Fiber Fresh have always received feedback from farmers that Fiber Fresh reared calves graze like “mini cows” when weaning. To find out why, Fiber Fresh commissioned extensive trial work, comparing calf development on Fiber Fresh feed and traditional meal systems.
The rumen is the calf’s engine room. Fiber Fresh GAIN® is the most effective feed for training the rumen to digest fibre. Rumen development is the fundamental transition that occurs within the stomach. It is separated into three developmental phases.
- Liquid Phase
- Transition Phase
- Ruminant Phase
- At birth the calf is reliant on milk. When mature it is reliant on pasture
- The rumen will expand from 25% to 80% of the stomach capacity
- Important bacteria, protozoa and fungi form in partnership with the diet
- All developmental stages can be affected by the diet of the calf
Fiber Fresh compared two calves, one reared on the traditional milk, hay and grain system, and one that was reared on Fiber Fresh GAIN®. Both calves were 78 kg at the end of the study. The calf reared on Fiber Fresh GAIN® showed significantly larger rumen capacity and papillae development.
Findings and advantages
- 18% heavier rumen: Larger capacity at weaning. No weaning check
- Greater papillae growth: Formed only in the first 10 weeks, the greater development of the papillae support better rumen efficiency
- Better rumen wall development: Nutrients are absorbed more efficiently through the wall of the rumen
- Better rumen metabolic function: More of the feed is being absorbed and utilised by the animal
- Earlier indication of rumen development: Adult-like rumen activity and early metabolic signs of rumination. Grass ready in 7 weeks
- Adult rumen – VFA (Volatile Fatty Acid), better microflora: Microflora population is crucial to the animal getting the best utilisation of pasture
Rumen comparison
Research trials showed Fiber Fresh-reared calves developed bigger rumens that were 18% heavier than the control reared calves. A larger rumen is more ready for the transition to grass.
There are so many great reasons to switch to Fiber Fresh GAIN®. Saving on feed costs is just one of them. Fiber Fresh GAIN® is so effective at growing young rumens, you will be able to fully wean your calves at 7 weeks saving extra costs and precious time.
In a recent example, a calf-rearer spent $16,100 on 14 tons of grain to rear his 2022 calves. In 2023, he switched to Fiber Fresh GAIN® and only used 6 tons of product to achieve the same result, for the same number of calves (380).
This was a 46.5% reduction in costs. The calves were introduced onto pasture at five weeks with no noticeable weaning check and no scours – unlike with grain the year before. At ten weeks, the Fiber Fresh calves averages 85 kg, had weaned better and were consuming more grass volume on a daily basis.
2022 vs 2023 performance
- Number of calves: 380
- Grain tons (2022): 14
- Fiber Fresh GAIN® tons (2023): 6
- Total rearing costs: (2022) $16,100; (2023) $7,494
Talk to your local Farm Source team about Fiber Fresh GAIN® for your calves today.