Optimal Nutritional composition of calf milk replacers in accelerated growth programs
1954 Nukamel is the first company ever to develop a milk replacer for veal calves
In these days; 5 trends driving precision livestock farming
Consolidation of farms in Europe (2002/03 v 2012/13) 160000 Bubble size equals milk solids per farm 140000 120000 100000 Producer numbers 80000 60000 40000 Austra France Italy Germany Netherlands UK Denmark 20000 0 Spain Finland Ireland - 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180-20000 Herd size Source: Eurostat 5
maternal growth Birth Monogastric Colostrum - Immunity - Growth factors - Hormones - nutrients Weaning Ruminant Feeding the dam Milk / CMR / Starter intake Concentrate + roughage Under feeding of the dam give birth to smaller calves, les muscle deposition
How to optimize calf rearing? Set a goal Optimize calf development Growth Health How to reach this goal? Colostrum management Type of milk replacer Feeding schedule Calf starter Disease management Management Colostrum Feeding Hygiene Monitoring goals Check blood serum protein Weigh calves Log disease data Measure concentrate intake
Building blocks Lean tissue growth Requirements Maintanance Fuel to build Protein level - Amino Acids Protein Vitamins, minerals, additives Energy Energy level - Fat (FA) - Lactose Protein Source - Digestability - Qaulity Fat source - Digestability - Qaulity
Digestibility and Quality of Raw materials Low heat vs. High heat milk powder Weight, ADG, Gain to feed of 0-56 days Weight (day 56) ADG (day 0-56) Gain to Feed (day 0-56) 93,1a 0,851a 0,558a 91,9b b 0,830 0,543b LH HH LH HH LH HH Data corrected for weight at day 0, and concentrate feed intake Nukamel research
Digestibility and Quality of Raw materials Fat source: palm vs. coconut oil Weight day 56 (kg) 91,39 89,90 P/C = 20/80 P/C = 80/20 Data corrected for weight at day 0 Nukamel research
Effect of protein level on calf performance Growth day 56 Relative to 16% crude protein + 16,4% + 13,0% + 9,0% CP20 CP24 CP26
Effect of protein level on calf performance Calf hip height day 56 (cm) 93,9 b 92,6 a 91,8 91,8 a CP16 CP20 CP24 CP26
Effect of Nutrient level on calf performance Difference in weight by age in days, comparison of conventional and high nutrient CMR, in a conventional feeding schedule Fokamel plus (21/17) vs Nukamel Yellow (24/20) Calculated with the use of the NRC programm Fokkamel Plus Nukamel Yellow (Adapted from NRC, 2001)
Building blocks Lean tissue growth Requirements Maintanance Fuel to build Protein level - Amino Acids Protein Vitamins, minerals, additives Energy Energy level - Fat (FA) - Lactose Protein Source - Digestability - Qaulity Growth Goal => DMI => Balance in protein and energy availability Fat source - Digestability - Qaulity
Dry matter intake and protein needs at different levels of ADG
Energy and nutrient intake determining calf growth Feeding schedule restricted vs. accelerated growth feeding Fokkamel Plus Conventional Nukamel Yellow Conventional Fokkamel Plus Accelerated Nukamel Yellow Accelerated
Dry mattter and nutrient intake determining calf growth Feeding schedule restricted vs. accelerated growth feeding Age Day 1 CONVENTIONAL FEEDING SCHEDULE Colostrum 4L within 4h after birth second feeding after 12 h >2,5L Age L/Feeding Feedings/day Day 2-7 2 2 week 2 2 2 Week 3 2,5 2 week 4 3 2 Week 5 3 2 Week 6 3 2 Week 7 3 2 Week 8 2,5 2 Week 9 2 2 Week 10 1,5 2 ACCELERATED GROWTH FEEDING SCHEDULE Age Day 1 Colostrum 4L within 4h after birth second feeding after 12 h >2,5L Age L/Feeding Feedings/day Day 2-7 3 2 week 2 4 2 Week 3 4 2 week 4 4 2 Week 5 4 2 Week 6 3,5 2 Week 7 3 2 Week 8 2 2 Week 9 1 2
Transition from milk to solid feed - Higher levels of milk intake suppress early concentrate feed intake - Starter intakes increases if milk is reduced or withdrawn - Gradual weaning more important with increased levels of milk feeding - Use step down milk feeding schedules - Avoid weaning dip - Amount of solid feed intake on moment of weaning depended on growth rate before weaning
Transition from milk to solid feed Effect of weaning on different moments on starter intake Weaning at: 8 weeks ( ) of age 10 weeks ( ) of age 12 weeks ( ) of age J. Meale et all 2015
Take home message Calf rearing is of high importance for future performance of your herd - Accelerated feeding programs leads towards; - Increased health and development - Higher growth rates - Decreased time to breeding - Higher milk production - Manage calf rearing from the goals you want to reach: - Feeding schedule - Type of calf milk replacer - Type of starter feed - Transition to starter feed
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