Nutristart Plus Calf Milk Replacer
Crude Protein | Crude Oil | Crude Ash | Crude Fibre | Feed rate |
25% | 17% | 7.5% | Nil | 150g/litre |
Nutristart Plus has been developed to achieve the highest performance in replacement heifers through an intensive feeding programme. Consistency of product and excellent bio-availability allow calves to consume large amounts of milk replacer to consume large amounts from a young age. This unlocks the calf’s genetic potential and subsequent lifetime performance.
Importance of protein for heifer rearing:
Designed for intensive heifer rearing, added protein content of this product delivers frame for age in young animals. From birth a calf’s requirement for quality protein is at an all time high. Ensuring non-limiting skeletal development by supplying essential amino acids is crucial to a successful rearing of a replacement heifer. Combining milk source proteins (whey protein & skim powder) delivers this in abundance.
Directions for Use
Mixing rate: 150 grams of powder with water to make 1 litre of mixed milk
TWICE DAILY FEEDING RATES (150g per litre of mixed milk) | ||
Age | am | pm |
1 to 3 days | Colostrum: minimum 3 litres in first 6 hours, then give at least 2 litres/feed, twice | |
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4 to 7 days | 2.5 litres | 2.5 litres |
8 to 35 days | 3 litres | 3 litres |
36 to 49 days | 2.5 litres | 2.5 litres |
50 to 56 days | 2.5 litres |
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The ideal mixing temperature 40 - 45°
- Mixing too hot damages proteins
- Mixing too cold can cause poor solubility of powder
Mixing rate
- Essential to mix powder and water to MAKE a litre of finished CMR (150g powder to create a litre of finished CMR)
- Incorrect mixing rate causes dilution and reduced thrive
- We want to feed milk solids (900 g / calf per day) not excess water
Calf milk replacer needs to get into the abomasum
- Calves should be fed with heads up to mimic suckling a cow
- If calves fed on floor the oesophageal groove closes and milk goes to rumen (causing upsets and poor thrive)
Calves healthier fed twice a day
- Less pressure to get intake
- Increase total intake
- Allows for more natural rumen development
- More representative of nature
Warm milk the better option
- Cold milk requires energy to bring to rumen temperature
- This reduces thrive and adds a stress to a calf
- More risk of disease and stomach ulcers with ice cold milk
Dealing with young calves requires a lot of management
- Calves require to be trained on an automatic feeder by suckling on teats
- Ideally calves should be at least 10 days old before introduction to an automatic feeder
Consistency is key
- Calves are open to problems and need as little stress as possible
- Consistent feeding pattern, mixing rate and milk temperature very important
- Fresh concentrates will enable a successful rumen development and keep thrive maximised through the weaning process
- Regular calibration of automatic feeder or feeding equipment done weekly / between product batches
Additional Considerations
- Introduce Nutrias Calf Crunch from day 5
- Introduce high quality fresh straw from day 10
- Clean fresh water should always be available
- Feed only freshly mixed drink
- Suitable for automatic feeders