7 minute read
Beef calves, no longer a by-product for the dairy industry
Agricultural technology has developed rapidly over the last decade. This development has seen massive improvements in the quality of sexed female semen by AI companies. Increased conception rates have allowed dairy farmers to free up animals that are not of genetic interest to the herd, allowing more animals to be AI’d to beef semen. Approximately 50% of UK beef production is sourced from dairy-cross-beef; the other 50% is sourced from suckler herds. Experts predict by 2023, we will see over 60% beef being produce from the UK dairy herds.
The hot topic and a buzzword within the beef industry at the moment is integration and, all companies, whether it be processors, retailers or farmers, are looking to drive efficiencies within their industries and deliver a consistent product to their customer. Customers are now showing a growing interest in where their meat is sourced from, how the animal is produced, as well as wanting the animal to have limited movements.
Beef semen had always been a secondary by-product to the dairy farmer and the growing interest of integrations from retailers and processors has forced dairy farmers to carefully select beef genetics to ensure they are meeting specification, and providing the performance that is required for individual outlets.
Leading breeding companies have provided breeding strategies, not only to drive efficiencies in their dairy business but also the beef. Genomic testing has allowed dairy farmers to identify the most genetically profitable females within their herd and these females will be AI’d using female sexed semen to provide adequate replacements within the herd, thus eradicating the need for surplus heifers and the risk of overstocking. Second tier of females in the herd will still be fertile animals but not of genetic interest for your replacements, these are the animals that qualify for using male sexed semen to help improve calf revenue output, also considered as a 13th milk cheque.
With milk processors setting new standards for the health and welfare of our industry, it is something we have all taken into consideration and many of us put into practise: minimising the number of dairy bull calves produced and maximising the number of beef-cross calves suitable to the meat processors.
A beef-cross calf is worth over £180 more than a dairy bull from the same cow – equivalent to 2.28p/litre.
With the predicted increase of dairy-cross-beef, we must improve the quality of calf the dairy farmer is producing. Firstly, a poorer calf selected through poor genetics and lack of nutrition will not be worth the additional value. A lesser quality calf will result in; poor feed efficiencies, weight gains and thrive, and potentially result in higher mortalities.
Choosing high EBV bulls, setting targets and receiving quality colostrum for beef calves is just as important as it is for your heifers, ensuring calves are good weight for age, maximising profits and minimising problems for rearers.
Better breeding can add an average of £45 to the value of a beef calf – equivalent to 0.57p/litre.
Looking forward we must consider:
• reviewing our breeding systems, in order to maximise on areas where possible • expanding the options of using sexed semen and knowing the genetic potential of your herd • beef rearer; we should be utilising grass earlier depending on genetic capabilities or intensive finishing systems for enhanced performance • reducing days to slaughter and maximising meat yields
As a farming industry we need to continue to ensure that we are supplying the consumer with a product that delivers a quality experience consistently. The growing interest from retailers for producing efficient beef that delivers margin back to the farmer, whilst maintaining a marketable product, will see genetic selection become a big part of beef production over the next 12 months.
Millie Hendy
Calf & Youngstock Specialist Gloucestershire, Avon & Midlands
m: 07717 495746 e: millie.hendy@wynnstay.co.uk @hendycalf1
WYNNGUARD A BESPOKE HEALTH PACKAGE EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM WYNNSTAY
WYNNGUARD is a bespoke health package concept – unique to Wynnstay. It is the ultimate additive for calf health and performance, now available in our range of milks and Start ‘n’ Wean feed, offering your calves total digestive tract protection. The package differs slightly in milks than in the starter feed – working with the calves’ developing digestive system.
WYNNGUARD What is it?
WYNNGUARD is an additive package, designed to promote calf health and growth, while ensuring performance targets are met. WYNNGUARD does this in two distinct ways by:
1. supporting the calf immune system as it transitions from passive immunity, provided by maternal antibodies (colostrum) to its own achieved immunity
2. protecting the digestive tract from pathogens and promoting rumen development during the transition from milk replacer to solid feed
WYNNGUARD in Calf Milk Replacer Two components: Fibosel and Agrimos
Fibosel: Yeast cell wall derived B-glucans Macrophages (white blood cells) have receptors which recognise these B-glucans in the digestive system of the calf causing them to increase their activity. Macrophages are involved in a number of reaction chains in an immune response: tissue bind and kill bacteria infection or vaccination The inclusion of a premium source of exposed B-glucans supports the calf as it develops its own immune system without its mother, making it better equipped to deal with an immune challenge. Agrimos: Yeast cell wall derived mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) They act as a prebiotic and positively shape the bacterial colonization of the gut by favouring beneficial bacterial species, while also being able to bind and inhibit pathogenic bacteria. Since we know the dam’s colostrum, and the milk produced, is meant to assist the new-born calf with its growth and maturation processes, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some farmers report performance improvements if colostrum is fed longer than typically recommended, or if transition milk is included into early calf-feeding protocols. It’s this on-farm experience of the dam’s natural protective early milk that has guided the high inclusion of yeast-derived mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) in WYNNGOLD ™ milk replacer. MOS will mimic the action of BOS, aiding the development of beneficial gut bacteria as well as helping to control certain gastrointestinal pathogens such as E. coli, a common cause of neonatal calf diarrhoea. MOS provide alternate binding sites for pathogens – blocking them from colonising and exiting the calf without causing
directly killing bacteria and viruses which infect gut/lung
B & T cell secretion of non-specific immunoglobulins to
B & T cell-specific anti-body production in response to
harm. WYNNGUARD Colostrum and, to a lesser extent, transition milk contain higher amounts of simple sugars, known as bovineoligosaccharides (BOS). Although the presence of these oligosaccharides has been known for some time; the potential benefits for the calf are only now becoming understood.
WYNNGUARD in Start’n’Wean calf starter Three components: Agrimos, Levucell SC & Butyrate
Agrimos: Yeast cell wall-derived mannan-oligosaccharides(MOS) A high inclusion of these prebiotic sticky sugars helps protect the gastrointestinal tract from pathogens during the transition to solid feed. As discussed above, the MOS will act as a prebiotic, favouring benefi cial intestinal fl ora without being used as a substrate for pathogens. It will also bind and block pathogens, limiting pathogenic bacterial (E. coli, salmonella) development within the gastrointestinal tract.
Levucell SC: Rumen specifi c live yeast LEVUCELL SC (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077) was selected from over 1,000 yeast strains for its benefi cial activity in the rumen. With over 100 scientifi c communications regarding its modes of action and eff ects, it’s one of the most documented ruminant probiotics on the market. These benefi ts can include, but are not limited to:
wide variety of modes of action
reduction in harmful pathogenic bacteria
development of healthier gut tissue and enhanced immune responsiveness
improved feed utilisation
By consuming oxygen in the rumen, it favours faster colonisation of the microfl ora needed for feed digestion, resulting in increased starter intake and higher average daily gain.
Butyrate
Butyrate is present in our WYNNGUARD starter package. It is shown to have widespread eff ects on:
growth
digestibility
feed effi ciency - function in digestive systems - especially mucosal epithelial cells
Butyrate can enhance rumen development - stimulating rumen papillae development. Butyrate can also accelerate small intestinal development, which is critical for nutrient absorption and overall development of calves. It improves feed effi ciency and protects calves against stresses from weaning and diarrhoea.
WYNNGUARD is only available in Wynnstay’s WYNNGOLD Milk Replacers and Start‘n’Wean. If you have any questions about the WYNNGUARD health package please contact a member of our Calf & Youngstock Team
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Mark McFarland
