Begin offering calf feed when the calf is four days old. The feed should be:

• Palatable -

Calves are no different than humans in that they are likely to eat more and gain weight more quickly if the food smells good and tastes good. Quality grains, roughage and molasses all appeal to calves and contribute to the unique taste of Fiskens calf feed. This makes for increased palatability and an easy transition from product to product as the calves grow.

• Digestible -

Digestibility in calf feed depends on the quality of the ingredients. Fiskens products contain high-quality protein and grain sources for superior digestibility.

• Fibrous -

In dry feeds fibre stimulates saliva production. This in turn regulates the rumen’s pH level. Note however that calves should not be allowed an excess of roughage – too much can result in a lowered concentrate intake. A dry feed with the correct roughage level like Fiskens Calf Feeds eliminates the need for unrestricted roughage and improves early feed intake.

• Balanced and Anti-Coccidial -

Calf diets are usually structured with optimal protein and the energy needed to use it in mind. 12 MJ ME per kilogram of dry feed delivers the energy needed to metabolise the protein in 20.5% feed. Adding minerals, vitamins and an anti-coccidial is advised.

Fiskens calf feeds are tasty, digestible and contain the proper balance of nutrients along with minerals, vitamins and an anti-coccidial, Bovatec® which works to combat coccidiosis and encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in the rumen so calves derive more benefit from their feed.

Mature cattle belong to a class of mammals known as ruminants – even-toed cud-chewers with four stomachs. In the adult cow the rumen is the first and largest stomach, comprising approximately 80% of the digestive tract.

The feed that passes into the rumen ferments, assisted by billions of bacteria, fungi and protozoa (microorganisms) in conjunction with periodic cud-chewing. As the feed is broken down the cow absorbs some through the wall of the rumen while some (along with a portion of the microorganisms) moves into the other stomachs to be further digested.

Newly born calves are pre-ruminants. They have the same four stomachs as an adult bovine but the rumen is significantly smaller. In the calf, the largest part of the digestive tract is the abomasum (fourth stomach), making up nearly 70% of the digestive tract. In the young calf the act of sucking causes a fold of muscle to develop in the wall of the rumen. This is called the “reticular groove” and as the calf sucks it delivers milk directly to the abomasum (fourth stomach) where it is digested.

As the calf grows and solid feed is incorporated into the diet the rumen enlarges as the abomasum shrinks. This is a critical stage in the animal’s development. For the rumen to develop properly it needs to be stimulated by the ingestion and digestion of solid feed.

Early introduction of solid feed leads to optimum rumen development and weight gain. It is a gradual process that prepares the animal for a pasture-based diet and is a key element in effective calf-rearing.

Calf Pro Plus is a highly palatable protein calf feed designed for early rumen development, early weaning and increased growth rates. Contains Bovatec to prevent coccidiosis (scours).

Coccidiosis is a parasite-caused disease that can be difficult to identify. In the worst cases coccidiosis will manifest as bloody scours. This is because when they are present at high levels the parasites can damage the wall of the intestine.

In most cases – 95% in fact – you will not see dramatic signs of infection. All the same, the parasites and their eggs (oocysts) can be found everywhere – in barns, sheds and even in the pasture. Even the cleanest facilities can harbour the oocysts and once a calf is infected the disease can spread very quickly. Even a low-level infection can cause poor intakes and substandard feed conversion leading to reduced growth rates.

As is the case with most parasitic diseases the best defence is a good offence. Calves should receive an anti-coccidial early on so that parasite development can be stopped and the calf can begin to build a natural immunity (a process that usually takes approximately 140 days).

The easiest, most effective way of administering an anti-coccidial is to include it in the feed. Fiskens Calf Plus and Calf Pro Plus feeds contain an effective anti-coccidial so your calves have the protection they need.

The post-weaning growth check refers to a period of slow growth usually lasting about two weeks as the calf transitions from milk to solid rations. It is common but also preventable.

Post-weaning growth check is usually attributable to one or more of the following factors:

1. Not enough dry feed in the early weeks – If the calf lacks sufficient dry feed in the weeks up to weaning the rumen will not have developed sufficiently. The calf will not be able to grow rapidly if the rumen is not accustomed to processing significant amounts of dry feed.
2. Too much roughage – Of course the goal is to move the calf off the cow and onto pasture but if too much hay and grass is fed a growth check can occur. This is because calves with their small, developing rumens are unable to process enough of this type of bulky feed to result in significant weight gain.
3. Stress – Calves dislike change and can become stressed when presented with a feed to which they are not accustomed. Using same-flavoured feeds can help prevent a growth check. Use a concentrated feed throughout the weaning process and afterward, until the calf is on pasture.

Keep in mind that if the calf does experience a growth check, the time that is lost cannot be recovered. The calf will take longer to reach its target weight.

A calf has a small rumen – a capacity of just 1-2 litres in a newborn, as opposed to 25-30 at 3 months of age – that needs quality feed in order to develop effectively. Because of the size of the rumen the feed has to provide a high concentration of essential nutrients.

The best calf feeds are concentrated and high in dry matter. Feed can vary widely when it comes to dry matter content – for example, silage-based feeds may contain only 50% dry matter as compared with 85% in the better concentrates.

You will certainly pay less for feed with a higher moisture content but it’s a false saving. You are essentially paying for water and your calf is not getting the nutrition it needs in order to flourish. Post-weaning growth check is often a consequence of substandard nutrition.

For the best results and optimum growth, use a quality feed that is high in dry matter, balanced, fibrous and contains an anti-coccidial. The feed should also smell good and taste good so the calf is encouraged to eat. Fiskens feeds are high-quality concentrates and contain a minimum 80% dry matter.