Grober Nutrition

Posts Tagged ‘calf milk’

Ontario and Quebec dairy herds produce approximately 400,000 male calves annually. These calves are destined for several hundred veal producers.The goal of grain fed veal producers is to achieve the desired finish at the desired weight and age. The market-ready calf is typically 250-295kg at an age of 25-30 weeks. Finished average daily gains should be 1.13kg or better and feed conversion should be 3.5-4.0 kg per kg of live-weight gain.

The Holstein calf has an ability to grow rapidly and genetics, management, environment and nutrition dictate this growth.

NRC 2001 – major change is to provide the foundation to think of calves as we have of older animals, in that nutrient requirements are not static but depend on desired rate of gain, body size and environment. The new NRC considers the approach that calf nutrition is dynamic, just as for older cattle. In other words, the product-orientated ‘one size fits all’ mentality of calf raising, (i.e. a single milk replacer formulation or feeding regime is assumed adequate for all calves) gives way to calculating requirements for growth and health and then designing diets to meet those requirements.

Conventional calf feeding offers milk replacer, of 20% protein and 20% fat, at approximately 400-450g/d. Using the NRC 2001, this does not provide sufficient energy to meet high growth requirements of grain-fed veal calves. While energy intake is the main driver of bodyweight gain, protein intake can influence both BWG and its composition.

e.g.

The nutritional balance of energy, protein and essential vitamins and minerals for very young calves to encourage high DM intakes cannot be achieved from concentrates or forages because of the limitations in: early dry-feed intake, stomach capacity, rumen development, and lower digestibility of concentrate ingredients.

(Leadley and Sojda, 1996.) To help overcome the weaning growth depression, it is suggested that milk feeding be increased during the first 3-4 weeks of life, followed by restricted allowances during the next 1-2 weeks to encourage development of solid feed intake.
Increasing milk intake early→increase growth→ more vigorous calves→ smoother weaning transition→ less stress and growth depression.

With the Grober VG feeding program, the milk replacer is designed to meet the correct nutrient balance for high growth rates of young veal calves, resulting in healthier and well-proportioned calves that can achieve their production goals with a high efficiency.

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

Product Profile

A specifically formulated calf milk replacer for excellence in raising GRAIN VEAL CALVES.

The Need

Young Holstein bull calves require a quality milk replacer to ensure a healthy start. Young calves that have been transported are severally energy deficient and under stress. The best way to counteract these conditions is to provide a dry clean environment and offer a quality milk replacer that will provide the necessary protein and fat to allow the calf to establish itself and the growth pattern to achieve, maximum gain.

The Feeding

In general Holstein bull calves are fed twice a day receiving approximately 2 litres per feeding.

Grober VG 21/19 is designed for maximum growth and early development of muscle tissue of young bull calves and should be offered in concentrations of 125grams per litre of water and upwards of 3 litres per feeding twice a day once the calves are started.

The liquid feeding program should continue until the calves are consuming 900 grams of calf starter per day for 3 consecutive days.

The availability of clean fresh water is critical to dry matter intake and overall calf health and performance.

Economics

The liquid feeding portion of a grain veal program is the most critical and expensive portion of the rearing program. The limited time-scale of grain-veal production and the specific requirements for high daily live weight gain and muscle development requires careful attention to detail.

It is essential that the calves receive maximum nutrient uptake via a high quality milk replacer to maximize rate of gain and growth potential. The cost of a milk replacer, in part is determined by the quality of the ingredients that are used. The quality of the ingredients also reflects on the calf’s ability to utilize the nutrients and convert those nutrients to meat and structural growth while allowing development of the immune system.
Grober VG calf milk replacer is part of a full management program. Please contact Grober Animal Nutrition for more details.
Andre Roy MSc.
Sally Charlton BSc. (Hons)
April 2003

Numerous studies, back as far as 1968, have examined the effects of feeding increased rates of milk or milk replacer to young calves. Recent developments in this area of heifer rearing have led to enhanced feeding programs.

Conventional calf feeding offers milk replacer, of 18-22% protein and 15-22% fat, at approximately 500g/d. This can support approx. 400g/d live-weight gain (LWG). For dairy replacement heifers of high genetic potential, this is not sufficient to meet optimum growth potential. Recent studies have explored the responses to feeding a higher level of milk replacer (energy intake) with a change in milk replacer composition (protein concentration and energy source). While energy intake is the main driver of bodyweight gain, protein intake can influence both BWG and its composition.

