MARCH 2020 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC


Good nutrition makes for a good future Two meals of colostrum in first 12 hours gets dairy calves started right


by DAVID SCHMIDT


ABBOTSFORD – Providing good nutrition to baby calves is not just important to its early health but has a long- term effect on the animal’s future productivity. One kilogram of average daily gain in the pre-weaning period can translate to as much as 1,540 kgs of milk in the first lactation, said Michael Steele, an associate professor in the University of Guelph department of animal biosciences, speaking at the BC Dairy Expo in Abbotsford, January 29. It starts with getting at least


three to four litres of colostrum into the calf as soon as possible, preferably within the first hour. “Delaying the first colostrum meal may delay the colonization of beneficial bacteria to the calf intestine,” Steele reported. “I want everyone to feed at least two meals of colostrum in the first 12 hours.”


Once they have had their fill of colostrum, calves should be transitioned to milk. Steele advocates feeding more milk, up to 10 litres a day, in multiple feedings of two to four litres each. “The three and four litre nursing bottles are the best innovation in calf feeding in recent years,” he said. The next step is a smooth transition at weaning, which should occur over a two to four week period beginning at four weeks of age. When weaning should begin depends on how much milk the calf is being fed. “If you feed more milk, you need to wean your calves later,” Steele said.


During and immediately


after weaning, calves should have access to lots of water, as calves can drink up to 70 litres of water a day following weaning.


He also suggested farmers


Whether farmers use fresh, pasteurized or dried colostrum, or feed by a bottle or tube, does not matter. What does matter is quality. Steele recommends using a Brix


Getting colostrum into new born calves, preferably within the first hour, is critical to early and long-term health. FILE PHOTO


refractometer, available for as little as $20 on Amazon, to test colostrum, ensuring it contains at least 5.2 grams of protein per decilitre.


increase the amount of calf starter they feed and decrease the amount of hay. “We are overestimating the amount of hay calves consume and


underestimating how much energy these calves can consume,” he told farmers.


35


Find your favourite Grober products at the following DairyCrop BC area dealers:


Agri-Supply LTD Kamloops (250) 372-7446


Barriere Country Feeds Inc. Barriere (250) 672-5256 Beavervalley Feeds


Williams Lake (250) 392-6282


Country West Supply Armstrong (250) 546-9174 Chilliwack (604) 847-3737


Dares Country Feeds Langley (604) 856-1611


Smithers Feed Store Smithers (250)847-9810


Spruce Capital Feeds LTD Prince George (250) 564-6010


Top Shelf Feeds


Black Creek (778) 428-4444 Courtenay (250) 897-3302 Duncan (250) 746-5101 Powell River (604) 485-2244 Victoria (250) 478-8012


Contact the DairyCrop team...


Gerry DeGroot (604) 819-4139 Jelle Vogels (604) 997-0059 Evan Davidson (604) 991-6708


MORE THAN JUST ?


______kg’s increased growth ______ % average daily gain ______% less mortality


Want the numbers? Talk to your DairyCrop team today. www.GroberNutrition.com | 1.800.265.7863 |


MILK REPLACER WHAT CAN 1 BAG OF GROBER DO FOR YOU?


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52