FACT SHEET 1 - CALF REARING
Birth
The Colostrum Phase.
To achieve adequate immune protection the calf must receive :
 2 litres of good quality colostrum within 2 hrs of birth
 10-12% of body weight as colostrum within 6 hrs of birth
12 Hours
Milk Only Phase.
Milk is the only significant source of nutrient the calf requires for the next 6 days.
 10-12% of body weight as the freshest milk in 2 feeds (5l for Holstein & 3.5-4l
for Jerseys)
 Have clean water available
Day 3
Introduction.
Cracked Wheat is a quality supplement containing high levels of energy &
bypass protein, therefore allowing ongoing skeletal, muscle and ruminal
development.
Refresh wheat daily and (whatever you are willing to through away)
 Have clean water available.
Day 5
Roughage Introduction.
Roughage is important for development of the rumen size & shape.
 Introduce straw
 Keep straw supply clean & fresh
 Have clean water available
Day 10
Day 14
Feed milk once a day (pm feed is preferred)
 30% canola meal 70% wheat increase amount offered as necessary to a
maximum of 2 kg/calf/day + Bovatec or Rumensin at recommended dose
From week 8 onwards drop 1 litre per week till nothing on week 12.
Week 10
Milk Weaning Phase.
Cracked Wheat + Canola meal is a quality supplement containing moderately
high levels of energy & bypass protein, therefore allowing ongoing skeletal,
muscle and ruminal development
Begin the process of weaning the calves off milk
 At 100kg liveweight drop milk intake to half
 Provide cracked wheat +canola meal to a maximum of 2kg / calf / day
Week 12
Wean Off Milk.
 Drop milk out at 110kg liveweight – height of a 44 gallon drum
 Maintain access to concentrate and straw
 Allow access to pasture
4 - 11
Months
Prepubertal Period.
Rapid growth here retards mammary development, depressing lifetime milk
production. High protein, relatively low energy pastures are ideal during this
period.
 Growth must be limited to 0.6-0.65kg / day
 Ensure good skeletal development without fattening. (High protein / low
starch diet.)
At 140 kg calves may be weaned off concentrates IF ONLY high quality pastures
are available. Ensure roughage is kept up to calves.
HEIFER GROWTH GRAPH
160
140
Weight (Kg)
120
100
80
60
Fresian
40
Jersey
20
0
0
2
4
6
8
Age (Weeks)
10
12
14
16
CALF FEEDING GRAPH
J 0.5
Kg/day
ROUGHAG
E
PASTUR
E
STRAW
F 0.6
Kg/day
Wheat +
Canola
COLOSTRUM
Nutrient Requirements (MJ) or DMI (Kg)
Growth Rate : As fast as possible
J 25 Kg
F 40 Kg
AGE Birth
MILK
Wheat +
Canola
(max 2
Kg/day)
60 Kg
80 Kg
8 weeks
GOOD
QUALITY
PASTURE
90 Kg
110 Kg
10-12 weeks
Wean off
milk
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
115 Kg
140 Kg
16 weeks