Recent trial work carried out at the Agri-Food & Bioscience Institute (AFBI) in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, found that calves fed Feed For Growth’s new Radiant Calf – which includes a unique package of oligosaccharides - hit all the key pre-weaning performance targets, doubling their birthweight by weaning.
Calves reached an average weaning weight of 86kg at 63 days of age, translating into average growth rates of 0.79kg per calf per day from birth to weaning (see Average Daily Gain table). The twelve Holstein heifers received colostrum for the first three days of life before moving onto Radiant Calf which was mixed at 150g/litre and fed twice daily. Up to six litres per calf per day was fed, equating to a total of 45kg of CMR fed per calf through the milk feeding period.
Dr Jessica Cooke, R&D Manager for Feed For Growth (Volac Milk Replacers Ltd), says strong calf performance continued after weaning.
“Calves continued to thrive post-weaning, achieving average growth rates of 1.2kg per calf per day, whilst calf health was excellent throughout. This is thanks to a carefully balanced nutrient package, combined with the added benefit of our unique EXAMO package of oligosaccharides which support gut development, nutrient absorption and hence overall growth and calf health,” she explains.
Oligosaccharides are complex milk sugars which occur naturally in colostrum and whole milk. They work by feeding and enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria, particularly Bifidobacterium, which supports the growth and development of the gut and the establishment of the gut microbiome.
“Having a more developed intestinal wall helps the calf to absorb more nutrients, which will benefit overall performance,” Dr Cooke explains. “The gut also plays a crucial role in immunity, with 70-80% of the body’s immune cells located there. A well-developed intestinal wall will work more effectively with the immune system, hence benefiting calf resilience.”
Radiant Calf is a 30% skim-based CMR with 23% crude protein and 18% fat that supplies 52g crude protein per Mcal of metabolisable energy which is the optimum for healthy growth. Appropriate energy levels also encourage starter intakes to promote good rumen development. It includes butyrate for gut health and garlic-derived Gardion to enhance the immune system and gut health.
Dr Cooke says: “45kg of Radiant Calf was used to achieve a mean body weight gain to weaning of 50kg per calf which makes it an ideal choice for rearers looking for economical growth from skim with the added boost of milk oligosaccharides.”
Radiant Calf sits alongside Feed For Growth’s extensive range of CMRs designed to match a wide range of rearing needs.
| Table 1: Average daily live weight gain pre & post weaning for calves fed Radiant Calf (Calves were weaned gradually over 21 days and weaned by day 63) |
|
| Birth to day 14 (kg/day) | 0.64 |
| Day 14 to weaning (kg/day) | 0.84 |
| Birth to weaning (kg/day) | 0.79 |
| Weaning to day 77 (kg/day) | 1.23 |
| Birth to day 91 (kg/day) | 0.95 |
Supporting information:
Table 1. Milk Feeding Plan (Total milk powder: 45kg/calf)
| Age period (days) | Days | CMR (g/litre) | CMR (litres/day) | CMR (g/day) |
| 0-3 | 3 | Colostrum | ||
| 4-7 | 4 | 150 | 5 | 750 |
| 8-42 | 35 | 150 | 6 | 900 |
| 43-49 | 7 | 150 | 5 | 750 |
| 50-56 | 7 | 150 | 4 | 600 |
| 57-63 | 7 | 150 | 2 (once daily) | 300 |
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