Calves need to be moved from only drinking milk, to milk and solid feeds, and then through to solid feed only. This is when calves move through to becoming a fully functioning ruminant. To do this, Nadine Huitema, Technical Specialist, explains that we need to reduce milk quantity back down to 10% (about 4 litres), which drives the calves to increase their consumption of meal. Once they are eating between 1-2 kg of meal consistently for 3 days, those calves should have a functioning rumen, and are able to be weaned off milk.