Canterbury Dairy Farmer Dan Mulholland reared calves with AgriVantage’s Sprayfo Red Finisher whey powder for the first time last season, having reared calves on whole milk in the past. The biggest difference he noted was the calves’ growth rate – they were all weaned two weeks earlier than in previous years.
Dan milks 750 cows on a 250 ha farm with 300 ha run-off in Canterbury. He rears 200 dairy replacements and 150 beef calves each year, weaning them at 100kg LW.
He cites the weather as his biggest challenge to rearing. “Last year we had a particularly bad spring in Canterbury; that would normally slow calf growth rates” says Dan.
“However, we had gone with the recommendation of our Hazlett Rural rep and ordered in Sprayfo Red Finisher Calf Milk Replacer from AgriVantage, which we fed to the calves from 21 days.”
The calves had colostrum and whole milk to start with. AgriVantage Business Manager Warren Tanner visited Dan on farm to help with transitioning the calves from whole milk to Sprayfo Red Finisher. The calves were on twice daily feeding, according to Warren’s recommendation.
“The difference in the calf growth rates this last season was quite remarkable” Dan continues. “The weather had no negative effects. We weaned two weeks earlier overall and didn’t experience any growth check at weaning, unlike before.
“Whilst there were probably other factors involved, the biggest change to our normal rearing practice was introducing Sprayfo. I reckon that made the real difference; it’s a good quality feed.”
Dan adds that the calves also took to their meal sooner than in previous seasons.
Sprayfo Red Finisher calf milk replacer is a non-curding whey-based milk powder, suitable for feeding to calves from 14 days old (following colostrum).
Being whey-based, it is easier for calves to digest than whole milk and whole milk replacers. The whey protein is digested 2 to 3 times faster, so the animals are hungrier quicker and seek feed, ie meal. This aids in faster rumen development – which is why Dan noticed no growth check in the calves at weaning.
“Early rumen development is essential for profitable animal rearing” confirms Warren. “Not only are the calves stronger, it’s also more cost-effective for rearers when the calves seek out meal – they’re onto a lower cost feed source sooner.”
This next season, Dan will be using Sprayfo Red Finisher again but is likely to feed it from 14 days this time.
And would he recommend Sprayfo to other farmers? “Absolutely” confirms Dan. “I can see that feeding Sprayfo Red makes good sense. Technically, we’re now 20 days from colostrum to weaning with no growth check.
“AgriVantage were also very supportive in helping us to transition. Warren was on farm a couple of times last season to check the progress of the calves and gave sound advice.”
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