Calves

• 2-3 X 10 kg bags of milk powder, per calf.

• Calf teats are available that attach to a coke bottle. Alternatively options include, purchasing a complete re-usable bottle and teat, a calf feeder that hangs on a fence or teach your calf to drink from a bucket.

• Pellets or meal (from 1 week)

• Halter and lead.

• Brush

• Drench

• Vaccine

• Cover

Your calf must be vaccinated for you to enter it in Ag Day.

 Your calf should be vaccinated with a 5-in-1 vaccine at six weeks of age and then given a booster shot at 12 weeks. This vaccine prevents Pulpy kidney disease, tetanus, black disease, malignant oedema and blackleg. Get in touch with Te Puna or Katikati vets for discounted pricing.

Drench for worms from 6-8 weeks old, unless otherwise advised by your vet. Pour-ons (down back bone - from base of neck to top of tail) are the easiest method. Other options are oral or injected. If applying pour-on, it is best to sit the calf on its tail and apply from the brisket to the groin to avoid the risk of hair loss or coat damage.

Feeding

• Decide what milk powder you are going to use and don’t change it. Mix the milk as per the instructions on the packet, be accurate and weigh the correct amount of powder.

• Feed a newly-arrived calf electrolytes only for the first 12 hours after arrival. This can help prevent stomach upsets from stress and change of milk feed (e.g. cows milk to milk powder).

• Various calf milk powders are available from farming outlet stores that will meet the needs of your calf. (PGG Wrightsons in Katikati or Farmlands in Te Puna).

• Choose a brand that contains an anti-coccidial and avoid the cheaper brands as they can potentially provide fewer nutrients, which will affect the growth of your calf. Mixing and feeding instructions are clearly written on the bag.

• Once your calf is drinking well, feed at the upper limits of the recommendation so it grows well. For best results, feed your calf twice a day until Ag Day.

• Supplement the milk with calf meal from a young age to encourage rumen development. Chaffage or hay can also be offered and ensure your calf has access to fresh, clean water every day.

• Allow it to graze on reasonably long grass everyday once it is over two weeks of age.

Amounts to Feed

This is a guide only - please check the bag of milk powder for mixing instructions and feeding amounts.

Calf Milk Body Weight Approximate Amount

At least 4 litres colostrum during the first day 30 kg 3.8 litres per day

Jersey: 2 litres 2 x per day 40 kg 4.2 litres per day

Friesian: 2-4 litres 2 x per day 50 kg 4.6 litres per day

60 kg 5.0 litres per day

Your calf must be vaccinated for you to enter it in Ag Day.

Your calf should be vaccinated with a 5-in-1 vaccine at six weeks of age and then given a booster shot at 12 weeks. This vaccine prevents Pulpy kidney disease, tetanus, black disease, malignant oedema and blackleg. Get in touch with Te Puna or Katikati vets for discounted pricing. 

Drench for worms from 6-8 weeks old, unless otherwise advised by your vet. Pour-ons (down back bone - from base of neck to top of tail) are the easiest method. Other options are oral or injected. If applying pour-on, it is best to sit the calf on its tail and apply from the brisket to the groin to avoid the risk of hair loss or coat damage.

Lice Control

Lice are a common problem. The pour-on drenches also control lice, but it is necessary to brush the lice eggs from the coat. Keep infected calves and gear away from other calves.

A good clean, dry, and draught-free environment is required for optimum health. A bed of straw is ideal. A cover, even used only at night will assist your calf’s growth as it will not be using energy to keep warm. The cover will also keep the coat shiny and clean.

•Regular feeding (twice daily for best growth)

•Wash its face to remove any milk residue

•Walk it on a halter and lead and spend time with it

•Brush it at least once a day

• Your calf MUST be tagged. Newborn animals must be tagged with the NAIT approved tag within six months of birth,or before they are moved to a location with a different NAIT number, whichever is sooner.

• You must register your calfs movement through NAIT.

• 2023 Nait number is #12860913 

Certain cattle breeds will grow horns. These can be dealt with quite easily and inexpensively when the calf is young. A vet will come to your home and de-horn your calf using a hot electric torch to burn off the horn stubs. This is humane, quick and effective.

Alternatively there are de-horning pastes available from farming outlet stores or vets that need to be applied regularly over a period of time to remove the horn bud.

• Ensure long hair under it’s tail is kept clean (no dags).

• Do not clip or shave your calf (a clipped calf is disqualified as it is an animal welfareissue).

• Brush your calf often to get a nice shiny finish on the coat and remove loose hair.

• Ensure the halter is loosened regularly or removed so it is not too tight otherwise it will wear the hair off around it’s neck.

• You should always feed the calf (Mum and Dad can assist younger children if required).

• Give your calf a treat when leading. Use the pellets or they often like bread (save the crusts and stale bread). Even a hug, pat and a few kind words help.

• Spend LOTS of time with your calf so you build a bond with it.

• Set a course up at home and walk your calf daily.

• When leading, the right hand should grip the lead, palm upwards and be 15 cm from the halter. The left hand should grip the lead, knuckles upwards. Stand beside the left shoulder of the calf at all times. Try to keep the calf moving at a reasonable pace, but you should walk at the same pace as your calf.

• Don’t forget to take it’s food and water requirements for the day.

• Wash your calf on or before Ag Day and take a bucket, brushes, an old towel to clean it if it is dirty when you arrive.

• Rearing - and condition of the calf. The DOB of the calf and breed will be taken into account in assessing growth. An under-condition or unhealthy calf will be penalised. The judge is looking for a sleek and well-groomed appearance of coat and good skin condition.

• Leading - Your calf needs to walk through the course without dragging or pushing, elbowing, slapping or using the lead to slap, releasing the grip on the lead with the right hand or jerking the halter.

• Note: We do not judge for Type.

To Practice Leading

• Your calf needs to get used to you so talk to it often even while leading. A halter and lead is required. Teach to lead before a feed, the calf must be on your right hand side, hold the lead about 10-30 cm from the halter palm facing upwards and pass the lead across your body and also in your left hand with knuckles upwards, there should be 30-40 cm of tail end hanging straight from the left hand, no coils or loops around your hand as this is very dangerous if the calf runs off, you could be dragged. Start gradually, once a day and increase as the calf becomes more willing to walk alongside.

• Tying the calf up for short periods and while grooming helps them get used to their halter. If your calf is stubborn and won’t walk, push on the calf tail top and release as soon as it starts to walk. Patience is required but if you stick at it you will get results. Ask someone to help you. Set up a practice course at home. When competing you will be marked down if you jerk the halter, slap or push the calf with your body. The halter is your steering wheel, accelerator and brake so good habits from the beginning are important.