Select fibre wisely at start

Fiber Fresh-reared Jersey calves.

A growing number of Kiwi dairy farmers are realising the importance of the introduction of high-quality fibre in calves' early rumen development and the links with life-long health and production, according to a local business.

With calving season imminent, Reporoa's Fiber Fresh Feeds national sales manager Bob Bell said now was the time to make sure best practice calf management plans were in place to maximise the potential of new animals, including introducing high nutritional fibre into calves' diets within their first few weeks.

Mr Bell said having calf management plans in place was critical to animals' long-term health and development.

"We're heading into the busiest time in the calendar for farmers and it's absolutely critical to have a plan in place for calf rearing, and to make sure that the plan is communicated to the people on the ground in the calf shed in these early stages.

"It doesn't need to be complicated, but even a simple plan will ensure you have given the process some thought.

"Every day counts when it comes to getting calves off to a good start, and if you don't have a good plan in place, you run the risk of compromising the farm's future performance."

Mr Bell said the introduction of quality fibre in the initial days to ensure advanced rumen development was part of getting this early formula right.

"Introducing a high nutritional fibre in calves' diets within their first weeks of life encourages faster and healthier rumen and digestive development, allowing calves to transition and thrive on grass much faster.

"It also leads to health and production benefits.

"That means cost savings for the farmer, but just as importantly, it leads to better long-term results, especially in pasture-based systems, while calves will also better utilise other solid feeds.

"We all acknowledge that calving season is a busy time of year, but effort made in the early stages will pay dividends in the long term."

Mr Bell said fibre also improved rumen motility and provided essential nutrition for sustained growth, but he stressed calves need good-quality fibre.

The likes of hay, straw and silage provide little nutritional value, instead taking up valuable space for energy and protein-rich feeds.

"High-quality fibre like Fiber Fresh FiberStart has been designed to be consumed alongside other traditional meal products while providing essential nutritional value for animal growth and also helps to establish the correct microflora population needed for rumen and gut development."

Fiber Fresh feeds are research-based and are a culmination of 25 years of trials to develop the advanced processes that result in its fibre products.