Proper heifer rearing is profitable
Poor rearing of dairy heifers has been estimated to reduce their potential milk production by 1000-1500 litres per lactation. Many farmers are loathe to spend a few dollars on a specific calf feed due to the price, even though it can give an immediate return through earlier weaning as well as a long term return in milk production.
Why feed Calf & Lamb Pellets?
Young calves do not have a functioning rumen and have nutritional requirements more like a pig than a ruminant. This includes a requirement for a higher quality of protein with a better amino acid profile than that provided by lupin or cereal based diets.
Calf & Lamb Pellets include high quality protein sources such as soybean meal and skim milk powder to promote rapid growth and early weaning. They also contain a comprehensive range of essential minerals and vitamins and an ionophore for improved feed conversion efficiency and to control coccidial scours.
Roughage or no roughage
Contrary to popular belief, roughage is actually not essential for early rumen development. Rumen development is promoted by the acids produced during fermentation in the rumen. More acid is produced from pellets than roughage, and therefore pellets should make up a greater proportion of the calf's diet. Clean cereal straw should be offered in preference to good quality hay to limit roughage intake and maximise pellet intake and rumen development.
Healthy rearing
Colostrum intake in the first 24 hours of life is critical for the calf's early immunity. If a calf does not suckle colostrum, it should be given four litres of colostrum from a mature cow. Colostrum from first and second calving cows is not as effective as that from mature cows. Calves should be reared in hygienic, dry and draught free conditions. Ensure cool, clean fresh water is always available.
Quality
Wesfeeds products are produced to exacting standards with regular monitoring of ingredients and finished feeds to ensure specifications are guaranteed. We adhere to the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for the Feed Milling Industry and are committed to best practice in all our processes. We are accredited to the SQF 2000 quality system standard encompassing HACCP.
Wesfeeds Calf & Lamb Pellets do not contain meat meal or urea.
Calf & Lamb Pellets are also suitable for rearing lambs. Do not feed to horses.
Example feeding programs using Ultra-Grow Milk Replacer and Calf & Lamb Pellets.
Milk may be substituted for Ultra-Grow Milk Replacer where a milk replacer is not required.
Calf Feeding
Early weaning - Once daily feeding
Mix 170 grams Ultra-Grow Milk Replacer per litre of warm water:
| Day 1 | - | Colostrum only |
| Day 2 - 14 | - | 2.5 litres twice daily, ad-lib Calf & Lamb Pellets and straw. |
| Day 15 - 42 | - | 3 litres twice daily, dd-lib Calf & Lamb Pellets and straw. |
Wean abruptly at six weeks if calf is consuming 800 grams of Calf & Lamb Pellets per day. Continue feeding Calf & Lamb Pellets to 12 weeks. Smaller calves may need to be weaned later.
Early weaning - Twice daily feeding
Mix 100 grams Ultra-Grow Milk Replacer per litre of warm water:
| Day 1 | - | Colostrum only |
| Day 2 - 14 | - | 1.5 litres twice daily, ad-lib Calf & Lamb Pellets and straw. |
| Day 15 - 21 | - | 2.5 litres twice daily, dd-lib Calf & Lamb Pellets and straw. |
| Day 22 - 42 | - | 3.5 litres twice daily, ad-lib Calf & Lamb Pellets and straw. |
Wean abruptly at six weeks if calf is consuming 800 grams of Calf & Lamb Pellets per day. Continue feeding Calf & Lamb Pellets to 10 - 12 weeks. Smaller calves may need to be weaned slightly later.
Lamb Feeding
Mix 200 grams Ultra-Lamb Milk Replacer per litre of warm milk:
| Day 1 | - | Colostrum only |
| Day 2 - 7 | - | 170 mls three times daily, introduce Calf & Lamb Pellets. |
| Day 8 - 14 | - | 330 mls three times daily, ad-lib Calf & Lamb Pellets and straw. |
| Day 15 - 21 | - | 700 mls twice daily, ad-lib Calf & Lamb Pellets and straw. |
| Day 22 - 42 | - | 850 mls twice daily, ad-lib Calf & Lamb Pellets and straw. |
Wean at six weeks but continue to offer 200-300 grams per day of Calf & Lamb Pellets until TEN weeks.
Initially offer only as many pellets as the animal will consume daily. Remove any residual feed and feed it to older calves or lambs.