Good digestion is a broad term in calf rearing. It is often used to describe the avoidance of diarrhoea, but there is more to it than that. Milk is digested both in the abomasum and in the intestine. Pre-digestion takes place in the abomasum using acid and enzymes (including clotting). This allows the calf to better absorb the nutrients offered at the intestinal level.
The casein protein in whole milk or milk replacer must first coagulate in the calf’s abomasum for optimal digestion. This is done under the influence of a low pH and rennet. The process is similar to cheese making. Citric acid supports this process and can therefore improve the digestibility of whole milk. By adding Vitaladd (which contains highly aromatic citric acid) to the whole milk, this coagulation is significantly accelerated, as studies have shown.
The casein protein in whole milk or milk replacer must first coagulate in the calf’s abomasum for optimal digestion. This is done under the influence of a low pH and rennet. The process is similar to cheese making. Citric acid supports this process and can therefore improve the digestibility of whole milk. By adding Vitaladd (which contains highly aromatic citric acid) to the whole milk, this coagulation is significantly accelerated, as studies have shown.
Years of development in breeding and feeding have changed the milk composition of modern dairy cows. The fat and protein content has increased and the concentration of vitamins and minerals has decreased. As a result, the composition of whole milk no longer meets the needs of the calf in today’s farming systems.
The supply of minerals and vitamins to calves is highly dependent on the transfer of these components during pregnancy via the placenta, colostrum and milk. Milk is rich in calcium, phosphorus, potassium and chlorine, but is deficient in iron, manganese, copper, cobalt and vitamins D and E. Due to the low concentration of some minerals and vitamins in whole milk, the calf is at risk of deficiency. Moderate deficiencies result in reduced growth and a reduced immune response.
Denkavit recently carried out a practical study on a large dairy farm in Germany. In the study, all calves were fed cold whole milk indefinitely after colostrum. Every day (until 14 days of age), 10 g of Vitaladd per litre of cow’s milk was added to the test group. The control group received whole milk without any additives. Curious about the results?
The calves fed with Vitaladd consumed more milk per day. The graph above shows that the calves consumed more milk per day in both week 1 and week 2; in the first 2 weeks even 0.8 litres more per day!
Calves fed Vitaladd achieve a higher daily growth rate (75g/day!) partly due to the higher milk intake per day. See diagram below, based on our farm research. The calves are more vigorous, consume more milk and grow better.
