Feeding Regimes
What feeding system to use?
There are two main feeding systems commonly used by New Zealand calf rearers, twice-a-day and once-a-day. Rearers can use calf milk replacers, liquid whole milk systems or a combination of both. Many dairy farmers now fortify liquid whole milk with calf milk replacer and use the once-a-day method. More meal is consumed with the once-a-day system and the calf grows more quickly as a consequence of earlier rumen development and costs are reduced.
Milk Feeding Comparison
| ONCE-A-DAY FEEDING | TWICE-A-DAY FEEDING |
|---|---|
| Milk fed once a day | Milk fed twice a day |
| Volumes low - 2 litres a day | Volumes high - 6 litres a day |
| Concentrated Milk Replacer | Ordinary Milk reconstitution |
| 19-20 kg CMR per calf | 23-30 kg of CMR per calf |
| Ad-lib access to meal | Less meal |
| Intensive rumen development | Slow rumen development |
| Less labour intensive | Labour intensive |
| Intensive rumen development | Slow rumen development |
| Environment monitored and controlled indoors | More environmental problems outdoors |
| Transition from meal to pasture must be managed | Calves weaned easily to pasture |
| Calves have clean ad-lib water to hand | Outdoor calves must have access to clean water at all times |
Once a day feeding
- Add CMR to 40°C warm water and cool until 36°C to feed
- Fortify whole milk with CMR – aiming for 600 gms milk solids daily
- Once a day feeding systems work by restricting the increasing the concentration of milk and decreasing the volume encouraging meal consumption, an earlier rumen maturity and higher weaning weights
- Feed in morning and use compartment feeders for two weeks
- Feed concentration varies and is increased as calf matures
- Calf weaned off milk at 65 kgs, when meal concentration is increased
Suggested feeding rate
| CALF AGE | VOLUME PER FEED (200 GM/LITRE WATER*) | CMR PER FEED | CMR PER DAY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 days | Colostrum fed | ||
| 5-9 days | 1.0 litre twice a day | 200 grams | 400 grams |
| 10-20 days | 2.5 litres once a day | 500 grams | 500 grams |
| 21 days until weaning | 3.0 litres once a day | 600 grams | 600 grams |
*After 5 days only
Twice a day feeding
- Add CMR to 40°C warm water and cool until 36°C to feed
- Feed in morning and evening – leave 8 hours between feeding
- Feed concentration is constant at 150 grams until weaning
Suggested feeding rate
| CALF AGE | VOLUME PER FEED (150 GM/LITRE WATER) | CMR PER FEED | CMR PER DAY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 days | Colostrum fed ad-lib | ||
| 5-9 days | 2.0 litres twice a day | 300 grams | 600 grams |
| 10-21 days | 2.5 litres twice a day | 375 grams | 750 grams |
| 22 days until weaning | 3.0 litres twice a day | 450 grams | 900 grams |
Whatever system you employ, use your common sense and always:
Follow the same calf feeding routine each day
Ideally the same person should feed the calves. The calves will be more comfortable getting into a routine, especially over the first few days. A constant rearer gets to know the individual calf and steps in to manage feeding issues. Feeding, cleaning and animal health requirements must be adhered to rigorously and immediately.
Bring milk to calves
Where practical, bring the milk to the calves, not the other way around – the calves will be more relaxed and more likely to drink their share if not frazzled and disorientated. Quiet handling will reduce calf stress – NEVER use dogs on young calves.
