Strong Starts: How Micro-Aid® Supports Calf Performance
Mike Rincker, Ph.D.
Vice President of Research & Technical Support, DPI GLOBAL
The first few weeks of a calf’s life can have an important influence on what comes next. During this period, calves are growing rapidly while navigating changes in nutrition, environment, and management. When challenges arise early, keeping calves growing and progressing can become increasingly difficult.
That is why establishing a strong nutritional foundation from the start matters. Providing quality nutrition is essential, but supporting calves in making effective use of that nutrition is also an important part of helping them thrive.
Research with Micro-Aid, a DPI saponin solution, provides a closer look at what that nutritional support can mean for calves, particularly those facing significant challenges early in life.
Putting Micro-Aid to the Test
DPI research evaluated Micro-Aid supplementation in 60 newborn calves at a commercial calf ranch. The calves originated from 19 different farms, providing a diverse group of calves entering a commercial calf-raising environment.
Calves were supplemented with Micro-Aid Liquid through milk replacer prior to weaning and Micro-Aid Feed Grade Concentrate through starter following weaning. Researchers monitored calf performance throughout the study to evaluate how supplementation influenced growth, intake, and feed utilization.
Supporting Calves Through a Challenging Start
These calves were considered high-risk, having experienced challenges that included poor colostrum consumption, transportation, calf ranch entry, and weaning during their early stages of life.
Total serum protein measurements further demonstrated the challenges within the group, with both treatment groups having a 90% failure of passive transfer rate.
The study provided an opportunity to evaluate Micro-Aid in calves experiencing significant early-life challenges and to better understand how nutritional support could impact their growth and performance.
Increasing Weight Gain
The results demonstrated a clear difference in body weight.
Micro-Aid Liquid 30 supplementation increased calf body weight by 10 pounds at weaning. After Micro-Aid Feed Grade Concentrate was added post-weaning, the body weight increase reached 13 pounds by the end of the study.
Improvements were also observed in overall average daily gain and feed-to-gain, further demonstrating the performance differences observed throughout the study.
Improving Economic Value
Better calf performance is important, but producers also have to consider what it costs to achieve that performance.
Calves supplemented with Micro-Aid had a cost of feed-to-gain of $4.72, compared with $5.05 for control calves. That means Micro-Aid calves achieved gain at a $0.33 lower cost.
For producers, this is an important part of the overall picture. Supporting calves in efficiently utilizing their nutrition can help make each pound of gain more economical. Combined with the improvements in body weight and growth observed in the study, the results show how Micro-Aid can help support strong calf performance while bringing economic value to the nutrition program.
Earlier Starter Intake Supports the Next Step
Growth wasn’t the only area where differences were observed.
Calves supplemented with Micro-Aid had increased starter intake, water intake, and total dry matter intake. They also took six fewer days to consume 100 grams of starter.
Starter intake becomes increasingly important as calves progress toward weaning and transition away from milk. Supporting that progression helps prepare calves for the next stage of their nutritional development.
For calves that began the study already facing substantial challenges, the combination of greater body weight, improved performance measures, and increased intake demonstrates the benefits observed with Micro-Aid supplementation.
A Nutritional Partner from the Start
Successful calf development is never the result of one factor. Colostrum, nutrition, environment, management, and consistent daily care all contribute to giving calves the opportunity to thrive.
Micro-Aid is designed to work as part of that larger nutritional program, providing producers with a nutritional tool that can be incorporated before and after weaning to support calf performance.
The results seen in these high-risk calves demonstrate what that support can look like in: greater body weight, improved feed utilization, increased intake, and earlier starter consumption.
By implementing Micro-Aid from the start, producers can discover their calves’ full potential.
About DPI
For more than 60 years, DPI has led through the research, innovation, and implementation of phytogenic solutions designed to create sustainable value in the lives of people, animals, and the environment.
With decades of experience in saponin technology, DPI develops solutions that address real-world production challenges. Products such as Micro-Aid put that expertise into practice, supporting animal health and performance through proven phytogenic technology.
For more information about DPI, contact us or visit www.dpiglobal.com
Meet the Author: Mike Rincker, Ph.D.
Vice President of Research and Technical Support, DPI GLOBAL
Mike is the Vice President of Research and Technical Support at DPI, where his efforts allow him to support the company and his colleagues across many areas, including research, quality control, technical support, and customer sales.
Away from DPI, Mike stays busy around the family farm and attending numerous kids’ sports activities.
