Calves / Replacements
The impact of reproductive failure in undergrown 1st calving heifers is well publicized. Dairy NZ has reported that 36% of calves reared for replacements do not calve for a second time. In a recent NZ study, 73% of heifers recorded in the national database were more than 5% behind their liveweight for age targets at 22 months (i.e. >20kg liveweight). In a separate study the production penalty in first lactation heifers that are below target was shown to be $1+/kg liveweight below target.
We could always blame the grazier! Or is it that the accepted industry way of rearing calves, the weaning and “meaning” (when concentrate is dropped out) transitions, and the context for post weaning grazing management and target growth rates are in need of review?
There are many rearing approaches that work well enough for the majority of calves, however the later born calves (typically the last third of replacements) require a shift in thinking. These second cycle calves need significantly higher growth rate to catch the main group. Exceptional growth rate after weaning calls for advanced rumen development by the end of the rearing period, effective transitions, mineral and vitamin reserves, quality feed and “lamb” focused grazing management (they are not small cattle beasts).
Our programme combines the findings of research, the wisdom from experts, the genuinely good ideas and inputs from industry, and many years of experience designing and consulting to dairy farmers and large scale calf rearing businesses.
Dairy Products > Calving | Udder Health | Mating | Lactation | Calves Replacements | Feed Utilisation
We could always blame the grazier! Or is it that the accepted industry way of rearing calves, the weaning and “meaning” (when concentrate is dropped out) transitions, and the context for post weaning grazing management and target growth rates are in need of review?
There are many rearing approaches that work well enough for the majority of calves, however the later born calves (typically the last third of replacements) require a shift in thinking. These second cycle calves need significantly higher growth rate to catch the main group. Exceptional growth rate after weaning calls for advanced rumen development by the end of the rearing period, effective transitions, mineral and vitamin reserves, quality feed and “lamb” focused grazing management (they are not small cattle beasts).
Our programme combines the findings of research, the wisdom from experts, the genuinely good ideas and inputs from industry, and many years of experience designing and consulting to dairy farmers and large scale calf rearing businesses.
Dairy Products > Calving | Udder Health | Mating | Lactation | Calves Replacements | Feed Utilisation
Calves / Replacements Products
CALFAREX™
As the name suggests this is about first introduction to solids – to encourage investigation and initial tasting, and repeat consumption. It is applied as a top-dress on calf starter or in the trough ahead of starter being put out.
As the name suggests this is about first introduction to solids – to encourage investigation and initial tasting, and repeat consumption. It is applied as a top-dress on calf starter or in the trough ahead of starter being put out.
ORIGINAL MEUSLI™
An original style calf starter ration containing our proprietary ENHANCE vitamin & mineral pack plus coccidiostat (BOVATEC).
An original style calf starter ration containing our proprietary ENHANCE vitamin & mineral pack plus coccidiostat (BOVATEC).
G2 GRANOLA™
G2 GRANOLA a second generation calf starter ration, with extra palatants, sustained release carbohydrate, comprehensive rumen buffering, yeast, ENHANCE vitamin & mineral pack, coccidiostat (BOVATEC).
G2 GRANOLA a second generation calf starter ration, with extra palatants, sustained release carbohydrate, comprehensive rumen buffering, yeast, ENHANCE vitamin & mineral pack, coccidiostat (BOVATEC).
FLYING CHANGE™
FLYING CHANGE is a TMR-like hybrid calf feed designed as a second stage product to achieve exceptional intakes, growth rate and rumen development so later born and slow lane calves will catch their earlier born counterparts. It combines elements of G2 Granola, Protein pellets, lucerne forage, FORTIFY vitamin & mineral pack, coccidiostat (BOVATEC).
FLYING CHANGE is a TMR-like hybrid calf feed designed as a second stage product to achieve exceptional intakes, growth rate and rumen development so later born and slow lane calves will catch their earlier born counterparts. It combines elements of G2 Granola, Protein pellets, lucerne forage, FORTIFY vitamin & mineral pack, coccidiostat (BOVATEC).
CALF PELLETS
Manufactured fresh from premium quality Canterbury grain (Barley & Wheat), soyabean meal, peas, our proprietary FORTIFY vitamin mineral pack and coccidiostat (BOVATEC). Note that we do not use PKE, filler, seed cleanings, hulls etc in our calf pellets (or in any of our calf feeds for that matter!).
Manufactured fresh from premium quality Canterbury grain (Barley & Wheat), soyabean meal, peas, our proprietary FORTIFY vitamin mineral pack and coccidiostat (BOVATEC). Note that we do not use PKE, filler, seed cleanings, hulls etc in our calf pellets (or in any of our calf feeds for that matter!).
- REARER 20™ pellet designed for minimal milk or CMR rearing systems requiring higher protein levels.
- MAINCOURSE 18™ pellet designed for dairy farm rearing regimes up to weaning.
- ACCELERATOR 16™ pellet designed for feeding after weaning.
- OVERDRIVE 14™ pellet designed for feeding after weaning on very high protein pasture, and as a support feed for lates.
