As young calves begin to enter backgrounding programs, it’s time to consider your management protocols for incoming calves. Upon arrival, you need to ascertain a few things about these incoming calves: where they came from, if they were properly weaned/preconditioned and how they were transported, to name a few.

Stressors — such as entering a new environment, transportation and poor management — can result in lower feed intakes. This can negatively affect weight gain and health, making it difficult to achieve growth targets at market age. While addressing these issues, it is important to address what you are feeding these calves, especially during the first few days off the truck.

“Feeding a balanced diet with adequate levels of protein and energy is key for receiving calves.” — Garrett Preedy

“Lowered feed intake is definitely one of the most challenging management problems in dealing with stressed calves,” says Garrett Preedy, technical services manager at Chr. Hansen. “When calves don’t eat regularly, rumen fermentation processes and capacity are decreased, meaning calves are not getting the most from their feed.”

Proper feeding increases the stability of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the animal. A stable GI tract is critical to overall health and performance.

“Feeding a balanced diet with adequate levels of protein and energy is key for receiving calves. Including a science-based, research-proven probiotic into the rations can further help these calves absorb the nutrients they need,” states Preedy.

He continues: “Research has proven that daily feeding of an effective probiotic improves feed efficiency and performance; produces enzymes and, as a result, [increases] fiber and starch digestibility; reduces the load of pathogenic bacteria to decrease health challenges, and helps to maintain a normal, healthy gut.”

Preedy says the resilience and versatility of the company’s newest product, Bovacillus^TM, allows its new technology to be used in a broad array of applications. The science-based and research-proven combination of heat-stable probiotic strains is available for beef cattle through all life stages.

Growing calves can certainly be one of the most challenging groups of cattle for which to design a successful nutritional program. Having a good receiving management program in place before these animals arrive will help ensure an easier transition.

Editor’s note: This article is provided by Chr. Hansen, a global bioscience company.