FAQ: New NT Milk Replacer Regulations

Posted on November 2, 2012 in Starting Strong - Calf Care
Are you still in the process of learning how the NT milk replacer changes affect your operation?  Check out our answers to these frequently asked questions. Consult your local Vita Plus representative or dealer for help in determining the most desirable approach for dealing with the changes.

What are the major changes to the regulations for NT medicated calf milk replacers?  

Previous regulations

  • 2:1 ratio of NT: 400 g/ton neomycin and 200 g/ton oxytetracycline
  • Use level: mg/gallon of reconstituted milk replacer
  • Indications for use: To aid in the prevention or treatment of bacterial enteritis (scours); may be fed continuously.

New regulations

  • 1:1 ratio of NT: 1600 g/ton neomycin and 1600 g/ton oxytetracycline
  • Use level: mg/lb of body weight. Approved rate is 10 mg/lb of body weight
  • Indications for use: For treatment of bacterial enteritis caused by E. coli and bacterial pneumonia (shipping fever complex) caused by P. multocida; treatment and control of colibacillosis (bacterial enteritis) caused by E. coli susceptible to neomycin; can be fed for 7 to 14 continuous days.

What is the feeding rate for the new NT 1:1 calf milk replacers?

Feed 1.25 pounds of the NT 1:1 milk replacer powder per day to provide 10 mg of neomycin and 10 mg of oxytetracycline per pound of body weight to a 100-pound calf. Feed continuously for 7 to 14 days in place of normal milk replacer.

How can the new NT 1:1 calf milk replacers be fed on-farm?

Feeding NT 1:1 milk replacer will require the calf raiser to inventory two milk replacers: the NT 1:1 product to be fed continuously for 7 to 14 days for treatment and control of scours and a non-medicated milk replacer or one containing a medication for coccidiosis control (e.g., decoquinate or lasalocid) for use at all other times outside of the NT 1:1 feeding period.

Is NT 1:1 available as an add pack?  

Yes. The new add pack has an NT 1:1 concentration of 8 g per pound of each medication and is designed to be mixed with a non-medicated milk replacer or pasteurized milk. Feed 1 ounce per 100 pounds of body weight twice daily in reconstituted milk replacer or pasteurized milk for 7 to 14 continuous days to provide 10 mg of each drug per pound of body weight. This option does not require the inventory of two milk replacers on-farm and may allow for greater flexibility in mixing and medicating in some cases.

Are there other options available besides NT 1:1?  

Due to the fact that the new therapeutic level of NT can only be fed continuously for 7 to 14 days, calf raisers must develop options for maintaining an adequate level of calf health. Adequate passive transfer of immunity with good colostrum management and decreasing exposure to pathogenic organisms are essential for disease prevention.  Likewise, maintaining adequate protein and energy intake during the first three weeks of life is an area of opportunity on many farms in order to make sure the calf has enough nutrients available for mounting a proper immune response.

A number of non-medicated feed additives such as spray-dried animal serum and plasma, prebiotics (such as mannan oligosaccharides or fructooligosaccharides), direct-fed microbials, essential oils, key vitamins and minerals, and others may be effective at reducing the incidence and severity of scours.

Category: Animal health
Starting Strong - Calf Care