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What are producers saying?Breakthrough technology products in animal nutrition are rare. But when one hits the scene, there's no better way of spreading the word than by hearing from actual dairy producer users. LAND O LAKES® Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula is one of those patented, breakthrough products. Instead of us telling the story, read what satisfied customers are saying. I did side by side comparisons and if I hadn't done it myself I wouldn't have believed it. I can wean two weeks earlier than before and the size is bigger than when I weaned at 8 weeks. I would not and will not go back to any other brand of milk, this is the best. I have been battling raising calves for over 7 years and this is the best product on the market today. Please keep up the good work. Kris Doll, IA We have noticed the calves being about 50 pounds heavier at
weaning when fed Holsteins-Delbert Brammeier, IL Calves are much bigger at weaning than they used to be. We breed heifers at 13 months now compared to 15 months before Cows Match® Calf Growth Formula. Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula helps me improve my bottom line. Jerry Knebel, IL In the three weeks that I have been raising calves, they have grown twice as fast. They have a tremendous appetite for the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. Joe Luebbers, IL We did a trial for the co-op almost 2 years ago. We raised the calves up to 178 days. Over that time period the bulls were castrated and most animals were dehorned by burning at about 3-4 months. The males showed an ADG of 2.48 lbs. and the heifers 2.29 lbs. We were very happy. Also, last March we sold a 1-year-old heifer in the Iowa State Brown Swiss sale and she was 6 inches taller than another calf her same age. She sold for $2250.00--we were pleased. You couldn't get me to change back. The calves take off much faster on grain. I have to feed hay sooner than the recommendation because they are always hungry. We won't be switching back. I love the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula program. Lime Rock Swiss Farm LLC, IL Calves are aggressive eaters, especially after they are weaned to once a day at 5.5 weeks. After 6 weeks, they really take off. We have taped some of the calves and have seen gains of 2.5 to 3 lbs a day gain. We are calving our first heifers now at 23 months that started on this program. We plan on going to 22 months. They are just as big as the calves from our earlier feeding program that were 24 to 26 months. Marvin Helbig, IL We have tried other milk replacers but have come back to Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula because of the calves' appetite between feedings. Richter Brothers, IL I routinely see calves weaned 30-40 lbs heavier on the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula program vs. feeding them Maxi Care® products at the recommended rate. After feeding calves on the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula program, seeing how vigorous and healthy they are, I would hate to feed them anything else. Dave Lidy, IL The calves are much bigger at weaning time, almost as though they are about 2 months older. Barb Nelson, MN Calves are probably 15% to 20% larger at weaning. Ready to breed at 12 months. First breeding is several months sooner. Calvin Beumer, MN We have noticed that the calves gain faster and are being weaned sooner. We also did our own experiment with one calf on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula and another one on another brand. There was a 5-inch difference in height and weight gain was so much better with the animal fed Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula animal. Cheryl Tyrrell, MN First we breed a month sooner than before but the heifers are bigger when they calve. Cojo Dairy, MN Many calves are large enough at 5 weeks to be weaned but I
continue to feed Dale Katterhagen, MN The calves seem more energetic and seem to grow and gain weight faster. David Schliep, MN Calves are now weaned at 6 weeks versus the 8 weeks with 22-20. Calves are much bigger in frame size and weight as well. We are breeding heifers at an earlier age because of the size difference. Cut 3 months off AFC. Peak milk on heifers is higher now and we have many of our heifers with MEs over 27,000 and there is no BST used. The calves have a tremendous amount of body volume and width since we started using the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. My Swiss bull is the reigning two-time World Dairy Expo champion. Both years the judges' comments stated he exhibited more width all the way through and is particularly wider in his rump structure. Gene Smith, MN With registered cattle, we are more concerned with the size and dairyness. There has definitely been a considerable increase in frame. James Brown, MN One time we noticed that the calves were two weeks ahead in size compared to the old 20-20 mix. Just couldn't believe size difference at weaning age. We haven't changed our age at breeding (13) but the heifers have a much bigger frame to them. Jax Dairy, MN We had one particular heifer that was put on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula from the beginning, and she was the most aggressive eater. Not only did she drink well, but she also ate her starter faster than any other calf we have raised. She also began drinking water earlier and drank more of it. She was a monster compared to the other heifers at weaning and still is today. When we bred that heifer I was talking about in the above questions, she was taller and had a lot of gut. She was not only larger at breeding, but she still has the aggressiveness that she did when she was a calf. She was flushed and yielded five number 1 eggs and one number 2. Kevin Griffin, MN Our calves went from average to fantastic! We were breeding at 14 months. Now we breed at 12 months. Animal size is the same. Kevin Scheel, MN We have experienced a significant difference in calf weaning weight and size. When I switched from whole milk to feeding milk replacer, I started with