Choose the milk replacer that does your job - Volac manager

The view of Jason Short, Volac business manager for a huge swathe of the north country including such great dairying counties as Cumbria and Lancashire.

“For pleasing results on any calf unit invest in a proven milk formula product for the crucial pre-weaning period. It’s also worth following a few simple practical steps on farm to make the most of your investment.

“Research clearly shows the benefits, in terms of cow longevity, health and lifetime milk production of hitting growth targets and calving down close to 24 months of age.

“We know that feeding a good heifer calf up to 900g (750g minimum) of performance-formulated milk powder daily is now needed to meet optimum rearing targets – and absolutely crucial if you want to calve heifers down with adequate body size at 24 months.

“But more importantly, after ensuring newborn calves have received enough high-quality colostrum, we also know feeding modern dairy calves to this level makes sound economic sense.”

Jason adds that feeding higher milk replacer levels leads to fewer calves failing to reach a second lactation. Providing the necessary nutrition to sustain rapid growth rates during the first two months of life should not only result in more efficient and economical heifer rearing, but also deliver greater lifetime milk output when these replacement animals join the milking herd.

“Research shows there is a large amount of important early life development in the pre-weaned phase. The development of both mammary cells and the gut – and metabolic programming – all take place during this crucial early life period So feed high levels of milk replacer to take full advantage of this.

“It’s also the time when feed conversion efficiency is at its highest, so choose your milk replacer wisely. There are even milk formulas available now, such as Volac’s Imunogard, for farms struggling to manage persistent digestive disturbances, scours, in their calves.

“For beef calves it is equally vital you choose the right milk replacer product depending on growth rate targets and the rearing environment. Crucially whatever product you choose it is important to mix it at the correct temperature and concentration.

“The temperature of the water you use to mix your milk replacer should always be at 40 degrees C. Any higher and you will start to damage the proteins in the milk formula that are so essential for optimum calf performance.

“Milk should be fed at a consistent temperature of around 38 degrees C. This helps to ensure a good oesophageal groove closure, which channels the mixed milk formula into the abomasum. Any spillage of milk into the rumen will increase the risk of scours, resulting in poor calf growth.

“As as well as mixing milk powder with water at the right temperature, be be consistent with your mixing rate.

“You can use any concentration between 12.5 per cent and 15 per cent solids, but once you have chosen your mixing rate do not vary that concentration.

“To mix your milk correctly always use scales to weigh out the milk powder accurately. For a concentration of 12.5 per cent solids, use 125g of milk powder to 875ml of water to make up one litre of mixed milk. Using a full litre of water will lead to a weaker (11.1 per cent) milk concentration.

“Take half the water at 40 degrees C and add all the powder; whisk until smooth, add the rest of the water and whisk again. Check the temperature (between 37 and 39 degrees C) and then feed.”

Jason Short also explains that bacteria and viruses are prevalent in large numbers on all farms and the diseases these and other germs cause in calves are common and costly. Without proper cleaning and disinfection, the pathogen load will increase in calf buildings and on feeding equipment. This means disease can easily spread from calf to calf from contamination in their environment. Ideally aim for all-in-all-out pens and buildings.

“If you are struggling to manage digestive upsets, scours, in your calves, improving hygiene is a priority and make sure your milk replacer contains only correctly processed, high-quality ingredients. Feel free to ask the manufacturer to explain the label to you if you need more clarity.”

Volac recommends following a standard cleaning and disinfection procedure:

- Remove all organic matter prior to cleaning and disinfection. This means thorough removal of all bedding material, followed by use of a pressure washer or steam cleaner. Try to clean in a separate airspace away from other calves because the use of a pressure washer in an occupied building can increase the disease risk for any remaining calves;

- Use a recommended disinfectant, at the correct concentration, on all surfaces that calves can touch. Where surfaces are cracked or damaged or porous and difficult to clean, apply a greater concentration of disinfectant to these areas. Then allow pens to dry out before the next batch of calves arrives;

- If you are still wrestling with stubborn digestive upsets consider feeding a 100 per cent dairy protein milk formula. Volac’s Imunogard has been developed specifically to improve calf gut function in challenging rearing situations.

To discuss how you can rear better calves with less work Freephone 0800 8652 2522, browse www.feedforgrowth.com or contact Volac NI business manager Alistair Sampson tel; 07860 626442, e mail [email protected]