CALF REARING
PROGRAM
D
airy Farming is unlike broiler and pig farming in many respects. The obvious one is that the cycles are a lot longer, the animals live a lot longer, and our present milking herd forms the basis of the herd of tomorrow and beyond. Dairying is like running a marathon compared to the “sprinting� broilers. Any mishap along the route of the marathon affects the financial results, and will sometimes take many years to correct. Our dairy farm and our herd need daily attention, observation and management. There are several factors that contribute to a profitable dairy operation; in general they will all fit in one of the three following categories:
Contents 07
Colostrum
07
Navel Disinfection
08
Scours
09
Coccidiosis
10
E-Coli
10 Parasites 12 Vaccinations 12 Ventilation 13 Disinfection 13
Housing
14
The Rumen and Why is the Development of the Rumen is so Important
18 Feeding Nutramix Calf Starter pellets 18
Straw and Hay
19
Water
20
After Weaning and Before Pasture
21
Introduction to Pasture
Pasture and Crop Management (What part of the diet should be grown on the farm to contribute to the best nutrition in a timely manner?)
•
Husbandry Practices (How we feed, milk, move, observe and manage our herd to maintain healthy and productive cows) Genetic improvement (what do we measure, what improvement do we target and how can Sire-selection assist in increased performance, herd health, and economics?)
The programme you are holding gives you a brief overview of the NUTRAMIX recommendations for a good calf and heifer rearing programme. Dairy heifers should be expected to produce a first calf between 22 and 24 months of age. If this is not achieved the farm loses money due to the feeding and maintenance of non-productive animals, the larger size of the heifer herd, and the reduction of selection opportunities. Jersey heifers are known to mature faster than Holstein heifers and can produce their first calf at 22 months old. The programme outlined in the following pages is designed for the following targets for Hope and Jersey herds:
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Mature weights
>900lbs *)
Desired first breeding age
Latest 15 months (depends on body weight)
third estrus**)
Weight at first breeding
>500 lbs
>220 kg
Weight at first calving
>770 lbs
>350 kg
>410 kg
*) If the mature weight of the herd varies from the suggested 900 lbs, the weight at breeding and calving should also be adjusted to approx. 55 and 85 percent of mature weight respectively. **)The first heats are easy to detect; consecutive heats are harder to detect due to the improved body-condition. Do not wait too long, start breeding in time!
For this to be achieved, a tightly managed calf rearing programme needs to be in place that ensures optimal health, growth and rumen development. Newport Mills will assist with technical input and recommendations and with the proven line of NUTRAMIX dairy feeds developed in cooperation with one of the biggest dairy operations in the world.
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Variations can be applied to this programme, depending on the local situation, labor demands etc. NUTRAMIX deems the recommendations in this programme the best for a successful rearing programme, but other practices can often be incorporated, such as a foster-mother programme with or without additional Kalvolac. The procedures and principles in this manual should give any dairy farmer a guideline to improve the calf rearing operations on their farm. The NUTRAMIX calf rearing programme assists the farmer to develop the calves into productive and long lasting milking cows by ensuring excellent growth and timely development. The programme outline includes most aspects of successful calf rearing from nutrition and housing to health and management, all designed for natural growth rumen development, whilst ensuring the healthy maturing of the calf.
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The most important rules for rearing profitable calves • Select only good quality calves to be used for replacement. • Provide sufficient colostrum as early as possible. • Prevent navel infections. • Place calves in clean, dry, well ventilated draught-free housing. • Feed Kalvolac at least two times per day and follow mixing instructions. • Provide good clean floors or bedding material and clean water at all times. • Allow free access to NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER pellets from day two of life. • Calves can be weaned off milk when consuming a minimum of 1 kg / 2 lbs of NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER pellets per day. This should be achieved by week 8. • Do not introduce calves to pasture until 10 weeks or older. Keep them inside, clean and well ventilated. • Continue to feed NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER until about 10-12 weeks old. At that time, large breed calves will be eating up to 3 kg of pellets per day and may gain 1 kg per day. Smaller breed calves such as the Jamaican Hope or Jersey will grow at a slower rate but can gain at least 500 grams (1.1 lbs) per day at this time. The calf’s rumen is developing and will have the microbes and volume to continue growth on high quality pasture. • Always place the calves on the cleanest available pasture to prevent parasites. Nongrazed, recently mowed and re-grown pasture is best. • Check the health status of your calves daily and do not hesitate to call your veterinarian. • Supplement the pasture with NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER and later with DAIRY DEVELOPER PELLETS.
