Poukawa calf rearing

[unlacedgecko]

Anyone doing it is the UK? Any experience among the collective?

 

[Blue.]

Anyone doing it is the UK? Any experience among the collective?

What’s so special about it?

Looks like once a day feeding.

 

[unlacedgecko]

What’s so special about it?

Looks like once a day feeding.

Claims to use only 17kg of milk powder per calf weaned. Once a day feeding from 2 weeks, with the feed being only 2l and concentration increasing from 150g per litre to 250g per litre.

 

[vantage]

Claims to use only 17kg of milk powder per calf weaned. Once a day feeding from 2 weeks, with the feed being only 2l and concentration increasing from 150g per litre to 250g per litre.

Grow well on that?

 

[unlacedgecko]

Grow well on that?

From what I’ve read, calves don’t grow as well and look poorer during the milk feeding period. However, due to increased rumen development calves have better growth rates on grass and there is no difference in bulling weights/ages.

It’s a long term economic focus rather than good looking stock.

But I’m seeking first hand experience in a UK context.

 

[Blue.]

From what I’ve read, calves don’t grow as well and look poorer during the milk feeding period. However, due to increased rumen development calves have better growth rates on grass and there is no difference in bulling weights/ages.

It’s a long term economic focus rather than good looking stock.

But I’m seeking first hand experience in a UK context.

My dad always tells the tale about a calf he’d just about got to living off nothing and it went and died on him! ?

I simply can’t look at something that’s not thriving.

 

[som farmer]

you get what you pay for,

 

[Jamer]

Grow well on that?

Not at all if it's cold and wet.

 

[Full of bull(s)]

Anyone doing it is the UK? Any experience among the collective?

Never heard of it but I’ve recently changed to once a day feeding. Two batches in, calves looking better weaning earlier due to better feed intakes. I changed from a whey based to a 50% skim, 100% dairy protein powder to do it. I was feeding 3litres twice a day @ 120g per litre, having niggling scour/colic problems. Bought in calves. Now week one twice a day, 2l @150g per litre then onto once a day, 3 litres @ 200g per litre. The milk is £7 a bag dearer, but using less powder and weaning around a fortnight sooner it is saving a good bit per calf. Less antibiotic use as well. I think the key is using a good quality skim powder to do it

 

[Sheepykid]

Never heard of it but I’ve recently changed to once a day feeding. Two batches in, calves looking better weaning earlier due to better feed intakes. I changed from a whey based to a 50% skim, 100% dairy protein powder to do it. I was feeding 3litres twice a day @ 120g per litre, having niggling scour/colic problems. Bought in calves. Now week one twice a day, 2l @150g per litre then onto once a day, 3 litres @ 200g per litre. The milk is £7 a bag dearer, but using less powder and weaning around a fortnight sooner it is saving a good bit per calf. Less antibiotic use as well. I think the key is using a good quality skim powder to do it

What age are you putting them on to once a day? And when are you weaning?

 

[Full of bull(s)]

What age are you putting them on to once a day? And when are you weaning?

They are coming in at 4/5 weeks old. I begin weaning when they are eating 2kg/day and step wean over ten days, not too concerned about age. Week one routine as follows

Collect Monday afternoon
First feed 2 l @ 150g
Tuesday 2x2l @150g
Wednesday 2x2l@150g
Thursday, Friday,Saturday
Mornings 2l@200g, evenings 1l@200g
Sunday one feed 3l@200g
Some have been younger around 3 weeks and have been fine, no scours and they eat so much more, sooner

 

[Sheepykid]

They are coming in at 4/5 weeks old. I begin weaning when they are eating 2kg/day and step wean over ten days, not too concerned about age. Week one routine as follows

Collect Monday afternoon
First feed 2 l @ 150g
Tuesday 2x2l @150g
Wednesday 2x2l@150g
Thursday, Friday,Saturday
Mornings 2l@200g, evenings 1l@200g
Sunday one feed 3l@200g
Some have been younger around 3 weeks and have been fine, no scours and they eat so much more, sooner

How do you feed your calves do you have a mixer, be that stationery or mobile? We have a similar routine for rearing only difference is I’d wean by age at 8 weeks. That is harsher I know. But seeing as they have had once a day for a few weeks they always clear at least 1.5kg cake a day.

 

[Sharpy]

Never heard of it but I’ve recently changed to once a day feeding. Two batches in, calves looking better weaning earlier due to better feed intakes. I changed from a whey based to a 50% skim, 100% dairy protein powder to do it. I was feeding 3litres twice a day @ 120g per litre, having niggling scour/colic problems. Bought in calves. Now week one twice a day, 2l @150g per litre then onto once a day, 3 litres @ 200g per litre. The milk is £7 a bag dearer, but using less powder and weaning around a fortnight sooner it is saving a good bit per calf. Less antibiotic use as well. I think the key is using a good quality skim powder to do it

Did you try using an equivalent quality powder in your old system?

 

[Full of bull(s)]

Did you try using an equivalent quality powder in your old system?

No. I have no staff and restarted rearing calves at the turn of the year, but wanted my weekend afternoons back. I knew I couldn’t go onto oad with a whey based powder, that was the reason I changed. It’s turned into a win win situation though happily

 

[Sheepykid]

No. I have no staff and restarted rearing calves at the turn of the year, but wanted my weekend afternoons back. I knew I couldn’t go onto oad with a whey based powder, that was the reason I changed. It’s turned into a win win situation though happily

What made you want to rear calves again? All taken through to bull beef I guess?

 

[Full of bull(s)]

What made you want to rear calves again? All taken through to bull beef I guess?

Supplies of half grown b/w bulls just dried up so I did it to keep a supply of cattle coming through. All cattle are ad-lib

 

[Sheepykid]

Supplies of half grown b/w bulls just dried up so I did it to keep a supply of cattle coming through. All cattle are ad-lib

I would imagine your buying and rearing to 3 months cheaper than you would of bought in. That’s if you bought from Buitelaar or the likes. Do you do rose veal or bull beef?

 

[Full of bull(s)]

I would imagine your buying and rearing to 3 months cheaper than you would of bought in. That’s if you bought from Buitelaar or the likes. Do you do rose veal or bull beef?

I always seemed to be able to buy them cheaper but when the milk price plummeted and everyone went to beef sexed semen supplies began to dry up. They all go to Buitelaar and I am collecting calves from their collection centre which are in line price wise unlike the reared ones, but that’s no different to any of the calf rearing firms

 

[Princess Pooper]

From what I’ve read, calves don’t grow as well and look poorer during the milk feeding period. However, due to increased rumen development calves have better growth rates on grass and there is no difference in bulling weights/ages.

It’s a long term economic focus rather than good looking stock.

But I’m seeking first hand experience in a UK context.

I think it would be illegal in UK to go once a day at that age as the rumen is not yet fully functional so even having ad lib solid feed in front of them would not count as a second 'feed'.

 

[Sheepykid]

I always seemed to be able to buy them cheaper but when the milk price plummeted and everyone went to beef sexed semen supplies began to dry up. They all go to Buitelaar and I am collecting calves from their collection centre which are in line price wise unlike the reared ones, but that’s no different to any of the calf rearing firms

Do you have to buy them from Buitelaar to be able to sell to them? I guess they want them before 12 months old?