While every farm is different, there are actions to consider that can support the profitable rearing of healthy calves. In a recent Calf Action Network webinar, speakers from the industry discussed the different ways to achieve success. The full webinar can be watched here, and five key points are outlined below:
1. Harness the benefits of both milk AND starter feed
Historically, the recommendation was to feed calves two litres of milk twice a day. Four litres of milk is not enough for calves, but there have been differing and sometimes confusing recommendations on how to increase calf nutritional intake. Should calf rearers focus on increasing calf milk intake? Or is it better to concentrate on increasing intake of starter feed?
There is a lot of research showing feeding calves higher volumes of milk will support their early growth, development and health during the milk feeding period. Feeding more milk offers useable nutrients early in life, which allows a metabolic programming effect and unlocks genetic potential. In short, milk supports optimal development, which can help drive productivity later in life.
But alongside the benefits of milk, it is essential to remember the importance of starter feed. There are some concerns that very high milk intakes limit calves’ consumption of starter and forage, delaying rumen development and function. It’s all about finding the balance. Calves need to be approaching weaning with well-developed rumens, as this is what allows them to utilise the nutrients once milk is removed.
2. Focus on the first three weeks
The first three weeks of a calf’s life is a challenge. Set targets to achieve each day, in terms of calves’ daily protein requirement and mega joules of energy required, then identify a protocol to help achieve the daily targets.
In the first three weeks, the nutritional requirements of calves cannot be met through the consumption of concentrates, so increasing milk intake can be effective. In addition to milk feeds, providing free access to water and small amounts of concentrate and forage will help calves to kick-start their rumen function.
There are a range of ways to feed milk, with various products available – it is important to find out what works for you. Consider the quality of the components of your milk replacer, and ensure a minimum of 18% skim protein if you’re using it as this is required to form the abomasal clot. Also consider feeding three times a day to increase calves’ consumption of milk powder, if it suits your farm’s situation. Some farmers do trials to compare type of feed or protocols on their own calves to see what works best for them.
The use of protocols in calf management, including for calving and colostrum, hygiene and daily feeding can help with achievement of daily liveweight gain objectives. A protocol helps ensure consistency in calf rearing, even if there are multiple people responsible for feeding and managing the calves, as the same process can be used every day.
3. Encourage starter intake
Encouraging starter intake will help set calves up for successful weaning, as their rumens will be ready to digest solid food at the point when milk is removed.
Practices to encourage starter intake are strongly associated with practices to ensure a high standard of calf welfare. They include:
- Making sure calves always have fresh water available.
- House calves in pairs or groups. There is a lot of data showing that group or pair housing from the first week of life, which enables calves to engage in playful activity, also encourages starter intake.
- Provide chopped forage (straw chopped to 2-3cm, or poor-quality hay) alongside starter, as it can help keep the rumen healthy and accelerate its development, resulting in calves choosing to eat more starter too.
- Use a shallow vessel to offer starter, as a bucket can be intimidating for a calf to put its head into.
- Ensure water and starter are clean and fresh to improve palatability to calves.
- Wean gradually over a three-week period and minimise stress by limiting changes to feed, groups, handling and accommodation.
4. Cumulative non fibre carbohydrate intake can be a good indicator of when to wean
Looking at the cumulative non fibre carbohydrate intake, which means sugars, starch and pectin, can provide a good indicator that the rumen is ready and sufficiently mature to be able to transition from a liquid feed to a solid feed. Cargill has published trials showing that calves which have had 15kgs of cumulative NFC intake, which occurs somewhere between 54 and 64 days of age, will be ready for weaning.
The presentation of the calf starter feed also makes a difference. Course mixes containing carbohydrate in a whole or partially manufactured form have demonstrated levels above 40% starch, whereas in a pellet where ingredients are finely ground, starch levels are going to be not more than 25% and if feeding a meal it will not exceed 20%.
5. Use bodyweight at calving to set growth rate targets in replacement heifers
There is often a focus on age at first calving, but bodyweight at first calving is just as important. Being the right bodyweight will reduce the risk of calving difficulties, which can influence later fertility. The aim is for heifers to be at 85-90% of their mature bodyweight at first calving.
It is possible to set this target by weighing some mature cows from the herd, such as those in lactation three or four, then calculating the ideal bodyweight at first calving based on the average weight of mature cows in the herd. It is then possible to work backwards to set the daily liveweight gain target heifer calves need to achieve from day one through to first calving.
In summary, the fundamentals of good calf rearing apply across systems. Setting objectives and growth rates which are in line with what you want to achieve will help increase the efficiency and profitability of calf rearing. To hear more from Jessica Cooke from Volac, Bianca Theeruth from Cargill, Georgina Thomas from Trouw Nutrition, Ann Coombes from ForFarmers and Emma Bleach from Harper Adams University, watch the full webinar here.
