The Feed Tray invention was for a single reason. Its sole purpose is to increase the opportunity for young calves to eat grain sooner in life.
Most calves do not consume grain until at least 5-7 days after birth. The rumen is not fully developed until 30 days after the calf begins consuming dry matter grain.
The sooner the calf can consume grain, the sooner the calf is sustainable, saving you money. There are less problems for calf sustainability this way. That is because it decreases the need for scours, respiratory and other treatments. Less problems with calves mean less death loss and an increase to your bottom line. That is why CEO and Inventor, Roper Belew, created The Feed Tray.
It is critical that the calf consumes dry grain for proper rumen development. New born calves typically do not stick the heads down inside the bucket above their eyes. The Feed Tray allows the grain to be higher in the bucket and visible. Curiosity then takes over.
The calf can now see, smell, lick and consume the grain. If calves begin grain consumption early, the rumen will begin developing sooner. This allows for better weaning and earlier breeding.
Why Choose The Feed Tray?
The Feed Tray is a small, round dish, approximately 2.5 quarts in volume. The Feed Tray sits inside a regular 8-quart feed bucket. The purpose of The Feed Tray is to feed dairy calves and other small to medium-sized animals. The material its made with is a high density polyethylene. This means it is durable and long-lasting.
Dairies can use The Feed Tray as early as the day they are born. It is so beneficial to dairy operations. This is because it allows for less grain loss. That includes putting too much grain out, weather conditions, etc. so feed is not wasted. The Feed Tray allows for better feed control. It also makes it easier to analyze calf dry matter consumption.
The Feed Tray is for any animal that eats grain from a bucket. This includes calves, goats, sheep, etc. It is perfect for young livestock. The Feed Tray is also great as a tool to train calves to bucket feed milk.
The main goal of The Feed Tray is to increase grain consumption quicker. This saves dairy producers money in a multitude of ways. These include vet visits, death loss and an increase average daily gains.
The Feed Tray is designed to provide the following results:
- Intake of dry matter earlier in the life of a calf
- Higher intake of dry matter than with a regular 8-quart feed bucket
- Earlier rumen development
- Quicker sustainability. Calves are less dependent on milk/milk replacer
- Increase in average daily weight gain (ADG) – 15%-17% daily
- Decrease in grain loss because of outside elements like weather, etc.
- Decrease in treatment costs because the calves are healthier. Saving on vet bills, antibiotics, etc.
- Decrease in death and loss of cattle
- Increase to your bottom line – Less milk replacement means more money.