Feeding your dairy calves a high-quality calf milk replacer pre-weaning will pay off handsomely once these animals enter the adult herd and start producing milk.

Investing in quality during those important weeks of early life certainly reaps dividends and, ultimately, will save you time and money.

When rearing calves, invest in quality pre-weaning

Over a series of four articles, Dr. Jessica Cooke from Feed for Growth (Volac Milk Replacers Ltd.) will highlight the keys to unlocking cost effective calf growth and development – and explain just how important it is to invest in quality.

She said: “Feeding pre-weaned calves high volumes of a high quality, precision-formulated milk formula from a reputable supplier helps them achieve their early life growth potential and maximises lifetime production. It’s absolutely crucial."

It is important to appreciate that the calf is born with a non-functional rumen, and nutrients from milk are digested in the abomasum and intestines to supply the energy for growth in early life.

“Depending on your growth target and the prevailing temperature, a calf’s energy intake needs to be adjusted," Dr. Cooke said.

"However, the best way to supply a calf with more energy is simply to feed it more by increasing the volume of milk fed or the milk formula mixing rate (solids level).

"These calves will subsequently eat more starter when milk is gradually reduced from day 35 to 56 when weaning.

“What’s more, calves fed more milk, coupled with good starter intakes, will be more likely to achieve their early growth targets and lifetime milk production potential.”

Calf Rearing 2026 series

In the first article of the series, Dr. Cooke encourages calf rearers to stand back from the day-to-day challenge of rearing calves to reassess their goals and objectives and ask "could we do better?"

She explained: “Ultimately, the goal is to use a high-quality milk replacer in early life to lay down the important foundations for lifetime performance - yet at the same time achieve cost effective calf growth and stimulate health rumen development to allow a smooth transition onto starter feed. This will save you money in the long run.”

In the second article, Dr. Cooke looks at calf milk replacer formulation - how do you look beyond the label?

She discusses exactly what you should be looking for and the right ingredients necessary for optimum calf performance.

In the third instalment, Dr. Cooke busts some of the myths surrounding whole milk feeding and why you should be wary of going down this route – even though it may seem financially attractive to do so.

Finally, remember there is no substitute for experience.

Having an independent set of eyes available to observe your calf rearing protocols and practices - and discuss how other farmers have dealt successfully with similar challenges - will prove invaluable.

Working closely with you, with the aim of saving you time and money in the long run, should be the partnership goal of any calf milk replacer supplier.

Consequently, the fourth and final article of this calf rearing series will highlight the experience available to you from the Feed For Growth team located throughout Ireland - and discuss some of the other healthcare products you can consider feeding alongside high-quality calf milk replacer to ensure healthy and efficient animals entering your herd.