Optimizing your calf feeding program = Sound Economics
The terms accelerated and enhanced have been used over the past 15 years to describe an increased plane of nutrition in calves. However, calves require that increased nutrition in order to optimize growth. Moreover, production objectives such as decreasing age at first breeding, improving health status, and ultimately building a more efficient and productive dairy cow is now an expected outcome of a calf nutrition program.
The basis of the calf growth model
The calf’s digestive system is immature and… Continue reading
Optimizing your calf feeding program
The terms accelerated and enhanced have been used over the past 15 years to describe an increased plane of nutrition in calves.
However, calves require that increased nutrition in order to optimize growth.
Moreover, production objectives such as:
- decreasing age at first breeding,
- improving health status,
- and ultimately building a more efficient and productive dairy cow is now an expected outcome of a calf nutrition program.
The basis of the calf growth model
The calf’s digestive system is immature and… Continue reading
Happy Calves Drinking
The 2001 study done by Thomas et. al. (App. Anim. Sci., 74: 165-173) concluded that significant vocalization differences existed between groups… Continue reading
Developmental Research – Grain-fed Veal Programs
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… Continue reading