BONUS MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2025

1. RumiComplete Calf Grower (V28653) RumiComplete Calf Grower has been developed as a complete creep feed for suckling calves. It is also a complete growing ration for young calves up to weaning. Calf Grower should be supplied ad libitum in creep pens to calves. Initial intake might be low as calves learn to eat the feed, but should reach 1-1,2 kg/day at weaning. Feed conversion of calves is very good and economical, and to achieve optimal results, intake should therefore not be restricted. When creep feeding calves at a young age (2-3 months) while their intake is low and they are still suckling from the cows, there is no need for an adaptation to the feed. If this product is fed at a later stage, animals should be gradually adapted to the feed by increasing quantities for 14-21 days, while roughage is available ad libitum. 2. RumiLick Accelerator (V24940) RumiLick Accelerator is a production lick fed to growing calves on good-quality pasture to achieve maximum growth at minimal cost. This product focuses on carcass development rather than fat deposition, making it an ideal product for rearing stud animals and to use in extensive growth clubs. The product is used in creep feeding systems, and after weaning, the same product can be used for “backgrounding”. on the farm. The two products we suggest for use as creep feed are: Table 1: The effect of creep feeding in the drought Control group Creep feed group Average daily gain Weight gain of calves over 126 days Weaning weight 20 April 2015 (6 months) Additional growth with creep feed Value of additional growth Creep feed cost per calve Margin over feed cost per calve Return on investment Trials that were done by De Heus We conducted a trial to observe the effect of creep feeding during the drought. The herd was evenly split into two groups, and the groups were rotated every second week between camps to eliminate any camp effect. Both groups received RumiLick Bovine 50 (V28649) ad libitum. 1. 2016 – trial conducted in Zeerust, NW, during the 2015 drought: Control group Crop feed group 350 g/day 44,1 kg 114,1 kg (too light to wean) R0 R0 R0 R0 1 190 g/day 149,94 kg 219,94 kg 105,84 kg 105,84 kg x R19,16 = R2 029,89 R394,63 R1 633,26 R4,14: R1 As RumiLick Accelerator is a lick, the salt in the formulation will limit intake, and no adaptation period is required. Feed animals ad libitum on good-quality pasture or grazing with free access to clean water. Autumn 2025 BONUS www.agribonus.co.za 54