Every calf is born with potential – but whether they thrive or struggle often comes down to what happens in the first few weeks of life.
During this time, a calf’s immune system is still developing, and its gut is highly vulnerable. Challenges like scours, inconsistent drinking or eating of meal, and inconsistent growth are often signs that calves are using energy to fight off bugs instead of growing efficiently.
That’s why early nutritional support is critical.
Well-formulated supplements aren’t just about “adding extras” they are about:
- Supporting early gut development
- Establishing a stable and healthy microbiome in the intestines
- Strengthening immunity when calves need it most
- Reducing the risk and impact of common health challenges
When you get the foundations right, you set calves up to grow faster, then they require less intervention, and perform better long-term.
DanCalf® Gold – Built for the Best Possible Start
DanCalf® Gold is a comprehensive calf supplement, designed by looking scientifically at everything a young calf needs to thrive – and delivering it in one solution.
It’s ideal for farmers wanting a complete add-in to whole milk, covering all bases of calf nutrition and health.
What it delivers:
- Stronger gut and immune development
- Improved growth consistency and efficiency
- Reduced early-life health setbacks
The science behind it:
✔ ProTernative® (live yeast probiotic)
Supports beneficial bacteria, stabilises the gut, binds pathogens and enhances immune response.
✔ YANG® (prebiotic)
Strengthens natural defences – helping reduce scours and improve resilience.
✔ Bactocell® (probiotic)
Aids digestion and improves feed hygiene.
✔ Bovatec® (coccidiostat, optional)
Provides proven protection against coccidiosis, preventing hidden growth losses.
✔ Vitamins & minerals
Ensure calves have everything required for optimal development from day one.
The result: a fully supported calf, nutritionally and immunologically, right from the start.
ProTernative® Milk – Targeted Gut Support That Delivers
ProTernative® Milk provides a precision probiotic approach, using an intestine-specific yeast to directly support the hindgut, where many health challenges begin.
On-farm benefits:
- Lower incidence and severity of scours
- Calves keep growing even when challenged
- Reduced antibiotic use
- Improved gut health and resilience
Trials show calves receiving ProTernative® not only experience fewer scouring events, but those that do scour are able to maintain growth rates similar to calves that didn’t scour.
How to use DanCalf® Gold and ProTernative® Milk on farm
A common and effective approach is to feed either DanCalf® Gold or ProTernative® Milk from day one through the first 3–4 weeks (around 30 days). They are easily mixed into milk and fed at 5g per calf per day for both products.
This helps to:
- Flood the hindgut with beneficial probiotics early
- Establish a stable microbiome from the outset
- Support calves through their highest-risk period
From there, farmers can tailor their programme depending on their system:
- Continue with ProTernative® Milk to stabilise the intestine through weaning.
- Add a rumen specific live yeast to the meal, to continue the probiotic support for rumen development and reduced weaning checks.
Why it matters
When calves don’t have to constantly fight health challenges:
- Their growth stays on track
- Labour and treatment costs are reduced
- Lifetime productivity improves
Set your calves up to thrive — from day one
The better the start, the better the outcome.
Talk to your Nutritech representative today about the right solution for your calf rearing programme.