At calving and within the early hours of life, ensure good hygiene practices to reduce risk of transmission of infection and infectious disease.
Ensure navels are dressed properly with an iodine solution or other veterinary recommended treatment.
Ensure calves receive colostrum within the first 3 hours of life.
Provide calves with a well bedded laying surface in a well-ventilated but draught free environment.
Ensure calf milk replacer is mixed and fed correctly at the right temptation and mixing concentration. Start by feeding small amounts and gradually increasing.
Fresh water and concentrates must be provided on a daily basis, clean straw should be readily available to provide roughage for the calf.
Calves must be checked regularly to identify early any signs of ill health.
Wean healthy calves gradually as a guide calves should be eating 1kg of concentrate per day for 3-4 days consecutively.
Continue feeding ad-lib concentrates roughage and water for up to 12 weeks of age.
Plan a rearing diet with your feed specialist to identify the best regime for your system – replacement heifers, intensive or semi intensive beef system etc.
