Have you ever felt like you keep doing all the things you’re supposed to when it comes to rearing calves but there’s little change to your production levels or farm profitability? Of course, rearing calves is just like any other kind of animal agriculture: “We’re managing biology for profit.” So, how can we manage calf […]
Feeding calves more for earlier growth and development is better for lifetime productivity; that’s what Sam and Jo Spencer-Bower both learned and experienced by working with AgriVantage for the 2023 season. “We were referred to AgriVantage for their calf rearing expertise,” said Sam. “And it’s been a game changer. We implemented everything they recommended to […]
There’s a common misconception that calves should receive colostrum from their own mother (dam) or herd to ensure protection against any pathogens present on the farm where they were born. The fact is that high quality, whole, colostrum replacers will provide protection from diseases (anywhere in the world) and should be considered in any colostrum […]
Profitable dairy herds are built on a foundation of continuous improvement in efficiency and output. Cows which produce more milk per kilogram of feed consumed will inevitably be more profitable than less efficient animals. Similarly, herds which have a lower replacement rate are more profitable than herds with a higher replacement rate because rearing replacement […]
In addition to Immunoglobulin G (IgG)*, which is essential for immunity and survival, whole colostrum provides antimicrobial factors, a range of hormones, growth factors, nutrients and even immune cells. Antimicrobial factors and immune cells from cows’ help protect the calf against disease and play an important role in supporting the immune system of the calf¹. […]
We know that the consumption of high-quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth is imperative for the survival of the lamb and helps ensure optimal health and development. We also know that the immunoglobulin G (IgG) content of colostrum is the component essential for immunity. Unfortunately, there’s limited information available on the IgG content […]
Another rearer who swears by Sprayfo lamb milk replacers is Jo Hay. Since she made the switch, she hasn’t lost a single lamb to abomasal bloat. Jo and Ross Hay own Springbank Farm at Herbert in North Otago. On 700ha, they have 2,850 breeding ewes – rearing their own replacements and lamb hoggets. They also […]
Lambs are tagged to indicate how much colostrum they have received. On Blackfern Farms, approximately 20-40 orphan lambs are hand-reared each year. A mix of abandoned lambs, twins, and triplets. Launchpad18™ colostrum powder, Sprayfo lamb milk replacer, and a super-star neighbour are Angela and Adrian Dempster’s keys to success. 2021 being her third season rearing […]
Providing a newborn calf, lamb or kid with colostrum within 12 hours of birth is vital, we know that. And if maternal colostrum is unavailable or poor quality, a colostrum replacer can provide an essential alternative. So, how do you select a good colostrum replacer? Price is always a factor but remember that a product […]
It’s a global standard that every calf needs a minimum of 100g IgG in the first feed.
To ensure IgG content of maternal colostrum is adequate, we recommend a brixmeter test which will show you the milk solid (MS) %.
