The paddocks are alive with the sound of calves frolicking around. Supplementing milk with calf feed can help accelerate the growth and development of their rumen ahead of weaning. But not all pellets are created equal.
The purpose of a feed is three-fold:
- Deliver the right level of protein to promote early growth.
- Ensure the rumen of the calf is developed for optimal weaning. Calves won’t be able to utilise essential nutrients efficiently, post weaning, if the rumen is not well developed.
- The advantage of pelletised feed is the ability to deliver a coccidiostat, which will help protect the calf against coccidiosis, particularly in the susceptible weaning stage and while immunity develops.
“Some pellets provide too much starch and not enough protein, vitamins and minerals. A quality digestible protein source is critical. It’s also important that new calves are getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals to produce the essential amino acids to support muscle and bone development. Optimising the pellets with the right level or starch is essential to promote the animal’s gut biome and stimulate the lining of the rumen,” says Country Mile’s Strategic Sourcing Manager Terry Gardiner.
“Target weights are typically reached more quickly with a quality feed. Delays in reaching target weight by using basic pellets or hay/grain based may need more feed overall. As an example, a calf needing an extra 11-13 days to rear to 100kg could consume another 20kg of calf meal,” says Terry.
Country Mile has worked with the best feed mills in New Zealand and veterinary nutritionists to optimise its Starter and Growth Calf Pellet formulations and ensure they cover all the calf’s nutritional requirements and can reach desired target growth rates efficiently.
“The result of our research and development is a product that uses premium ingredients but is still affordable for farmers. The ingredients are great quality and digestible to the calf. None of our feeds contains PKE or other indigestible ingredients,” Terry says.
“Country Mile is an established brand and our Starter 20% and Grower 16% Calf feeds have been tested and proven on farm, season after season. We’ve received feedback from many farmers that it’s their go-to product to provide the best possible start to our future herds and quality milk production.”
The sustainably packaged 20kg bags (managed through the Agrecovery recycling programme) can be picked up by farmers at a Farm Source store or have a full tonne pallet delivered to direct to farm throughout New Zealand.
To find out more about the Country Mile Calf Pellet range talk to your local TSR or visit a Farm Source store.