Saturday 26 May 2012
Headlines
Did you find this story interesting? (1) (0)
13/02/2012 16:18:55
Calves need more milk in cold temperatures
Calf rearers are reminded to increase milk replacer feed rates for young calves to avoid growth rate checks as low temperatures are hitting the country. “With temperatures running below 5°C, young calves will need more energy to maintain body temperature and this will be at the expense of growth unless quantities of milk replacer are increased to compensate,” says Provimi ruminant product manager Philip Ingram.
“Quantities of milk replacer should be increased during these cold periods in order to maintain target growth rates.” Dr Ingram suggests, as a quick guide, that for each 5°C drop in temperature, when ambient temperature falls below 15°C, an extra 100g of milk powder a day is required.
Traditionally, calf milk replacers tend to be fed on a restricted basis containing between 18% and 20% fat and 22% to 24% crude protein, contributing around 2.5MJ of ME per litre of milk fed. A milk replacer of this specification and fed at 500grammes a day will only support growth rates of around 400 grams per head per day depending on environmental conditions. “More recent trial work has shown us that these feeding rates are not exploiting the young calf’s potential and they will almost certainly underperform in colder temperatures,” adds Dr Ingram.
Calves should be able to consume more than 750g of milk powder within the first weeks of life to support growth rates of at least 600g. Feeding more milk replacer with a higher crude protein content will improve body weight gain and also lean gain at the expense of fat.
Trial work carried out by Provimi shows that to maintain a growth rate of 600g per day, three week old Holstein calves require around 17MJ of ME at temperatures of 19°C. This would increase to 19MJ a day if environmental temperatures drop to below 10°C. In this case additional energy is required, through feeing more milk powder, in order to maintain THE desired growth rates.
“It is also important to offer calves solid feed from the first or second week of life to try and fill this energy gap,” adds Dr Ingram. “However, the quantity of dry feed intake is generally still low in the second week of life in winter conditions and is typically less than 100g a day. It is therefore important that the energy requirements are met at this time of year through increased high quality milk replacer.”
“Quantities of milk replacer should be increased during these cold periods in order to maintain target growth rates.” Dr Ingram suggests, as a quick guide, that for each 5°C drop in temperature, when ambient temperature falls below 15°C, an extra 100g of milk powder a day is required.
Traditionally, calf milk replacers tend to be fed on a restricted basis containing between 18% and 20% fat and 22% to 24% crude protein, contributing around 2.5MJ of ME per litre of milk fed. A milk replacer of this specification and fed at 500grammes a day will only support growth rates of around 400 grams per head per day depending on environmental conditions. “More recent trial work has shown us that these feeding rates are not exploiting the young calf’s potential and they will almost certainly underperform in colder temperatures,” adds Dr Ingram.
Calves should be able to consume more than 750g of milk powder within the first weeks of life to support growth rates of at least 600g. Feeding more milk replacer with a higher crude protein content will improve body weight gain and also lean gain at the expense of fat.
Trial work carried out by Provimi shows that to maintain a growth rate of 600g per day, three week old Holstein calves require around 17MJ of ME at temperatures of 19°C. This would increase to 19MJ a day if environmental temperatures drop to below 10°C. In this case additional energy is required, through feeing more milk powder, in order to maintain THE desired growth rates.
“It is also important to offer calves solid feed from the first or second week of life to try and fill this energy gap,” adds Dr Ingram. “However, the quantity of dry feed intake is generally still low in the second week of life in winter conditions and is typically less than 100g a day. It is therefore important that the energy requirements are met at this time of year through increased high quality milk replacer.”
|
Farming items for Sale
|
John Deere - 8345R TRACTOR 2010 - Norwich(GBP 105000)
John Deere 5720 - Chippenham
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
Deutz Fahr M625 - Cleveland
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
New machine Valtra T151A - Perth(GBP 42000)
John Deere - 8220 TRACTOR - AYLSHAM(GBP 47500)
Related News
Thompsons tip: Temperature during cold snaps - 01 Dec 2010Monitor temperature during cold snaps The recent cold snap is a reminder that winter is coming! Already, our practice is seeing upsurges in coughs...
Keep air moving over calves in the cold weather - 21 Dec 2010Even in cold weather, air temperature is less important than air quality, particularly for young calves, so farmers should be very wary about making a...
Feeding whole milk to calves can be costly - both financially and nutritionally - 20 Apr 2007Feeding what might seem to be surplus whole milk from the dairy herd to calves simply does not make financial or nutritional sense and may even expose...
New calf milk for computerised feeders - 02 Mar 2011Bonanza Calf Nutrition has launched the first calf milk specifically developed for calves being reared on computerised feeders. As well as deliveri...
Important decisions need to be made over milk quotas - 11 Jan 2008The ending of milk quotas is the right move for the dairy industry but important decisions need to be made about what will happen once they have gone,...
Farm-gate milk price needs to move upwards - 08 Jun 2011Members of NFU Cymru’s Milk Board have expressed their dismay and frustration at the lack of any upward movement in the farm-gate milk price des...
Price rise needed as UK dairy farmers languish in bottom quarter of EU milk league table - 22 Nov 2011The NFU dairy board has called for milk buyers to come forward with a milk price rise before the New Year. Speaking after a meeting of the national...
Fungicide choice and fluctuating temperatures point towards Starane XL - 08 Apr 2004Warm days and cold nights combined with rapid cleavers growth in cereal crops means growers should be careful about product choice for reliable contro...
Australia-Highest temperatures in history. - 11 Feb 2009AUSTRALIA-SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE WORSE BUSH FIRES IN HISTORY. The heatwave that accompanied the bushfires on Saturday smashed records, as much of ...
Usdaw turns up the heat for maximum temperature law - 01 Jul 2009Usdaw is turning up the heat on the debate on workplace temperatures. The Union is campaigning for a maximum temperature to be enshrined in law, to p...
