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Dr Mark Oliver,
Ngapouri Research Farm Laboratory
Calves are much more likely to reach their full genetic potential if they are fed good quality fibre based feeds in their first three months of life.
Research shows that positive environmental exposures like the provision of fibre at a early age will help the calf develop according to their full genetic potential.
One of New Zealand’s leading large animal growth scientists Dr Mark Oliver, says, “Even though an animal may have good genetic potential - environmental factors like nutrition, health and stress will affect how well those genetics are expressed. There is a key growth window in a calf’s first three months where nutritional and physical factors like fibre will help develop the rumen, and it is very time specific. If farmers miss the boat and don’t give the animals what they need at the right time, then the type of growth that results will be qualitatively different in terms of the rumen development, composition of that animal and their reproductive performance.”
Dr Oliver is the Research Director at the Auckland University Liggins Institute Ngapouri Research Farm Laboratory.
He explains, “If you have two calves with the same genetic potential and you give one of them fibre and the other low fibre, they would probably achieve different rumen sizes – despite having the same genetics. Giving the animals the right environmental exposures, at the right time, is very important.”
The scientific concept of phenotypic plasticity applies here and in this case, the phenotype is rumen size.
Dr Oliver is working with Fiber Fresh Feeds Ltd to help develop the science of phenotypic plasticity into a reality so that New Zealand farmers can benefit by having animals that have the potential to grow and produce better. He says the superior protein in HNF Fiber® is very important in calf growth and development.
This year Fiber Fresh has introduced a new two-stage calf development programme, designed to produce not only better calves but bigger and better replacements. The new Freshstart® calf development programme is comprised of the widely accepted FiberGain® for the older calves and a new Stage One feed FiberStart® which is fed on its’ own for the first four weeks and then mixed 50/50 with FiberGain® for the next three weeks. Stage one is especially formulated to encourage rumen development in young calves and ensure they grow and develop correctly. It contains natural easily digested HNF fiber® with 16% captured oats, providing the all-important “scratch factor” while at the same time encouraging the correct mix of micro flora bacteria.
Fiber Fresh Feeds Ltd Managing Director Michael Bell says, “We have specifically developed this unique programme that is a world first by using HNF Fiber® to produce superior animals that are genetically predisposed to increased performance and production. The Freshstart® programme is a culmination of years of experience by the company in producing specialised fibre-based calf feeds”.
The fiberstart® calf development program is about looking forward to beyond just rearing a better calf. It’s about realising the animal’s true genetic potential to grow and produce better.
Morrinsville farmer David Harris has been rearing his calves with Fiber Fresh for the past seven years as part of a focused calf management programme aimed at achieving elite growth in his heifers.
Over that time David’s empty rate has dropped down from 10% to 3%.
David says, “Getting the calves into the elite weight range is certainly helping the heifers get into calf and there’s no doubt, of course, that it is helping our production as well.”
Last year David achieved 102,000kgs milksolids from 250 cows, which is an average of 408kgs per cow and 1545kgs per hectare.
While David says the use of Fiber Fresh was one of several factors that contributed to the increased fertility, he says he knows it is important to feed calves correctly from day one to develop their rumens and says Fiber Fresh definitely does achieve that.
He says, “After using other products, I believe Fiber Fresh is an excellent product to use.”
You can find out more about the “Freshstart®” programme by contacting your nearest Fiber Fresh Area Consultant on: Tel.0800 545 545, or visiting www.fiber-fresh.com