the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula and started all calves on it. I didn't do a comparison to see how the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula calves compared to the whole milk calves because I just switched them all at once. The calves fed Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula calves are so healthy and vigorous it makes feeding them a lot of fun. I can't say enough about how strong and lively they are and they have shiny, healthy coats. I definitely am thrilled with the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula calves and would not switch back to whole milk or any other milk replacer product. The additional cost in milk replacer is made up for by the healthier calves and earlier breeding age. Korinna Rohde, MN I have seen significant differences in calf weight gains and calf size. I'm weaning calves three-fourths the time that are bigger and growthier. One of my first heifers on it has been a 2x nominated all American Holstein heifer. She was Jr. Champion at Minnesota St Fair open show 2003 and Reserve champ Minnesota State Fair open show this past year. Larcrest Holsteins c/o Jon Larson, MN We can wean up to two weeks earlier with the same size of calves. Mark Schaefer, MN 25 to 35 pounds heavier and 3 to 4 inches taller. At weaning age they take to their just water diet quicker without a lull in food intake. They just keep eating even with the change in diet! Mary Jo Lambert, MN Most of our calves are taller, average more weight and have been weaned earlier since starting them on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. Robert Irvin, MN This has been a day and night experience for us. Calves are generally 20-40 lbs heavier at weaning than on the old milk replacer. Our first heifer freshened this last week. It is about two hands taller than our past heifers. IT looks like a cow!! This milk replacer really changed our thinking on raising claves. Russ May, MN We have seen dramatic improvements in calf weaning weight, size, and age since switching to accelerated calf feeding. We also use the Intense Calf 22 Complete Feed and 38% Whole Shell Corn Mixer Pellet for older calves. People always comment about the size of our calves. At our county fair this year we had the largest junior calf, and she won first place in the open show. We also took a bull calf that was born on April 1st. He was bigger then most of the other exhibitors' early March calves. Age of breeding has improved; we are now on target for most of our heifers to freshen at 23-24 months of age instead of 25-26 months. Alan Borchers, OH Since we have been using Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula formula we have increased weaning weight by half. Allen Imwalle, OH We are weaning our calves on an average of two weeks sooner with a significant notice in weight gain. They are ready to eat grain after weaning much better than our old program. Bill and Ruth Evers, OH The calves are bigger at weaning. I especially notice a big difference in their structure, frame, and muscle. The calves seem to take off sooner and grow much faster. I am breeding the same size animal prior to using Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula, but am breeding two months sooner. Bob Homan, OH I am weaning calves at basically the same time as before but I have a bigger calf. I definitely see more muscle and I can start to see it already at 4.5-5 weeks old. I see the muscle mass and my calves look like the ones in the ads. The calves take off and keep on going. I don't see any post-weaning lag anymore. Brent Clinehens, OH We are weaning sooner and the calves are bigger and wider. They are growing faster and they look much better. The calves don't experience post-weaning lag anymore. We do a fair amount of exhibiting our cattle at shows. Our animals are bigger and how stand in the top half of the classes. Dale Langenkamp, OH Our animals are larger and better looking than before Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. It's hard to say whether they are milking better because of cows match or genetics or improvements in our dairy operation, but they are definitely milking better. Dan Eichelberger, OH The calves grow much faster and are taller and more filled out. We don't see the post-weaning lag that we were seeing before. Dave and Matt Huelskamp, OH Calves are so much bigger and they are eating more dry matter and growing a lot faster! Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula is wonderful!!! We
raise a lot of the herd for "show" purpose, and the Diane & Ted Smart, OH Have been on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula for 2.5 years. We are weaning calves one week sooner and definitely see a bigger and wider calf. The heifers are bigger at breeding so we breed 1-2 months sooner. When heifers calve in, it is very evident that there is a size difference between Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula heifers vs. non-Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula heifers. We are seeing higher peaks and there is a significant increase in production. Garrett Hellwarth, OH The calves are weaned earlier and never miss a beat. We are two weeks ahead of schedule. The calves are taller in structure and frame and stronger muscled. Jay Hein, OH We weren't weaning calves any sooner, just weaning a bigger calf. The calves are bigger, stronger, and thriftier. When we first started using Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula, we only used it on certain animals. We now use it on all heifer calves. The calves transition very well after weaning. We are breeding bigger heifers and usually calve right around 2 years. The heifers are bigger when they calve in. John & Keith Richardson, OH The calves get started faster on grain and water and we see no post-weaning lag. They don't lose weight and the transition is smoother. We are very satisfied with Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. Kevin Wilrath, OH It cut growing time in half. I wean calves by weight instead of age. Your product works very well. It's been a great cost reduction. Plus you have to look at weigh loss due to sick calves