Calf & Youngstock

It finally feels like summer is here and hopefully a break from what seems like the longest and wettest winter!

In the first months of life, it is well understood that calves can be very efficient at converting feed to gain, but are equally very susceptible to digestive upsets that can reduce performance and survivability. 

Whole milk is still fed to calves routinely on dairy farms in some capacity or another. But what constitutes “whole milk”?

Aroma and taste play vital roles in calf nutrition, increasing palatability linked with increased feed intake. 

Our trusted Start'n'Wean formulation now includes a unique Apple Molplus flavour and aroma. Molplus is an appetite enhancer with a rich aroma and caramel taste. Based on the same sensory profile as molasses. Primarily, the way a feed smells and tastes is critical in determining feed palatability. Calves, like all animals, possess highly developed senses of smell and taste, which guide their feeding behaviour increasing overall feed intake. 

Optimising starter feed intake in calves is crucial for their growth and development, laying the foundation for healthy adulthood. From the very start,  attention to key factors such as bedding, taste, the weaning process, and water availability can significantly impact a calf's appetite and overall health.

Delve into each of these key factors, exploring practical strategies to maximise starter feed intake and set calves on the path to robust health and vitality.

We have reformulated Start n Wean formula to increase the starch and energy content, helping to further promote rumen development and maintain gut health.

Weaning is one of the most important transitions for calves due to the increased reliance on rumen function.  The transition to ruminant digestion is a complex process that relies on water, concentrates and forage for microbial and physical rumen development. Calf Starter consumption is the most important factor for initiating rumen papillae development as the rumen relies on the end-products of bacterial fermentation from the concentrates.

In recent years, we have seen automatic calf machine becoming more popular on farm, and with recent government grants including machines, popularity has soared. Automatic calf feeders can be a great tool on farm, allowing labour time spent feeding the calves monitoring the calves health and performance.

“In June 2023 we started a complete overhaul of calf management at Bengrove Farm, in an attempt to combat calf disease and mortality rates. We did this while feeding Wynngold™ Bloom and were successful in our initial goals. 

In a further push for increased performance, we found that our growth rates would not exceed 0.55 kg/day DLWG. In August, the decision was made - with the help of the Wynnstay Youngstock Team - to switch to Wynngold™ Supernova milk replacer. The increase in vigour and reduction in nutritional scour was immediate with a gradual and consistent increase in growth rates.

We are very pleased with the overall results from feeding Supernova and are incredibly happy to end the year with a DLWG of 0.82 kg/day.”

"We cannot recommend OsmoFit enough, it is extremely palatable and has a pleasant aroma. It is a cost-effective, preventative method and minimises the costs associated with scour outbreaks and sick calves.”