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Colostrum Colostrum management is the basis for any calf rearing programme. Colostrum is the mother’s first milk containing high concentrations of antibodies, protein, energy, minerals and other essential nutrients for the health, well being and development. Antibodies combat infections and diseases. The newborn calf has almost no immunity against disease and must absorb antibodies from the colostrum. The calf’s ability to absorb antibodies from colostrum is highest at birth and declines in the first 24 hours. Ideally, calves should receive 2 liters of good quality colostrum within one hour of birth, and a further 2 liters within the following 12 hours. Aim for more than 5 liters for the first day of the calf’s life. The first, early colostrum feeding is extremely important! To ensure that the calf consumes these amounts, we need to confirm that it suckles and ingests colostrum, or alternatively delivered directly by stomach tube. Colostrum quality varies with age and health of the mother. Good and fresh colostrum can be frozen in plastic bags (large ZIP LOCK work well) or containers. It should be brought near to body temperature by placing the bag or container in a bucket of warm (not hot) water. Do not use a microwave or oven of any kind. Work hygienically and quickly as microbes develop fast in colostrum at temperatures over 4°C (40°F).
Navel disinfection The navel of a newborn calf is the most likely site for direct infection. To prevent this, ensure the navel is clean and dry by treating the navel with a 5% iodine solution as soon as possible after birth. Ensure that the cows deliver the calf on clean and dry ground or clean pasture. Ensure that the navel is inspected regularly. 7
Navel infections may cause: Joint swell – swollen front knees are the most common. Blood poisoning (septicemia) resulting in sudden death. Local inflammation / infections of the navel. Infected navels lower resistance and thus create other problems. If you suspect any of these signs of infection, talk to your veterinarian immediately.
Scours Scours are a big problem in rearing calves. Scours accounts for more than 60% of all calf deaths, and are an important economical factor. Scours is the term used to describe a variety of conditions of major loss of water and nutrients in the feces, resulting in dehydration and often death. Scours are either infectious, or non infectious. Most scours are caused by stresses such as transportation, overfeeding, feed changes, or feeding poor quality products. These stresses can lead to outbreaks of infectious scours caused by bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella), viruses (Rotavirus) or protozoa (Coccidia). These infectious scours can be prevented or reduced by ensuring a good colostrum intake and by preventing all types of stresses. Calves with infectious scours often appear dull, listless and stop feeding. Always consult your veterinarian in these cases to identify the type of infection and to obtain the appropriate treatment for the infection. Non-infectious or nutritional scours are due to digestive imbalances due to improper feeding techniques, or poor feed products. These imbalances cause discomfort and upset the electrolyte balance of the calf. The pH of the intestines may change from optimal conditions, increasing the risk of bacterial infections. To treat nutritional scours, your veterinarian 8
can prescribe an electrolyte which contains a blend of electrolytes and carbohydrates critical to maintaining the osmotic balance of the calf. When a calf drinks milk, it bypasses the first three stomachs to enter the abomasum. Rennet and acid causes the milk to clot in the abomasum which controls harmful bacteria. The casein in KALVOLAC clots easily to assist in this control. Feeding milk needs to be done by following a strict daily routine, variations in the routine may allow milk to end up in the rumen and create diarrhea and sticky dung due to rotting milk. When the calf is fed properly, the digested material passes slowly through the small intestine where the majority of digestion and absorption takes place. This movement prevents bacteria from invading the small intestines.
