NIS In Youngstock Dairy Cows Diets

Most calf rearing units are clear about the benefits of including roughage in the diet and always give the calf access to top quality straw or hay to stimulate the rumen.

NIS can be described as pre-digested straw, hence youngstock find it easier to eat than long straw. If NIS is included in the diet of calves, dry matter intakes will increase, weaning age will be reduced and daily liveweight gain will increase.

We are currently looking for calf breeders to work with so we can develop robust trials to demonstrate these results. Please contact us if you would like to become involved.

See the results of our trial rearing young calves for nine weeks on a NIS-based diet here.