We confidently know from extensive published studies and current Fiber Fresh users that calves can be successfully reared on a milk and Fiber Fresh diet – comparable to a milk and meal diet. What isn’t always easy to explain is comparing the products on a DM basis. This is where the soluble by-product of the fermentation of wilted fresh forage needs to be considered:
- Plant cell contents; soluble sugars, protein, volatile fatty acids, soluble vitamins & minerals
- All highly digestible & rapidly, highly available to the animal
Benefits of 45-55% nutritional juices as part of Fiber Fresh:
- Combination of fast & slow release energy - Helps maintain good hydration, rumen liquor & pH stabilisation
- Soft, moist, conserved forage easier to eat, more palatable
- Soluble sugars give an immediate sweet taste
- Soluble protein & VFA’s immediately available to rumen microbes
- Rapid absorption of soluble vitamins & minerals
- Aroma increases palatability.
MAIN POINTS
Remember a calf will consume 1.5-2 bags of Fiber Fresh each until weaning (approximately 12 weeks) - this is comparable to a meal rearing system.
The energy and protein component of the Fiber Fresh forage is in excess of recommended levels > 11 MJME/Kg DM.
Getting calves onto the right kind of nutrient-dense natural fibre in the first week of their life, such as FiberStart® and FiberGain®, helps to take calves from being totally milk-reliant animals, to ones that can quickly thrive and develop to their full potential on pasture