The strategy of lower intakes has typically been a management decision, not necessarily geared to growth potential. The new ‘enhanced’ growth program supports higher rates of feeding that are closer to ad lib feeding systems and thus could be more ‘biologically normal growth’. This growth is aimed at skeleton and muscle, resulting in tall heifers compared to fat heifers.

Increasing the feeding rate of a milk replacer with adequate protein has pronounced effects on growth rate and feed efficiency.

Barlett et al, Univ. of Illinois J.Dairy Sci. Vol.85, suppl. 1

Using a 4,565 Mcal/kg milk replacer of 25% CP/ 17%fat with no calf starter for 5 week period

Tikofsky et al., 2001- Body composition can be altered by the source of energy. High lactose/low fat concentrations in milk replacer favours lower fat deposition.

Hill et al (2001) Substitution rate of milk replacer for dry starter feed is lower for high protein/low fat/high lactose milk replacers compared with conventional milk replacers.

Cornell researchers concluded that, with higher protein levels, a minimum 15% fat could be adequate to maintain lean growth. However, allowances must be made for cold environment conditions. Too low a fat level reduces the stimulatory effect of fat on pancreatic enzyme secretion, so that protein digestion may be impaired.

NRC 2001 – major change is to provide the foundation to think of calves as we have of older animals, in that nutrient requirements are not static but depend on desired rate of gain, body size and environment. The new NRC considers the approach that calf nutrition is dynamic, just as for older cattle. In other words, the product-orientated ‘one size fits all’ mentality of calf raising, (i.e. a single milk replacer formulation or feeding regime is assumed adequate for all calves) gives way to calculating requirements for growth and health and then designing diets to meet those requirements.

Drackley (2001) 26% CP milk replacer maximized growth rate with minimal fat deposition. Research showed that whilst energy intake is the main driver of BWG, protein intake could influence both BWG and the composition of BWG. Drackley, (2000) identified three possible long-term effects of calf growth and development: milk production potential, metabolic imprinting and health and immune status.

Whole milk (Holstein) contains 29-30% fat and 25-26% protein on a dry solids basis.

Diaz et al. (2001) -Using a 30% CP milk replacer showed, that as feeding level increased from 14 to 26 g milk replacer DM/kg bodyweight/day, bodyweight gain and fat content of gain increased but with no reduction in protein content of BW.

With the enhanced feeding program, the milk replacer is designed to meet the correct nutrient balance for high growth rates and intakes in heifers, resulting in taller and well-proportioned heifers that can enter the milk herd earlier and have a higher milk production potential.
Foldager et al, 1997, 48th EAAP Annual Meeting.

Calf Milk Intake and Lactation Yield (Post weaning growth: 0.55 to 0.65kg/d to calving)

The concept is to feed heifers to attain a pre-selected or target weight at a given age to achieve optimum first lactation performance while controlling the costs of rearing replacements. Gaining benefit from enhanced early nutrition requires integration with the entire heifer-rearing program.

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

Product Profile

A specifically formulated high protein milk replacer for excellence in raising heifer calves.

The Need

Intensive feeding programs have been a major topic for discussion and presentation over the last year. Their aim has been to maximize genetic growth potential, get heifers to breeding weight sooner and also maximize lean tissue growth (height and weight).

A young animal can not be limit fed protein and energy and be successful or efficient in depositing protein as lean tissue growth. During the first two months, calves have the greatest opportunity to maximize rapid early growth. Protein in the diet can be utilized very efficiently at this age. The higher the percentage of protein of the diet (maximum 28%), the better the increase in average daily gain; with a priority on lean muscle tissue deposition over fat. The correct balance of metabolizable energy must also be provided for maintenance and daily gain. Feeding more total nutrients on a conventional program can achieve higher rates of gain, improve health and immune status.

The Feeding

Conventional milk replacer and whole milk heifer calf feeding programs revolved around two times per day feeding and half-gallon or 2 litres per feeding.

