Azuluna® Veal

Azuluna® is natural milk-fed veal.  Azuluna® Veal is raised the old-fashioned European way, by a cow. Azuluna® calves nurse naturally on mother's milk.  They are free to roam on open pasture and are not given growth promoting antibiotics or hormones.

The veal has a unique flavor.  It is more robust than the white veal many people are used to, but milder than grass or grain-fed veal which is dark red and has a strong beef-like flavor.  It is light rose in color with a wonderful flavor.

Innovative agricultural management practices are used conserving farmland and its resources. We are committed to animal welfare. Our animals are free to roam and feed naturally and they are not given growth-promoting hormones or antibiotics.  

We are also working to reintroduce animal breeds that have fallen out of favor in commercial production.  Many of these breeds have distinctive qualities which deliver unique and rich flavors. Breed diversification means American consumers can have more choices in the foods they enjoy.

Veal Production Protocol for Beef Producers

Materials Needed

One beef cow with nursing calf or calves at her side. Cow must be an average or above average milk producer to supply the needs of the calf. Fenced well-drained pasture with water source. Alternatively, rotational or intensive grazing practices are also acceptable. Creep feeder for calves (optional). A creep feeder is only needed if your pasture is poor quality or the cow is not supplying enough nutrition for the calf to thrive. Crimped oats for creep feeder, approximately 100 lbs. per calf (optional, see above). Shelter from sun and inclement weather. Feed bunk for cow (if pasture is inadequate for meeting the nutritional needs of the cow for maximal milk production).Adequate balanced ration for the cow if pasture is inadequate.

Procedure

Fence off a well-drained pasture of sufficient size to provide adequate nutrition for the cow. If rotational grazing is employed, rotate pastures regularly to prevent overgrazing. The grass must provide adequate energy and protein so that the cow produces milk to her maximum capacity. We are depending on milk to make these calves into high quality veal. Provide water source, available to both cow and calves. If necessary, feed whole oats in creep feeder, approximately 1 lb./head/day. Whole grain is important, because we are advertising that calves are raised on mothers milk, grass (or hay), and whole grains. Feed balanced ration to cow, if necessary. You can raise these calves in the winter, but they must have access to pasture and you must feed the cow to maximize milk production. Provide free choice hay if pasture is not adequate. Provide shelter for calves and cow(s).

Additional calves may be grafted onto cow, if she is capable of milking enough to feed them adequately and you are willing to supplement the cow with needed grain and/or forages. Make sure any grafted calves receive adequate colostrum from their natural mothers. Bottle feed the calf exclusively until grafted onto the nurse cow. Feed only colostrum or whole milk. Do not feed milk replacer, calf grain, or prophylactic antibiotics. If calves develop milk scours, do not treat them unless they are sick. If calves or cows get sick and you must treat them, observe all labeled withdrawal periods. Monitor the cow to ensure she continues to lactate satisfactorily and remains healthy. Calves should reach market weight (350 ? 400 lbs.) in approximately 80-120 days, gaining an average of 2.5 lbs. per day. If a calf takes 5 or more months to reach market weight, it may turn into baby beef and be rejected at the packing house. When the calves reach market weight they are weaned and immediately sent to slaughter.

Veal Production Protocol for Dairy Producers

Materials Needed

One dairy cow. Cow should be projected to peak at a minimum of 70 lbs. milk production per day during the calf nursing period. Although the nurse cow can be at any stage of lactation (as long as she will make enough milk to support the calves you put on her), a fresh cow would make you the most profit. The ideal candidate would be a cow you bred and got pregnant, but later realized she was a cull candidate (3 titter, lame, low producer, kicker, etc.) you could let her calve and use her as a nurse cow. Four bull calves less than 2 weeks old. If nurse cow is projected to peak at less than 70 lbs., reduce the number of calves accordingly. Fenced well-drained pasture, predator proof, with water source. Creep feeder for calves. Crimped oats, approximately 100 lbs. per calf. Feed bunk for cow. Three sided shelter. Balanced dairy ration (TMR)

Procedure

Fence off a well-drained pasture, at least 1 acre per nurse cow/4 calves. Although the minimum unit is 1 cow/4 calves, any multiple of this unit may be used. For lower producing cows, 1-3 calves may be used depending on production. Provide water source, available to both cow and calves. Feed whole oats in creep feeder, approximately 1 lb./head/day. Whole grain is important, because we are advertising that calves are raised on mothers milk, grass (or hay), and whole grains. Feed Total Mixed Ration (TMR) to cow, formulated at the same rate as that fed to high producing cows in the dairy herd. Do not allow calves access to TMR. Provide free choice hay to calves if pasture is not adequate. Provide shelter and bedding for calves and cow(s), preferably a run-in shed to allow free access to pasture. Collect 4 bull calves, born between 1 week before and 1 week after the nurse cow gives birth. Make sure all calves receive adequate colostrum from their natural mothers. For Holstein-Fresians that would be at least one gallon on the first feeding. Bottle feed the calf exclusively until grafted onto the nurse cow. Feed only colostrum or whole milk. Do not feed milk replacer, calf grain, or prophylactic antibiotics. Graft each of the 4 calves onto the nurse cow. In most cases this will entail confining the cow's head on several occasions while the calf is allowed to nurse. Doing this process as close as possible to the time of calving will help. Repeat the process until the nurse cow fully accepts all 4 calves. Raising more than one unit simultaneously may enhance the process, as the nurse cows should share mothering duties. If calves develop milk scours, do not treat them unless they are sick. If calves or cows get sick and you must treat them, observe all labeled withdrawal periods. After the grafting process is completed, daily feeding of the nurse cows and other ordinary chores such as bedding, providing hay, and filling the creep feeder are all that are required. Monitor the cow to ensure she continues to lactate satisfactorily and remains healthy. Unless you plan on culling the cow after she raises her calves, breed her during the usual time, aiming for a 365 day calving interval. Calves should reach market weight (350 lbs.) in approximately 80-120 days, gaining an average of 2.5 lbs. per day.

Calves over 4 months of age or outside the weight range will usually not qualify. When the calves reach market weight they are weaned and immediately sent to slaughter. At that point you have 3 choices for the nurse cow. Return her to the milking herd. Attempt to graft 2 or 3 newborn calves onto her, provided she is milking adequately. You may try to graft 1 or 2 newborn calves onto her after completion of the second cycle before drying her off. If she has been a good mother, you should consider allowing her to calve and repeat the process. Cull her.

Azuluna is a registered trademark of Azuluna LLC