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AWARD WINNER
Calf rearing at Piltons Farm is under the
primary care of Val Wedd. She adds:
‘Richard and I were keen to improve our
calf management and were encouraged by
Rose to attend the FarmSkills courses. As a
consequence, we made quite a few changes
which together are helping us achieve our
goals and achieve a more uniform crop of
well grown heifers.
‘For instance, we had always fed colostrum for
the first four days, but now, in addition, we
use a colostrometer to check its quality.
‘Following the course, we made the decision
to stop feeding waste milk and instead calves
are now fed a specialist whey based calf milk
replacer which is high in protein - 26% - and
low in oil, and specifically developed for
modern dairy cows.
‘We now use a thermometer to check the
water is at 39 o C pre-mixing for every feed,
and always ensure we mix the milk thoroughly.
We've noticed that nutritional scours have
been significantly reduced as a consequence.’
Rose adds:
‘Consistency is key
when it comes to feeding calves
- the concentration, temperature
and timing of feeds needs to be
spot-on, and this is very difficult to
achieve when feeding waste milk.’
The Wedds aim to grow calves as fast as
possible for the first five months while feed
conversion rate is at its greatest. The target
weights to achieve are 76kg at weaning
when calves are seven to eight weeks of age,
300kg at nine months and 350kg - 380kg
at first service from 13 months.
Val explains: ‘On the FarmSkills course, we
learnt how we could use a weighband to
check individual calf growth rates. This method
informs me when to wean, regardless of age.
‘In particular, I find it useful for identifying any
slower growing calves that used to get lost
in the system. These can now be allowed
another week or so before being weaned,
and it's helped improve the consistency of
the groups.
‘As a minimum we now weigh the heifers
every time they go through the race. This extra
attention to detail is certainly helping us to
achieve our new targets which we trust will be
maintained through to first calving.’
Rose says: ‘Ideally, heifers should be weighed
every two months to ensure they are achieving
the correct daily growth rate. As a minimum,
calves should be weighed at birth, 6 months
and 15 months.’
Table 1
(opposite) sets out some recommended
targets for calf performance.
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
21
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
(left) Scarsdale vet Paula Scales shows how to
use a weighband to check calf growth, during
one of the FarmSkills courses on calf rearing run
by the practice.
Photo courtesy of Breeze & Freeze/FW