Calves - getting your youngsters off to the best possible start

18 June 2009

Calves - getting your youngsters off to the best possible start

Nature designed a calf to drink milk from the cow on a little and often basis for the first few months of life, writes Volac’s calf rearing specialist, Maggie Gould. While feeding whole or surplus milk is an option for many dairy farmers, it may not be the case for the majority of smallholders. However, they do have the opportunity to offer high quality milk replacer which can match the performance of whole cow’s milk in a variety of feeding systems.

Whole milk v Milk replacer

Calves have demonstrated the same levels of performance in a trial which compared the feeding of whole milk with milk replacer fed at the same volume and solids concentration up to weaning at 6 weeks and beyond. See table 1. 

Table 1: Calf performance, whole milk v milk replacer

                                                                                    Source: Harper Adams University College

Which feeding system?

There are four feeding systems to choose from.

1, Twice a day bucket feeding

This system remains the most popular feeding method and can typically feature feeding two litres per feed; twice a day; from two
weeks to two months.

Twice a day is a restricted system, more flexible than once a day, with greater scope for increasing milk intakes and liveweight gains.

Strengths

• Close control over volume fed, therefore cost effective
• Very good supervision of calves
• Simple; not dependent on external power or mechanical gadgets
• Milk can be offered via teat or open bucket
• A relatively easy task to delegate

Weaknesses

• Labour intensive
• Time consuming and time dependent – calves must be fed at the same times each day
• Limited feed, limited performance
• Buckets need washing after every feed
• A consistent supply of hot water is essential

2, Once a day

Once a day is a restricted feeding system with a low labour input, ideal for busy smallholders and those with lower calf growth rate requirements. However, it does require a high level of stockmanship as calves are only seen drinking once every 24 hours.

Strengths

• Less labour
• Less calf milk replacer
• ‘Faster’ concentrate uptake
• Not dependent on power or mechanical gadgets
• Milk can be offered via teat or open bucket
• A relatively easy task to delegate

Weaknesses

• Significantly reduced opportunity for observation and supervision
• Time dependent
• Calves must be fed at the same time each day
• Calf growth limited

3, Cold ad-lib

This system is very simple and basic; it uses a teat and a milk container. It is popular on units where all calves are under close scrutiny and its success depends on supplying milk on a truly ad-libitum basis at a consistent strength and temperature.

Strengths

• Lower cost and labour requirement, easy to delegate
• Freedom from specific feeding times
• Flexible application and not dependent on external power or water supply
• Fast growth rates
• Allows 24 hour milk consumption 

Weaknesses

• Reduced ‘compulsory’ supervision
• Lower hygiene standards
• Greater urine production increases bedding requirement
• Higher CMR consumption than restricted systems
• High quality acidified CMR essential to success
• Concentrate intake limited at all stages
• Can pose management problems in cold water 

4, Warm Ad-lib

This system can considerably reduce the time and labour requirement. A high standard of supervision, observation and overall management is essential. The Volac Mini-Mum is an ideal warm ad-lib system for feeding milk to small groups of calves.

Case study

Malcolm Bayes who manages a smallholding rearing bought in calves each year at Acres Farm, Lockington, Driffield. says the Mini-Mum is literally the next best thing to mum. “It enables my calves to drink warm Volac Heiferlac milk replacer, little and often for more than 12 hours a day,” he explains. “the system reduces the amount of time I’m required to spend actually feeding to around 35 minutes a day, and I’ve now more quality time to make sure they’re okay. The calves seem to like the system and the milk too. They’re bouncy, they look happy and contented and they don’t suffer any health issues, in particular, nutritional scours.”   

The 50 litre robust moulded plastic bucket holds sufficient milk for between 8 and 10 calves and it is maintained at a preset temperature by a 3kw thermostatically controlled heater element contained within the feeder. The bucket is washed out every evening and the tubes every three to four days. “Weaning takes place at approximately eight weeks of age, or when they’re eating an average 7.5kg coarse concentrate mix per week, by gradually by reducing the amount of milk fed over four days.  

“The Mini-Mum was easy to install and a nearby appropriate power supply is the only essential. It’s a system which is designed to be positioned safely outside the pen. I fixed up the four teats with accompanying silicone tubing, on a piece of plywood positioned on the calf pen gate. I also appreciated Volac’s speedy and efficient back up service which made sure I got things right.

Ever since, the system has proved to be failsafe.” 

Weaning

Rather than weaning at a fixed time, it is best done when the calf consumes a minimum daily target of 1kg of solid feed for three consecutive days. Some calves achieve this at around five weeks, while others take almost eight weeks to eat that amount. Remember, your calf is designed to function on milk for at least this length of time and that many of our best calf rearers will not even consider parting their calves from milk until then.

Further detailed information on calf management can be obtained from Volac’s Calf Management Guide. Copies are available, free of charge, by contacting Freephone 0800 919808, or visiting www.volac.com

-ends-

Back to news