Coccidiosis Coccidiosis is a big threat to young calves. Coccidiosis is caused by a protozoan – a single cell organism. All cattle have sub-clinical infections, kept in check by the immune system of healthy animals. A calf can handle a few oocysts, but a heavy load is another story. A cocci-infection starts as a white scour and will turn to bloody scours as the lining of the intestines is damaged. Coccidia survive in soil and unclean and moist environments. Calves are susceptible to coccidiosis until about 3-4 months of age after which resistance develops. If a calf has coccidiosis, it must be treated. Coccidiosis medication in feed does not control the pathogen until calves are consuming approximately 1 kg of pellets per day, typically at 8 weeks of age. This is the reason why the medication needs to be provided in another manner if an infection is likely to happen. Although Coccidiosis is not a nutritional problem, good nutrition and feeding practices will enhance the establishment of the immune system. Sanitation of pens and pastures and the 9
prevention of stress will prevent most problems. NUTRAMIX veterinarians can assist you in designing a prevention programme, or if needed, they will recommend a treatment option.
E-Coli The symptoms of coli-bacilosis depend on the strain of the E-Coli and include diarrhea and septicemia. Most calves are affected within the first 3 days of life with one of the many types of E-coli. E-Coli is always present in the intestines, but opportunistic; they attack when the immune system is not yet developed or compromised. Calves will receive some immunity through timely consumption of good colostrum. Enterotoxic E. coli (ETEC) is the most common cause of newborn calf diarrhea. Veterinary tests may be needed to identify the E. coli as ETEC. E-coli dehydration is usually severe and may cause death even before diarrhea fully develops. The course of the disease is rapid – from initial weakness, diarrhea, dehydration to death can be less than 24 hours. Colibacilosis can be reduced or prevented by good hygiene in the calving environment and calf pens. Ensure the timely and adequate intake of colostrum. Prevent overcrowding and minimize contact with fecal matter. Prevent over-feeding and under-feeding to keep the intestinal flora healthy and stable. Isolate any calf with scours. For treatment, antibiotics are very often not effective and fluid support (electrolytes or intravenous) is critical to survival of the calf. If the type of E-coli is known, vaccination of dry cows and good colostrum feeding can significantly reduce, or eliminate E-Coli problems.
Parasites
Cute, but do not put her into pasture too early if you want to develop her into an early calving dairy heifer!
slatted-floors or clean litter (sawdust, rice hulls, peat and straw etc) prevent worm-egg survival and healthy, normal calves should not be eating off the ground to pick up worm eggs. Rearing calves in pastures or in foster-mother pastures creates worm problems. Worm burdens build up and calves have little resistance to them, often resulting in scours and severe growth reduction. If pastures cannot be avoided, consult your veterinarian for a good parasite control programme. Worm problems are unlikely to cause scouring in calves less than 6 weeks old; however talk to your veterinarian about drenches; these are very effective for treatment of worm infections in calves. Regular worm control is essential once calves have access to pasture.
As long as calves have NO access to pastures, they will remain relatively worm-free. The use of 10
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Vaccinations Calves should be vaccinated against clostridial diseases and adults should be given an annual booster. Vaccinations are relatively inexpensive and prevent a lot of problems. It is essential that 2 doses of vaccine are given to calves: the first at about 6 to 8 weeks of age and the second 4 to 6 weeks later. If cows are vaccinated, passive immunity is passed onto the calves which cover them for the first 6 to 8 weeks of life. Replacement heifers for the dairy herd should also be vaccinated for Leptospirosis. E-Coli vaccinations are also possible if the strain of the organism is known. Always consult with your local veterinarian to design and implement the vaccination programme to be most effective for your local circumstances.
