Update on Calf Rearing

There have been many changes implemented in calf rearing systems on dairy farms in the last ten years. Some farmers have adopted a system similar to the Northern Hemisphere dairy farms where calves are reared individually in hutches whilst others have continued to produce excellent heifers using the more traditional group rearing system on predominantly milk.

Each farmer will have their own preference and it is often difficult to change old habits if they appear to be working well.

 

    There are a couple of measures, however, that are important:
  1. Do the heifers reach adequate mating size at 15 months so that they subsequently calve early in the new season at an acceptable size?
  2. Is the current calf rearing system cost effective in both labour and capital infrastructure?

For many farmers with large herds, calf rearing may involve well over 100 calves annually. It can be a huge time commitment so they adopt simple systems.

Following is an outline of some of the features of calf rearing systems in these big herds.

  1. Calves will only be saved for rearing over a six week period.
  2. All calves are force fed colostrum within 12 hours of birth.
  3. Calves are fed up to 3 litres of milk once daily. This may increase to 4 litres in a 4-6 week old large holstein calf.
  4. A highly palatable 18% crude protein pellet is fed to calves from day 1. This does not need to be greater than 18%.
  5. A coccidiostat such as bovitec or rumensin is added to the diet.
  6. Good quality barley straw is supplied in small quantities above their heads. This avoids contamination. The straw limits intake of too much roughage, which would occur if hay were offered.
  7. Bark chips, rice hulls or sawdust are used as bedding. Bedding is cleaned out between groups of calves.
  8. Pellet intake is maximised since this will stimulate rumen function and efficiency of digestion by thickening the rumen papillae.
  9. Calves are weaned at 5-6 weeks, eating 1-1 1/2 kg pellets.
  10. Good clean water is available at all times.
  11. Calves are reared in small groups to minimise competition.


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