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.
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock, Calf Feeding, Calf Housing, Calf Health and Calf Profit & Management
“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.”
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock, Calf Feeding, Calf Housing, Calf Health and Calf Profit & Management
"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.”
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock, Calf Feeding, Calf Housing, Calf Health and Calf Profit & Management
With spring calving fast approaching, kickstarting one of the busiest, most demanding time of year, being properly prepared can relieve some of the stress for farmer, cow and calf.
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock, Calf Feeding, Calf Housing, Calf Health and Calf Profit & Management
Rearing heifers are a sizeable investment to a dairy enterprise, with rearing costs not being recouped until the cow reaches their second lactation. Studies carried out by AHDB show that on average 17% of milking heifers exit the herd before their second lactation (AHDB, 2023).
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Posted in Dairy Farming, Dairy Housing, Dairy Feed, Dairy Hygiene, Calf & Youngstock, Calf Feeding, Calf Housing, Calf Health and Calf Profit & Management
Calf housing is a critical aspect of any dairy or livestock operation, and the choice of housing design can have a profound impact on the health and well-being of your calves. To optimise calf performance and minimise the incidence and spread of disease, there are key requirements for calf housing that must be considered.
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock, Calf Feeding, Calf Housing, Calf Health and Calf Profit & Management
Calf housing is a huge part of calf health and welfare, it can be the change that many systems need to improve their calf rearing. In September, DEFRA launched a £10 million infrastructure grant to fund calf housing, available to new and upgraded calf housing. Improvements such as ventilation, protection from draughts, and suitable temperature and humidity will be key areas to focus on.
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock, Calf Housing, Calf Health and Environment & Sustainability
Good ventilation systems are essential to reduce respiratory disease in the first months of a calf’s life.
It is estimated that the cost of pneumonia per sick calf is £42.26, with an additional cost of £29.58 per calf for the in-contact group. In turn, this reduces feed efficiency, growth rates, organ development, future milk production and an increased mortality risk before calving.
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Posted in Dairy Feed, Calf & Youngstock, Calf Housing and Calf Health
The basic requirements of a calf can be condensed into seven key words. These combine to form the points on the YoungStock Signals diamond. All six points need to be satisfied in order to achieve optimum health, welfare and production.
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Posted in Dairy Housing, Calf & Youngstock and Calf Housing
Manipulating photoperiods and light for the milking cows is a fairly well researched and discussed topic. However, often we forget to consider the benefits this could have for dry cows.
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Posted in Dairy Farming, Dairy Housing, Calf & Youngstock and Calf Housing