Got your calf rearing kit ready?

and phytobiotics is also important to minimise gut health challenges and reduce scouring, says Drew.

“Calf-rearers should be aiming to get calves onto a good calf feed containing prebiotics and phytobiotics as early as possible to develop good rumen function and gut health.”

Phytobiotics are compounds from herbs and spices. Their extracts help stimulate appetite and offer antimicrobial properties. A good feeding plan that graduates calves onto calf muesli or pellets as soon as possible not only helps fully develop a calf’s rumen, but it also improves digestion and feed efficiency.

“The faster we can develop that rumen, the faster we can get the calf consuming more and fully utilising solid feeds, improving digestion and its daily weight gain,” says Drew. “This is crucial to meet body weight targets and to the calf’s future productivity.”

Drew explains that using a compound feed like calf pellets with effective starch levels helps fire up the calf’s rumen and drive the development of its absorptive area, improving nutrient utilisation.

“Pellets ensure consistency in every bite, meaning there’s no chance additives or minerals are lost at the bottom as in the case of a loose blend,” he says.

The heifers due to come into the herd this season were given extra special care at birth to ensure wellgrown and healthy animals.