“The new feeding protocol aims to get the calf feed intakes up to three litres of milk quickly, but without overloading the abomasum,” says Peter. “After their colostrum, for the first week calves are on 2 litres of milk replacer, two times a day. From their second week they go up to 2.5 litres, two times a day, and by the third week are on 3 litres.
“The first three weeks in a calf’s life represents a significant window of opportunity. This is when all the major organ development occurs most quickly, so we want the calves taking on as much feed as they can during this period. Pneumonia can be a big issue in calves, but if organ development goes well and lungs develop strongly, it reduces a calf’s susceptibility to this illness.”
Huw continues: “We also recommended that Steven tried feeding Vitamilk Premium, which is a skimmed milk powder. As well as increasing the digestibility of the feed, the skimmed milk provides a slow-release energy source that takes around 12 hours to leave a calf’s abomasum, compared to two hours with a whey-based product. The milk power is mixed at a rate of 180g per litre of milk.”
As well as the changes to feeding, Steven now provides calves with an anti-scouring medication for the first seven days of life, and pneumonia prevention medication at nine days of age.