Ventilation The immune system of the calf requires several weeks to develop. Calves are prone to airborne infections and lung damage from ammonia, sometimes leading to pneumonia. The most common cause of lung infections is poor ventilation in enclosed areas. Poor ventilation causes an increase in the humidity, temperature and ammonia inside the housing and creates the perfect environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive. Ammonia damages the lungs and makes them even more susceptible to infection. Lung infections can be prevented or reduced by ensuring calf housing has adequate, draughtfree, flow through ventilation. Circulating the air inside the house with fans is not beneficial and may stir up bacteria etc to be inhaled.
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Disinfection The disinfection of the calf rearing environment is essential in the control of diseases and parasites. There are many products available, not all may be suitable for the disinfection of dirty stalls. Consult with your veterinarian to ensure you are using an effective agent. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The disinfectant should be effective against the many viruses and bacteria harmful to calves. The disinfectant protects against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Housing Calves have a natural preference to eat pasture or good quality hay, however these materials will restrict the speed of rumen development if not combined with NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER pellets. The pellets are needed to ensure a fast growing animal. To achieve the breeding weight and breeding age in time, we need to feed for proper rumen development: • Do not put the calves in pasture for the first 10 to 12 weeks to encourage pellet consumption. • Ensure calf housing is clean, warm, dry, well ventilated, draught free and well lit. Clean, disinfect and decontaminate housing between batches of calves whenever possible. • Do not make calves pen bigger than 7 calves per pen maximum. • Allow 1.5 square meters (16 square feet) per calf for individual pens and group pens on deep litter (rice hulls, sawdust, wood shavings, straw etc.). • Mesh floors or concrete floors are not recommended as they are cold and hard and may damage young hooves.
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30%
Oesophageal groove Omasum Oesophagus
Rumen Reticulum
Duodenum
55%
Pyloric sphinctor
Abomasum
Birth 80%
Rumen
Omasum Oesophagus
Duodenum Reticulum
10%
Pyloric sphinctor
Abomasum
Mature
The rumen,
and why the development of the rumen is so important. At birth, the rumen is about 30 per cent of total stomach capacity and the abomasum 55 per cent. In a mature animal however, rumen capacity is around 80 per cent, whilst the abomasum represents just about 10 per cent. This is the result of the gradual change from a predominantly milk diet, to a solid diet in the mature animal. The rumen can only be properly developed by a number of processes. A developed and functional rumen will be muscular, will have a population of appropriate bacteria, nutrient absorptive capacity and be big enough to process large volumes of feed. The rumen development is not controlled by the calf’s age or weight but by the diet fed to the 14
animal and the physical and chemical processes associated with its digestion. Rumen digestion changes feed into nutrients that provide the energy and protein required by the animal. These compounds are absorbed directly from the rumen or further down the digestive tract. They are essential for the maintenance, growth and development of the calf. Therefore, nutrition and general health of the calf will determine the rate of rumen development. There is a big difference in the time taken to develop a functional rumen in a calf reared on only milk in comparison to a calf reared in a weaning system that includes NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER pellets and straw or hay. During the colostrum, milk and KALVOLAC phase, the aim is to encourage CALF STARTER pellet consumption by allowing unrestricted feeding of pellets from day 2. Calves can be fed milk at any time of day as long as the timing is very consistent. NUTRAMIX recommends 6 am and 6 pm as easy options. KALVOLAC Milk Replacer is suitable for use in all calf rearing programmes. It can be fed once or twice a day, blended with water or used to fortify milk that cannot be sold. KALVOLAC is also suitable for use in automatic calf feeders. KALVOLAC in early life is vital to maintaining a healthy immune system which plays an important role in developing immunity and resilience to diseases and ill health. The fiber level of KALVOLAC is very low, indicating high levels of milk-proteins and low levels of plant protein and thus easier to digest by the young calves. The table on the next page is suitable for medium size breeds such as the Jamaica Hope or Jersey. Larger breeds may require up to 20% more Calf Milk replacer and are normally weaned 1 or 2 weeks later. NUTRAMIX recommends a twice per day feeding programme. Good early nutrition may also later stimulate mammary development of dairy heifers, having positive outcomes on long term milk production. Although feeding twice daily requires extra labour, the economical benefits easily outweigh these additional costs. 15
