Warm Weather Ahead: Is Your Calf Starter on Par?

Farm Journal logo

After one of the coldest winters in recent history, calf raisers may have learned a thing or two about how a calf’s environment affects energy demands. As the temperatures rise and we head into the summer months, it is important to remember that calves can face nutritional challenges in the summer months as well, says Christie Underwood, a calf and heifer specialist with Purina Animal Nutrition, located in Texas.

When temperatures rise, calves’ energy needs escalate as respiration rates increase as they attempt to drive heat from their bodies. Coupled with this increase in energy is a reduction in feed intake and as a result, growth is reduced.

Underwood notes that at 78 degrees F and above, calves are susceptible to heat stress and can experience:
• Decreased feed intake
• Reduced growth and increased respiration
• Less nutritional efficiency

"To meet these additional energy demands and to keep calves growing all summer long, calves need a diet that more efficiently provides the optimal nutritional balance of energy and protein to help maintain growth, despite the temperature," says Underwood.

Since calves utilize energy from their feed differently in warmer months, Underwood recommends that calf starter feeds formulated for warmer weather should include:

Appetite-stimulating technology
Keeping feed fresh, so that intake is consistent is important for ensuring that calves are consuming enough energy and protein, as these nutrients help support maintenance, immune function, and growth. Technologies such as AppetiteMAKER™ help support increased feed intake of young dairy calves with less feed refusal and waste. With an increase in appetite, it is important to remember to keep clean, fresh water available to calves at all times.

Effective larvicide
Larvicides are designed to help control emerging fly populations and therefore help reduce disease transmission and irritation by flies in calf housing areas. Underwood recommends ClariFly® Larvicide as an effective technology for inhibiting the development of mature flies.

Highly digestible organic trace minerals
Incorporating highly digestible organic trace minerals, specifically organic chromium, are proven in providing nutrients at the cellular level, allowing calves to utilize energy more efficiently.

There are many excellent calf starter options to choose from. However, Underwood challenges calf raisers to look beyond the nutrition label and educate themselves on the actual feed technologies and the supporting research that allow a superior product to deliver greater performance. Taking just a few minutes to become more aware of what technologies are in calf feed products will help develop healthier calves that then go on to become productive cows with more lifetime profit potential.

For more information, contact Christie Underwood at 806-640-8045, email CMUnderwood@landolakes.com or visit www.amplicalf.com.

Source: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC

 

Latest News

Dairy Finances: Being Prepared For Tough Times Has Big Payback
Dairy Finances: Being Prepared For Tough Times Has Big Payback

If there’s any assurance about the economic picture for the dairy industry and agriculture in general going forward in the next few years, it’s that volatility will be a constant.

Who “Nose” When a Calf is Getting Sick?
Who “Nose” When a Calf is Getting Sick?

If you want to stay ahead of calf health and catch sickness in its earliest stage, University of Minnesota Graduate Student Abbigail Prins offers a handy detection tip.

How To Outline Clear Direction For Each Role On Your Team
How To Outline Clear Direction For Each Role On Your Team

“The single most important tool to predict peak performance is a very well-developed job description,” Dave Mitchell says.

Know Your Business Pressures, Trends And Actions For Big Breakthroughs
Know Your Business Pressures, Trends And Actions For Big Breakthroughs

Mark Faust outlines a simple formula to improve profitability and create more value for you and the customer.

Robotic Technology Helps These Dairies Become Better
Robotic Technology Helps These Dairies Become Better

Smart farming robotic technology is all in the name of cow comfort, efficiency and productivity. 

Milk Prices Continue to Fizzle Out
Milk Prices Continue to Fizzle Out

A wild week in milk markets finished on a fizzle.