FARMERS are being encouraged to look at simple changes in calf sheds that could help make daily routines easier while improving calf health and performance.
Alan Smith, Business Manager for Feed For Growth (Volac Milk Replacers Limited) in Scotland, believes targeted investment and good organisation can significantly reduce labour pressures during the busy calf-rearing period.
He says that for young calves, consistency is the key to success.
The pre-weaned calf thrives on consistency, whether that’s milk volumes, mixing rates or milk temperature, he explained. Having systems in place to deliver the same thing every day makes a real difference. If a job is easy to do, it’s more likely to be done properly.
Mr Smith believes preparation and clear processes are essential, regardless of the size of the herd. He highlights four main areas farmers should consider to improve calf management.
Investing in the right equipment can make daily tasks quicker and more efficient. For example, a milk taxi can mix milk, regulate temperature and measure exact feeding amounts for individual calves or groups.
Mr Smith also suggests creating a dedicated area for mixing milk and cleaning equipment.
This area should have everything you need in one place, including alkaline and acid disinfectants for cleaning and a reliable supply of warm water, he said. Installing a water boiler can be a useful addition.
He also advises farmers to review the layout of their calf sheds to ensure pens are easy to access and that there are enough single or double pens available to cope during busy calving periods.
Simple record keeping can help spot problems early. Mr Smith recommends using a large whiteboard in the calf shed to record treatments, health concerns and observations.
Keep a close eye on how quickly calves are drinking their milk and note any drop in drinking speed, he said. A slowdown can be an early warning sign of health problems such as pneumonia or scours. If it changes today, there may be an issue developing tomorrow.
Maintaining clean, dry bedding is another key part of good calf management.
Pens should be thoroughly cleaned between calves, with plenty of fresh straw and suitable disinfectant powder used to maintain hygiene.
Straw can be expensive, but it’s not worth cutting back, Mr Smith added. Good bedding plays a crucial role in calf health.
He also emphasised the importance of feeding adequate amounts of quality colostrum in the first hours of life to help build strong immunity.
Selecting a calf milk replacer that mixes easily can also save time and improve feeding consistency.
Mr Smith says high-quality products that dissolve well reduce preparation time and leave fewer residues on feeding equipment, making it easier to keep equipment clean.
Feed For Growth’s range of calf milk replacers has been developed to deliver consistent nutrition while remaining easy to mix, helping ensure calves receive the same balanced feed at every meal.
According to Mr Smith, making calf feeding and management routines simpler ultimately benefits both farmers and animals.
Small improvements in the calf shed can have a big impact on calf performance and on the time farmers spend managing them, he said.