and this product is the best on the market right now. Matt Imwalle, OH On our old milk replacer, we were weaning at 12-16 weeks in order to get the size we wanted. We are now weaning about 4 weeks sooner and the calves are still taller, wider, and stronger. The calves seem satisfied and don't bawl. They definitely drink more water and we haven't seen any post-weaning lag. We see fewer problems now when transitioned from colostrums to milk replacer. Ron and Marlene Pohl, OH We always fed whole milk before because we felt the traditional milk replacers starved the calves. We started using Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula and have been hooked ever since. The feeding rate with Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula is enough to satisfy the calves. The calves have a wider and stronger frame, and we don't see the post-weaning lag we saw on whole milk. We see a bigger, healthier calf at weaning. After weaning, the calves really take off on their intakes and we can really see a taller, smoother animal. The heifers are more fully developed and larger framed at breeding. First calf heifers are calving in with a larger frame. Terry Stammen, OH Calves visually noticed an increase in size; they were more open and structurally sound. Was feeding waste milk before Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula, pleased that calves are doing better on Milk Replacer than on waste milk. Kaiser Brothers, SD The calves are taller and have more depth to them. Keith Goens, SD When the calves are weaned they are like they are from a completely different herd. Their weights and sizes have increased to the point that they pull their hutches around! Pat and Janey Cronin, SD I have noticed a good 30-35 pounds heavier in the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula calves. They are much more solid and taller by at least 4-6 inches. I have really noticed the difference when dehorning them. They are a lot stronger and heavier, and I have since been dehorning much younger as well. I have noticed a big difference in calf health. I raise calves for three different herds, two with Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula and one that wants the basic milk replacer. The calves on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula have hardly any sick days versus the regular calves which need three feedings a day in winter months and average about 5-7 sick days per calf. Calves coming off the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula program also wean easier and continue to take off with no noticeable lag time after weaning. I am really happy with the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula milk replacer. The result that I am seeing in the calves really makes it fun to raise calves. They are healthier and stronger. Now my job is growing them instead of just keeping them alive. Angie Metcalf, WI I have seen a dramatic increase in weaning weight and size. The calves carry more muscle, too. We breed at 13 months, but now with the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula we have taller animals that are more filled out. Heifers will often surprise us that they are not 13 months yet because they carry the size. Barb Waack, WI The calves are bigger at breeding age and can handle calving a lot better. We are very impressed with Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula and that is the only milk replacer we buy. Beverly Bennett, WI We were skeptical at first when we started this new product, but found it to be very worth trying, We have seen less complications that are usually noted with transporting baby calves, i.e. scours. Dealing with that can be frustrating, time consuming and costly. Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula has been great. Wayne Yauney, SD There has been a huge difference in weaning weight with the calves on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula been much taller and stocker. We used to be able to move them with one person and now it takes two people to move them to the group pens. Dambroski Bros. LLC, WI I have noticed that our Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula calves are a lot healthier and stronger than when we have been feeding them with Maxi Care® the past 15 years. We are happy with the growth and overall weaning of the calves on this milk replacer. I wish we had switched sooner. Jerome Levash, WI Calves are weighing probably about 40-50 pounds more at weaning than on our old milk replacer. Calves are a lot stronger, and better able to handle stress/weather changes. In the cold winter of 2002/2003, we had several calves which at weaning had gained very little. They were very small. We knew we needed to make a change, that's when we started with the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. Since then the calves seem to thrive even in the cold winter months. Deb Kirsch, WI We first started only feeding Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula to our show calves. They grow at a tremendous rate and were weaned earlier than with our previous milk replacers. We were so pleased with our results that we decided to change fully to the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula program for all of our calves. They are just taller and heavier when it comes time for weaning. The calves are super aggressive and eat anything you give them. They adjust to stressful situations such as dehorning and weather changes as if nothing happened. It is nice to see the energy level they exhibit when its feeding time. Our first Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula heifers are taller, long and just larger at the first breeding. It has also allowed us to decrease the age at first breeding, compared to our previous feeding program. Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula is a great product that has allowed our farm to better utilize our resources. While spending less money on drugs and feed we still have increased our overall health and rate of gain in our heifer growing operations. I encourage everyone to use the product; it just makes sense in the long run. Gable-Crest Farm, William Gabler, WI Our calves are weaned 40# heavier and 3 to 4 inches longer and taller. We are now calving in the first group of heifers and they are still taller, longer, and milking an average of 100# per day. Our children also see the difference in size in the show ring. Their heifers are big! Gary & Judy Wubbenhorst, WI I haven't taped the calves, but you can definitely tell they are bigger than they used to be because you can't see the tops of their backs when they are standing inside the hutch. Gary Edelburg, WI We now are able to breed our heifers at 12-14 months of age. They are bigger and broader and calving ease seems to be easier because of their growth. Most of our heifers give between 85-95 pounds per day. Our production has climbed considerably. We just love using this new Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula Formula. It is fun watching these calves grow. We couldn't wait until our first heifers freshen. What excitement their was seeing our milk production rise. We would recommend this product to everyone to use. Schreiber Acres LLC, WI We show registered Brown Swiss. The biggest change that I've noticed since using Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula is that our heifers place higher in the show ring. The very first calf on the program was born the end of October 2002, a poor time for a show calf to be born as she competes against calves born a month and a half earlier. This heifer was a first place fall yearling at the 2004 Wisconsin State Brown Swiss Show and Wisconsin State Fair, named Junior Champion of the show. She placed 6th (and first place Bred and Owned) at the World Dairy Expo in Madison last fall. Our spring calf placed 6th also in a large class of calves. In all the years of showing dairy cattle, we have never had animals place that high at World Dairy Expo. I would like to think that Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula (and our breeding program, of course) contributed to our success. I realize that other milk replacers are cheaper, but I am very happy with the results that we have achieved with Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. Joyce Uglow, WI We raise about 30 registered Holstein bulls a year and sell them for breeding. We began using Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula on them about 24 months ago and have noticed a dramatic increase in how quickly they reach breeding size. The calves develop a heavier frame early on, which allows them to mature faster. Twelve months ago we switched all our calves to Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. Leslie Danielson, WI WOW! I show my cattle at various shows and this is a huge advantage to feed Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. Anybody involved in the registered Holstein business that is not feeding Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula is missing out on the neonatal growth. Our veterinarian and livestock buyer could not believe the size difference. Michelle Davis, WI I do not weigh each calf. But my husband kept commenting "Why are these calves so big this year". I felt the crosses and straight Jerseys were all at increased weights since I was using Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula Jersey Blend. I have just used it for 10 months so I can not comment on this, but for the first time we sent our calves to a custom grower at about 4-6 months of age and they commented on their size and condition for their age, especially being crossed animals. Pam Wilson, WI I feed the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula to our show calves immediately following their colostrum feedings. They are on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula until they are 8 weeks old (sometimes longer, depending on how the show calf is progressing). At the time of dehorning (one month), our vet can tell the difference in calves being fed milk and Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. At the time of vaccination, he can still tell which heifer was raised on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula, as the heifer is usually healthier, thicker, and taller than their pen mates. At the time of weaning, the heifer calf is a plump 150 pounds at least. But just their overall health, size, and weight make the heifers a more desirable animal. Rhonda Wethal, WI Calf weaning weights have increased 40 pounds since using Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. Calves increased about 3 inches in height. Steve Lechleitner, WI Their hair coat is shiny and sleek. They are more aggressive and are ready to eat calf pellets and drink water a lot faster than on other milk replacers. They are bouncy and full of energy and always come running to drink. The difference in size and weaning weight has been tremendous. The calves are just about 50% larger at weaning since we started using Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. Calf health is much improved as well. We have been on Jersey Blend since it was first released in our area. We can't believe the difference it has made right from the first Jersey calf we put on it. The Jersey calves bulk up within the first 7 days they are put on it. They use to be small skinny calves that looked oh so thin. Now they have nice bellies on them and grow very fast. Their amount of energy is unbelievable. Before this we never saw the calves so spunky. Now we have Jersey calves that try to jump over the 4-foot sides of their calf pens and are so full of energy. It is great. David Meuer, WI Weaning weight and size are noticeably heavier, bigger, and taller. It took two of my kids per calf to lead them from the calf barn to the heifer barn these past two seasons that we've used Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. In the past I would just pick them up and carry them--not any more. Jerry & Amy Geisler, WI We have experienced a big difference in the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. We have showed calves for many of years now and since we stared using the product we can tell the that in the show ring that our calves are more mature and bigger then