Articles in the Plan365 section allow Farmlands suppliers to share best practice and the latest advances in rural technology, to help shareholders with their farming needs all year round.
Weaned calves need close summer watch It is always a great idea to get to
Calves and any yearling stock
pressure on the immune system.
know your local community and as
should be your main priority when
The youngstock that are most at risk
Christmas approaches there can
heading into the summer dry. Poor
are the bottom percentage and these
be community BBQs or local hall
growth rates can lead to targets not being met and possibly affecting
will struggle to recover any lost growth
gatherings happening. There are plenty of knowledgeable people
the animal’s growth permanently.
within your community that could
The first 3 months are critical in any
watch stock while you are away or a
calf-rearing unit but the next 4-9
willing local to help out during busy
months can undo all that good work.
times. Weaned calves cannot be
Poor growth rates will delay the
forgotten while in their transition time
timeframe of puberty in dairy heifers
and summer pasture issues begin.
and profitability of beef units. The challenge is even more pronounced for spring-born calves because of the
important extras that are not available through feeding just silage or straight palm kernel. These feeds are lacking in calcium and B group vitamins such as B1, which can affect the nervous system. Youngstock can still be at high health risk and can show a scour through the summer, along with other health
and quality. If quality or quantity is
issues. Don’t just put this down to
lacking, this affects the calves’ ability to
worms, especially if you have a 28-day
perform well on a pasture-only diet.
drench programme in place. Some
As summer progresses, feed pinch,
single active pour-on drenches mean
heat stress and high fibre grasses
Cooperia worms can be very resistant.
make it important to feed youngstock
Take samples and check with the vet as
extra protein and energy to support
a scour can have many causes.
growth to maintain future potential and
Facial eczema is more prevalent through
performance. The ideal growth target is
the summer months. Zinc boluses are
1kg/head/day, which is only achievable
good but you may still need to top up
when pasture is of good quality and
the youngstock orally. It takes 3 weeks
won’t be possible once it dries out.
to build up liver protection so using a
Good quality silage would be better
pelletised multi feed with added zinc
well-balanced calf feed to complement the diet. Plenty of clean reachable water will be needed, as will shade to avoid heat stress. During a dry spell, pasture quality can drop significantly in energy and protein, the all-important components and key for lean muscle and skeletal growth. Calves can look full and be happily chewing their cud but if energy and
WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ
Premium calf feeds contain the all-
effects of summer on pasture growth
as hay has very little feed value. Add a
| Albie Foley with his Champion calf Goofy at the 70th Anniversary of the Rangitoto Boys & Girls Agricultural Calf Club Day.
without supplementary feed.
protein are limited then average daily gains will be limited. It can also put
could be better nutritionally over summer. Before heading away, remember to check boundary fences, water systems, gates on roadsides, power fences, reduce stock numbers where possible and prioritise the young stock. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Karen Fraser, Farmlands Technical Specialist
Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © December 2021. All rights reserved.
THE FARMLANDER | 35