ENHANCE™ & FORTIFYTM BYO PREMIXES
Blend-Your-Own calf feed premixes that contain macro minerals, trace elements, vitamins, palatants and coccidiostat (Bovatec) blended onto a carrier to enable farm blended calf feed to be up-rated. ENHANCE for younger calves, FORTIFY for weaned calves – starting at a higher inclusion rate then reducing as calves eat more.
Blend-Your-Own calf feed premixes that contain macro minerals, trace elements, vitamins, palatants and coccidiostat (Bovatec) blended onto a carrier to enable farm blended calf feed to be up-rated. ENHANCE for younger calves, FORTIFY for weaned calves – starting at a higher inclusion rate then reducing as calves eat more.
eCALF PROBIOTIC & HYPER-IMMUNE PASTE
This oral paste is given to calves on arrival and also as part of rehabilitation therapy. Later born calves and calves that experience cold shock (mild hyperthermia), should be targeted on arrival. In addition to probiotic bacteria, eCALF contains hyper-immune protein technology. So it has a triple action; immune-competency through heightened passive transfer, direct defence against pathogens and re-establishment of gut flora.
This oral paste is given to calves on arrival and also as part of rehabilitation therapy. Later born calves and calves that experience cold shock (mild hyperthermia), should be targeted on arrival. In addition to probiotic bacteria, eCALF contains hyper-immune protein technology. So it has a triple action; immune-competency through heightened passive transfer, direct defence against pathogens and re-establishment of gut flora.
BLOCKADE™
BLOCKADE vitamins A D & E can be drenched or added to milk and given every 3-4 weeks. It is especially indicated for calves born to cows that wintered on swedes due to the increased risk of vitamin E deficiency. Calves with damp patches down their cheeks can indicate a shortage of vitamin A. BLOCKADE is also indicated for replacement heifers over the winter and early spring – especially if wintering on crop.
BLOCKADE vitamins A D & E can be drenched or added to milk and given every 3-4 weeks. It is especially indicated for calves born to cows that wintered on swedes due to the increased risk of vitamin E deficiency. Calves with damp patches down their cheeks can indicate a shortage of vitamin A. BLOCKADE is also indicated for replacement heifers over the winter and early spring – especially if wintering on crop.
HEIFERLUMP™
HEIFERLUMPS are high trace element content 2.5kg blocks suitable for calves while indoors – they are an extra over and above premixes in calf feed. The compressed format ensures they cannot be over consumed, and they do not contain selenium (to ensure this is not doubled up).
HEIFERLUMPS are high trace element content 2.5kg blocks suitable for calves while indoors – they are an extra over and above premixes in calf feed. The compressed format ensures they cannot be over consumed, and they do not contain selenium (to ensure this is not doubled up).
QUICKSHIFT DRENCH™
QUICKSHIFT provides therapeutic vitamin and trace element inputs targeting mucosal tissue healing and energy metabolism, and ingredients to stimulate good microbes. It is drenched (or added to milk) at weaning and repeated 2-3 weeks later, and again when replacements have a feed change. It is also indicated as a therapeutic input for calves recovering after scours or with vitamin B1 deficiency.
QUICKSHIFT provides therapeutic vitamin and trace element inputs targeting mucosal tissue healing and energy metabolism, and ingredients to stimulate good microbes. It is drenched (or added to milk) at weaning and repeated 2-3 weeks later, and again when replacements have a feed change. It is also indicated as a therapeutic input for calves recovering after scours or with vitamin B1 deficiency.
DCD™
DCD (Dairy Calf Developer) is a free access trace element delivery system designed for calves once out on pasture. This is a period where their demand is especially high, their uptake efficiency is low (i.e. as for adults) and can be complicated by parasitism (scouring reduces trace element absorption). Add to this the fact that pasture trace element content is typically reduced due to increased fibre, and their birth reserves have been used up. Please note that DCD does not contain Selenium to prevent the risk of doubling up. Accordingly, selenium should be attended to separately e.g. Se B12 inj.
DCD (Dairy Calf Developer) is a free access trace element delivery system designed for calves once out on pasture. This is a period where their demand is especially high, their uptake efficiency is low (i.e. as for adults) and can be complicated by parasitism (scouring reduces trace element absorption). Add to this the fact that pasture trace element content is typically reduced due to increased fibre, and their birth reserves have been used up. Please note that DCD does not contain Selenium to prevent the risk of doubling up. Accordingly, selenium should be attended to separately e.g. Se B12 inj.
CATTELMIN™
For those who are set up to administer minerals via the water supply, CATTELMIN is a convenient way to supplement trace elements and to set replacements up over the autumn/ winter and continue through the spring. It is designed to be used at variable dose rates and can take into account if catch up is required.
For those who are set up to administer minerals via the water supply, CATTELMIN is a convenient way to supplement trace elements and to set replacements up over the autumn/ winter and continue through the spring. It is designed to be used at variable dose rates and can take into account if catch up is required.