High Tech Calf Feeding Nature s Way Lonnie Holthaus National Nutrition/ Calf Feeding Specialist
Mother Nature is always telling us what to do if we listen
Feeding the Future The success of a dairy directly reflects the quality of the incoming heifers. The first 3 months of a calf s life directly reflects the outcome of the animal Getting them off on a good start will pay big dividends
DeLaval has the edge We are the only company who has dedicated people to calf feeding. We are the only company who see s the future in this product. The rest will try to follow. When the industry realizes what this does we will not be able to handle the business
What s all the excitement about? We are creating a different calf
Nature s perfect plan
What nature is telling us Keep nipple low Promote suckling Create a lot of saliva Small portions Multiple feedings Lots of exercise Ventilation (oxygen) is critical
What nature has taught us about making milk Good air (Oxygen) Plenty of water Comfortable Kept clean Increased milking times Quality feed Cows are social animals
Cows lactation curve Natures signal to us on calf feeding As calf grows milk increases Cows peak when calf needs it most Tapers off to promote grain consumption Cows energy is moved to support embryo
Hello nature s talking
Calf results Bigger Healthier Taller More muscled More attentive More independent
Feeding maintenance & growth
Cost per Pound of Gain Product Cost/bag NRC Projected ADG* Cost/pound gain Full Potential @ $60 1.97 $1.52 2.5 lbs/day Full Potential @ $60 1.02 $2.12 1.8 lbs/day Perf. w/tech. $53 0.53 $3.00 22-20 @ 1.5 lbs/day 20/20 AM @ $45 Wt. loss >$10.00 1lbs/day * Based on Dairy NRC, 100 lb calf @ 32 F
What's the difference Multiple feedings has given us the power to increase our total intakes of product without slugging the calf. Calves have responded with unbelievable rate gains and stature We do not know our limits yet Current customers are pushing to see how far they can go.
How important is size? The first 10 weeks of a calf's life has been proven to determine how big that heifer will be when it is ready to calve. In humans the growth size is determined between the age of 12 and 19. Nutrition is the key.
Results Wilderness Heifer Farm Hillsboro, WI 4 CF 150 machines w/waste milk and grain Eliminated 2 employees Top calves that are weigh in at 350 lbs @ 10 weeks. 3 # per day gains Calves are eating 12 liters of milk during peak intake time
Results MDS Dairy WI 2 CF 1000 machines 100 calves Uses sand during summer months 12-15% death loss w/huts 3% death loss w/machines Starts calves @ 3 days of age 2.5# gain per day
Results Shady Crest Holsteins, MN More calf space, no wasted feed Gains @ 2 lb per day healthier calves
Results Thompson Dairy, Plainview, MN 2# rate of gain and we do not have sick calves any more When your 9-year-old can check your calves, "life is good
Paramount Calves WI
Paramount Calves WI
Lawnhurst Dairy New York
Lawnhurst Dairy NY
Cornell University NY
Cornell University NY
Understanding calf raising BC (before calf feeders) Calves were moved to individual pens. Calf people have been pushing calves to gain more and faster w 2x feeding This created a fine line between gains and stress Most feed 2 times a day usually on 10 and 14 hr intervals.
Understanding calf raising BC (before calf feeders) Milk replacer companies have been trying to create the magic powder to accelerate growth. Milk replacer was always considered the ultimate feed for calves because it supposedly introduced more goodies and technology to promote growth. Calves in stalls were kept apart from other animals.
Understanding calf raising BC (before calf feeders) Grain and water should available to each stall and ideally should be fresh every day. After a period of time the milk is taken away in a attempt to promote the calf to eat grain. The calf is then moved to a group and it needs to learn how to eat with others and for the first time in its life it has to find food.
Understanding calf raising WC (with calf feeders) Calves spend a short time in Intensive care to assure it is healthy and has a good appetite and their brain is in gear. Usually 5-7 days. Calves are moved to the machine and are introduced to the nipple. Usually 2 feedings are required for the calf to find it on its own. Allow a minimum of 25 sq ft and 250 cubic feet per calf. The younger calf usually can eat up to 6 times a day. And have access to fresh grain and water 24/7.
Understanding calf raising WC (with calf feeders) The (baby) is fed often but not stuffed. Intakes and drinking speeds are monitored. As the calf gets older the milk feedings become larger and less often promoting the still hungry calf to look for grain. The calf is dealing with the entire arrangement the way nature intended. The calf can run and play and is accustomed to existing with other animals.
Understanding calf raising WC (with calf feeders) Calves are weaned gradually and are slowly switched to total grain intake. When moved to the next phase these animals know the ropes on how to exist in a group and find their feed as before.
First calf feeder in Idaho Grush Dairy / Idaho 6 CF1000 w/grain and Kalf Manager
More projects 1/7 in Oregon 6/ 12 in Iowa 30/40 in Minnesota 2/2 in California 35/45 in Wisconsin 1/ 8 in New York 2/6 in Michigan 8/10 in Idaho 1/5 in Indiana 10 Arizona
Phrases to live by We have been doing it wrong for so long we think it is right Don t believe everything you think
CF1000 features Multiple feedings 4 feeding curves per machine Medicators powder and liquid Monitor Drinking speeds and intakes Able to tie in grain feeding and automatic weaning Can feed with or without software Can handle up to 4 nipples
CF1000 Features Able to add machines together to one software Able to stand-alone talk to Kalf Manger or Alpro Mixes fresh to each calf Able to feed waste milk or powder or both Can ID half duplex ear tags, Alpro tags or Nedap (Surge Tags) Has Ad Lib or (Emergency Mode) Plug and Play type system
CF 1000 components
CF150 Components or Tag or Alpro Tag
Calffeeder.com Good starting point for the customer Articles being added frequently Videos Brochures Separates us from the competitor Suggestions always welcome Machine updates now on DWS
Don t be scared they won t bite
Thank you Lonnie Holthaus