A healthy gut microbiome is integral to calf growth, health and performance. Healthy calves make productive herds, so good gut management is essential.

Wynnstay is hosting four free events from 10-14 February, giving farmers the opportunity to learn how to elevate their calves' gut health and boost herd productivity.

Veterinary consultant Tommy Hefferan, a specialist in precision microbes, will lead the sessions, sharing practical advice on calf health from the inside out. Farmers will gain valuable insights into gut health and ways to improve their calves' performance.

Inside the gut

Intestinal villi cells are where gut interactions happen and are responsible for absorbing nutrients from digested food. Bacteria and parasites can attack the cells, reducing their absorptive capacity.

"Discomfort and imbalance in a calf's gut causes scours, the most common cause of calf death in the first 12 weeks of their life," says Tommy. "Scours upset the gut further, interrupting immune and digestive functions."

How to help?

Feeding probiotic supplements can help. "Probiotics contain live bacteria that help digestion, while postbiotics are compounds produced by these bacteria that further enhance gut function," he explains. "For example, Precision Microbes is a unique, fast acting, liquid probiotic that contains live beneficial microbes in a dormant phase in a low pH medium. Once inside the calf's stomach, these microbes activate and start working immediately, helping to improve digestive health and overall function."

Further information

As well as calf gut microbiomes, Tommy will cover the latest research behind colostrum, tips on hygiene, housing, space and calf comfort – all the basics which farmers need to be brilliant at if they are to maximise calf health and herd productivity.

Farmers are invited to attend:

Monday 10^th February at 6:30pm
Wynnstay Ruthin, LL5 1BB

Tuesday 11^th February at 11am
Twemlow's Stud, SY13 2EZ

Wednesday 12^th February at 11am
Cirencester Livestock Market, GL7 5QA

Thursday 13^th February at 6:30pm
Wynnstay Pensarn, SA31 2NG

Register to join the free events here bit.ly/3PVgEjX

Editors' notes

Wynnstay Group PLC is a major supplier of livestock feed and nutrition products, supplying both compound and blended feeds.

The Wynnstay teams are committed to offering a range of technical services, at no additional cost, to enable customers to grow and develop their businesses with performance driven results.

For more information visit: https://www.wynnstay.co.uk