While the initial days/weeks of calf rearing may appear to be the most labour-intensive stage for farmers, the first season at grass can prove a more difficult phase for them to manage.

Nutritionally, success is measured by developing the calf as best as possible prior to introducing grazed grass. Given that newborn calves are born with undeveloped rumens, the initial objective is to assist such rumen development prior to being weaned off milk. This enables them to become cost-effective forage consumers.

Rumen development begins within the first few days of life and is advanced by exposure to healthy bacteria from the environment and the consumption of solid feeds. Introducing a palatable calf-starter ration/nut from 3 days of ages (18% Crude Protein) is important, along with access to fresh, clean water and high-quality clean straw ad-libitum (no haylage/silage).

Weaning on a weight basis alone can create a false sense of security in terms of how ready calves are for the next stage of nutrition. Weaning shouldn’t be considered until calves are intaking a minimum of 1.5kg concentrate/day in grouped pens – which indicates that the calf’s dry matter intakes can cope with the transition to a 100% solid diet.

Year-on-year, cases of calves suffering from setbacks following their introduction to grass can also prove a major influencing factor.

Nutritionally, spring grass can be high in oils like conjugated linoleic acid, sugars and potentially nitrogen, which young, underdeveloped rumens can find it hard to adjust to. Low covers of grass also have very little fibre, which is a key substrate for good rumen health.

Calves aren’t fully functioning ruminants, which is why additional care and attention is required at so critical a phase in their development.

Greater rumen development in early life can help combat such issues, alongside the following: offering concentrates post-turnout, grazing slightly heavier covers until calves having adapted to grazing, offering a fibre source to ease the transition and/or strip grazing calves to ensure stem content is also being grazed.

For more information and calf rearing advice, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor here.

With ever tightening profit margins, especially in the beef sector, the complex area of feed efficiency is and must continue to command close attention. In intensively fed animals there is a constant challenge to juggle the balance between optimising milk and meat output in the most economical way, while maintaining optimum rumen health at all times.

It is vital that the rumen environment is maintained in a healthy state to avoid the occurrence of acidosis. Acidosis occurs as a result of poor rumen health status and can present in two forms; clinical and sub clinical. The second form mostly presents as Sub Acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA). SARA is the main dietary performance constraint of intensively fed animals.

SARA has three principal causes: 

• High intakes of starches, sugars and acidic feeds.
• Inadequate structural fibre in diet.
• Inability of rumen to adapt to a highly fermentable / low fibre diet.

Identifying Sub-Acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA) in your herd

The tell-tale signs of SARA are sometimes difficult to detect through visual observation however, symptoms include:

• Animals performing 5-10% below capacity.
• Bubbles on dung.
• Less than 80% of animals which are lying down observed chewing the cud.
• Mildly depressed demeanour.
• Increased lameness levels.
• Cows swishing their tails (due to passing acidic manure).

Rumen Buffer Feeding

Maintaining good rumen health can be achieved through the inclusion of adequate roughage in the animals’ diet, such as straw and through the addition of a suitable rumen buffer. Straw can act as an excellent buffer but must be limited due to its low nutritive value and space requirement in the rumen. This year in particular, straw quality in many cases is not of adequate feed quality for livestock and is no longer a cheap option.

Feeding of an appropriate rumen buffer will play a valuable role on all farms where there are intensively fed animals or low fibre diets. A high-quality rumen buffer will not only help avoid problems like acidosis but it will also improve feed efficiency, optimise the rumen environment and maximise the return from your winter ration.

Rumicare– why it’s the best option

Rumicare is a phased release buffer and is available as Rumicare Beef and Rumicare Dairy. It contains a unique blend of buffers that each have their own mode of action and different speeds of breakdown (phased release) within the rumen. The combination of ingredients maintains a more desirable pH within the rumen at critical times throughout each 24-hour period.

Rumicare works on two different fronts in the fight against SARA. It directly neutralises rumen pH through its alkaline properties, while the added yeast also acts as a natural buffer by enhancing rumen bacterial growth. This combination of buffers and yeast has long been shown to gel very well together.

Speaking with farmers that have used Rumicare in the past, livestock are in great form, displaying improved appetites, performance and producing more consistent manures. Rumicare also smoothens transition diets with less setbacks and less displaced abomasums. Another added bonus is that it provides a very good level of calcium and magnesium, which is particularly important for the lactating dairy cow in early lactation.

On farm support during COVID-19

In order to keep our customers and staff as safe as possible, our sales team and distributors we will be minimising the number of on farm consultations. We are however, as always, available for FREE delivery direct to farm and over the phone consultations. Contact your local Agritech sales rep/distributor to place your order or click here. 

For further advice or information on our Welmin Mineral Supplements range, click here.

It is safe to say that 2018 will go down as one of the most challenging years for farmers across the country. Thankfully, we have reached a point where most farmers are now coming out the other side with favourable conditions over the last few weeks delivering much needed grass and maize silage which will significantly reduce the fodder deficit on farms.

Unfortunately, the one dilemma that has not disappeared is the shortage of straw. Rumen health is where straw has its biggest benefit as it is one of the most effective sources of structural fibre. Currently, round bales of straw are trading at around €30 each, with no sign of this reducing anytime soon. This exorbitant price means that straw is no longer a viable option for farmers. Peat is becoming a more economical bedding option for farmers; however, many will find it impossible to get a return on its inclusion in animal diets as it continues to command a value of circa €200 per tonne. To further complicate the situation, the high fibre ration sources are extremely expensive with straights such as Soya Hulls and Beet Pulp priced at an all- time high.

Rumen Health  

If we compare an animal’s diet to a human’s diet, we all know that an over-supply of sugary foods and not enough fibre will cause a stomach imbalance that will make us feel unwell and less inclined to consume full portions. Our quick fix solution is to reach for indigestion or heartburn tablets. This approach has parallels in the ruminant animal; however, instead farmers are encouraged to reach for rumen buffers as they work on the principal of neutralising rumen acidity and promoting rumen protozoa populations.

Rumicare

Rumicare from Agritech has been developed to help counteract rumen and intestinal acidity and to promote adequate rumen protozoa populations in intensively fed animals and those consuming lower fibre diets. Rumicare Beef and Dairy is formulated using a unique combination of phased release rumen buffering minerals. Phased release technology ensures a constant and ongoing fight against Sub Acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA). Added Rumigest® yeast will further enhance rumen bacteria populations and activity aiding better digestion of starch and cellulose.

Agritech’s Sales Director John Kenny says “we see Rumicare as providing real solutions for Irish farmers this winter as it will significantly lower the requirement for straw, leaving more room for quality feed. Our Agritech sales team are available to provide on farm nutritional support as well as a free of charge dietary recommendation and feed plan this winter if required.”

For further assistance or advice do not hesitate to contact your local Agritech distributor.