I started using Opticell in the spring of 2015 as I was looking for something for my calves to be more content and after their feed and something to make transitioning go a lot more smoothly. I must admit I had my doubts but I had nothing to loose and everything to gain, as it is a completely natural product and super affordable.

I started using Opticell after my calves had completed their colostrum feeds, so I mixed the recommended amount into a small amount of milk to make a paste and mixed measured amount into buckets for my calves and I knew they were getting the correct amount at every feed.

I started to notice that they were a lot more content after just a few days on the product and would go and lie down not long after a feed and bask in the sunlight. When I returned to do regular maintenance on the sheds after feeding everyone e.g. clean water troughs, fill meal and hay, I noticed the calves were consuming the hay a lot earlier than usual and eating a lot of it, really enjoying the meal and water, and to my delight their stools were something out of this world - they were completely solid. I was so excited as I had never experienced anything like it I duly picked some up with my shovel and ran to show my husband. Needless to say my calves gained weight effortlessly and transition to once a day and weaning were a treat. I am completely in love with this product and will continue to use it from here on in.

Thank you to Brent and the James & Son team for introducing it to me.

With thanks

Tammy Schwartz

Tammy purchases her Opticell UF through James & Son Animal Feed Suppliers

We’ve been asked what the dose rate is for Jersey calves from one of our farmer customers.

Great question!

The dose rate is 25g based on a Friesian calf, approx. 40kg.

Given jersey calves are smaller the dose rate could be reduced accordingly. Opticell is a fibre, therefore it’s not detrimental if dosed more or slightly less, so we recommend you trial it accordingly. Approx 20g for each jersey calf would work well also. But you’ll be the best judge being there to access on a day to day basis.

Opticell Plus UF is a fibre, and therefore has no withholding period/stand down period/residual issues. Therefore is safe for use in bobby calves prior to collection also.

Dairy Women’s Network – Regional Event

Last week, we attended a Dairy Women’s Network (http://www.dwn.co.nz/groups/north-island/pukekohe-regional-group/) Calf Dissection workshop. It started off with a discussion from local vets in calving, calving preparation etc etc.

We went on to dissect ‘stillborn’ calves and investigate their digestive tracts. With our constant talk about “rumen development” etc, it was great to see how it all works on the inside. It’s been a while! It was a great reminder, how intricate all the systems are, and how small the undeveloped rumen is at that stage and how things can quickly go wrong.

We discussed the effects of Nutritional Scours on the intestines, and Infectious Scours and the connection between them. We also discussed disease management and hydration control and it’s importance.

Seeing how small the digestive tract is at that stage, I was reminded how vital it is that you get everything right. That is where Opticell Plus UF (link to brochure) is helpful, in allowing the disgestive system to utilise the full potential of the milk by slowing it’s passage through the tract and allowing the milk to do what it is meant to do. Especially when feed such a big volume, in comparison to what they would consume whilst still suckling from mother.

It was a great event, with farmers and industry representatives alike attending. Thank you DWN!!

Read all about it, read all about it..

Sodium Bentonite vs Lignocellulose (ie Opticell plus UF) – Can they be compared??

Sodium Bentonite-based products are widely recommended and incorporated in calf rearing regimes throughout New Zealand.

Sodium bentonite is a high swelling/binding natural clay that is used for its ability to absorb fluid, toxins, and slow the passage of food through the gut of the calf.

Rearers also use sodium bentonite as an attractant to transition calves onto meal quicker - it is thought that the calves are particularly enticed by the sodium (salty flavour).

In some cases bentonite is included in low levels in the milk, but is more routinely offered in a separate tough (ad lib) or sprinkled over calf starter meal.

Opticell plus UF is a naturally derived Lignocellulose Product. ‘Eubiosis’ is the concept of a healthy balance of micro flora in the digestive tract, and recently developed lignocellulose products for calves help to achieve this.

Ultra Fine lignocellulose for inclusion into whole milk or Calf Milk Replacer promotes Eubiosis by supporting natural water absorption in the hind gut and mitigating the incidence of nutritional scours by aiding transitions from milk types (colostrum to vat milk, or CMR), during feeding regime changes i.e. twice daily to once daily.

Although the water holding capacity of ultra-fine lignocellulose is less than bentonite, lignocellulose is an excellent source of fermentable fibre. The prebiotic nature of lignocellulose means it feeds selective, beneficial microorganisms in the hind gut which produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Butyric acid (a VFA) plays a key role in supporting water absorption in the hind gut as well as regeneration of gut mucosa, which positively influences faecal quality and helps to mitigate nutritional scours.

Ultra Fine lignocellulose holds in suspension, enabling the rearer to guarantee it’s uptake by adding it to milk rather than relying on ad lib intakes via a trough. Lignocellulose regulates the passage of milk through the digestive tract, supports early intake of feed and improves faecal quality without a ‘bunging up’ effect.

