Calves with Sam

Extended Weaning for Intensively Milk Fed Calves

The April, 2016, calf management newsletter is now available online at www.atticacows.com in the Calving Ease section or just click HERE.

The main points are:

• Doubling birth weight by 56 days of age is a common goal for intensively milk fed calves

• High milk feeding rates depress calf starter grain (concentrate) intakes, especially among calves less than five weeks old.

• Our weaning goals need to include adequate rumen development for efficient digestion of solid feeds and absorption of nutrients from fermentation.

• Ten to fourteen-day long step-down weaning programs may be needed to transition intensively milk fed calves successfully from milk to solid feed. 

Enjoy.