Rearing Dairy Calves for Profitability in KZN The De Heus Kaliber System

The De Heus Kaliber® Plan: A Holistic Approach
The Kaliber® system is built on the principle of developing a heifer with "Kaliber®" - a term referring to the ideal proportions of height, weight, and size. This means promoting good skeletal growth without excessive fat deposition, which can negatively impact future milk production and health. The program breaks down the rearing period into four critical phases, each with specific nutritional and management goals.

Phase 1: The Start Phase (0-5 months)
This phase is about providing a solid foundation. The primary goals are to establish a healthy calf with a well-developed rumen. While still receiving milk or a high-quality milk replacer, calves are introduced to a specialized starter pellet, such as Kaliber® Starter. This encourages early solid feed intake, which is essential for stimulating rumen papillae development. The aim is to achieve safe, optimal growth during this vulnerable period.

Phase 2: The Youth Phase (5-8 months)
Often, the most overlooked stage, the youth phase, is where a calf has its most efficient growth potential. The focus shifts to maximizing growth with the right nutrition. The diet transitions to include good quality roughage supplemented with a feed like Kaliber® Junior. This ensures continued skeletal development while preventing the calf from becoming fat.
 
Phase 3: The Puberty Phase (8-14 months)
This stage is crucial for developing the heifer's body frame and preparing her for insemination. The goal is to continue skeletal growth in height and length without laying down fat. The ration should be carefully managed to prevent a high body condition score (BCS), as a fat heifer can face challenges during calving and may have reduced future milk production.

Phase 4: The Gestation Phase (14-24 months)
In this final phase, the heifer is inseminated and carries her first calf. The objective is to maintain steady growth with minimal fat deposition. A well-developed heifer will have an easier time calving, which in turn leads to a healthier calf. The Kaliber® Senior product is designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of a pregnant heifer. The success of the entire program is measured by the heifer calving down at 24 months of age, in ideal body condition.

The Economic Impact of Age at First Calving:
The age at which a heifer calves for the first time is a critical performance indicator that directly impacts the profitability of a dairy operation. While the optimal age is widely considered to be between 22 and 25 months, calving down at 24 months is a common target in pasture-based systems. Calving at an older age, such as 26 months or more, carries significant economic penalties.

Increased Rearing Costs:
The most straightforward economic impact is the prolonged rearing period. Every extra month a heifer spends on the farm without producing milk is an additional cost. This includes expenses for feed, labour and veterinary care. Rearing a heifer to 30 months instead of 24 months means six extra months of expenditure, which can be a substantial drain on a farm's finances. The De Heus Kaliber® system aims to reduce these costs by getting the heifer into the milking herd sooner, thereby providing a quicker return on investment.

Reduced Lifetime Production:
Research has consistently shown that heifers that calve later have a lower lifetime milk production. Heifers calving between 22 and 25 months have been found to produce significantly more milk over their first three lactations compared to those calving later. The Kaliber® system, with its focus on optimal growth and development, has been shown to result in heifers that produce over 1,000 kg more milk on average across their first three lactations compared to those reared on a less structured program. This increase in production is a direct result of the heifer being adequately prepared to reach her full genetic potential.

Delayed Cash Flow:
A heifer that calves at 24 months begins generating income for the farm a full six months earlier than one that calves at 30 months. This early entry into the milking herd improves the farm's asset turnover ratio and financial efficiency. The sooner a replacement heifer starts producing milk, the quicker the investment in her is recouped.

Greater Replacement Rate:
Calving older also means you need a larger number of replacement heifers at any given time to maintain herd size, which increases the overall cost of the rearing program. By getting heifers into production earlier, farms can often reduce their required replacement rates, freeing up resources for other areas of the business.

In summary, a successful calf-rearing program, like the De Heus Kaliber® system, is not just about raising healthy animals. It's a strategic economic decision that aims to maximize profitability by getting heifers to calve at an optimal age. In the pasture-based systems of KZN, where feed resources and management can be variable, a structured plan is essential for achieving the best results and ensuring a sustainable future for the farm.

If you require any additional information regarding rearing dairy calves for profitability or have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local technical advisor to ensure you are fully up to speed - www.deheus.co.za/meet-our-team