Nutrition
Veal farmers are dedicated to ensuring that calves receive a nutrient-rich diet designed to promote optimum growth and good health.
Farmers use nutrition practices established by animal scientists, veterinarians and the Animal Health Committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). These practices consider a calf’s special nutritional needs, behavior and the propensity for young calves to develop disease.
A Balanced Diet
Veal calves receive special milk replacement formulas designed to provide all of the 40 essential nutrients they need, including important amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins.
According to experts, it is natural for young calves to consume only a liquid diet because their digestive systems need to mature before they can handle solid food. Veal calves are given sufficient iron to meet their requirements for normal health and behavior. Farmers are careful to provide sufficient iron to their calves, recognizing that an early clinical symptom of anemia is poor appetite.
Signs of Success
The best evidence that veal calves are healthy is the excellent growth rate and very low mortality of special-fed veal calves. The typical veal calf gains an average of 2.5 pounds or more per day. Further, based upon a report issued by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, the calf mortality rate on veal farms is one of the lowest in animal agriculture.
For more information about calf nutrition, download this guide to the Care and Feeding of Veal Calves.