Klaus Dann operates a modern dairy farm with around 250 dairy cows and his own replacement youngstock. The focus is clearly on performance and animal health, which for him begins with the calf. For calf rearing, he relies on intensive feeding with BEWI®-MILK AM 5.
In this interview, he explains why he chose a premium calf milk, what has changed since then, and what really matters in practice.
Dann Farm Data
Bad Wünnenberg (Westphalia)
Calving interval: 394 days
Insemination index: Heifers: 1.47, Cows: 1.92
Pregnancy rate: over 30%
Age at first calving: 22.8 months
Initial yield: 42 kg milk
Calf rearing:
Weeks 1–2: Paired housing
Classic nipple bucket
Weeks 3–12: 6–7 animals / pen
Milk bar with special nipples
Weaning: from week 8 to week 12
Questions for Klaus Dann:
What does your rearing strategy look like?
“We start with a clear strategy: Selection takes place right at mating – only the best third receives sexed female semen.”
What is important in the first days of life?
“Immediately after birth, we ensure optimal colostrum supply: At least four liters in the first two hours of life are mandatory. We check the quality with a refractometer – we only feed colostrum of the highest quality.”
What must a calf milk deliver so that the animals can reach their full potential?
“High weight gains during the milk phase are only possible with sufficient energy and a high protein content – this is also confirmed by the latest recommendations, which suggest at least 24 to 25% crude protein in calf milk. That is exactly why we have been using BEWI-MILK® AM 5 for about two years. The milk is rich in crude protein and helps us achieve daily weight gains of 1,050 to 1,100 g.”
The high protein content of the calf milk promotes organ development, while the low fat content (17%) encourages early concentrate intake and prevents premature satiety. Even at 1.5 kg of powder per day, digestion remains consistently stable despite the high protein content. The milk bars must have one more nipple than there are calves in the group. This ensures calmness.”
How do you manage to get through calf rearing with so few losses?
“Our losses are below 1% – and that was only because Bluetongue was an issue for us. Before that, they were even lower. One of the best decisions for me was the Mycoplasma vaccination in addition to the flu vaccination for the calves. Since then, things have been running even better.”
What role does concentrate play in your rearing concept?
“Concentrate plays a central role for us. Our local supplier adjusts the composition according to our specifications. Recently, we reduced the starch content (max. 20% corn) and added glucose – this protects the young rumen. Our first concentrate contains rumen-protected protein to specifically continue the high protein supply to the small intestine from 1.5 kg of BEWI-MILK® AM 5.”
As soon as the calves eat 1 kg of concentrate, we begin weaning: for 7 weeks they receive 1.5 kg of powder/day, then the milk is reduced by 2 liters weekly over 5 weeks. After 11–12 weeks, they are weaned and eat over 2 kg of concentrate – with stable digestion. The weight gains remain constant even after that.”
Conclusion & a Look into the Future:
With genomic selection as a foundation, high-quality feed, and a clear strategy, Klaus Dann has created the basis for a high-performing herd. BEWI®-MILK AM 5 plays a central role in the liquid feeding phase to lay the foundation for future peak performance early on.
But for him, it is clear: The genetic potential of his animals is far from exhausted.
Through continuous optimization of feeding – especially for the cows – and testing new concepts, he intends to further develop his herd.
With system, precision, and commitment, his farm impressively demonstrates how future-oriented dairy farming can work today.
Growth
BEWI®-MILK AM 5
BEWI®-MILK AM 5 is the highest-performing calf milk in the range. Developed for farms that focus on intensive rearing and want to fully exploit the genetic potential of their calves.