Current recommendations from the USA (NASEM, 2021) and Germany (LfL, 2021) clearly show that calves with high genetic potential require more energy and protein to realize their growth potential. Different milk feeding systems are used in practice to achieve this.
Ad Libitum
With ad libitum feeding, milk is constantly available to the calf. Studies show that calves consume significantly higher milk volumes than with restrictive feeding. While this initially sounds positive, it also brings challenges.
Higher microbial load
Continuously filled feeding buckets can increase microbial pressure and place higher demands on hygiene.
Fluctuating milk intake
Very high intakes of up to 14 liters can be followed by days with only 4 to 6 liters – even without visible signs of illness.
Not automatically higher gains
Between the 3rd and 6th week of life, ad libitum fed calves showed no higher daily gains than calves receiving approximately 10 L of milk per day.
Restrictive
With restrictive feeding, milk quantity and feeding times are clearly limited. The system is easy to control, but often does not meet the actual energy and protein requirements of high-performing calves.
Controlled-to-Satiety: The Middle Ground with Clear Advantages
More and more farms are adopting controlled-to-satiety feeding. It combines the advantages of both systems. Calves receive a physiologically appropriate milk quantity based on their voluntary intake, but without granting all-day free access to milk.
A recent study in collaboration with South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences (Department of Agricultural Economics in Soest) examined precisely this concept. A controlled-to-satiety feeding program with up to 11 liters of milk per day was compared with restrictive feeding of a maximum of 8 liters.
The result is clearly relevant to practice:
Higher energy and protein intake
Significantly higher daily gains.
Approximately 10 kg additional weight at 84 days of age.
Calmer calves with improved welfare.
In the practical implementation of controlled-to-satiety feeding, a milk bar system with restricted-flow teats was used. In direct comparison, the restricted-flow teat in the main feeding phase resulted in a significantly lower drinking speed at 4.2 minutes per liter compared to the conventional teat (1.8 minutes per liter).
The milk bar feeding system in combination with controlled-to-satiety feeding showed advantages in both calf development and animal welfare. The calves were calmer overall and showed increased salivation.
