Only 1 chance for a good start!
The first few weeks of a calf’s life are crucial for its future. With a LifeStart calf rearing program with a higher plane of nutrition during this critical period, dairy calves will not only grow better, resulting in earlier breeding, they will also produce more milk with a reduced risk of culling during 1st and 2nd lactation.
Dairy farming can be made more sustainable by producing more milk with less animals. Particularly the number of young-stock per lactating cow should go down. By utilising the full potential of each dairy cow, a farm can maximise the average lifetime daily production of the animal. The aim of each farm should be to:
Benefit from the main 5 deliverables of a LifeStart programme and make your calf rearing objectives become a reality
A higher average daily weight gain
Improved udder development
A younger age at first breeding
Higher milk production
A lower culling rate during first and second lactation
Go for optimal performance
with a LifeStart feeding programme
The importance of a LifeStart feeding schedule is clear, but what exactly is required to achieve a LifeStart performance? A LifeStart feeding schedule consist of a number of elements addressing the challenges in different life stages in which calves will evolve to become highly productive dairy cows.
Check out each step in which you can influence and optimise the development of your calf.
A LifeStart programme will result in a higher average daily gain during the pre-weaning phase
The quality of early life nutrition has a strong influence on gene expression, which in term is an important factor influencing maximum growth and future production potential of dairy calves. LifeStart feeding schedules for calves can result in an increase of average daily gain of up to 300 g/day [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
A LifeStart group was fed 8 litres per day compared to 4 litres per day for a control group. Both groups were fed at a concentration of 150 g/l.
Calves in the LifeStart group had a higher bodyweight from day 7 onwards.
A LifeStart programme can double the amount of udder tissue
The development of udder tissue at a young age is essential for optimal milk production of a cow later in life. Several studies [14,15,16]., including the TN Kempenshof trial[17] resulted in compelling evidence that growth in the first eight weeks of life is a key factor in the optimal development of udder parenchyma that forms the milk producing glands.
A LifeStart programme will result in an
earlier age at first calving
| Controls | LifeStart | ||||||
| First insemination | 399 days | 393 days | |||||
| Age at conception | 424 days | 408 days | |||||
| Age at first calving | 699 days | 684 days | |||||
Fertility in heifers on a LifeStart feeding schedule compared to heifers reared on a restricted feeding schedule.
Several authors have shown that calves on LifeStart feeding schedules reach puberty at an earlier age and can be inseminated earlier [6,10,12,13].
Calves in the LifeStart were inseminated earlier and calved at a younger age.
A LifeStart programme will result in
a higher milk production
There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that increased levels of nutrition in dairy calves during the pre-weaning phase lead to an increase of future performance. A LifeStart programme will result in an additional milk production during the first lactation of at least 300 litres.[1,2,,4,5,6,7,8,9,10], but often much more [18].
Holstein dairy heifers in the LifeStart group produced 400 litres extra fat and protein corrected milk compared to the controls.
Graph: Fat and protein corrected milk yield in kg/day in LifeStart heifers compared to controls on a restricted feeding schedule.
A LifeStart programme will reduce the culling rate
Culling rates in LifeStart heifers compared to controls reared on a restricted feeding schedule.
A LifeStart feeding schedule can potentially reduce the culling rate in first and second lactation dramatically{2,10].
During the TN Kempenshof trial, there was no significant difference in the number of heifers calving for the 1st time. Once milk production started however, there was a significant difference in culling rate with more LifeStart cows completing their 2nd lactation.
Reaching 1st calving P=0.36 (93% vs 88%)
Completing 1st lactation P=0.07 (77% vs 64%)
Completing 2nd lactation P=0.05 (56% vs 39%)
LifeStart research has shown that a LifeStart feeding schedule for dairy calves with elevated planes of nutrition during the first weeks of life has a big impact on future growth and organ development of a dairy calf. This will result in a better performance later in life.
Download the LifeStart brochure for all scientific insights.