Week
Age of Calf
Feedings per day
KALVOLAC Powder per feed (grams)
Water per feed (liter)
CMR per Feed (liter)
CMR per day (liter)
CALF STARTER (gram)
Calf weight at end of period (kg)
Week 1
Day 1
3
COLOSTRUM
0
0
0
0
22-27
Day 2-3
3
200
1.40
1.60
4.80
200
Day 4-7
2
250
1.75
2.00
4.00
Ad lib
Week 2
Day 8-14
2
300
2.10
2.40
4.80
Ad lib
Week 3-5
Day 15-35
2
350
2.50
2.85
5.70
Ad lib
Week 6-7
Day 36-49
2
300
2.10
2.40
4.80
Ad lib
Week 8
Day 50-49
2
250
1.75
2.00
4.00
Ad lib
Week 9 to weaning
Day 50 and over
1
250
1.75
2.00
2.00
At least 1000 g/day
55-65
Calves consuming 1 kg pellets per day for 3 consecutive days can be safely weaned off CMR
Kalvolac is mixed 1:7 ratio by weight. (1 pound Kalvolac + 3.5 quart water = 4 quarts Milk-replacer). Mix all the powder with half the water warm (55° C) and mix thoroughly with a wire whisk. Add the other half of water at room temperature to mix the final solution. Feed the milk replacer solution at about 37-40 C (100F) if feeding by nipple-bottle. If feeding free choice, cool the mixed milk replacer solution to room temperature to help prevent over-consumption, and provide fresh solution daily. Traditional “Jamaican” calf rearing programmes restrict the amount of milk replacer fed to encourage solid feed intake and allow for early weaning. Feeding calves limited milk replacer however does not provide enough nutrients to support maximal growth. Near “Maximum growth” is required to ensure that the heifers are ready for breeding at 13-15 months of age. Restricted programmes in the past have pushed the breeding date in Jamaica back to beyond 24 month, causing substantial losses for the dairy farmer. The NUTRAMIX Calf rearing programme involves feeding greater quantities of higher protein calf milk replacer (That is why we use KALVOLAC) to achieve increased body weight 16
gain. This approach focuses on early calf nutrition to allow for maximum growth and early development. The benefits of the twice per day feeding programme include: Increased growth Calves fed on this programme are generally heavier, taller and longer. Calves are particularly efficient in utilising protein for lean tissue gain and feeding additional protein can be used very efficiently for growth. Feeding a greater quantity of calf milk replacers also provides additional energy, vitamins and minerals which contribute to improved growth. Calves fed on this programme will maintain the advantage in body weight when fed high protein NUTRAMIX CALF starter pellets. Improved production potential Research indicates that heifer calves fed on this twice-a-day rearing programme can be bred earlier or will calve earlier due to the increased early growth. Lactation data suggests that improved growth rates translates in greater milk production and a longer productive life.
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Feeding NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER pellets When the calf drinks milk, it passes directly into the fourth stomach (abomasum). However, solid food like NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER enters the rumen first. NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER plays an important role in the development of the rumen. The consumption of NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER provides the right substrates to develop a microbial population as it contains a blend of carbohydrates and high quality proteins that are easily fermentable, which is essential for the rumen microorganisms to function. The CALF STARTER Pellets are fermented into Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs). Volatile Fatty Acids provide energy to the calf and are absorbed through the rumen wall. The microbes that ferment the feed are themselves digested and ultimately provide the calf with protein as a near-perfect balance of amino acids. Thus, feeding pellets is an excellent way to start rumen development within a few days of birth. Provide NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER pellets from day 2, free choice. We suggest that you continue to feed NUTRAMIX CALF starter until 5 – 6 months of age.
