Water – An Essential Nutrient

Calf Water

Water accounts for 70–75 per cent of a calf’s body weight and calves will perform best with fresh drinking water available to them from birth. Why is water important for calves? Water is fundamentally important to rumen development and optimal growth of young calves. It is required to support the rumen microbial population and promote […]

Managing the Transition to Solid Feed

At birth, the rumen is small, undeveloped and does not contribute to digestion. The rumen needs to develop before it can digest forages. The intake of concentrate and water are the most important factors for rumen development. Rumen development If stimulated early on, a calf’s rumen can start to function from as early as five […]