ForFarmers’ VITA nutritional programme has everything needed for successful calf rearing, from a comprehensive range of milk replacer to youngstock feeds and a team of specialists, explains Ann Coombs, Youngstock Product Manager.
Environmental factors have much more impact on health in later life than genetics, says Ann.
She explains: “A calf uses energy first to fulfil its needs, then any extra used for growth. A calf’s metabolism requirement will increase with birth weight.
“In constant conditions, increasing energy intake per day will also improve feed efficiency. The cost of feeding livestock generally has increased and milk powder should be used to its best ability.
“Optimum feeding can also reduce physiological and social stress experienced by a calf or group of calves.”
• Better hydration and faecal score following Cryptosporidium parvum challenge.
• Improved ability to kill E.coli a month after weaning compared to lower plane.
• Improved resistance when challenged with Salmonella one month after weaning.
• Lower levels of inflammation and fewer calves showed clinical signs of disease than those previously fed a restricted diet.
• Consider non-nutritive oral behaviours, such as licking the environment, potentially contributing to increased risk of disease.
Dairy ingredients are the main protein sources in CMR, in the form of skim and whey, explains Ann.
She says: “Fat is the most energy-dense macronutrient, followed by protein, then lactose. Traditionally milk replacers have used lower fat content and subsequently had a greater percentage of lactose.
“Our low temperature processing method captures natural biofactors and maintains the integrity of valuable proteins. Whey permeate and sweet whey powder are used more as cost effective fillers.”
Manufactured in the Netherlands, ForFarmers’ VITA range comes in 20kg bags and can fed through automatic feeders.
New Vitamilk NRG
The new NRG powder has a high skimmed milk powder content of 56% and consists of 100% dairy proteins. It has a high fat and CP content, both of which stimulate growth.
Vitamilk NRG has a low lactose and sodium content with low osmolarity, reducing risk of scours.
Trials show feeding Vitamilk NRG in the first month leads to:
• Increased weight and growth
• Higher pellet Intake
• Less diarrhoea
Whole milk = 80% casein and 20% whey protein
Skim milk powder = 36% protein level
Whey powder = 13% protein level
Delactose whey = 26% protein level
WPC (concentrated) = 35% protein level
It is important chosen milk powders have at least a skim inclusion of 20% to form a clot.
How much can the abomasum hold?
When it comes to calf feeding, meal size has traditionally been restricted with concerns about abomasal overload.
Ann says: “We know the abomasum is more than capable of holding four litre feeds when conditioned adequately. The quality of milk fed is key when increasing volume, particularly in young calves.
“Insulin is an important hormone for controlling glucose levels within the calf; especially important for growth. Calves fed large meals can regulate their blood glucose concentration, which always returns to baseline with six hours. Feeding eight litres of milk replacer has no effect on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.”
In increasing the volume fed, the concentration of particles dissolved in a fluid, known as osmolality, decreases. In doing this, there is reduced pressure on the intestinal barrier.
“Reducing the osmolality also helps to regulate water balance compared to traditional CMR and can lower risk of gastro-intestinal issues (scour and bloat). There is opportunity to increase feed level closer to natural intakes of the calf,” says Ann.
At this stage in a dairy animal’s life long lasting effects are made on the future productivity of the animal.
“According to research carried out by Dr Alex Bach, for every 100g of average daily gain in first two months of life, you can expect approximately 225kg of extra milk in first lactation.”
How do we achieve this?
• 2 litres of extra CMR @ 135g/litre. Current farm RRP £2500.00/mT = 33.8ppl.
• 2 litres of extra CMR costs an additional 67.6p/calf/day
• +£28.39/calf based on 8wks pre-wean @ 8 litres
• +£37.86/calf based on 10wks pre-wean @ 8 litres
How is this returned?
• Additional 225kg @ 39ppl = £87.75/cow
Cost is also incurred when calves become ill. When it comes to pneumonia, a minimum of £60 per case is incurred. A case of scours is estimated to a minimum of £80 per animal, not forgetting the lost growth in the ill health period.
Contact our dedicated team of dairy specialists for advice and how we can help your business.
