Automatic Calf Feeding in County Armagh

By Michael Garvey

John Henry and his two sons Kyle and Myles farm at Crankey approximately half way between Newry and Markethill. Both sons returned to the family farm having achieved agricultural qualifications. Kyle completed a HND at CAFRE Greenmount Campus and Myles a degree in Agricultural Technology at CAFRE Greenmount Campus and Queens University Belfast.

They farm approximately 180 hectares with the emphasis on dairying and rearing replacement heifers. Their 250 cow pedigree Crankey Herd is currently averaging 8,000 litres. The Henry’s places strong emphasis on cow longevity and herd replacement rate is currently running at 20 percent. Heifers surplus to herd requirements are sold. Holstein bull calves are sold off the farm at two weeks of age while continental bull calves are sold at eleven weeks. Continental heifers are reared for sale as forward stores.

LABOUR SAVING

The Henry’s were aware of a study of the labour requirement associated with calf care undertaken by Teagasc at Moorepark. The study concluded that automatic feeding systems reduce calf feeding time. With this in mind an automatic calf feeder was installed two years ago.

Each year the Henrys’ rear 80 Holstein heifers and 120 continental calves. An existing wagon roofed shed approx 6m x 6m was extended by a similar amount to give two large bedded pens. A small lean too was erected to house the calf feeder and permit calves to access a separate feed station from each pen. Calves are kept in one of two pens of up to 30 calves. The younger calves are kept in a separate group from those older calves approaching weaning.

CALF MANAGEMENT (WEEK 1)

New born calves are left on their mother for up to 36 hours after birth. For the remainder of their first week these calves then receive their mother’s colostrum.  At this stage the calves are fitted with a neck collar and identified on the automatic calf feeder.

CALF MANAGEMENT (2 – 11 WEEKS)

For the next ten weeks the calves are accommodated in the either of the two pens with access to the feed stations. Whey based milk powder is used and the machine reconstitutes the milk at a ratio of 120 grams powder per litre of water at 40 degrees centigrade each time a calf is identified as entering the feed station. The powder is medicated with Aurofac to facilitate the rearing of calves in a group.

Calves new to the system are restricted in the volume of milk that is dispensed in each feed. Table 1 shows the system adopted for the farm.

Calves in the first two weeks on the feeder should not drink less than 1 litre or more than 1.5 litres of milk at a feeding. This level builds up over the next six weeks to a maximum of 2.5 litres per feed in the last two weeks before weaning.

As well as there being a computer read out of calves that have not fed or not fed properly ( a sign of a sick calf  or a calf not sucking the teat ) the Henrys’ also identify all new calves entering a pen with a pink Velcro tape on their collar for their first week. This allows new calves to be readily identified and their progress monitored by one of the family. To date relatively few calves have needed to be removed from the house. Calves that do scour have their milk concentration reduced until the scour dries.  

Additionally all calves are vaccinated for Pneumonia at three weeks with a nasal spray.

CALF MANAGEMENT (APPROACHING WEANING)

The maximum daily volume of milk consumed by a calf is programmed by the feeder. To stimulate their intake of concentrates, calves approaching weaning are reduced from six litres to two litres of milk daily during their last two weeks on the feeder.

Table 2 shows the system adopted for the farm.

Concentrates, straw, water and TLC (tender loving care) are available in both pens in the calf house. At weaning the older calves are eating three kilos of an 18 percent protein concentrate daily.

After two years with automatic feeding the Henry’s experience has been positive but they are quick to point out that although the feeder does away with the manual task of milk feeding the calves still need to be managed!