|
Top rearing of the Belgian white-blue breed |
 The “Centre de Sélection Bovine” of the Walloon rearing association (AWE asbl) is the best known rearing station for the BBB (Blanc Bleu Belge) breed; the Belgian white-blue herdbook.
The station is situated in Ciney, Belgium. Tjeerd van den Ende, Sprayfo specialist, goes over the progress with Paul Afroid, animal tender. Especially for the pictures the calves of group 2 will be fed with Sprayfo a bit later. Therefore first a visit to the calves and only then a cup of coffee.
The calves in group 2 are three to four months of age and are fed with Sprayfo. The milk is prepared in a mobile mixer to feed the calves instantly. They are already waiting for us.
Once the milk runs in the trough they only have eyes for this.
400 ‘musclemen’
At the Ciney station 400 selected BBB herdbook bullcalves are reared from 3 days of age up to
13 months each year. The ultimate objective for breeders is to sell a selected bull on the auction. In order to act on stage here, the ‘musclemen’ have to follow an intensive programme. Selected bullcalves are picked up by AWE’s own truck. This will avoid the risk of transferring diseases. After arrival the calves are stabled in single pens or individual sheds. Space between the single pens is big, so that the one calf cannot transmit germs to the other. Sprayfo is fed by bucket to calves in single pens.
Focus on health
The whole approach of the Centre de Sélection Bovine (CSB) is focused on rearing calves as healthy as possible. That is the reason why the AWE veterinarian surgeon set up an extensive vaccination schedule. It is a successful approach: the percentage of calves with diarrhoea is below 3%!
If it appears a calf suffers from diarrhoea nevertheless, a manure analysis will be performed.
Then the calf at the centre can be treated specifically. In addition, the owner will be informed
about the infection type, in order for him to treat his calves on his farm as well.
Service on the house!
When the bullcalves are nine weeks of age and passed through all IBR tests successfully, they are transferred to group housing, where Sprayfo is fed.
The stables are spacious, clean and are provided with a straw-covered floor. Water, hay and concentrates are freely available.
First selection
The seventh month is important, because the bullcalves then need to appear before the selection committee. They will be weighed and length, height and heart girth are measured.
With these data at hand the commission will critically observe type, muscles, quality of the legs
and mouth. All information will be registered.
 During this inspection a small percentage (5 – 10%) is dropping out. The owner can take back his bull, could ask for determination of the slaughter value (for sales) or could decide to go on at his own risk.
Determination strength of growth
After the inspection the DAC phase starts in the ninth month, in which the growth strength
will be determined. The bulls are weighed twice a month.
Then the ratio in the function of body weight will be adjusted when necessary.
Final selection for the auction
In the 13th month the second and last inspection takes place. All will be measured and observed again. From all bulls the slaughter value will be determined by an assessor.
This time the committee will be extra strict; 40-45% of the bulls will not be sent off to the auction.
Slaughter value will influence the selling price at the auction. This will be the recommended selling price for the unfit animals. At the last auction the slaughter value was around € 1800 euros, while the starting price for auction bidding begins with € 2500.
It may be clear where the owner prefers to see his bull; apart from the honour.
Satisfied about the growth results
After the tour through the stables Pol and Edmond Marchand, manager of the station, sit together with Tjeerd van den Ende. They are very satisfied about the growth results of the bulls.
As a matter-of-course they deal with such valuable animals with great care. However, the approach should be practice-based. Therefore they feed Sprayfo Vitesse with 30% skim milk powder. The most common calf milk replacer for this breed; not the most luxurious product.
Also their way of feeding is very practical. All used materials are clean, but no exaggerated stuff.
The strength of the animals, the quality of the feedings and the professional level of the employees
 at the station make sure that the CSB in Ciney shows great results by working hard and by using
common sense. CSB is an ‘institute’; auctions are well-attended and the bulls bring in a good price for the breeder.
At the end of the talk, Tjeerd van den Ende asks the gentlemen what could be an improvement for Sprayfo. Messrs Marchand and Aufroid state to be very satisfied. Already for a couple of years they feed Sprayfo. They trust the solubility, stability, digestibility and good taste of Sprayfo will stay at its current high level. “And of course an even better product always is welcome!”, they add laughing.
|
