Calfs on milk powder

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
The chap said that he wants them on 2litres per feed. Yes he provides everything. For Tb it doesnt matter as it a tb isolation unit for calves
If hes paying then he is in charge and accepts the calve performance based on how he wants them fed. If they have got 24/7 access to water they will survive on top of the milk. Powder too strong blows them up.
 

Samcowman

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Cornwall
Ours are on a 160g/litre milk on wydales and on the machine for 5.5 litres/day. We do have a plan B on the machine at the same concentration at 7litres/day for anything that’s a bit small or has had a knock. They do go well on that but wouldn’t put everything on it. Put everything up to 170g/litre when it got cold a few weeks ago. This is for beef cross calves.
 

Anymulewilldo

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cheshire
It does seem odd that some folk skimp on the essential part of rearing calves? It’s the best time too invest in them as the FCR’s are the best they will be and if they rear rough then it takes ages and lots of expense (either corn or lots of time and silage) too get them back into line. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Even if I’m reading a bunch of beef x dairy heifers too turn out and graze I do them as good as possible up too 12 weeks. Good job we aren’t all the same I suppose!
 

Zippy768

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Dorset/Wilts
It does seem odd that some folk skimp on the essential part of rearing calves? It’s the best time too invest in them as the FCR’s are the best they will be and if they rear rough then it takes ages and lots of expense (either corn or lots of time and silage) too get them back into line. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Even if I’m reading a bunch of beef x dairy heifers too turn out and graze I do them as good as possible up too 12 weeks. Good job we aren’t all the same I suppose!
Also the most expensive time
 
Don't skimp on powder on calves. Use good quality powder and don't skimp. Volac used to say each calf should consume a bag each over the total period. It is the fastest you will ever grow that animal and the part where FCR is highest.

I used to think you could tell a lot about a farm by how they keep their calves. Dry bed, no draughts, clean environment and they will fly. Anything weak or dodgy or ill, segregate them or they won't do.
 

HarryB97

Member
Mixed Farmer
Thanks. Do you think iv got the milk ration right 59.5litres of water and 8.5kg of milk powder to fed 34 calves 2 litres each twice. I'm judging myself cuz the chap said I was using to much powder
False economy feeding them less when they are young, saving money on powder but they’ll spend more days on farm and get less efficient. Ours are on over a kg a day of powder on full ad-lib.
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
False economy feeding them less when they are young, saving money on powder but they’ll spend more days on farm and get less efficient. Ours are on over a kg a day of powder on full ad-lib.
Which is great but if your keeping them for two years + on a grazing system whats the point in throwing the kitchen sink at them. At 30 mths you wouldnt be able to tell which ones had been reared on a kg a day or 600grams.
 

easy farming

Member
Livestock Farmer
You haven't mentioned breed or size of calves, Blues will need a lot more than Jersey. But 125 gms made up to a litre would be pretty standard and then adjust volume to calf size and target growth rate.
As already said do not skimp on quality or volume as easiest and cheapest growth will come with cattle done well as calves.
 

Anymulewilldo

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cheshire
Which is great but if your keeping them for two years + on a grazing system whats the point in throwing the kitchen sink at them. At 30 mths you wouldnt be able to tell which ones had been reared on a kg a day or 600grams.
In this day and age how can it still pay too have cattle running around until they get near the 30 month mark?! Rents must be too low. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 

Smokey16

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North devon
You haven't mentioned breed or size of calves, Blues will need a lot more than Jersey. But 125 gms made up to a litre would be pretty standard and then adjust volume to calf size and target growth rate.
As already said do not skimp on quality or volume as easiest and cheapest growth will come with cattle done well as calves.
The breed of calves are angus Hereford fraisain crosses the farmer said he just wants them on 4litres aday with Ad lib straw and 18blend.
 

Anymulewilldo

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cheshire
Plenty of dog and stick farmers with farms paid for running cattle on hay and grass earning far more profit than those with big turnover looking busy with all the kit and expensive inputs.
Exactly, farms paid for… living on the BPS and the cattle don’t have too leave much too make a good living.
 

HarryB97

Member
Mixed Farmer
Which is great but if your keeping them for two years + on a grazing system whats the point in throwing the kitchen sink at them. At 30 mths you wouldnt be able to tell which ones had been reared on a kg a day or 600grams.
On a grazing system they should still be gone well before 30 months unless it’s really poor quality grazing
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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