Dry autumn forecast. The Bureau of Meteorology suggests that the coming months will be drier and hotter than usual across most of Australia from the recent long-term autumn 2023 forecast. Warmer than usual daytime temperatures and drier areas emerging in some parts of Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales, weaning and early weaning supplement strategies may prove an advantage before winter descends.
Early weaning is often defined by weaning calves at a younger age than ‘normal’ practice. In Queensland, the ‘normal’ range of weaning is between 7-8 months, the range does extend either way dependent on environment. In extreme cases, early weaning (without milk replacer) can be performed safely and effectively down to 4-6 weeks of age, although calves that have reached 3-4 months are considerably easier to feed and manage.
The main reason behind early weaning is the proactive management of breeding herds for improved productivity or due to feed scarcity. Pregnancy and lactation are a period in a cow’s reproductive cycle that causes extreme metabolic strain and can have drastic consequences on body condition, pregnancy rates, long term calf performance and possible deaths. The feed requirement for a cow with calf at foot are 50-65% higher than a dry cow, considerable damage to pastures can occur as a result of high forage demand.
All calves are born with an underdeveloped rumen, and this continues to stay premature until calves come of an age where they start to forage. During the first few months, the rumen gradually develops, and rate of development depends on the nutrition, condition, and supply of milk from the cow and available feed in the paddock. Typically, calves can be functioning as normal ruminants between 3-6 months of age.
Early weaned calves may not have a completely functioning rumen and most of their digestive tract functions largely like a monogastric animal (e.g., pigs), depending mainly on the abomasum and fourth stomach acting as the main digestive chambers. If a calf is old enough to be weaned from milk, a grain-based diet which can be readily digested should be provided as the main source of nutrition, as should hay/roughage to ensure the rumen continues to develop normally.
The first two weeks post weaning is a critical time to ensure calves have access to a high-quality diet to help overcome weaning stress, maintain health and become nutritionally independent.
The younger a calf is weaned, the higher the energy and protein levels need to be in feeds. Early weaning feed products or rations should be at least 11 MJ ME/kg and a minimum of 16% protein. Unless pasture/hay/silage quality is very high, feed intake will be restricted by small rumen capacity and low forage quality. If feed moister level is too high, small calves can not physically consume the high level of feed needed to meet daily maintenance and growth requirements.
Age (m) | 3-6 | 6-12 | >12 |
---|---|---|---|
Energy (MJ/kg DM) | 10.9 | 10.3 | 9.5 |
Crude protein (%) | 16 | 12 | 12 |
Calcium (%) | 0.52 | 0.41 | 0.29 |
Phosphorus (%) | 0.31 | 0.30 | 0.23 |
Table 1. Nutrient Requirements for 0.7kg/day growth rate. (source: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/beef/health-and-welfare/early-weaning-of-beef-calves)
To improve energy and protein intakes, dry concentrate diets supplements can be provided to weaners. Nutramix has many options when it comes to managing and feeding weaned calves.
Nutramix has a specifically formulated calf rearer pellet to supply young calves with all essential energy, protein and mineral requirements. This product is suitable for calves aged up to 4 months. This products consists of high quality protein sources with a minimum protein level of 18% and energy level of 12 MJ ME/kg, making this the ideal supplement for small calves with immature rumens and encourages early foraging behaviour. In pellet form, this product is cost effect and easy to manage either in paddock of supplied in confinement with good quality roughage. Follow this link to find out more about our Calf Rearer Pellets 18%
Maximising weight gains through weaning while managing weaning stress can be difficult to achieve. The Weaner Pellets 16% is a highly palatable, safe to feed weaning supplement solution. The weaner pellets 16% are made with high quality ingredients with a specifically formulated high energy and protein content to maximise weaner weight gain and ease weaning transition from Mum to paddock. With adequate fibre content, these pellets help to transition rumen microbes to a fibre based diet, ensuring weaners maintain high growth rates when on pasture only diets. These pellets can be fed in paddock or during confinement with high quality roughage supplied. Easy to mange and safe to feed, the weaner pellets are an ideal solution for producers during the weaning period. Follow this link to find out more about our Weaner Pellets 16%
Nutramix is an Australian stockfeed and agri-processing businesses in Queensland and New South Wales. Operating since 2001, our head office and premix plant is based at Warwick, Qld
© Copyright 2024 | All Rights Reserved | Nutramix | Web Design by ACM Digital