CHILTON – Calf nutrition programs come in all shapes and sizes, and every calf raiser has unique goals. The best calf nutrition program is one that delivers the best results to meet your individual needs.
Use nutritional tools to help optimize calf health from birth to weaning:
1. Quality colostrum sets the stage for lifetime performance — Getting newborn calves off to a great start begins with feeding high-quality colostrum. In general, the sooner calves get colostrum – and the higher the amount of colostrum fed at first feeding – the better the transfer of immunity.
A highly concentrated colostrum replacer should provide at least 150 grams of globulin protein per calf feeding to achieve successful passive transfer.
2. Whole milk: Make a good thing even better — Whether you feed whole milk or a combination of whole milk and milk replacer, find the balance that’s right for your calves. Whole milk supplements can help enhance or extend your current whole milk supply.
Whole milk fortifiers can help provide calves with a consistent amount of vitamins and organic trace minerals, which are often deficient in whole milk.
3. Maintain a toolbox of calf health solutions — Taking proactive measures can help mitigate calf health challenges. If health issues do arise, having a selection of health solutions on-hand can help you provide calves with the additional support they need.
Keep calves hydrated: Choose an electrolyte that does more than just rehydrate. Look for a product to hydrate, energize and colonize beneficial microbes in a calf’s gut at the onset of a health challenge.
Help build calf immunity: Take a proactive stance on health with immunity support supplements to help balance gut microflora and antioxidant activity in a calf’s digestive system.
Treat scours and pneumonia: At the onset of scours or pneumonia, streamline your calf health regimen by using a treatment concentrate which you can easily add to non-medicated milk replacers. Treatment concentrates may be impacted by the VFD. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before using them.
Keep pesky flies away: An economical way to add fly control to whole milk or milk replacer is by using a fly control add-pack.