Milk replacer formulated for optimal calf development

MADISON, Wis. — Environment, management and nutrition are three major factors that help dairymen achieve a successful calf program.

“The first diet we focus on is the liquid diet, how much protein and fat you are feeding and how it is effecting the energy the calf receives,” said Rhea Lawrence, calf nutrition and systems specialist for Dairy Farmers of America. “And more importantly looking at total solids.”

It is important to focus on providing enough solids early in life so the calf has a great pre-weaning average daily gain and it can produce milk when it enters the lactating herd, said Lawrence during a Knowledge Nook Session at the World Dairy Expo.

DFA, which has over 6,500 family-owned farming operations across the United States, also has over 80 plants.

“At the core of what we do is marketing our farmer owners’ milk and finding new ways to add service as their cooperative,” said Kayla Rink, DFA director of dairy science and farm practices.

“Most recently we created the DFA Animal Nutrition service that is built around a milk replacer sourced from farmers, refined by innovators in manufacturing facilities and formulated scientifically for optimum calf growth,” Rink said.

“I focus on aligning the milk diet with the starter diet because once that transition happens at weaning, we want to make sure the calf is successful and doesn’t have a slump in growth as she goes onto dry feed,” Lawrence said. “And we can customize the feeding program for your operation.”

Research shows there is an impact of feeding calves a higher plane of nutrition pre-weaning.

“If you get a 0.1 pound increase in average daily gain, you can get 155 pounds more milk during the first lactation,” the calf specialist said. “If you increase gain by 1.2 pounds, that’s 1,860 pounds more milk in the first lactation or $335 more for the heifer when she enters the lactating herd.”

Lawrence encourages dairymen to always track growth of their calves by keeping records of gain.

“One size does not fit everybody so you might not do the same thing your neighbor does,” she said. “That’s OK and you can rely on us to help you as your calf experts to manage the systems you have in place.”

“We’re using whole dried milk, skim milk and nonfat dried milk in our milk replacer,” said Ralph Briggs, DFA animal nutrition consultant.

“We have a unique opportunity because we have a butter plant so we can use buttermilk in the formulas,” Briggs said. “Very few milk replacers have buttermilk in their formulas, but the amino acid profile for it is extremely good for hide and hair follicle development.”

The DFA milk and butterfat powders do not contain whey. Whey is the affluent that comes off when making cheese.

“Whey is typically used in milk replacers because it’s available and cheap,” Briggs said. “When making cheese, it is inoculated with a yeast culture, so the whey is susceptible to rapid bacterial growth if it is not managed properly.”

Whey that comes off the vat has to be maintained above 110 degrees or cooled quickly.

“If you don’t do that, you’ll have digestive upsets, the calves will act like they’re thirsty and you’ll see bloating from time to time,” Briggs said. “Calves will be lethargic and have their heads down.”

Whey is also more inclined to attract moisture in the bags, which can result in more clumping.

“Stabilizers need to be added to whey products to keep them in a consistent form,” the nutrition consultant said. “We use zero stabilizers in our products because they are all natural milk.”

If dairymen are feeding whole milk to their calves, Briggs suggests fortifying it with a milk replacer.

“Milk in its natural state is 22% protein and 24% fat, but ideally for calves it should be a 2-to-1 protein-to-fat ratio,” he explained.

“We have a milk replacer that fortifies the protein to get it to 1.5-to-1 protein-to-fat ratio,” he said. “Then we enhance with A, D and E so the calves have all the essential vitamins and amino acids they need to grow as fast as they can with a balanced milk diet.”

Dairymen should pay attention to the environmental influences, feed for optimal nutrition and continue to monitor nutrition and animal health.

“Keep in mind digestive health and autoimmune strategies,” the nutrition consultant said. “Complement the gut flora the calf has built in the first 20 days and augment it so it continues to grow rapidly.”

Briggs noted the importance of utilizing trusted advisers such as veterinarians and nutritionists.

“Use a team approach to solve problems,” he said. “And then you can take your operation further than you can yourself by relying on those people for their support.”

For more information about DFA Animal Nutrition, call 866-591-2925 or visit www.dfafarmsupplies.com.