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Feeding calves in drought

Agnote DAI-15, first edition, June 1999

Gary Want, Program Leader Beef Products, Orange

	Introduction		Calf feeding guidelines
	Feeding recipes		Further information
	Alternative calf rations

Warning

Drought increases the risk of unacceptable residues in stock. Risks include contaminated feed, increased intake of contaminated soil, concentration of existing residues as animals lose condition, and many other causes. Refer to Agnote DAI/23 Drought increases residue risks for details before purchasing stockfeed or making feeding decisions.

Introduction

Weaning calves early allows cows to be fed cheaper rations and will also help the cows to start cycling and get back in calf. Weaning calves from cows in poor condition, especially first calvers, will improve conditions for both animals.

Calves can be sold at weaning (as bobby calf or veal) or they can be fed.

It is preferable to wait and wean calves at 12 weeks of age, because after 12 weeks they require less protein and are easier to feed. However, calves can be weaned down to 6 weeks of age and fed to grow on. While this is not cheap, potential sale stock are retained in case it rains. The success of this early weaning and feeding option is dependent on rain occurring within 3–6 months of weaning.

Feeding recipes

Grain-based mixes

	Calf age
	6–12 wks	Over 12 wks
Calf pellets	1–2 kg	2–3 kg
4 parts grain to 1 part protein meal	1–2 kg	2–3 kg
Full grain	not recommended	2–3 kg

Notes

Calf pellets should have a minimum of 16% crude protein (CP), preferably 18% CP.
Some roughage (preferably long chopped) is required for better performance, about 10% by weight for calves 6–12 weeks.
Grain should preferably be cracked.
Oats, because of its high fibre content, is suitable for feeding without added roughage. However, protein meal will be required.

Fortified molasses mixes

Molasses is not suitable for calves 6–12 weeks old.
Calves over 12 weeks old can be fed a molasses mix such as 125 kg molasses + 50 kg protein meal + 2 kg urea (see Agnote DAI/8 Fortified molasses mixes).
Calves under 12 weeks should not be fed cottonseed meal.

Alternative calf rations

The usefulness of these will depend on feed availability and mixing equipment.

**Calf 6 weeks to 3 months**
	% by weight
Rolled grain	50
Lucerne chaff	50
or
Rolled lupins	30
Rolled oats	70

**Calf 3–5 months**
	% by weight
Rolled grain	84.5
Urea	1.5
Rolled lupins	12.0
Mineral mix	2.0

Calf feeding guidelines

The guidelines for feeding calves are:

Start feeding calves before weaning so the calves get used to eating pellets.
Feed in small yards using troughs for concentrate or pellets and allow 30 cm per head trough space.
Pasture hay or good cereal straw is adequate for roughage. It can be fed separately.
Ensure good clean water is available at all times.
Start calves onto rations slowly. Start with 1 kg/head/day and build up 0.25 kg every 2–3 days. Remove uneaten pellets each day. Calves will reject ‘stale’ pellets.
Draft calves into groups on size. Separate smaller and weaker calves to reduce bullying.
Remove any shy feeders or sick or scouring calves and treat and care for separately. Shy feeders can be encouraged to use nuts by mixing nuts and skim milk powder.
Vaccinate calves with 5-in-1 and vitamin A.
Drench 3 weeks after weaning (white drenches are adequate) and again every 6 weeks during feeding. Let calves out onto pasture when it rains and slowly reduce feed supplement.
Don’t brand, dehorn or castrate calves until they leave the yards.

Further information

For further information see Drought and livestock production, or contact your nearest NSW Agriculture Livestock Officer (Beef Cattle).

Acknowledgment

This Agnote is based on an earlier version written by Bob Dent, Former Livestock Officer (Beef Cattle).

The information contained in this web page is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (23 June 1999). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of New South Wales Department of Agriculture or the user’s independent adviser.

ISSN 1034-6848