"Considering the health challenges that our calves are exposed to, I was keen to feed a good quality milk powder that would boost calf health in the first few weeks", says Miss Coombes.
After the intital tube-feed of frozen colostrum, of at least three litres, calves go strraight onto 360g of milk powder, twice a day, diluted at a rate of 180g per litre of water.
There is a more concentrated feed rate compared to that fed in previous years. From day three they are also offered ad-lib calf pellets, as well as fresh water and straw. Calves move to once-a-day milk feeding later than previously - at five weeks rather than four.
"In the past, once they were weaned, calves moved onto forage. But this year we are keeping it consistent and simple and feeding concentrate and straw. This is the first year that we have tried these higher feed rates and research shows that it should work. I am confident that we will see the results that we want" adds Miss Coombes.
"Regular weighing to check growth rates is vital and we are keen that the next generation of calf rearers acknowledge this and see it as best practice.
"We are now achieving an average first calving age of 23.8 months old" says Mr Ingram.
"So far this season, calves are doing well. We are seeing animals double their birth weight by weaning, as planned, and their level of concentrate intakes at weaning are also good", she says.
"We've been rearing the calves in the new buildings for around three months now and, so far, we've only had one case of joint ill and no cases of pneumonia or scours".