TO RUMINANT FROM MONOGASTRIC
A key stage in the growth of baby calves is ensuring the rumen develops effectively. Feeding a quality creep feed will accelerate rumen development in your calves.
Provided the rumen develops quickly, young calves are very efficient convertors of feed. They can convert 2-3kgsDM feed into 1kg body weight, whereas it can take 14-16kgs DM to produce 1kg bodyweight in later life. It is important that the rumen develops as quickly as possible to encourage the digestion of cheaper home-grown forages.
New born calves are essentially monogastric. While at birth the calf’s digestive system contains the same four compartments found in adult ruminant, only the abomasum is actively involved at birth, as the other three have yet to be developed.
When we talk about rumen development, we are looking to:
- promote growth and development of ruminal villie and papilla – the absorptive surface area
- establish the appropriate microbial population
- develop rumen muscularisation
- increase rumen volume
The most common misconception is that feeding forage will get calves ruminating, but trial data shows that feeding a good creep, such as Harpers Top Calf Mix, encourages more effective rumen development. This is because a good creep contains:
- A good level of starch
- A correct balance of digestible cellulose
- A good choice of proteins
- A balanced supply of vitamins and minerals
Starch in an undeveloped rumen creates propionic and butyric conditions, which promote rumen villi and papilla development to increase the absorption of nutrients. Care must be taken, however, not to put too much in the ration.
To provide a feed that is very digestible for the rumen bugs allowing them to multiply quickly you need a balance of digestible cellulose products such as sugar beet.
The choice of proteins is also very important. A good creep will provide a good supply of rumen undegradable protein (RUP). This largely passes through the rumen and is digested in the hind gut. It is also the type of protein which the rumen bugs and microbes feed on, enabling them to multiply in the rumen quickly to break down fibres.
Young, growing animals have high requirements of minerals and vitamins so its essential to include them in the ration.
Harpers Top Calf Mix contains a carefully balanced supply of energy and protein sources, supplemented with high quality trace elements to encourage rapid rumen development and in so doing deliver significant financial benefits:
- Less days on farm
- Keep more animals or make more forage
- Less straw, housing and labour costs.
For more information on our calf feeds, contact your local Feed Specialist
