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ProviLac® GOLD also contains two additives to improve body weight gain and calf health:

1. Bovatec® a broad-spectrum anticoccidial - for improved feed efficiency and increased rate of weight gain and for the control and prevention of coccidia infections frequently associated with weaning. Bovatec stimulates calf appetite to improve rumen development and solid feed intake.

2. BioPAK™ a specific blend of Bovine Direct Fed Microbials - providing live (viable), naturally occurring micro-organisms; acidifiers; and botanical extracts as an aid to digestion and to improve gut health.

TYPICAL ANALYSIS:

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS:

Dissolve the required quantity of ProviLac® GOLD powder in warm water (40°C) and stir thoroughly until dissolved. Then add the remaining water (warm or cold) and stir thoroughly to ensure a homogenous mix. The reconstituted milk can be given to the calf immediately. The required drinking temperature is 40°C (body temperature).

ProviLac® GOLD has been formulated to allow powder mixing, and feeding of reconstituted milk, at lower temperatures than those recommended above.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:

ProviLac® GOLD is a fully instantised, easy mixing milk feed designed for:

1. Rearing quality dairy heifer replacements
2. Use with automatic calf feeders
3. Use in intensive calf rearing operations
4. Situations where the risk of calf disease is generally high

MEAT WITHHOLDING PERIOD - NIL

RESTRAINTS:

ONLY FOR USE in feeds for calves.
Feed Only as Directed. Use of milk additives that contain ionophores (lasalocid or monensin) should be avoided – excessive consumption of ionophores may result in toxicity in young animals.

PRECAUTIONS:

NOT TO BE FED to dogs, horses or other equine species. Accidental consumption of lasalocid or monensin medicated feed should be avoided. May prove fatal if fed to equids.

FEEDING OTHER INFANT ANIMALS:

This milk replacer has been specifically formulated for calves but is also suitable for replacement lambs and kids on dairy sheep and dairy goat farms. Seek veterinary advice to verify use in other small ruminants.

For best results in orphan lambs, kids, crias, piglets, foals and pups, feed ProviLac® SHEPHERD as the milk replacer of choice.

CMR PROGRAMMES:

CHOICE of ProviLac® CALF FEEDING PROGRAMMES are listed below. For Alternative feeding programmes contact ProviCo Technical Services.

1. EARLY WEANING PROGRAMME:
Covers maintenance requirements with limited daily weight gain to drive rapid rumen development in beef and dairy calves.

* Abrupt Weaning can commence as early as 4-5 weeks of age when following the ProviLac Calf Rearing Programme.

A calf weaned at 5-weeks will consume approximately 20kg of ProviLac® GOLD.

12.5% Concentration for Twice Daily Feeding:
1. Measure 125g of powder (a scale is more accurate).
2. Mix thoroughly with 0.5L of warm water (40^oC).
3. Add warm water to make 1L and stir solution.
4. Feed milk at 40^oC and according to feeding schedule (above).

NB: 1kg powder added to 7L water makes 8L of milk feed (12.5%).

17% Concentration for Once Daily Feeding:
1. Measure 170g of powder (a scale is more accurate).
2-4. Follow same steps as Twice Daily Feeding.

NB: 1kg powder added to 5L water makes 6L of milk feed (17%).

Caution: Liquid Feed Concentrations exceeding 20% Dry Matter (DM) and high volume intakes may overwhelm the abomasum and induce feeding scours in younger animals.

2. OPTIMUM DAIRY HEIFER GROWTH:

Delayed weaning with high daily weight gains to achieve 100kg liveweight (Holsteins) when fully weaned at 3 months of age.

(liveweight targets refer: The InCalf Book p44-7)

- Days 4-21: 625g in 5.0L water over 2 feeds.
- Weeks 4-7: 750g in 4.0L water once daily.
- Weaning: implement gradual weaning.

3. SUPPLEMENTING SURPLUS MILK:

Moderate to high daily weight gains in dairy calves with choice of weaning method

- Days 4-14: 190g in 2.5L milk over 2 feeds.
- Weeks 3-5: 300g in 3.0L milk once daily.
- Weaning: implement gradual or abrupt weaning.

4. AUTOMATIC CALF FEEDERS:

§ For best results feed ProviLac® GOLD.
§ Select a feeding regime that supplies minimum 500g powder/day and meets targeted growth rates.
§ Calibrate machine for accurate powder dispensing.

ProviLac CALF REARING PROGRAMME:

1. Calf disease prevention starts with good hygiene and disinfection management to prevent and control the spread of infection. Thoroughly clean and disinfect pens, sheds and shelters with VirKon® S (diluted 1:100 with water) between batches. Clean and disinfect calfeterias, teats, water and feed troughs between feeds with VirKon® S (1:100 dilution). Maintain pen/shed hygiene with a weekly application of VirKon® S or NaturClean – ultra-absorbent powder.
2. Within the first 24 hours of life, larger breeds need a total of 4-5L of first colostrum; smaller breeds require 2-3L. Ideally tube-feed 4L (2L in smaller breeds) straight after birth. Otherwise, feed 2L within the first 6 hours and continue to feed 1.5-2.5L every 12 hours for the first three days of life.
3. From day-4, ensure calves receive at least 500g of ProviLac® GOLD each day. For best results, offer calves a 50-50 mix of colostrum (or transition milk) with ProviLac® GOLD for several feeds prior to complete milk replacer feeding.
4. Fortify the milk in the first weeks of life with BioCalf® Prebiotic Food (purified source of oligosaccharide nutrient) at 20g/calf/day to maintain gut health.
5. Calves should be fed warm liquid feed during the first 3 weeks of life. Once daily feeding can be introduced from 10 days of age. Liquid feed can be increased in cold weather to maintain calf health and welfare – contact ProviCo or your nutritional consultant for more information.
6. Fresh and good quality solid meal/pellets (calf feed) or muesli can be fed ad lib from day 4 of life. Quality calf feed provides essential nutrients for rapid development of the rumen wall epithelium which sets up the calf for lifetime performance.
7. Calves should be allowed access to some straw (eg. via hay feeder). Ensure the quantity of straw provided or consumed does not interfere with calf feed intake.
8. Calves must have access to fresh clean water to maintain hydration status and to stimulate calf feed intake. Calves should be allowed access to drinking water around 1.5 hours after a milk meal.
9. Good quality hay should be available to the calf when calf feed intake is at least 500g/day (individual pens) or 800g/day (group housing). Introduction of roughage at this point enables enlargement of the rumen after the rumen wall has been developed first. NB: Feeding good quality hay before target calf feed levels are reached, may lead to a decrease in calf feed intake.
10. Calves can be weaned when consumption of calf starter feed reaches 1kg/day (individual pens) or 1.5kg/day (group housing) over 3 consecutive days.
    Abrupt Weaning – reduce milk intake by 50% and feed once daily for one whole week then stop milk feeding altogether.
    Gradual Weaning - reduce daily milk intake by 0.5-1.0L for week one then reduce milk intake by another 0.5-1.0L for week two, and so on until milk feeding is finished. To avoid weight checks after weaning, ensure access to calf starter feed for at least 3 weeks.
11. Based on these recommendations the ProviLac® GOLD Calf Rearing Programme will provide each calf with ‘the start of a lifetime”.