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Download our informative Farmer’s Guides, covering everything from dealing with common health problems to feeding and housing your calves.
A skim based milk replacer formulated for calves for maximum growth and development .....
Click here for information about our Calf Milk Replacers.
High quality milk powder unlocks better lifetime performance. Heifer calves reared on a concentrated whey protein-based milk replacer diet are younger at first calving and more fertile than those receiving lower quality milk protein in early life.
Dairy Protein in Calf Milk Formulas - Skim vs. Whey. Dairy ingredients are the main source of protein in milk replacers and these include both skim and whey protein. When processed under carefully controlled conditions, both skim and whey-based milk replacers can result in similar levels of calf performance. Calf performance is however, linked to more than just the type of dairy protein in the finished milk formula – the type and quality of all the ingredients and the processing conditions, which influence overall digestibility, are key.
A milk replacer specifically formulated for calves which face disease challenges on farm, and for those that need a helping hand. Imunogard is specifically for those farms where calves are repeatedly suffering digestive disturbances and scours.
The quality and processing of the dairy protein that are used in a milk replacer which is the most important.
A Biofilm is an often invisible community of bacteria which can build up on any equipment or surface
Calf scour is the most common disease in dairy bred calves causing mortality and reduced growth rates. Find out more about the causes, impact and what you can do to prevent this disease.
Coccidia are a common parasite and an increasingly common cause of diarrhea in young calves. Find out more about the causes, impact and how to prevent calves from becoming infected.
Pneumonia is an extremely common problem in young cattle and the most common cause of death in dairy bred calves. Find out more about the causes, impact and how you can reduce the risks.
Johne’s disease is a chronic inflammation of the intestine caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Find out more about the process of infection.
Bloat is an over - expansion of the abomasum or rumen due to the gas, produced by normal fermentation of feed, building up and being unable to escape.
Young calves have particular needs in terms of housing and are often housed in an unsuitable location. Find out about the danger signs of unsuitable housing and how to protect your calves.
Improper hygiene increases the risk of disease and can be extremely costly. Find out how to reduce the risks of contamination.
Young calves are very susceptible to low temperatures. They are on highly digestible feed and are not yet ruminating (so less heat is generated by digestion).
Calf jackets keep calves warm, dry and healthy, in the winter when temperatures fall below 15º.
A number of factors can have an adverse effect on feed conversion efficiency (how well the animal converts feed into desired output). Find out more about these factors and how to reduce them.
Doubling the calf’s birth weight by the time they are weaned is important. Find out more about how to achieve this and expected growth rates by age.
It is important to set growth targets for your farm and regular measurement of the herd is essential. Find out more about how to achieve accurate and consistent measurements.
A top quality milk replacer gives your calves the best possible start in life. Find out how to correctly mix the milk to ensure you make the most out of your investment.
A colostrometer allows you to gain a quick simple assessment of quality. Find out how to correctly use a colostrometer and the benefits of feeding top quality colostrum.
AFC (age at first calving) is the age at which an animal calves for the first time. Find out more about the average and recommended age at first calving and the advantages of a younger calving age.
It is important to set an age at first calving (AFC) early on, and estimate the mature body weight of the calf. Find out more about how to set a target growth rate for your heifers.
Farmers guides mixing rates.
The pre-weaned animal is a fundamental phase of development, and drives the future success of the farm. Plot your Heifer Road Map to see the potential impact of growing better cows.
Calf rearing principles.
Modern calf milk replacer formulation is becoming more sophisticated and multi-functional. So much so that there should always be a quality nutrition product available which is right for your calves, rearing objectives and farm buildings situation.
Butyrate: • Is an energy source for the gut • Stimulates digestive enzyme production • Stimulates intestinal blood flow and proliferation of intestinal cells • Has anti-inflammatory effects and protects cells from oxidative damage • Enhances glycogen synthesis and can therefore improve liver function
High milk fed calves can be encouraged to eat solid feed by implementing management strategies, balancing the intake of nutrients from both milk and solid feed.
A growing number of calves are group-housed and fed using computerised feeders during the milk feeding period.
Milk replacers are formulated to ensure they deliver enough energy, however a high fat content can suppress starter intake.
Bloat is a condition found in both the dairy and beef industries; certain situations can increase the number of cases in young calves.
Over recent years, calf nutrition programmes have been developed to improve calf growth and efficiency.
In this video learning series from Volac Milk Replacers Limited, Dr Jessica Cooke explores important calf management and nutrition topics – highlighting best practice advice to rear better heifers.
Dr Jessica Cooke discusses the benefits of calving replacement dairy heifers at 24 months of age. Calving heifers at 24 months of age reduces the number of non-productive replacement stock, boosts lifetime milk production potential, minimises management time, cuts feed and bedding costs, and reduces farm greenhouse gas emissions.
Ensuring heifers are big enough at first calving reduces calving difficulties and improves their subsequent fertility. Dr Jessica Cooke explains how to calculate and set body weight targets based on mature cow body weight and highlights the importance of monitoring growth rates.
If processed correctly, calf milk replacers containing concentrated whey protein or a high level of good quality skim milk powder as the main protein source will deliver good calf and heifer performance to weaning and beyond – right through to third calving. Dr Jessica Cooke discusses the independent trial work that confirms this conclusion.
Feeding young calves more milk will maximise feed efficiency, prevent early weight loss, maximise early life growth potential, improve calf health, enhance organ growth and development and boost lactation performance. Dr Jessica Cooke discusses how much milk to feed.
Dr Jessica Cooke explains why it is important to encourage calves to eat more starter feed alongside their milk feed to ensure they reach weaning with a well developed rumen. A calf with a well-developed rumen at weaning will continue to grow and thrive with no setbacks.
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