In this final part of the series, we examine ways to optimise youngstock performance through milk feeding.

Do you know what pre-weaning growth rates you are achieving, and does your calf milk replacer deliver the right balance of energy to achieve good growth and starter intakes?

According to Dr. Jessica Cooke from Feed For Growth (Volac Milk Replacers Limited), it pays to take the time to select the right calf milk replacer (CMR) to meet your youngstock’s needs.

She said: “Ultimately, investing in a high-quality, precision formulated calf milk replacer will pay dividends in improved calf growth and better overall lifetime production.

“It’s about laying the foundations for success.”

Dr. Cooke says there are five key areas to think about when looking to optimise the pre-weaning milk feeding period:

1. Review performance and set targets

Take the time to step back and review your calf rearing system, set targets and measure growth rates.

This will allow you to make informed decisions to optimise growth and performance.

For example, are you achieving key targets such as doubling birth weight by weaning and an average pre-weaning daily liveweight gain (DLWG) of 0.7kg per day? Could you do better?

2. Always use a quality CMR

Not all CMR are created equal. For example, whey powder only contains 12.5-13% protein, versus 35% in concentrated whey protein. Skim products also vary widely.

For optimal calf performance, question the quality of CMR with the merchant or manufacturer and choose one that is based on either concentrated whey protein, such as Feed For Growth’s Imunopro, or one with high levels of good quality skim.

3. Think about energy supply from milk

Choose a CMR that is precision-formulated to deliver the right amount of energy (from fat and sugar) to fuel growth. 

Bigger calves will be more vigorous and have better starter intakes, meaning they are more likely to achieve growth targets and lifetime milk production potential.

However, avoid over-supplying energy, as that will compromise a smooth transition onto starter feed.

To increase the level of energy supplied, raise the volume of milk fed or mixing rate (solids level).

Opting for a higher fat content milk replacer has a negligible effect on overall energy supply compared with feeding more, according to research.

The table below shows the effect of feeding a low vs. high oil milk replacer, or feeding different volumes or concentrations of the same milk replacer, on energy intake (ME)

4. Balance solid feed and CMR

Opting for a CMR with more lactose and less fat will typically stimulate earlier intake of solid feed, which is key to rumen development, a smooth transition around weaning, and more consistent growth.

Starter feed is also cheaper than milk, so cost per kilo of daily live weight gain (DLWG) will be reduced.

Our research suggests the gold standard is to feed pre-weaned calves 50-57kg of a good quality CMR at:

17-19% fat (anything over 20% fat can suppress starter intakes);
23% protein;
900g of milk solids per day.

This should be fed alongside palatable, fresh starter feed, water and chopped forage (3-4cm).

5. Lean on an experienced team

Feed For Growths’ experienced local team, located across Ireland, can provide practical advice on how to optimise youngstock performance.

Una Hickey, national sales manager for Ireland at Feed for Growth, says Irish farming is in their blood.

She added: “We are all passionate about youngstock rearing and helping farmers to maximise calf performance as profitably and sustainably as possible.

“With years’ of experience in the industry and on farms, we can provide practical tips on how to get the most from your calves, supported by the use of the right precision formulated calf milk replacer product.”

Take Sharon O’Donoghue, who covers the south-west. Sharon lives on the family farm in Co. Kerry and combines her practical experience and technical knowledge to advise on improving the efficiency and sustainability of calf rearing systems.

David Whyte is your man in Co. Cork. He takes pride in seeing good healthy calf growth and monitoring how well young ruminants perform on joining the herd, whilst Liam Gannon in the south-east is passionate about animal health and a highly experienced ruminant youngstock adviser.

JP Harkin heads up the team in the north and covers the north-west. He likes nothing more than trouble-shooting issues on farm to improve calf growth, and watching calves perform at their optimum, as does Tomas O’Reilly in the north-east.

To find your local Feed For Growth representative, visit the Ireland Team page here.