As you can see they have very different mode of actions and outcomes…

Direct from Farm vs The Sale Yards

Every calf rearing handbook mentions knowing where the calves come from. Yes, in the ideal world. But sometimes the calves aren’t available when you want them, or not the right type etc etc

This year, we were able to source 2 lots of 10 calves from a local Autumn calving dairy farmer.

We knew they’d been feed that day, and what.You can physically inspect them for dry navels, scours, alertnessThey didn’t have far to travelThey aren’t combined with numerous other farm lotsYou are assured they are more than 4 days old

We bought the last lot of calves, from the Sale Yards……

We are lucky to have such a big selection near home available when you need them. I bought three pens, to get the 13 calves. When registered with NAIT I could see that the calves were from 5+ different farms from throughout the district, so there are 5 x the potential to introduce new pathogens and all the different management systems thrown together.

When we bought the calves home, we fed them electrolytes. I have always done this in previous years too, and ironically the calves from the farm where NOT interested it at all. Where as the calves from the sale all knocked back 2 litres each within seconds. Which said a lot for their state of hydration. Hydration is essential to the calves in the early days and dehydration is a precursor everything heading south heath wise. The electrolytes are the first drink they have, then in the morning I introduce the first milk feed.

Unfortunately we also bought home a pathogen from the sale, probably rotavirus! That is another blog.

NB: Opticell makes no claim against pathogens, but the physical binding nature and physical effect on faeces went a long way in their recovery and lessening the potential impact I think.

We’ve got three lots of calves. Lot 1 are 6 weeks old this week, and are going to be weaned from milk, they are eating good amounts of pellets, grass and hay. These guys have had the best start! Lot 2 will be weaned next week, and Lot 3 in about 4 weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing how the progression onto grass goes and how the growth rates are.

We have been asked this by a farmer. Opticell blends very well with milk and suspends in solution (to a degree), I have found that if I make the milk and leave to sit while doing other jobs, it can start to settle out. If milk+ Opticell is prepared then not feed to the calves and left to sit, it would be recommended to stir it before pouring into the feeders. This will ensure even distribution through the milk and calf herd.

Here is a picture of Opticell Plus UF. As you can see it’s very fine in particle size. The cut ice-cream container (when full ) is 125gm of Opticell i.e. enough for five calves @ 25gm per day.

The calf is bright and thirsty. We gave him another 2 L of electrolytes, again which he drank eagerly and followed me out of the paddock for more. I will feed him a small milk feed, at midday. It’s a good sign that he is bright and eager to drink…. It’s all positive stuff.

Based on previous years, one calf with scours from 20 is still very impressive…..

I think it’s the combination between good farm practices of the calves in the early days, great milk powder quality and of course Opticell Plus UF.

Upon my daily inspections, I noticed one of the calves was scouring…. Presumably only Nutritional Scours after the change from twice day feeding to once a day feeding. I removed him from the pen with the others. I gave him 2 L of prepared electrolyte (which he drank rapidly), I mixed 25g of Opticell in with this electrolyte mix also. Will reassess in the morning.

We had a very wet and stormy weekend, the calves are a little muddy, but warm and dry. They are happy and still no scours. They are visibly content even when being fed once a day at night. Meal intake as increased significantly, upon observation they are either sitting chewing their cud, or up eating hay or meal (which makes me happy no end). We’ve put out another meal container to avoid competition and allow calves equal access to meal on demand.

Their second 4L milk feed is today. There appears to be no change in the ‘motions’ no scours, or loose faeces! Amazing.

My apologies for the picture, but calf rearers will understand!

Today is the day that our calves (3 weeks old & 2 weeks old) go onto once a day feeding.

They were on 2 x 2L each a day. Common practice is to do this at 2 weeks old. But as the two pens vary in age by 1 week, we waited until the younger calves were 2 weeks old.

The morning feed is when they will receive their daily milk ration from now on….

Fingers crossed for no scours during the day with this large diet transition!!

Feeding as normal. Nothing notable to report apart from no scours, wet tails, or smell. Which in its self IS really quite NOTABLE.

We spent a good 45 mins observing the calves mid-afternoon (i.e. 8 hours after their morning feed), they were content and resting in the warm sun. Intermittently they were getting up and eating meal and hay.

Their consumption of hay at such an early stage was a massive surprise for us. In previous (non Opticell plus UF years) I’d always routinely offered meal and hay to calves from day one, but always felt I was doing more for the local bird population than anything. Given my awareness of Rumen development, I never wanted to lose a day that they could be eating meal….

Over that 45 min observation period all the calves got up, nibbled at and played with the hay, licked and nibbled at the meal. Then went to the trough to drink fresh water, and sit down.

click to read more about Opticell