Weaning has a significant impact on the growth and health of calves. Our simple and straightforward advice makes weaning very effective, to improve calf development and growth after weaning is finished.
Milk should be reduced gradually over a period of 3-4 weeks and not stopped earlier than at 9-10 weeks of age, all aiming at adequate rumen development. A well-designed programme improves dry feed intake - and growth - before and after weaning. Adding forage plays a key role in supporting rumen development and health. Finally, offering clean, fresh water ad-libitum is essential.
Calves like milk a lot. Milk is their feed by nature and it is very nutritious. The net energy level in milk solids is around 2 times higher than in calf starter feed. This means that for every liter of milk lowered (containing 130-150g milk solids), a calf needs to consume 250 gram of calf starter feed. At weaning a calf should consume at least 1.5 – 2 kg calf starter a day.
LifeStart intensive milk feeding strategies give farmers the support they need to make a critically important, well-designed weaning strategy.
Chopped straw is fed to young calves for the fibrous structure it provides. The fibre in straw stimulates the rumen-muscle contraction and development, which has a positive impact on calf starter intake; for every 50 grams of straw, the calf consumes 500 extra grams of calf starter!
Several factors influence calf starter intake: taste, free availability, feed bunk space, nutrient composition, water availability, forage provision and age difference in groups.
