Emerging research from Trouw Nutrition and its LifeStart program is prompting a shift in how the dairy sector approaches calf nutrition. Scientific insights shared in the white paper “From feeding to nurturing: The evolving science around calf feeding” reveal that metabolic programming during early life can support animal health and welfare, environmental sustainability, and long-term dairy performance. Research findings reveal how calf-centric nutritional inputs can influence lifelong metabolic pathways to nurture health, resilience, and productivity.
Highlights from the white paper:
- Expanding metabolic programming insights
The latest findings build on previous LifeStart research that showed feeding milk volumes closer to a calf’s natural consumption patterns can positively influence development, reduce health issues and support higher milk production later in life. A meta-analysis of 12 studies found that for every additional kilogram of average daily gain during the pre-weaning phase, dairy heifers produced approximately 1,500 kilograms more milk in the first lactation.
Expanding on these findings, research has found that the composition of nutrients, particularly the profile of specific fatty acids, can have an outsized effect on metabolic processes that set calves up for longtime performance. Research findings show that the balance and composition of fats in cow’s milk play a crucial role in gut maturation, immune development and overall metabolic health.
- Mimicking nature to support calf nutrition
Fats are a vital energy source, influencing calves’ organ development, gut function, metabolic activity, and immune readiness. A growing body of evidence suggests that reducing lactose and raising levels of dietary fat closer to the levels found in cow’s milk may be beneficial in boosting calf health, reducing diarrhea and enhancing pre-weaning survival.
- Insights from doctoral research spur innovation
New insights on how milk composition affects physiological processes inside calves stem from the Ph.D. work of Trouw Nutrition ruminant researcher Juliette Wilms. Her research assessed the effects of low-fat formulations on calf development and metabolism, the impact of fat composition in both whole milk and CMRs, and the potential to improve calf nutrition through a closer alignment with the fatty acid profile of natural milk.
- Implications for dairy sustainability and profitability
As dairy farms face increasing pressure to improve productivity while meeting animal welfare and sustainability expectations, metabolic programming offers a promising approach. LifeStart research suggests that improved early growth can reduce the age at breeding, support earlier first calving and lower rearing costs while contributing to healthier, more resilient herds.
White paper available
The white paper “From feeding to nurturing: The evolving science around calf feeding” is available for download and provides a full summary of the supporting studies and implications for calf-rearing systems.
