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Key Considerations for Choosing the Right Liquid Feed for Calves
Posted on November 9, 2012 in
By Dr. David Carlson, Milk Products
As the price of milk and the cost to produce milk continue to be volatile, multiple options to alter cash flow and/or profitability are considered. One commonly discussed option is implementation of a whole milk feeding program for preweaned calves. That decision should be made only after taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of feeding saleable whole milk, pasteurized waste milk, and milk replacer.
Saleable whole milk
Advantages:
- Nutrient dense (typically about 25 percent crude protein and about 30 percent fat on a dry matter basis)
- Relatively consistent source of protein and energy versus waste milk
Disadvantages:
- Almost always more expensive than milk replacer in terms of daily liquid feed cost and cost per unit of dry matter. A spreadsheet has been developed by Penn State University to compare the cost of saleable whole milk and milk replacer.
- Possible source of pathogenic bacteria for calves, either present in the milk or arising through contamination during milking, transport or storage
- Lacks beneficial additives (coccidiostat, vitamins, minerals and health-related additives) that would have to be purchased and added separately
Pasteurized waste milk
Advantages:
- Nutrient dense
- Inexpensive source of nutrients as waste milk is typically non-saleable due to antibiotic residues and would need to be disposed of in some manner
Disadvantages:
- Likely source of pathogenic bacteria for calves, either present in the milk or arising through contamination during milking, transport or storage
-
Requires proper pasteurization to reduce or eliminate risk of disease transmission to calves
- Pasteurization requires a significant equipment and infrastructure investment
- Pasteurization requires routine monitoring of effectiveness and cleanliness
- Impact of pasteurization on labor and operating costs must be evaluated
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Supply and nutrient composition of waste milk can vary considerably
- A nutritionally sound plan must be in place to deal with waste milk supply shortfalls as well as highly variable nutrient composition
- Waste milk likely contains antibiotic residues which are not altered by pasteurization
- Lacks beneficial additives (coccidiostat, vitamins, minerals and health-related additives) that would have to be purchased and added separately
Milk replacer
Advantages:
-
Convenient and biosecure source of dry matter for young calves
- If stored correctly, milk replacer can be kept for several months prior to use
- Often formulated with beneficial additives that have been proven to improve calf growth or health
- Several proven formulas and programs available to meet your goals for calf growth
- Will support similar calf growth compared with whole milk if nutrient intake is equalized
Disadvantages:
- Price fluctuates with ingredient prices (whey protein, fat source, vitamins and minerals) which can impact cash flow
- Most milk replacers are less energy dense than whole milk (lower in fat)
Key References:
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Starting Strong - Calf Care |