CASE STUDY: OREGO-STIM SUPPORTS IMPROVED GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF PREWEANED CALVES

SUMMARY Profitable calf rearing relies on achieving good growth rates, efficient feed conversion and reduced input costs. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Orego-Stim Liquid (OSL) on the growth performance of Holstein cross dairy calves reared on artificial milk replacer. The addition of OSL to milk improved growth rates.

TRIAL DESIGN A commercial study was undertaken in the Southwest US during January – March 2023, to evaluate the effect of Orego-Stim Liquid (OSL) on the performance of pre-weaning Holstein cross dairy calves reared on nonmedicated calf milk replacer (CMR, 24% CP, 22% CF). A total of 5220 calves housed in individual hutches aged 2 to 70 days were split into two groups (3600 in control, 1620 in treatment). The control group were fed CMR and the OSL group were fed CMR with OSL mixed in to provide 10ml/head/day for 10 days, then 2ml/head until weaning at day 70. Calves were weighed on arrival to the calf ranch and the end of the trial.

The addition of Orego-Stim Liquid to milk for pre-weaning calves resulted in: An 21% increase in daily liveweight gain (Figure 1) An additional 20 kg of total liveweight gain throughout the study period (Figure 2) Potential for a higher throughput of calves This study demonstrated that Orego-Stim may be included in calf milk replacer on farm to support improved growth performance and overall farm profitability.