You can access all of our documentation such as the science behind Sprayfo and LifeStart research documents, Sprayfo technical bulletins about various calf diseases and technical product data sheets or feeding schedules.
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LifeStart research has shown that a LifeStart feeding schedule for dairy calves with elevated planes of nutrition during the first weeks of life has a big impact on future growth and organ development of a dairy calf. This will result in a better performance later in life.
Download the LifeStart brochure for all scientific insights.
Download Sprayfo LifeStart - programme for calves
Download Sprayfo LifeStart - A LifeStart feeding programme for optimal performance
Sprayfo
Calf rearing
Science-based solutions for optimum dairy performance
SPRAYFO DELTA
Sprayfo Delta has been developed with whole milk as the biological reference, mixing the best of whole milk with the best of calf milk replacers (CMRs). Inspired by saleable milk, Sprayfo Delta is high in fat, ensuring calves gets a high level of energy. Combined with a perfect balance of vitamins and minerals calves will get the best possible start in life.
SPRAYFO ROYAL
With its superior quality and a milk powder content of 50% Sprayfo Royal is a front-rank LifeStart endorsed calf milk replacer in the market. Sprayfo Royal contributes to problem-free calf rearing: calves will drink it enthusiastically, show optimal health and grow maximally.
SPRAYFO EXCELLENT
Sprayfo Excellent is a LifeStart endorsed high-quality calf milk replacer for dairy farmers who place the highest demands on their calf rearing. With Sprayfo Excellent you can elevate concentrations to a high level: up to 150 grams per litre of milk.
SPRAYFO VITESSE
Sprayfo Vitesse is a LifeStart endorsed calf milk replacer for dairy farmers who place the highest demands on their calf rearing. Sprayfo Vitesse is easily digestible and very suitable to elevate concentrations up to 150 grams per litre of milk.
SPRAYFO YELLOW
A LifeStart endorsed calf milk replacer for dairy farmers who opt for a familiar and trusted formula. Your step into the professional league of calf rearing.
SPRAYFO BLUE
Sprayfo Blue provides a well-balanced blend for proper calf rearing. Sprayfo Blue is based on unique spray-dried whey-fat kernels. Following the Sprayfo feeding and mixing advice your calves will develop well in the first few months.
SPRAYFO RED
Sprayfo Red is a calf milk replacer for economical and secure calf rearing. Sprayfo Red is very easily dissolved due to the unique spray-drying production process. It can be fed as from day 10 after birth.
SPRAYFO eVITO
Coming soon! Sprayfo e-Vito is the first energised calf starter feed that is being develop by Trouw Nutrition. Two trials in Holstein dairy calves have been carried out to date. In the first trial, carried out by IRTA in Spain, it was established that mixing in 10% energised calf starter pellet into the normal calf starter gives optimal results.
SPRAYFO AVANTA
Sprayfo Avanta Calf Starter is based on research and experience resulting in a balanced formulation and when combined with Sprayfo calf milk replacers, Sprayfo Avanta is the basis for the best rumen development for calves in the first months: facilitating trouble free weaning and the best growth up to an age of 4 months.
SPRAYFO COLOSTRUM
In case of low quality or quantity colostrum on farm, an alternative to natural colostrum can be provided with Sprayfo Colostrum: a feed material perfectly suitable to be provided as a colostrum replacer or supplement for calves.
SPRAYFO HYDRAFIT
Sprayfo HydraFit is a complementary feed for ruminants that provides the needed salts and sugars in the right amounts and in the correct ratio. HydraFit uses a method with a pending patent that allows for fast intake of water and supply of electrolytes and maintain hydration status.
SPRAYFO OSMOFIT
Sprayfo OsmoFit is a dietetic complementary feed for calves, developed to stabilize the water and electrolyte balance to support physiological digestion in case of diarrhoea. This patent pending formula allows for effective recovery and correction of metabolic acidosis.
