Solid Feed Provision |
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Calves are often underfed as part of standard practice. Starter grain is a non-milk source of calories, and is used to help transition to a solid food diet.
Forage provision for calves from day 1 can stimulate more rumination and decrease abnormal oral behaviors. Early forage consumption does not harm rumen development, growth, or health, and can increase grain consumption and improve transition to TMR at weaning.
Forage provision for calves from day 1 can stimulate more rumination and decrease abnormal oral behaviors. Early forage consumption does not harm rumen development, growth, or health, and can increase grain consumption and improve transition to TMR at weaning.
Which animals to assess:
Evaluate milk-fed calves based on the sampling guidelines.
How to assess:
Calves must be offered starter by day 3 of age.
Calves must be offered forage by day 1 of age. Bedding does not count as forage. Calves housed freely on pasture have acceptable forage access; calves kept in confinement to a limited grass space would not count.
Calves must be offered forage by day 1 of age. Bedding does not count as forage. Calves housed freely on pasture have acceptable forage access; calves kept in confinement to a limited grass space would not count.
Acceptable solid feed provision:
This young calf has access to both starter (L) and forage (R)
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This calf is housed freely on pasture, and thus has acceptable forage access. Starter provision would need to be confirmed.
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Unacceptable solid feed provision:
This calf has access to starter but no forage. Straw bedding does not count as forage.
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This calf is confined to a small area of grass, which would not count as acceptable forage. Starter provision would need to be confirmed.
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There is currently no repeatability test for this measure.