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
Wynnstay customer, Andrew Wallis, from Dorset, discusses his experience following a switch to Wynnstay's Elixir Calf Milk formula.
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock, Calf Feeding, 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
The transfer of passive immunity in calves is defined as “the absorption of the maternal immunoglobulin, present in colostrum through the small intestine of the calf, during the first 24 hours after birth. Calves are born without any acquired immunity due to the placental structure of the cow and therefore, rely entirely on passive transfer. The colostrum absorbed by the calf activates and regulates the innate responses enabling the calf to fight infection.
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock, Calf Feeding and Calf Health
Measuring the growth rate in youngstock, is one of the most significant ways to measure overall performance. By calculating average daily gain (ADG) we can work out how well the youngstock are growing and use the information as a method of monitoring whether you are using the right feeds. When rearing dairy calves or beef calves, it is important that they grow in an efficient way to meet their target bulling weights or finishing weights on time. Using weigh bands or weighing scales on young calves will give a good indicator of how the calves are progressing and show average daily gain. This will highlight any issues that are preventing calves from reaching sufficient weight. Monitoring growth is also a way to identify problems with your system and rearing protocols.
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock and Calf Feeding
The relationship between nutrition and calf health influences the longevity and production performance throughout an animals life.
Optimising calf health and nutrition from day one right through to first lactation will help to optimise cow longevity and lifetime milk yields.
In Season 3, Episode 5 of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub Podcast, Millie Hendy our Calf & Youngstock Manager and Charlie Moss from Horizon Vets give an update on some of the latest updates in the industry around calf nutrition and health.
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Posted in Calf & Youngstock and Calf Feeding