Intensive or accelerated feeding programs revolve around feeding more total solids more often. These programs will work on a twice-daily cycle although calves fed more often (i.e.) on automatic feeders or those fed 3 to 4 times per day tend to have a better response. In reality this type of feeding program is more similar to that of the calf nursing on the cow.

If the total volume of milk or milk replacer is limited, a calf will tend to consume calf starter earlier. However, this reduces the calf’s ability to utilize the milk protein portion of the diet and sacrifices growth potential. By extending the liquid feeding period to 7-8 weeks, we can achieve higher gains prior to weaning and a continued benefit post weaning. The ability of the calf or the desire by calves to consume dry feed (starter) is in direct proportion to the volume of liquid feed being offered. To help prevent the weaning stall out, reduce the volume of liquid being fed to achieve a starter intake of 700 to 1000 grams per calf per day, for 3 consecutive days prior to weaning. The calf starter ration, to compliment an intensive calf management program, needs to be highly palatable and of excellent quality. When a high protein milk replacer is being fed (i.e. 26%min.) the calf starter should be at least 22% protein to maintain optimal growth.

As always the availability of clean fresh water is critical to dry matter intake and overall calf health and performance.

Economics

Although the initial cost of an intensive feeding program is higher than the conventional feeding program, it is important to determine the goals of the calf raiser and the finished economics. The true measure of an enhanced feeding program has to be measured in terms of breeding weight & height, calving age, improved milk production and overall animal development.

Grober Excel calf milk replacer is part of a full management program. Please contact Grober Animal Nutrition for more details.

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

• Prepare Buildings – Ensure barns have good ventilation, are dry, no drafts, and a strict cleaning schedule as been prepared.
• Prepare supplies well ahead of lambing. For example- lambing equipment, thermometer, warming box, frozen colostrum etc.
• Select lambs for artificial rearing, e.g. the weaker, less aggressive lambs from ewes with three or more lambs, and malnourished or mis•mothered lambs from other ewes. Ideally leave similar weight, thrifty lambs with the ewe to avoid competition. Remove weak and ‘uneven’ lambs for rearing with milk replacer.
• Ensure adequate colostrum intake by suckling, bottle or stomach tube within 12 to 18 hours after birth. Lambs require 50ml/kg (.85oz/lb) body weight; one feed right at birth and then every 4-6 hours for the first 24 hours. For example a 4kg (9lb) lamb should receive 850 ml (1.5pt). The quantity should be increased by 20-30% for lambs outside in bad weather (one extra feed).
• Administer selenium, according to vet’s recommendation, to prevent white muscle disease.
• Only use a high quality milk replacer specifically formulated for lambs, e.g. Grober Lamb-Gro. Calf milk replacer is unacceptable. Lambs require different protein/fat content and ratio, no added copper and a specific mineral and vitamin package.
• Check mixing recommendations with your supplier and have suitable weigh scales/cups available.
• Train lambs to drink from nipple as soon as possible after the last feeding of colostrum.
• Observe lambs closely and regularly for drinking behaviour, lamb vigour and signs of ill health or starvation. Treat as soon as possible.
• Clean all milk feeding equipment daily: rinse in lukewarm water, wash with a detergent in hot water, rinse with clean water (ideally a 10% bleach solution) and dry thoroughly.
• Place all foodstuffs such as hay, pellets and water in containers that reduce contamination by the lamb and clean regularly. Ensure water bowels have clean, fresh water daily.
• Group lambs according to age and body weight and supply sufficient nipples (e.g. 5-6 lambs /nipple at start and increase to 10-25 lambs/nipple depending on machine and space etc).
• By five days of age, provide lambs with a free-choice source of water and a highly palatable, high protein (18 to 20% crude protein) lamb creep feed to encourage early rumen development. Continue feeding high protein dry feed until lambs weigh 18 kg (40 lb). Then switch lambs to a lower protein growing feed or place lambs on high quality pasture for grazing.
• Vaccinate lambs for Clostridium perfringens C & D at 3 to 4 weeks of age and booster 3 weeks later.

Grober milk replacers are manufactured to the highest standards.
Grober research and on farm testing ensures the best nutritional products available for lamb growth and development.
Grober Lamb-Gro and good management provide a strong foundation for growth and production of lambs.
Contact Grober Nutrition or your Feed dealer for details and availability of Grober Lamb-Gro and Forster machines.