Cold Weather Feeding Tips

Do you feel prepared to raise calves during the winter season? When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, a young calf’s energy requirements increase to maintain core body temperature. Here are 3 milk feeding strategies to help meet increased energy needs while maintaining performance and health:

What about calf starter? 

Offering a high-quality calf starter like Elite 18 is vital for calves to perform well and stay healthy. Calf starter consumption in the winter promotes early rumen development and helps calves generate body heat via increased energy intake and metabolic activity.

The effect of fat on starter intake

Traditional milk replacers use animal fat as the foremost source of energy. Collaborative research conducted by Hubbard Feeds and the University of Minnesota demonstrates that starter intake decreases as the amount of animal fat in the milk replacer increases, or as milk replacer volume fed increases. In cold weather, feeding a blended fat milk replacer like Beginner Plus HEF may improve calf health, starter intake, and performance.

Interested in learning more? Contact your local Hubbard representative, e-mail us at dairyteam@hubbardfeeds.com and follow our Facebook page.