Hit the ground running to target 24-month calving

Close attention to calf rearing begins from the moment of birth at West Mill Farm, Dorset. This is driving fast growth, high health, superb conception rates to sexed semen and calving at 24 months.

Rearing healthy, well-grown dairy heifers is a top priority for John Baggs at West Mill Farm, near Wareham, Dorset, as these animals are said to lay the foundations for everything that follows.

Running the 270 head milking herd as part of his family’s 324 hectare (800 acre) enterprise, he says getting the rearing right gives the best chance of achieving high conception rates to sexed semen and calving at 24 months.

Aspiration

This has now declined to 4%, although the aspiration is that it will continue on its downward trend.

Another recent purchase which has had a profound impact on neonatal calves has been the farm’s introduction of a colostrum thawer. Mr Baggs says: “This has allowed us to thaw and feed colostrum of known quality within half-an-hour, rather than wait for the mother to be milked or for a slower thaw.”

The only colostrum saved comes from cows of known high health which has been checked with a Brix refractometer, which gives a good approximation of antibody levels and milk solids. This ensures the calf receives the nutrition and antibodies she needs, ideally within two hours of birth. This is by far the best time for her to absorb antibodies into the bloodstream, so optimising her immunity and ongoing health.

An unexpected knock on benefit has been the young calf’s acceptance of the teat, which Mr Baggs says he has noticed is far better when she is fed within less than two hours of birth. He says: “If you do not get to the calf until it is a few hours older, it may have sucked, had the edge taken off its appetite and not be interested in drinking milk from the teat. “Teat feeding is what they are designed to do and I would much rather achieve this than have to tube.”

Ann Coombes, youngstock specialist with ForFarmers, is in full agreement, and says: “Teat feeding is so much more natural for the calf and, if you choose  to tube, there is a chance you might not feed the milk in the correct place. 

“The sucking action also stimulates closure of the oesophageal groove, which ensures milk ends up in the abomasum and not in the rumen, where it would be fermented and cause rumen acidosis.”

Rearing to weaning

Once the calf is moved to the calf pen after two three litre feeds of colostrum, it is fed calf milk replacer through a milk bar teat feeder. Mr Baggs says: “We keep calves in small groups and pay them close attention during this vulnerable time, making sure they are nice and robust before they go into larger groups on the computerised feeder.”

From 24 hours, they are also offered hay in racks, as well as creep feed and water, which together help with their rumen development.

Once moved into groups of 20 at about two to three weeks old, they are fed ad lib through a Lely Calm feeder, which can dispense in small portions and increase overall intake.

The choice of milk replacer is critical to both calf health and growth and, for this, Mr Baggs opts to use ForFarmers 26% VITAMILK HiPro Heifer.

Ms Coombes says: “This powder has high levels of digestible protein and contains a generous amount of minerals, vitamins and trace elements, and the specialist health package, Care+. “This includes the herbs fenugreek, eucalyptus, pine, mint and echinacea, which help improve gut and respiratory health and overall immunity.”

A further boost to gut health, and rumen development in particular, comes through the farm’s use of ForFarmers Calf Complete nut. Ms Coombes says: “This has  been formulated to achieve quick rumen development and high liveweight gains. It has the addition of the live yeast, Levucell, which stabilises and helps develop a healthy rumen.”

Introduced at about five to six weeks of age, calves remain on this nut until after weaning. This helps maintain the optimum rumen pH and ensures there is no check in growth at this time of change. Mr Baggs says: “We aim to wean at 10 weeks and 100kg, but if there are calves which have not kept up their growth, we can extend their plan.

For more information

To find out more about youngstock feed, protocols or target 24 please speak to your local ForFarmers account manager or send us an online enquiry here