Straw and Hay Clean straw and hay are important ingredients to promote early rumen development, especially the volume of the rumen. Clean bright straw or bright fresh hay is preferred and should be placed in close proximity to other feed sources to ensure consumption to maintain a stable rumen environment.
pellet intake increases rapidly and the calf is at a higher risk of suffering from acidosis. Acidosis kills the rumen microbes and damages the rumen wall. Acute cases can result in death, while sub-clinical cases prevent proper growth. A regular feeding and eating programme with very gradual changes will maintain a healthy rumen environment. NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER promotes rumen papillae development, therefore enabling the cow – later in life – to absorb more nutrients. A cow reared with NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER will thus have a higher production potential. NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER contains buffers to minimize the chance of acidosis, but straw and hay are needed to promote healthy rumen function. Straw provides no nutritional value, but provides the fiber which helps develop the rumen. Hay is less effective but does provide more nutrients to the calf. This roughage promotes rumination that in turn stimulates the production of saliva and bicarbonates, the body’s natural buffer. When both pellets and straw or hay are fed unrestricted, a healthy calf will balance the intake of both to maintain the pH in the rumen. A calf should consume about 1 small bale of straw or hay during its 10 to 12 week rearing period.
Water Clean fresh water is needed for life and also needed for rumen development. The rumen is a large fermentation vessel and will not function without an adequate supply of clean water. Clean and fresh water should always be available during the entire calf rearing programme.
Straw and hay reduce the risk of acidosis caused by rapidly increasing pellet intake. The roughage is essential after weaning when 18
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Week
Age of Calf
Kalvolac
Calf Starter Pellets
Weaning day
10 Weeks
None
> 1kg day
Week 10-12
10+ Weeks
2-3 kg
Do not restrict!
No
Transfer to pasture (if clean housing is not available)
12 Weeks
1-1.5kg / day depending on forage quality
Continue, especially when pasture is too lush
Pasture only if housing is no option
Week 12-20
12-20 Weeks
1-1.5kg / day
Needed only when pasture is too lush
Unlimited
Week 20
20 Weeks
Change to Dairy Developer
Needed only when pasture is too lush
Unlimited
90-100kg
Feed Dairy Developer for growth above 400g / day
Needed only when pasture is too lush
Unlimited
220kg
Week 20 to breeding
After weaning and before pasture Calves can be weaned when they consume CALF STARTER Pellets at least 1 kg per day. Within two days of weaning, the calf’s pellet consumption will rapidly increase which is needed to maintain its growth rate. This is a critical period in the development of the calf, and the calf should be properly monitored to ensure adequate feed and water intake. Prevent any additional stress for the young animals at this time. After weaning, calves should continue to be housed off pasture and fed unrestricted pellets, straw, hay and water until 10 to 12 weeks of age. Two weeks after weaning, a calf will be consuming 2 to3 kg (small breeds) to 4 kg (large breeds) of pellets and gaining up to 1 kg per day. The rumen will now have a viable microbial population and have enough volume for the calf to make 20
Hay or straw (roughage)
Clean Pasture
Weight at end of period
No
55-60kg
the transition to high quality pasture if needed (Clean housing is preferred until 5 months of age).
