is fitted with the most up-to-date technology in computerised calf feeding.
The automatic cleaning feature, combined with sound overall management, ensures the highest level of hygiene.
It is internet capable as standard and a free CalfApp and CalfCloud is available which enable users to manage feeding and to monitor calf drinking behaviour and calf health when away from the shed or the farm.
Among the optional extras is an electronic calf scale which enables continuous monitoring of calf weight, which can add value especially when rearing top-quality replacement heifer calves.
‘Not a shortcut to better management’
“While rearing calves on a computerised feeder makes feeding easier and more time-efficient, it is not a shortcut to better management,” stressed Rebecca.
She highlighted the importance of strict hygiene and making sure that ventilation and drainage in the calf house are fit for purpose.
“Aside from the reduction in drudgery in feeding, the big advantages of computerised feeding are the consistency in the concentration and temperature of the milk replacer and the ability of calves to drink their allocated allowance in small portions, simulating the natural feeding behaviour of a calf sucking a cow.
As with all rearing systems, high-quality colostrum is vital to health and performance. Feed 3L within two hours of birth followed by a similar feed six to 12 hours later.
“Colostrum should be fed for the first three days and calves should then be moved on to one of Volac’s high-quality milk replacers and fed 5L/day in two feeds,” said Rebecca.
Recommended feeding programme
She recommends putting calves on the computerised feeder when they are seven days old. They should be fed 6L/day. The machine can be programmed to enable the calf to consume its daily allocation ‘little and often’.
For calves on a 56 days’ weaning curve, Rebecca recommends feeding 6L/day up to day 35.
The volume should be reduced to 5L/day for the next two weeks and to 2.5L/day for the week prior to weaning.
Farmers who have installed computerised feeders regard the ‘stepped weaning’ process as one of the great advantages, according to Rebecca.
“It ensures maximum intake of concentrate and roughage, leading to trouble-free weaning and no setbacks.”
Table 1 (below) shows recommended feeding volumes of milk replacer, mixed at 150g/L, for calves weaned at 56 days. Some farmers operate longer feeding programmes, up to weaning at 84 days, in order to maximise weight at weaning and higher lifetime performance.
Table 1: Recommended milk replacer levels for calves weaned at 56 days. Image source: Volac
Expert advice from Volac
A network of engineers is available for installation and ongoing maintenance of Volac computerised feeders.
Advice is also available from Volac on the labour, economic and nutritional benefits. Advice can be given on the best setting of the feeder and feed stations as well as the number of feed stations required.
Also Read: Volac computerised feeder has transformed calf rearing and performance on Kerry farmTo see a list of Volac’s business managers, just click here
To see a list of Volac’s engineers, just click here
