Good-quality colostrum is essential for newborn calves. Yet, in practice, fresh colostrum is still too often left at ambient temperature. This may seem convenient, but it can significantly reduce the quality of the colostrum. Due to its rich nutrient composition, colostrum provides an ideal environment for bacterial growth. If colostrum is stored incorrectly, bacteria can multiply rapidly and the plate count will rise quickly. This leads to reduced immunoglobulin absorption, bacteria entering the bloodstream, and decreased palatability.

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting an international training week focused on calf rearing. A group of 12 participants from different countries joined us for an intensive and inspiring program.

Throughout the week, we combined theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Participants attended a series of presentations and interactive workshops, covering key aspects of calf management and the effective use of calf milk replacers. Special attention was given to innovative nutritional concepts, including Novilac TurboStart, designed to support optimal calf development from the very…

On our farm, we’ve learned that the first days of a calf’s life make a world of difference later on.

Colostrum and transition milk, the key to good growth and performance of calves

Eurolat is a spray drying facility specializing in the production of powdered products, primarily from dairy raw materials and vegetable fats. Dairy products and oils are processed, homogenized, and dried using four spray towers, resulting in long-lasting powdered products.

Schils is excited to participate in EuroTier and unveil our latest innovation in calf health—the DuoPrep⁺ concept. DuoPrep⁺ is an innovative new concept for calf milk replacers (CMR), developed using Schils’ unique Co-spray technique at Eurolat GmbH.

Schils is thrilled to launch our new Eurolac range, Eurolac iO at EuroTier 2024. This innovative line in calf milk replacers (CMR) features a unique, sustainable fat composition with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), particularly lauric acid. Known as a rapid energy source, lauric acid offers numerous health benefits, including positive effects on intestinal villi, antimicrobial properties, and immune support. These health advantages can ultimately reduce the need for antimicrobial products in calves.

During winter, maintaining the growth and health of young calves is a significant challenge.

Jersey calves have a higher maintenance energy requirement compared to other cattle breeds. For efficient growth and optimal health, they need a higher fat and protein content in their milk feeding. To match the natural ratio of fat and protein in Jersey milk (5-6% fat and 3.8-4.2% protein), the concentration of calf milk replacer is often increased to 150 to 200 grams per liter of milk.

Heat stress in calves occurs when they are unable to maintain their body temperature within normal ranges, leading to various physiological challenges. Symptoms include increased sweating, reduced feed intake, accelerated shallow breathing, apathetic behavior, and an increased risk of dehydration. These factors directly impact the calf's growth and development, potentially delaying their maturity and affecting future milk production.