Consistency (in a milk replacer) is everything

“For me, consistency is key. I know we are getting a much better product in Sprayfo.”

For calf rearer Wendy Williams, consistency (in a milk replacer) is everything. After one season with AgriVantage’s Sprayfo milk replacers, she’s an advocate.

Wendy switched to Sprayfo on the back of a Dairy Women’s Network Calf Expo she attended in 2022.

“I had researched all the big milk powder brands and they all looked similar” explains Wendy.

“However, when I learned about Sprayfo Delta being higher in fat and closer to cow’s milk, I was interested. (AgriVantage Animal Nutrition Consultant) Natalie Chrystal also spoke about the importance of balance and digestibility.

“The message that calves will excrete what they don’t digest really hit home - I liked the fact that Sprayfo milk replacers are formulated specifically for calves and Sprayfo Delta is more than 95 per cent digestible.”

She placed her order for Sprayfo there and then.

About Wendy’s operation

Based in Oxford, Canterbury, Wendy rears 200 calves on contract in a purpose-built shed. She sells 150 at 100kg and keeps the remaining 50 to 2 years.

The calves are 4 days old when they arrive and are put into pens of 12.

“We’re selective about where we get calves from” says Wendy. “Some days we can pick up 20 calves from four different farms, so biosecurity is important.”

Wendy’s rearing protocol

Wendy prepped her pens with disinfectant spray and a layer of Stalosan F below and on top of the woodchip bedding. This was also her first season with AgriVantage’s Stalosan F.

“There was noticeably less moisture in the shed and the ammonia smells were neutralised” says Wendy. “Our neighbours also used Stalosan F during a very wet period, and found it had a great drying effect.”

On the recommendation of AgriVantage SI Business Manager, Cheryl Farrar, Wendy fed her calves Sprayfo Delta twice a day for the first three to four weeks and then Sprayfo Blue whey-based powder once a day to weaning. The calves also had ad lib access to muesli and water from the start.

“The Sprayfo Delta and Blue combination is a real winner” says Cheryl. “The Delta, being high in fat and highly digestible helps calves off to a strong start. Switching them to the whey powder then helps to boost rumen development, so the weaning transition is easier too.

“And, because both products are manufactured the same way, the switch from Delta to Blue is very easy.”

Three days before the calves left the shed to go outside, Wendy transitioned them to Sprayfo Blue. She confirms it was easy. “They were still pigs, sorry calves!” she says, laughing.

Wendy weaned her Friesian calves at 85kgs, and the beef calves at 90kgs. Although she doesn’t keep records, she believes weaning was about a week earlier than previous years.

“I also noticed our calves were better rounded and healthier. We went through a big storm, and they came out strong and healthy. I was very happy with the result” says Wendy.