Tagged with 'calf weaning '

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

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

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.

Calf weaning is always a topic of much discussion and debate; it is difficult to filter through advice and figure out what is best for your farm. I have sat around many farm kitchen tables and had the same discussion. As a calf specialist, I would always recommend weaning later, and using a step down weaning method but don’t just take my word for it, let’s have a look at some of the research.