The high roughage system can reduce feed costs compared with a typical high concentrate diet. Until recently, low corn and protein supplement prices provided little stimulus for dairy producers to use high forage systems for raising young heifers. Grains are now at historically high prices, and increased forage feeding can help lower the soaring feed costs associated with raising replacments. Pasture or high quality hay can provide a signficant portion of the diet for calves between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Certain precautions and guidelines are needed to make high forage systems work.
Young calves require even more attention when grazing.
When grazing, concentrate should make up most of the diet until calves are about 3 or 4 months of age. A mix with corn or oats plus supplemental minerals is usually adequate. The digestibility of forage from a rotational grazing system is very high. Most major minerals also are sufficient in high quality pasture. One problem that sometimes occurs when young calves are grazing is scours.