Dr Ajmal Khan has spent more than a decade researching calf rearing, investigating how early-life nutrition and management influence the health, productivity and lifetime performance of dairy animals. Anne Lee speaks with the Bioeconomy Science Institute scientist about his latest research into colostrum management, milk feeding and pre-weaning growth, and why getting those first days and weeks right can have lasting benefits for calf health, milk production, longevity and farm profitability.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Dr Ajmal Khan, Bioeconomy Science Institute

Ajmal explains why collecting calves early and feeding high-quality "gold" colostrum is critical for successful passive transfer of immunity, before sharing findings from his long-term New Zealand research that followed calves through their first four lactations as cows. Anne and Ajmal also discuss the importance of feeding adequate milk during the pre-weaning period, the impact of early growth rates on lifetime milk production, practical weaning strategies and the role of automatic calf feeders. Together they explore how small management decisions during a calf's first weeks can deliver significant gains in animal welfare, productivity, profitability and environmental outcomes.

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