Milk replacer provides farmers with an alternative <\/strong>source of feed on farms in addition to whole milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a common misconception that milk replacer is not as good as whole milk<\/strong> in terms of calf growth rates and performance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, studies conducted by Teagasc and Harper Adams University independently demonstrated that this is in fact not the case. If formulated correctly with good-quality ingredients, calf growth and rumen development on a milk replacer diet is<\/em> comparable to a whole milk diet.<\/strong> The key is to pay attention to all of the variables. These include quality, concentration and correct mixing, temperature and volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milk replacer can be fed as soon as the second feed <\/strong>after calves have received their initial colostrum feed (normally 8.5% of birth body weight). Use the 1,2,3 rule of colostrum feeding as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Give the first feed from the first milk<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Feed within two hours of birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Provide at least three litres of good quality colostrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This feed is the most important in a calf\u2019s lifetime as calves are born immunologically naive and require antibodies via colostrum within a few hours after birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many farmers continue to feed colostrum for up to 24 hours<\/strong> after birth as the gut can still absorb immune-related proteins and cells across its surface. Once passive immunity has been complete calves can remain on transition milk or be transferred to milk replacer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When purchasing a milk replacer there are some key features for consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Skim powder <\/strong>is a by-product of butter making and is predominantly casein based (80%). In order to replace the protein lost through the butter making process, vegetable proteins are added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whey powder <\/strong>is a by-product of cheese making. When made into a milk replacer, like skim powder, vegetable proteins are also used to replace the milk proteins that have been extracted during the cheese making process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vegetable proteins at the correct levels will not compromise the quality of calf milk replacer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whey can be processed by different methods, resulting in different types of whey including whey powder, delactosed whey and concentrated whey<\/strong> protein, all with variable protein and lactose content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whey proteins contain a higher level of essential amino acids than skim proteins. Despite their differences both skim and whey powder can be used as milk replacer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To assess milk powder quality the following recommendations should be observed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Protein <\/strong>– A minimum of 20% protein is advisable, typically 23%. If feeding milk replacer to replacement heifers or farmers aiming to achieve higher average daily growth gains, i.e. more than 900g\/day levels of 25-27% are more appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ash <\/strong>– A maximum of 8% ash- Excessive levels of ash can cause digestive upsets and nutritional scour. Ideally aim for about 6.5% ash content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calcium <\/strong>level should ideally be 1% with Phosphorus<\/strong> at 0.7%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fat <\/strong>content ideally should range between 18-20%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For calves less than 3 weeks old the crude fibre <\/strong>content should be less than 0.15%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When mixed milk replacer should easily dissolve in water and have a pleasant smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to read manufactures instructions in relation to concentrations as some vary between 12.5% or 15%. For a 12.5% concentration add 125g of milk replacer powder to 875ml of water. For a 15% concentration this should be 150g of milk replacer to 850ml of water. Read manufacturer specifications for automated feeders<\/strong> as some of these are configured to add milk replacer to 1000ml of water as standard. For example, in this case a 12.5% concentration would require 143g of milk replacer powder plus 1000ml.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Be sure to read manufactures instructions in relation to concentrations as some vary between 12.5% or 15%. For a 12.5% concentration add 125g of milk replacer powder to 875ml of water. For a 15% concentration this should be 150g of milk replacer to 850ml of water. Read manufacturer specifications for automated feeders<\/strong> as some of these are configured to add milk replacer to 1000ml of water as standard. For example, in this case a 12.5% concentration would require 143g of milk replacer powder plus 1000ml.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensure that water temperature does not exceed 45 degrees<\/strong> Celsius as this will denature the proteins in the milk. Ensure the powder is well mixed before feeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Acidified milk replacers have organic acids and\/or organic salts <\/strong>added in addition to fat emulsifiers to prevent separation. Acidified milk replacers have a pH of 5.7 to 5.9<\/strong> compared to 6.3 to 6.5<\/strong> for non-acidified milk replacer. In addition to a longer shelf life, acidified milk replacer can result in less scour and improved clotting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can add feed purchase records including milk replacer to Herdwatch directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n > On the Home screen of the app tap the Orange Plus Button(+) in the bottom right hand corner<\/p>\n\n\n\n > Tap Feed Purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n > Fill out the relevant information about the feed record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n > Click Save in the bottom right-hand corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your feed purchase records can be exported on a report for compliance inspections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You too can join over 18,000 other happy farmers saving time on farm paperwork and managing their farms more efficiently by downloading the Herdwatch app today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"2-Jan-03-2023-01-07-20-2888-PM\"](\"https:\/\/2865975.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net\/hubfs\/2865975\/2-Jan-03-2023-01-07-20-2888-PM.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow soon can I feed milk<\/em> replacer?<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Skim Powder vs Whey Powder?<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"1-Jan-03-2023-01-07-08-9550-PM\"](\"https:\/\/2865975.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net\/hubfs\/2865975\/1-Jan-03-2023-01-07-08-9550-PM.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat should I look out for?<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mixing Rates<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"3-Jan-03-2023-01-07-14-2828-PM\"](\"https:\/\/2865975.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net\/hubfs\/2865975\/3-Jan-03-2023-01-07-14-2828-PM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat is Acidified Milk Replacer?<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How can Herdwatch help me with milk replacer?<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n