Introduction to pasture Ideally, calves would be kept in clean and dry houses until at least 5 months old. This ensures better monitoring, less disease pressure and more uniform feed intake. The properly conditioned calf can however be put to pasture at 10 to 12 weeks. The feeding programme to this point has allowed the calf and the rumen to develop so that the calf will efficiently use pasture grass. It is important to continue feeding NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER pellets to make sure that the transition to pasture is smooth without rumen upset. For this purpose provide the calf NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER pellets at 1 to 1.5 kg per day for the next 3 weeks minimum during the 21
600
HOLSTEINFRIESLAND
550
500
LIVE WEIGHT (KG)
400
MATE
CALVE
330 350
300 HOLSTEINFRIESLAND 220
200
MATE
JERSEY/ JAMAICAN HOPE
100
0 0
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
AGE (MONTHS)
transition period to pasture. During this transition period, the population of grass-digesting bacteria in the rumen gradually increases and NUTRAMIX CALF Starter pellets can be reduced to 1 kg per day, as long as the pasture is of good quality and quantity. If the pasture is very lush and green, an additional fiber source may be a good idea. At this stage of life, the rumen volume still limits pasture-grass consumption, so growth is maximised by continuing addition of NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER to 5 months of age. Continue feeding the calf with your best and cleanest pasture available, NUTRAMIX CALF STARTER Pellets and roughage (straw and hay) if required. We recommend to continue this programme until the calf is 5 months old. At this time, change the heifers selected for dairy 22
animals to NUTRAMIX DAIRY DEVELOPER to ensure a continued development until breeding age. Between 5 and 15 months of age, the calf will need to grow approximately 130 kg in 300 days. This growth is rather linear so the farmer should aim to see a growth of about 450 gram (1 lb) per day. This growth rate can be adjusted easiest by adjusting the amount of NUTRAMIX DAIRY developer provided per animal per day. A minimum amount of 1 kg per day per animal is recommended to ensure that the heifer will receive all needed minerals and vitamins for proper development. On Jamaican pastures, and depending on the pasture quality, the farmer should anticipate feeding approximately 1-2 kg of NUTRAMIX DAIRY DEVELOPER per day. 23
Due to the high protein and energy levels of NUTRAMIX DAIRY DEVELOPER it is easy to exceed the growth curves outlined above. If the growth is exceeded, and the animal is well developed (220 kg) and shows proper estrus, you may commence breeding as early as 12 months on the better calves. It is not recommended to delay breeding to later estrus for these better animals. Also, it is not recommended to breed heifers with a weight below 220 kg (500 lbs) or on the first estrus.
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NUTRAMIX knows that you will have your replacement heifers calve at 24-25 months of age with the above outlined programme. Feel free to comment or contact us for questions; your sales person and the NUTRAMIX veterinarians are always available to provide you with the newest and most economical advice!
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NUTRAMIX FEED PROGRAMME Nutramix’s Dairy Feed and heifer development programme allows your dairy cows to ‘calf earlier’ – this means milk production up to a full year earlier. Our high protein premium feeds mean healthy herds, operating at peak dairy production and nutritious milk for market. Simply - faster return on your investments, and a better bottom line. •
KALVOLAC Calf Milk Replacer - Our milk replacer is milk based, and not plant based. Lower fiber levels mean more milk.
•
Recommended for calves from: Day 2 to Day 50/ Week 10 (See chart on page 16). NUTRAMIX Calf Starter is higher in energy and protein. It allows for better and faster growth and development of the calf and its rumen.
Recommended for calves from: Day 2 to Week 20 (See charts on pages 16 & 20). • NUTRAMIX Dairy Developer is high in protein and very high in energy. It allows heifers to ‘calf earlier’, bringing them into milk production at 24 months instead of 36 months. Recommended for heifers from: Week 20 to breeding (See chart on page 20). Nutramix Dairy Developer is created in cooperation with the nutritionists of NuScience, the leader in ruminant nutrition in the Netherlands.
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CONTACT US:
SALES Danree Delancy 876-382-8883 danree.delancy@mycbgroup.com Westmoreland, St. James, Hanover BalfourThomas 876-382-8885 balfour.thomas@mycbgroup.com St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas Kenneth Bailey 876-382-8884 kenneth.bailey@mycbgroup.com St. Ann, Trelawny Andrew Williams 876-382-8882 andre.williams@mycbgroup.com St. Elizabeth, Manchester Fitzgerald Keyes 876-470-5384 fitzgerald.keyes@mycbgroup.com Clarendon, St. Catherine, Kingston, St. Andrew
TECHNICAL SALES MANAGER Winston Thomas 876-382-8886 winston.thomas@mycbgroup.com
VETERINARY SERVICES Dr. Gabriele Young 876-279-9576 gabrielle.young@mycbgroup.com
EXPORT MANAGER Sylburn Thomas 876-551-1008 sylburn.thomas@mycbgroup.com
@FarmNutramix