Grober Nutrition

Posts Tagged ‘adequate growth’

Understanding the basic concepts of growth helps improve calf and heifer management. Early postnatal growth is the most efficient time to develop skeletal growth, muscle growth, deposit protein and attain the highest feed efficiency. Mammary development can be enhanced by liquid (milk) feed intake prior to weaning (Brown et al, 2002).

Calf raisers are advised to assess and adapt their feeding practices to ensure adequate growth while maximizing economic benefits.

Winter-feeding in cold climatic conditions requires additional attention to ensure that the young calf is provided with sufficient nutrients for maintenance and for growth expectations.

The young calf has limited reserves of energy when exposed to temperatures below the lower critical temperature for extended periods of time. These reserves are quickly depleted in approximately 18 hours for the newborn calf (Okamoto et al, 1986).

Research, under controlled conditions with adequate bedding and dry conditions, indicate that calves housed at -4oC require about 30% more calories for maintenance. This number will increase as temperature goes down, humidity rises and calves are subject to wet bedding.

The effect of cold stress on potential gain (g/d) for a 45kg calf when they are fed 12.5% DM or 125g of powder in a litre of water.

The effect of cold stress on potential gain (g/d) for a 45kg calf when they are fed 15% DM or 150g of powder in a litre of water.

When a calf falls under negative energy balance, immune status can be easily compromised and the calf becomes susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. To maintain the same amount of gain in colder environments increase the amount of powder

fed to calves on average by 7.7g per °C below their critical temperature.

Fat and its source are important in milk replacers for young calves to ensure a high absorption and to best meet their energy needs especially in cold stress conditions.

Young animals require highly digestible, human grade fats and oils, with a correct fatty acid profile and saturation structure to provide a profile similar to milk fat. This will help to maximize growth potential and avoid ‘fatty faeces’. According to research done by Drackley (2000), protein requirement is a function of the energy allowable gain.

Correct mixing of the milk replacer and temperature of water used will provide a more uniform blend and low fat particle size (<1.5 microns). These factors encourage optimum absorption capacity by the young calf.

Effect of concentrate feeding:

Calves utilize energy less efficiently from starter feeds than milk replacer because carbohydrate and protein in the starter must be fermented in the developing rumen prior to digestion by the calf.

Feeding more of an appropriately balanced milk replacer diet to meet requirements for both energy and protein allowable gain appears to be the most systematic solution to cold stress challenge.

Ways to help the young calf under conditions of cold stress:

• Ensure that the calf has access to dry, well-bedded shelter that provides protection from wind and is free from drafts.
• Provide extra energy through its feed by increasing the amount of milk replacer being fed.
• Observe the weather forecast so that changes can be introduced gradually so that stomach upset (bloating) can be avoided.

These values are approximate based on the information in NRC, 2001.

Feeding the extra milk replacer powder:

• The extra amount can and should be split into two or more meals
• It can be added on top of a milk meal

Kathleen Shore, MSC
Nutritionist
Grober Nutrition

The profit-making potential of the modern cow depends on her ability to combine production and type. Functional type enables a cow to produce over a long lifetime. (Holstein Canada)

Relative Emphasis for Cows

Body weight alone should not be a measure for developmental traits of heifers. Wither height is also any important measurement of skeletal development (frame and capacity). If heifers are not grown properly and do not achieve sufficient size at calving, they will not be able to take in the ‘fuel’ to power their genetic ability. Body condition is also another important management tool.

Inadequate size at first calving will reduce the potential milk production during first and second lactations due to reduced intakes, competition of nutrients for continued growth and inadequate energy reserves. This may also delay conception during the first lactation.

TYPICAL TARGETS 700kg mature weight:

Hoffman, Frank, Syverud, 1991.

To maximize milk production and profits, a nutrition and management program should be designed to provide adequate growth and properly conditioned heifers.

The key to successful growth rates is to plan a feeding strategy form birth for every stage of rearing to match a heifer’s genetic potential. Growth rates are also affected by the environment and health status.

Andre Roy MSc.
Sally Charlton BSc. (Hons)
 April 2003

We are the Milk Replacer Specialists

Our milk replacers and milk-based feeds are designed to enhance the genetic potential of calves, lambs, kid-goats, piglets and foals. Our products blend the latest in nutritional research and manufacturing technology (patented processing) and offer supreme digestibility and animal-growth performance. All this with sound economics and value.

For over 30 years we have been dedicated to furthering young animal nutrition. Combined with our own experience raising over 100,000 calves a year and our commitment to industry, academia and producers, Grober is proud to offer its expertise in young animal nutrition and management.

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Grober Nutrition…..Blending the art & science of young animal nutrition.

Grober Nutrition is HACCP Certified by SGS Canada under the ANAC Feed Safety Program.

Research – Grober Young Animal Development Centre (GYADC)

The GYADC is our central research facility showcasing the latest in young animal nutrition, husbandry, management & technology on the grounds of Canada’s Outdoor Park in Woodstock, Ontario.

Beginning in the spring of 2009 the operation provided producers, students and industry groups the opportunity to tour a facility exclusively devoted to young animal health and management.

Grober Nutrition is pleased to announce the opening of the Grober Young Animal Development Centre (GYADC) for 2010. The Centre features products and programs relating to: dairy calves, kids, lambs, group and individual housing, and automatic feeding systems.

You’re Invited – Call us to plan your tour of GYADC – click here

HeadStart HiCal Lamb Colostrum Replacer Research Results

A total of fifteen lambs were triplets and were supplemented with HEADSTART HiCal™. click here to view results

New Product Information

Pro-Gro

Pro-Gro is a blend of special ingredients to optimize the gastro-intestinal health and overall performance in calves. -We are adding it to Grober Excel and Grober High Performance calf milk replacers.

• Encourage strong health and optimal growth
• Shown to have a positive effect on overall gut health
• Helps young animals develop a strong immune system

dryStart

• drySTART is an amazingly effective drying agent and deodorizer designed for a wide range of species and production applications.
• Make drySTART part of your comprehensive livestock facility management program and see results right away.  more information

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