Solid feed accounts for half of a suckling calf's feed intake from three or four months of age.
While milk will still be the major driver of calf growth, it is time to start thinking about what grass can do for these calves too.
If we are managing our grass well, stock will be turning into covers of 9cm to 10cm at present.
This is ideal, but as the animals graze it down, the quality of the material they're eating will be decreasing. While this is absolutely no issue for cows, in an ideal world we should avoid forcing young stock to graze down tight.
Letting calves creep forward into upcoming paddocks will ensure that their plane of nutrition is of the utmost quality.
They will have the pick of the very best grass in the sward at all times.
There are two options, the first being cheap and cheerful.
If temporary electric fencing is used to split plots, buy a couple of tall posts and set up a raised arch to allow calves walk through.
It's important that the fence current is strong, to prevent cows from getting in too.
A simple, effective creep gate built by @joelernihan. Report by @CiaranLen to follow on https://t.co/sfnPj0KWe2 pic.twitter.com/7B8REfz51f
— Farmers Journal (@farmersjournal) July 8, 2016
Alternatively, a creep gate can be purchased (below) or even made.
Ensure that dimensions are such that calves can get through the gate easily, but cows will not be tempted to squeeze through and become stuck.