Calf & Heifer Feeds

Dasan

Calf & Heifer Feeds

The three most essential nutrients for calf growth and development are water, energy and protein. Fibre, minerals and vitamins are also needed, but play a smaller role. For the rumen to develop, it is essential that calves consume a highly palatable source of solid feed that is calf starter. This is essential because rumen fermentation must occur for the rumen to develop. Bacteria which are present from transfer via the dam and from the environment ferment the solid feed and produce volatile fatty acids (VFA). The four carbon VFA, butyrate, is the most important for rumen epithelial (papillae) development. Feeding starter is necessary for this to occur. Because grains ferments at a faster rate than forage, it is not necessary to feed hay at this stage of life. Typically, calf starter contains whole or crimped or steam-flaked grains along with a pellet.

Feed represents the largest cost associated with heifer production, thus controlling feed cost is a major way to control the total costs of raising the heifer. Feed efficiency (liters milk/kgs feed) is an important management concept for lactating dairy cows; however, the concept is seldom mentioned for the growing heifer. Feed efficiency for a growing animal is measured as grams of weight gain per kg of feed. Proper feeding of calves from birth to 23 months can prevent challenges down the road. Inadequately-fed calves and heifers grow poorly and fail to reach breeding weight at the desired age, resulting in later calving and less milk production. Dasan provides a balanced feed formulation for calves so they can perform better in their production life and growing heifer so they get required weight at breeding age.

Calf & Heifer Feeds

20 Calf Starter

Calf & Heifer Feeds

21 Dairy Heifer