The importance of high protein calf feeds in the pre weaning period   

With the increasing price focus on calf feeds, feed companies and retailers have noticed a shift towards a greater use of cheaper priced 16% protein calf feeds, according to NRM Nutritionist Alun Faulkner.  

According to Faulkner, while it is all too easy to take this price or cost focused approach, the question we have to ask however, as an industry, are we doing the best thing for our calves?

If we take the primary objective of calf rearing as the starting point then the recommendations become clearer:

“The primary objective in a calf rearing system is to wean the neonatal calf from liquid onto solid feed in the quickest, most cost effective manner possible. The attainment of this objective results in the production of a healthy, well developed ruminant animal that meets the needs of a dairy replacement or beef rearing system”

False economies

If we look at the latest research by Dr Paul Muir in the June 2007 Poukawa newsletter the following conclusions are evident. Poukawa argue that it is probably a false economy feeding a 16% protein pellet in the milk pre – weaning period up to 6 weeks. This is because while you might save $1.80 on a bag of feed, in their trial, calves fed 20% pellets were “4.2 kg heavier at weaning and could be weaned off milk up to a week earlier than those fed the 16% protein pellets.” (Poukawa June 2007, p19).

Time to weaning

Further to this, the percentage of calves not weaned at 6 weeks was only 21% of the mob fed 20% pellets, versus 47% of the calves fed 16% pellets.  

Clearly there are a variety of systems and differences in place with factors such as: whole milk versus CMR protein levels, palatability of feeds influencing intake, access to pasture, and digestibility of ingredients that can also influence weight gain gains in this period – but put simply, Poukawa seems to be providing a compelling case that you will ‘get what you pay for’ and cutting corners in this period is not advisable according to Faulkner. We don’t do it in the production of other neo-natal animals; e.g., swine so why are we trying to do this with calves?

These sentiments are echoed by overseas researchers. Research from Cornell University in 2005 (Van Amburgh and Drackley,2005) suggest that higher protein feeds (>18% protein on a DM Basis) appear to be more beneficial in these early stages of the calf’s life and have even indicated that feeds >20% will be required for the modern calf in the future. Howard Tyler (Iowa State University) has also confirmed that calves need to be consuming a 20% protein (on a DM basis). 

However, not only is the level of protein important but also the quality of the protein. Certain raw materials might have similar protein levels but vastly different digestibility levels. It is important that a good quality protein (high digestibility) is fed in this time period prior to weaning. A prime example is Palm Kernel Meal (PKE). This product contains 18% protein (on a DM basis) but the digestibility of that protein in a young calf is much poorer than the protein found in soyabean meal.  The quality of feed that a calf is initially exposed to 4 days after birth is critical to the future success of that calf as a replacement heifer or in the beef market

 The importance of good quality protein nutrition in the young calf results in:

• An improved immune system
• Calves that are better able to cope with the stress of weaning and so tend to have less of a growth check
• An increase in frame size without excessive body condition which is important in promoting weight gain post-weaning. In addition this is important in the development of a heifer that will produce more milk in her first and subsequent lactations.
• Heifers that are more likely to be at target bodyweights for mating at 15 months. This has major economical implications in a dairy replacement herd. The cost of not getting a heifer in calf is $1000

 In addition to good quality protein, we need to ensure that the other important nutritional aspects are properly catered for:

• Good quality starch (energy) which is important in rumen development. It’s important that these starches are obtained from steam flaked grains (e.g. Moozlee)
• Good palatability of the product to promote dry matter intake
• Addded vitamins and minerals for immune and skeletal development
• Bovatec for cocciodiosis control
• Access to good quality roughage (meadow hay/barley straw) that is free of mould. This should comprise no more than 10% of the dry matter intake of the calf

The production of good quality replacement heifers involves providing good management, health, environment and nutrition. 

Based on both local and international research, NRM recommends highly palatable & digestible feeds such as Moozlee and Grow Up 20% in the 18- 20% protein range in the first six week period.

For further information phone NRM on 0800 800 380