Good Practice - Project
Effect of the unlimited colostrum feeding method on the growth and development of calves
Showcasing a practical model for farmers to optimise the growth and development of breeding calves.
General information
RDP Priority
- P2. Competitiveness
RDP Focus Area
- 2A: Farm’s performance, restructuring & modernisation
RDP Measure
- M01: Knowledge transfer & information actions
Beneficiary type
- Research institution
Summary
The applied research project addressed the pressing need to improve the growth and development of breeding calves. Focusing on how best to optimise the feeding methods with unlimited colostrum (first milk) in this context, the Latvian Rural Consultation collaborated closely with the Education Centre and JSC "Agrofirma Tērvete".
Facing challenges in technology adoption and diverse agricultural practices, the project aimed to explore and showcase a practical model for farmers. Relevant demonstrations involved the creation of two distinct breeding calf groups, meticulous colostrum quality assessment, and a comprehensive evaluation of factors influencing reproductive performance and dairy cow fertility.
The results of the project highlighted the economic implications of the feeding schemes, with a recommendation to incorporate the unlimited milk feeding method as standard practice. The dissemination of the project findings to farmers, industry specialists, and public officers contributed to inform decision-making and the potential refinement of relevant support programmes.
Results
- The demonstration project established that the adoption of the unlimited milk feeding method for calves warrants its incorporation as a routine procedure in dairy farming practices.
- A range of research findings and results showed that the fertility of dairy cows was enhanced significantly, as evidenced by a 0.9 decrease in the average number of instances of artificial insemination.
Promoter
Latvian Rural Consultation and Education Centre
Funding
- Total budget: 59 762 (EUR)
- EAFRD: 40 638 (EUR)
- National/Regional: 19 124 (EUR)
Resources
Documents
Good Practice Report - Effect of the unlimited colostrum feeding method on the growth and development of calves
(PDF – 977.65 KB)
Context
For the optimal growth and development of calves, it is imperative to prioritise meticulous monitoring, sanitation, and hygiene practices. It is noteworthy that a degree of apprehension towards technology persists among individuals, including dairy farmers, who exercise a certain caution in integrating technological solutions into their operations. Furthermore, even those who embrace technology may not fully utilise all its technical capabilities, often neglecting regular and accurate data entry. In addition, the vast array of available technologies compounds the challenge of selecting the most suitable ones. Adding to this is the requirement that adopted systems should exhibit interoperability to maximise their potential benefits.
In 2021, the dairy landscape in Latvia comprised of approximately 10 500 farms, of which a third (3 500) implemented milk monitoring procedures. Key reproduction indicators in Latvian dairy farms in 2021 included: breeding calves commenced artificial insemination at 15 months; the first lactation occurred at 26.2 months; the average service period spanned 143 days; the average frequency of artificial insemination per female animal amounted to 1.9 times; and the average solid-state period was 60 days.
In order to establish a demonstrative model that would be useful for a diverse range of dairy farmers, research information and concrete examples and results were needed on the impact of unlimited colostrum feeding. A farm (JSCo "Agrofirmas Tērvete") with a substantial livestock population was strategically chosen for further research. Importantly, this farm consistently achieved a milk yield not inferior to the national benchmarks established for milk monitoring herds.
Objectives
The primary objective of the project was to establish a comprehensive demonstration case at "Tērces," a constituent farm within the agricultural production company JSCo "Agrofirmas Tērvete".
This initiative aimed to systematically research and analyse the impact of applying the unlimited colostrum feeding method on the growth and development of calves.
The overarching goal was to furnish a practical and replicable example that could effectively inform and guide other farmers throughout Latvia.
Activities
Project activities included:
- Creating two distinct groups of breeding calves, each consisting of 40 individuals. One group was to adhere to a classic (limited) milking scheme, while the other group of demonstration calves received ad libitum (unlimited) milk during the milking period. Care was taken to ensure that uniform management conditions were established to meticulously assess and compare a range of factors. These included colostrum production, parturition ease, nutrient content, milk consumption indicators, economic efficiency in rearing, as well as productivity and milk quality indicators during the initial lactation.
- Using a BRIX refractometer to evaluate the quality of colostrum. In addition, a strategic approach was implemented to create a "milk bank" with augmented protein content in colostrum.
- Rigorously assessing the viability of new-born breeding calves before their colostrum intake, and executing comprehensive live weight control, growth, and developing assessments for breeding calves throughout the 48-month demonstration period. The research undertook two repetitions.
- Analysing the age of the first artificial insemination and assessing fertility from the first artificial insemination.
- Disseminating the results and acquired knowledge of the project to farmers, farmer organisations, researchers, and industry specialists through an annual field day and various other channels of the Latvian Rural Consultation and Education Centre, along with its partners.
- Publishing the results obtained during the demonstration to reach a wider audience.
Main results
- The demonstration project unequivocally established that the adoption of the unlimited milk feeding method for calves warrants its incorporation as a routine procedure in dairy farming practices.
- The research findings and results showed that the average age of breeding calves at the onset of artificial insemination decreased to 14 months, while the age of first calving was achieved at 24 months. A commendable 92.4% of the calves were born alive, with a 93.7% survival rate. Notably, the fertility of dairy cows was significantly enhanced, as evidenced by a 0.9 decrease in the average number of artificial insemination instances.
- These findings contribute valuable insights to the broader agricultural community, reinforcing the necessity for evidence-based practices to achieve optimised results.
- While the precise extent of practical changes in feeding schemes and agricultural practices among farmers remains unquantified, the participating farm yielded noteworthy outcomes that highlighted the importance of a number of diverse factors. These included the principles governing the management, care, and nutrition of young livestock and dairy cows, strategic vaccination schemes to mitigate infection outbreaks in the herd during spring and autumn, a reassessment of feed intake capacity for cows, and the stabilisation of urea content in milk to enhance fertility indicators.
Key lessons
- Demonstration projects play an important role in influencing economic efficiency and respective decision-making, as the data captured by the demonstration farm JSC "Agrofirma Tērvete” showed.
- The cost analysis of raising a single breeding heifer until the beginning of production revealed a nuanced economic landscape. Under the paradigm of limited milk feeding, the average cost stood at 898 EUR, whereas, with the adoption of unlimited milk feeding, the cost escalated to 1013 EUR per breeding heifer. However, based on the reported positive findings above, better results merit the higher costs.
- A comprehensive evaluation indicated that sustaining one dairy cow, inclusive of young cattle of all ages, incurred an annual energy consumption of 750 kWh.
The execution of demonstrations [projects], encompassing essential human resources within the farm, collaboration with experts, video production, result analyses, and requisite investments, demands a considerable degree of involvement and dedication. Consequently, it is imperative to broaden the dissemination of information encompassing diverse outcomes and economic metrics, knowledge acquisition, and overall significance of such demonstrations. This expanded information sharing should extend to all stakeholders, including public officers, such as managing authorities and paying agencies. By fostering a more comprehensive understanding among these entities, support programmes can be fine-tuned to better align with the evolving needs of farmers, thereby enhancing the responsiveness of the support infrastructure.