Information on Feeding Calves

Attention to detail is the critical component of any successful calf rearing system, including:

• preparation of the cow for calving
• monitoring the birth and knowing when to help, or call for veterinary assistance
• providing suitable facilities for calf rearing
• a proper feeding regime
• a disease prevention programme

The first step is to ensure the dry cow receives adequate vitamin, mineral and trace element supplementation throughout the dry period to maintain the status of both the cow and developing calf.

Particular attention should be paid to the calcium, phosphorus, selenium, iodine and vitamin E status of dry cows. This will depend on the condition of your farm. Check to make sure you are aware of any deficiencies.

The newborn calf has no active immunity and is highly vulnerable to infection. Protection is achieved by ensuring the calf consumes about 10% of its body weight of colostrum within the first six hours after birth. Colostrum is produced by the cow before and shortly after the birth of the calf and is rich in vitamins A, D3 and E, energy and protein. It also contains immunoglobulins (antibodies) that will provide the calf with immunity from infection.

Early feeding of colostrum is essential as the calf is unable to absorb antibodies from the intestine after 24 – 36 hours. Keep a supply of frozen colostrum that can be used if none is available at the time to feed to newborn calves. The number of pregnancies that the dam has had affects colostrum quality. Older cows have been exposed to more infections than first calved heifers and so have higher concentrations of antibodies in their colostrum. The quality of colostrum is reduced by the presence of dirt or other contaminants.

Ensure the cow’s udder and teats are clean before the first feeding.

Establish a routine with calves; feed at regular times each day. Aim to feed colostrum for 3 – 4 days before switching to milk replacer or whole milk. Whether feeding milk once or twice daily it is important that milk temperature does not vary from feed to feed. The optimum temperature is 36 – 42°C (warm) or 15 – 20°C (cool).

When using a milk replacer ensure you follow the manufacturer’s mixing and feeding instructions.

At the wrong water temperature the replacer may not mix properly, which can affect the willingness of the calf to drink the milk, and possibly lead to bloat. Other problems associated with feeding milk replacer at the wrong temperature include fat breakdown and reduced protein quality. From day 1, provide fresh dry concentrate feed to appetite. In addition, calves should have access to clean, fresh water, and clean, dry forage should always be available to help rumen development.

Age should not be the sole criteria for weaning calves. They must be healthy, and eating at least 1kg concentrates each day for three days before weaning.

Make sure you have a good calf-rearing programme in place. This will lay the foundation for wellgrown heifers resulting in better performance in terms of higher feed intake, better milk yields, improved fertility and increased longevity.

Barastoc Calf Milk Replacers

Barastoc calf milk replacers provide a rich source of energy and protein with the necessary minerals, trace elements and vitamins for optimum health and development of calves. The milk replacers are made from high quality, milk-based ingredients which mix readily in warm water.

They contain balanced balanced energy and protein levels, with appropriate mineral, trace element and vitamin supplements for optimal calf growth. In addition, Rumensin® is included in the medicated powder to help prevent coccidiosis and for improved feed conversion efficiency as the rumen microbes become active.

Start feeding milk replacer from 4 – 6 days of age, with a gradual change from colostrum/whole milk. Avoid abrupt changes in the feeding regime to minimise stress on the calves and nutritional scours.

It is important to mix the powder at the correct rate (200g/l) and closely follow the feeding directions.

• For the first 4 – 6 days, feed 1 – 11/2 litres per day and gradually increase to 2 1/2 – 2 3/4 litres per day at 15 days of age. Ensure the calf has access to fresh feed every day, for example Barastoc Calf Rearer Pellets or Barastoc Calf Meal. Also provide roughage and fresh, clean water.

Barastoc calf feeds provide a balanced source of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals for optimum growth and development. The palatable ingredients are presented in either a pelleted or meal form to ensure your calves get the most out of each mouthful.

Straw should be available for calves from one week of age. Fibre is important for developing rumen volume and muscle tone. Straw also dilutes excess protein in the rumen. Once calves are old enough to utilise rumen degradable protein, higher feed value roughage in the form of hay or grass silage can be introduced.

Even after weaning, provide straw whenever high protein pasture is fed to ensure adequate effective fibre in the diet for optimal rumen function.

Water should be made available as soon as dry feed is introduced into the diet.

Key steps for rearing calves to weaning:

1. The calf must receive adequate colostrum – 3 litres in first 6 hours after birth and then 3 to 5 litres for the next three days.
2. Feed the calves at the same time every day – do not vary the routine.
3. Ensure milk is fed at a consistent temperature; either 36° – 42°C (warm) or 15° – 20°C (cool).
4. Provide fresh dry feed from day 1 – remove any leftovers to prevent stale feed building up in the trough/feed buckets.
5. Provide clean, dry forage and water from day 1.
6. Wean according to calf age and size; ensure the calf is eating at least 1kg of concentrate feed (pellets or meal) every day for three days before weaning.