Example of differences in early growth between calves fed on a conventional limit-feeding program (milk replacer powder fed at 1.25% of birth BW; calves weaned at 35 days) or on an accelerated (intensified) program where milk replacer was fed at 2% of birth BW for wk 1, then 2.5% of BW at wk 2 during wk 2-5. Weaning can occur at 6 to 8 weeks after birth with adequate starter intake. What is the typical timetable of calves on accelerated calf program? Accelerated Milk Replacer Helps Calves ... accelerated milk replacer while another group was fed a traditional replacer. Published May 2020. Perhaps the greatest selling point for accelerated Water must be available at all times. ... eat more grain after weaning when … These markets pay premiums for this consistent, year-round supply of young, lean quality product. In accelerated calf rearing programs, larger quantities of liquid feeds are fed during the preweaning period, and larger proportions of concentrates are fed during the growing period. At weaning, the heifers in both groups had to be consuming more than 2 pounds of grain per head per day. Weaning is later, and solid feed consumption is delayed (relative to traditional programs). feeding period for opportunities to wean earlier and transition to a high-quality starter grain (see DIB# 9-20). Calves fed the accelerated program weaned earlier, had improved health and fertility, and produced 1,000 lb more milk in their first lactation. The heifers on the accelerated program were weaned at 6 weeks old, and the traditional program were weaned at 8 weeks old. After weaning, forage is not offered until heifers are >3 mo old. Figure 1. This was not a problem for either group, as all were consuming grain as they should. In the two-year study on a pasture-based dairy, one group of calves were fed a 28.5:15 protein-fat accelerated milk replacer while another group was fed a traditional replacer. accelerated production is that the creation of a consistent, year-round supply allows a producer to build markets that would not be possible for traditional, annual, seasonal production systems. By week 12, starter intake on accelerated calves may surpass normal calf starter intake on traditional programs resulting in more calf starter in total. Weaning at 5 or 6 weeks of age should be your first consideration, and secondly consider switching from accelerated growth to traditional MR at 1.5 lb/day of MR DM.