Meat & Livestock Australia’s recent research into rumen maturity and long-term growth potential in weaner cattle has highlighted the importance of nutrition during the weaning period. The research found calves with stronger rumen development at weaning were more likely to maintain better growth performance later in life, reinforcing the value of getting nutrition right from the beginning.
Milne was pleased to see Early Weaner included in the feeding program used throughout the MLA trials. Early Weaner was developed specifically to support young cattle through the transition from milk to feed, helping encourage consistent intake while providing the nutrients needed to support growth and rumen development.
Weaning can be one of the most challenging stages in a calf’s development. Changes in diet, environment and management all place pressure on young animals, particularly in early weaning systems or during periods where pasture availability is limited. During this time, maintaining feed intake is critical to supporting growth and helping calves settle into the next stage of production.
The MLA research also reinforced the role rumen development plays in long term animal performance. A well-developed rumen allows calves to better utilise nutrients from feed, supporting more efficient growth as they move through backgrounding and beyond. Access to quality nutrition during weaning is an important part of establishing this foundation early.
Early Weaner has been formulated to provide a practical feeding solution for producers managing calves through this transition period. The ration combines quality ingredients with a highly palatable formulation designed to support intake, growth and performance during weaning.
Research like this continues to strengthen the industry’s understanding of early nutrition and its impact on long term productivity. Milne remains committed to developing practical feeding solutions that support producers across a wide range of production systems and seasonal conditions.
Holly and Jonno recently caught up with Tahree Kamman from Smoothy Cattle Co to hear what it’s all about and what she got out of the experience.
“An overarching thing was data collection, realising we can make better decisions when we do collect data, and it was very interesting to see what worked and what didn’t”.
To read the full MLA article, visit the MLA website.
