The introduction of starter ration or concentrates to your calves is important for their early stages of life and crucial for the development of their rumen.

Introducing roughage, in the form of hay or straw, and having access to fresh water should be coincided with the gradual feeding of coarse ration or pellets.

Concentrates in the calf's diet should not be delayed and should be introduced to the calf from around three days of age, with only a small amount given first.

It goes without saying that the calf starter on the farm should be palatable, that is, that the calf is willing to eat the ration from a young age,

The ration needs to be of high quality, so that it is highly digestible in energy and protein and contains the necessary amount of other nutrients, while still being competitively priced.

When feeding concentrates, it should be a gradual process. A handful of nuts should be offered to the calf at three days of age, which can be increased to over 1kg/day at weaning.

Offering a handful of nuts early on does not necessarily mean the calf is going to eat the nuts, but it will get them used to the smell and taste which will encourage them to eat.

Fresh nuts should be topped up every day and the older ration that was not eaten can be fed to older calves. The aim is to encourage the calf to eat the ration while not wasting the meal or overwhelming the calf.

When it comes to feeding concentrates to calves, there are generally two main options when it comes to starter ration for calves – coarse or pellets. Both options work, and both have their place depending on the system being operated.

However, research from Teagasc has shown that a calf will eat a coarse ration more willingly than pellets.

The study showed that a course ration encourages more chewing and saliva secretion and calves that are fed coarse starter mix eat more and have been shown to have higher weight gains than those that are fed pellets. 

The coarseness also benefits growth of the muscle layers in the rumen wall.

The most important thing when calves are at young age is to get them eating the ration. The coarse option is more appetising at that age. After a few weeks, pelleted starters can be gradually introduced.

When selecting a concentrate for calves, ingredients that should be included are: flaked maize; rolled barley; peas; processed soya; beet pulp; linseed flakes; molasses; and a pelleted protein balancer.

In order for concentrate feeding to work and to avoid any upsets with the calf, feeding has to be consistent and increases in feeding have to be gradual, while also ensuring there is access to water and a fibre source.