ADVANCING EARLY CALF NUTRITION: The Two-Stage TRAC Calf Supplement Program

Dr Geoff Irish
4 days ago
5 min read

New formulation, developed by Dr Geoff Irish, PhD, B.Ag.Sc. (1st Class Hons), designed to optimise early calf development and set the foundation for lifelong performance.

UMMER 2026

Introduction

Feeding whole milk to calves makes sense in some dairy operations; however, whole milk does not meet all the calf’s nutritional requirements. You might say, “that doesn’t make sense!”, believing that modern cows would not exist if the milk of the ancestral cow had not been perfectly suited to her calf.

Research shows, however, that calves have requirements for trace minerals and vitamins that exceed the levels present in milk. The modern dairy cow produces milk and grows at a much higher rate than her ancestors. The addition of TRAC Calf Supplement to whole milk enables farmers to bridge the gap between what the cow produces and what the calf requires for optimal growth.

The TRAC Calf Supplement range is designed to supply vitamins and minerals that are deficient in milk, as well as functional feed additives and an anticoccidial.

And the new TRAC Calf Supplement PRO formulation has been developed to further enhance the proven TRAC Calf Supplement GOLD formulation, with a targeted focus on the critical early development phase (0-5 weeks of age) - the period most important stage for establishing gut health, immune function, and lifelong performance.

Consistent Supply of Vitamin and Minerals

The TRAC Calf Supplement range provides calves with a consistent dose of vitamins and trace minerals that are often deficient in whole milk (Table 1).

Table 1: Mineral and Vitamin Concentrations Recommended for Diets of Young Calves, Compared with Average for Fresh Whole Milk (DM basis)

Nutrient	Whole Milk *(per kg of DM)*	NASEM Recommendation 1 *(per kg of DM)*
Vitamin A (IU)	11,500	11,000
Vitamin D3 (IU)	307	3,200
Vitamin E (mg)	8	200
Thiamine B1 (mg)		6.5
Riboflavin B2 (mg)		6.5
Niacin B3 (mg)		10
Vitamin B6 (mg)		6.5
Pantothenic Acid B5 (mg)		13
Vitamin B12 (mg)		0.07
Folic Acid B9 (mg)		0.5
Biotin (mg)		0.1
Choline (mg)		1,000
Vitamin C (mg)
Vitamin K
Manganese (mg)	0.2 - 0.4	60
Zinc (mg)	15 - 38	65
Copper (mg)	0.1 - 1.1	5
Cobalt (mg)	0.004 - 0.008	NA
Iron (mg)	3	85
Iodine (mg)	0.1 - 0.2	0.8
Selenium (mg)	0.02 - 0.15	0.3
Acidifier
Probiotic
Prebiotic
Anticoccidial

(Adapted from National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2021. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press)

1. B-complex vitamins are necessary only in whole milk or milk replacer

Additives

Probiotics: A probiotic is defined as a live microorganism which, when fed in adequate amounts, confers a health benefit on the host. To be classified as probiotic, the microorganism must not only be alive when consumed but also remain viable within the gut. Probiotics enhance gut health by stimulating the development of healthy gut bacteria, preventing harmful bacteria from colonizing the gut, improving digestion and supporting gut immunity.

TRAC Calf Supplement PRO exclusively contains a blend of five strains of bacteria, live yeast and a blend of five digestive enzymes.

Prebiotics: Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that, when consumed in sufficient amounts, selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of microbes in the gut. The impact of orally administered probiotics, along with intrinsic beneficial gastrointestinal bacteria, can be further enhanced through the inclusion of prebiotics.

Using a simply analogy, if the digestive system is considered an engine, prebiotics act as the “fuel” that feeds and supports the animal’s existing microbial populations, while probiotics function as the “oil” that helps the system run smoothly and efficiently.

Common prebiotics shown to yield health benefits include yeast cell wall components such as mannan-oligosaccharides [MOS] and beta-glucans, as well as nucleotides, fructans and galactans. These compounds help limit the proliferating and colonizing of opportunistic pathogens within the intestines. Some prebiotics can also directly bind Gram-negative bacterial, including E. coli and salmonella, assisting in their removal from the gastrointestinal tract.

The prebiotic used in the TRAC Calf Supplement range is Celmanax™, which contains Refined Functional Carbohydrates (RFCs), derived by enzymatic hydrolysis of yeast, combined with yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). This provides a concentrated source of yeast culture, MOS, beta-glucans, and D-mannose within a single feed ingredient.

Celmanax™ supports calf health by:

Immune system preparation: Places the immune system in a state of readiness ahead of a challenge so animals can respond quickly.
Healthy calves: Helps reduce incidence, severity and duration of scours in calves.

Acidifiers

The TRAC Calf Supplement range contains an acidifier that is a blend of short and medium chain organic acids designed to improve gut health, enhance digestion and maintain a healthy microbial balance throughout the gastrointestinal tract.

Anticoccidial

The TRAC Calf Supplement range contains Lasalocid (Bovatec®). Lasalocid disrupts cell membrane function causing cations such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium to be transported into the coccidial cell. These cations draw water into the cell, causing the coccidia to burst and die.

Regano®

Regano® is rich in essential oils/phenols (Carvacrol and Thymol), and these natural additives act as antimicrobial agents to promote better digestion, weight gain, and reduce reliance on antibiotics.

Regano® is exclusively used in TRAC Calf Supplement PRO to enhance early life stage development including improved gut health, boost immunity, and reduce the incidence of scours.

Summary

TRAC Calf Supplement PRO provides the essential balance between whole milk and the requirements of fast-growing calves. It combines the benefits of Regano®, Bovatec®, Acidifiers, Celmanax™ and Probiotic to enhance health and immune response. TRAC Calf Supplement PRO is designed for the critical early development phase (0-5 weeks of age), where establishing gut health, immunity, and digestive function is essential. With the added inclusion of Regano® and a multi-strain probiotic blend, TRAC Calf Supplement PRO supports early microbial colonization, improved digestion, and resilience against challenges such as scours, while aiding in the control of coccidiosis. This stage lays the foundation for lifetime health and growth.

Following this, TRAC Calf Supplement GOLD is introduced as Stage 2 (6-12 weeks of age) to support continued growth and rumen development through to weaning. TRAC Calf Supplement GOLD provides a balanced supply of essential vitamins and trace minerals, along with Bovatec® and Celmanax™, to maintain health, support rumen function, and promote efficient nutrient utilisation during this key transition phase.

Together, the TRAC Calf Supplement range delivers a structured, two stage nutritional program - supporting calves from birth through to weaning, and ensuring they are given every opportunity to develop into strong, healthy and productive animals.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk with one of our TRAC Ruminant Experts on 08 8733 1888 or email us at info@totalresult.com.au.