Supplying energy
Your calves require energy for normal body functions such as digestion, respiration, heat production and growth. The energy available to the calf is directly proportionate to the supply of milk or milk replacer during the first three weeks.
So, which source of energy is best?
Although milk replacers only contain 14% to 20% fat, compared with whole milk at 30% to 32% fat, the lactose content in milk also provides energy.
In total, the proportion of energy supplied by the fat and lactose is similar for whole milk, skim or whey-based milk replacers – over 72%, so all can provide valuable energy to the calf. See Figure 1.
By supplying more lactose and less fat compared to whole milk, calf milk replacers typically stimulate an earlier intake of solid feed, which encourages earlier rumen development. The fat in whole milk is highly digestible, and well-formulated milk replacers contain a blend of fat sources designed to be well digested by the calf and provide energy and nutrients to help maintain good health and growth.
The processing of the fats in milk replacers, for example by homogenisation, also have a significant impact on the energy delivered to the calf.
There are occasions where the calf’s energy requirements are higher, for example when targeting higher growth rates, or in periods of cold weather
when the calf needs more energy to maintain growth. Energy intake can be improved in various ways, but as shown in Table 1, increasing the oil
content of the milk replacer from 16% to 20% has a negligible effect compared with simply feeding more of the same.
The ash content of a milk replacer contributes nothing to the energy supply, so the ideal ash content is similar to that found in cow’s milk at approximately 6,5%.
In next month’s issue, we shall look at the importance of supplying proteins to new-born calves. Visit www.nutribase.co.za for more information, or contact Jaco Faasen, Product Manager, on (+27)82-607-6601 or send an e-mail to jaco@nutribase.co.za.
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