Nutristart Plus Calf Milk Replacer

 

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
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

 

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