Calf Nutrition: Supplement Strategies that Work
From acidifiers to zinc and butyric acid to yucca extract, there are a plethora of options for supplements that can be added to preweaned calf rations.
Despite claims made by the parties pitching them, do they really work, and are they worth the financial investment? And how do you know which ones to choose? Dave Wood, director of sales and technical support for Animix LLC, Juneau, Wis., takes a brief-but-deep dive into calf supplement options in a hard-hitting, three-minute video.
Wood said cost must be the first consideration. “Any supplement must deliver a positive return on investment,” he stated. “Those that cost 25 cents per calf are much easier to implement than the ones that cost multiple dollars per animal.”
When considering cost, he also noted that alternative options should be weighed against the investment. Could the same results be achieved through management interventions like using more bedding, investing more in colostrum management, or increasing nutrients?
Proven research is a close second criterion. Wood cautioned to seek products backed by a significant number of reputable, controlled calf research and cautioned against implementing products that are “one-or-two-calf-study wonders.” Also, look at longevity and market share – reputable products stand the test of time. Finally, he said any supplement selected should be easy to use for consistent implementation.
After evaluating a dizzying array of supplements over 18 years at Animix, Wood recommended the following “top 5” supplements, which he believes make economic and scientific sense for most calf-rearing enterprises:
Plasma in calf milk replacer – “Plasma to me is the biggest no-brainer, because it’s plus-or-minus a dollar per bag of milk replacer because the protein value allows you to take some of the whey protein concentrate out of the formula,” stated Wood. In addition, he said plasma is the most widely researched supplement currently available for preweaned calves, with data showing it cuts both scours and mortality by a quarter to a half. It also has about a 40% market share after nearly 20 years on the market. Cost: +/- $1.00/bag of milk replacer.
Hydration: electrolytes and ringers – Young calves’ bodyweight is 75% water, and scouring calves can lose 6-12% of their bodyweight per day. If they lose 17% or more, that dehydration can become fatal. Electrolyte therapy and IV fluids are critical interventions for restoring hydration to scouring calves, as well as replacing lost electrolytes, providing glucose, and correcting blood acidemia. “Do not overuse electrolytes, as sodium toxicity can occur,” cautioned Wood. “Also, never add electrolytes to milk or milk replacer solution.” Cost: $1.50-6.00/2–3 day intervention, depending on product objectives.
Bovatec® in calf milk replacer and starter grain – According to Wood, coccidiostats are an important inclusion in both the liquid ration and starter grain. He recommended Bovatec as the most affordable coccidiostat on the market. Cost: about $0.45/bag of milk replacer.
Vitamins and trace minerals in whole milk – Whole milk is deficient in many vitamins and trace minerals for calves. Wood advised adding a VTM supplement when feeding whole milk to correct these deficiencies. Cost: $1.50-4.00/calf during the milk-feeding period, depending upon the strategy implemented.
Neo-oxy for 7-14 days if needed for treatment – Although antibiotic use in milk and milk replacer rations has dropped precipitously, Wood believes there is value in utilizing neomycin/oxytetracycline very sparingly to rectify serious enteric disease events. It is backed heavily by research data supporting its efficacy. Feeding neo-oxy requires a Veterinary Feed Directive and is limited to labeled applications only. Cost: approximately $2.50-5.00/calf for either a 7- or 14-day course of therapy.
Wood’s “honorable mention” supplements included MOS, direct-fed microbials/probiotics, NeoTec4®, and butyric acid.
