A recent study conducted by the Clutha Agricultural Development Board on three farms in the Clutha district revealed that fresh probiotic supplements could enhance the weight gain of calves. Over 300 calves were part of this study, which is being touted as possibly the largest calf trial in New Zealand-style grassland farming internationally. According to Malcolm Deverson, the project manager, calves fed with probiotics showed varying average daily weight gains of 18 to 59 grams. The effectiveness of the probiotics varied significantly across the farms due to differences in calving procedures, meal intakes, and rearing conditions. Deverson emphasised the need for more trials to firmly establish the benefits of probiotics, suggesting they could be particularly beneficial under stress conditions such as weather changes or when transitioning calves from rearing pens to grass. The findings pave the way for further research into how probiotics can enhance calf health and growth under different farming conditions.