some of the other calves that we compete against. We have changed our breeding age to 14 to 15 months then rather from 17 to 18 months. Now is the first of the heifers that we started on the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula that are freshening in right now. And what we notice is they are a lot taller, and can really make some milk. The biggest win of all was at the World Dairy Expo in 2003. She was first place winter Jersey calf. I am very pleased to say that I will continue to use the product and am very happy with it. Thomas Bunkelman, WI 50-75 pound weight difference in calves; stronger calves. We have noticed since using your product that we are shipping the steers a half-month sooner. Villers Custom Farms, LLC, WI When we switched to Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula, calves appeared to be heavier at weaning than our traditional fed calves. At breeding the group is more consistent in size. Ed O'Connor, WI There is a huge difference. I can't believe it. You have to see it to believe it. My granddaughter was feeding her registered calves Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula and it took me almost a year to say, "Hey, we need all the calves on this." She doesn't put tags in her calves so I didn't know what age they were compared to the rest of the calves. But when I found out--Wow!! That was a no-brainer. George Konkel & Sons, WI Of course, results are affected by individual genetics, birth weight, and aggressive consumption habits of each calf. Combined with the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula/LOL starter, my calves show tremendous weight gain and growth the final two weeks before milk is withdrawn (6-8 weeks). The starter in the Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula program is exceptional. I can't say enough about the performance and health of my calves. The weaned calves have been extraordinary. I often see growth in a matter of a few days. Laurel Wehling, WI First breedings are one month earlier. Milk production of first lactations are 5% higher. William Brase, IL The calves can be weaned 2-3 weeks sooner and are bigger all around. The calves aren't fat, just gained more muscle, and are structurally more mature. They are definitely more aggressive. Daryl Guggenviller, OH I now have heifers big enough to breed and they are younger than the usual age. I am going to take advantage of breeding the heifers sooner. They seem to drink more water at an early age and definitely eat more starter after weaning. I think that the increased starter intake is what allows them to make a smoother transition after weaning. They don't seem to go through a post-weaning lag anymore. Doug Rhoades, OH The calves grow extremely well on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. We don't wean the calves any sooner - but see a bigger calf at weaning. Their height and width has increased and they definitely have an overall weight advantage when compared to calves not on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. The extra weight is especially a big advantage in the colder months. We are breeding at the same age as we had before Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula - but just breeding a bigger animal. We aren't seeing a post calving lag and the two-year-old milk production has really increased. Joe & Charlie Henry, OH We are weaning calves about 1-2 weeks sooner. Even though we are weaning sooner, the calves are still bigger. The bull calves currently get whole milk and the heifers just get Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. You can definitely tell the difference between the two. The Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula calves have the advantage in overall size and weight. They have more overall volume. They calves always seem hungry and energetic. The milk replacer mixes very easily and the program is easy to use. I am very satisfied with the growth of the calves and with the program. Mick Whitesel, OH We wean our calves at 7 weeks and you can tell a big difference in bone structure and body weight. Chris Doyle The greatest difference is not size of the calf at weaning as much as it is health issues that this product helped to solve and prevent. We placed all of the calves on the product at one time so we have not had the ability to compare calf size with those on another product or whole milk. Calf facility issues have not allowed us to wean at the time we would have preferred but now that we have those issues resolved and can get the calf on grain earlier, we expect to be able to measure weaning weights. Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula is a very good product. When we went to this milk replacer it was because we were feeding whole milk and needed to do something to prevent Johne's disease. This has solved that potential problem and helped with calf health. Mike Corn In my mind the calves we have raised this year on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula milk replacer grew better than the other calves with other milk replacers. The calves at weaning are bigger and healthier than usual. We used real cow milk for a number of years and liked it, but we are highly impressed by how the calves have grown on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. The calves have brighter eyes and a shinier coat than on other milk replacer. They also may be healthier on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula than on real cows milk. I like that the consistency of Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula is almost identical to real cows milk. With both Holsteins and Jerseys I like having the option of using the different breeds milk. Rachel Bachman The calves on Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula had an average daily gain of 3.2 lbs per day versus 1.4 lbs per day using standard milk replacer. I have also noticed a significant difference in body height and stature when feeding Cow's Match® Calf Growth Formula. This is "hands-down" the best milk replacement formula I have ever used. Nathan Fisher |
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