Milk Replacer

lefthooker

Hi guys.

We usually rear the calves on whole milk but with no pressure on quota we're considering putting it in the tank and feeding the calves on milk replacer. Its been years since we've used powders so I wanted to ask what do you think is the best brand out there? What brand do you use and are you happy with how calves perform on it. What kind of prices are you paying too?

Thanks.

mayowillie

I'm in the west, feed 30-40 calves every year, 2-3 weeks old, have tried every type of powder. The best I found is Procalf, it comes from a crowd in Naas. Last year it was €50 a bag, but there's 25kg in a bag. Maverick is about the same price, but only 20kg in the bag. Buitleers Milk, the crowd that exports the fresian bull calves is good milk also, but of the two I'd rather Procalf.

6480

wicklow cattle company also sell milk replacer

whelan1

shine once a day is very good , use from about 10 days ols

lefthooker

Last time we used powder it was either Maverick or Volac, much of a muchness. Wicklow cattle company boss was at home two years ago and was all about Shine, now it seems they use Alpuro.

Is it safe to say that there's no big difference between the more common brands?

TimTam82

Im just wondering the value of milk replacer vs whole milk? what are peoples views on it? and in todays price per litre is it a cheaper to use milk replacer instead of whole milk???? Dairygold supplier here

PatQfarmer

Rear 50-60 calves per year on Volac. No problems with it, good quality, consistent.
€42 per 20kg in local Glanbia.

TimTam82

how many litres would u get out of a 20kg bag? As im trying to see if its cheaper to feed replacer over whole milk.

PatQfarmer

TimTam82 wrote: »

how many litres would u get out of a 20kg bag? As im trying to see if its cheaper to feed replacer over whole milk.

Volac mix for Twice a day feeding is 100grms/litre, so 20kg=200litres

@€;42/20kg=21c/l, not counting hotwater, mixing time etc.

Volac suggest 2x2l feeds, ie 4l/day=84c/day+

Timmaay

PatQfarmer wrote: »

@€;42/20kg=21c/l, not counting hotwater, mixing time etc.

Yeh I don't know where I read that it costs about 26cent/L when you factor in everything, take that 4l/day with say 100 calves as a nice round average figure, at a milk price of 32cent/l you'd save .06*4*100, 24euro per day, or using Pats figure, .9*4*100, 36euro/day.

4 litres doesn't seem like much though?

Timmaay

PatQfarmer wrote: »

@€;42/20kg=21c/l, not counting hotwater, mixing time etc.

Yeh I don't know where I read that it costs about 26cent/L when you factor in everything, take that 4l/day with say 100 calves as a nice round average figure, at a milk price of 32cent/l you'd save .06*4*100, 24euro per day, or using Pats figure, .9*4*100, 36euro/day.

4 litres doesn't seem like much though, not for older calves!

mf240

Timmaay wrote: »

Yeh I don't know where I read that it costs about 26cent/L when you factor in everything, take that 4l/day with say 100 calves as a nice round average figure, at a milk price of 32cent/l you'd save .06*4*100, 24euro per day, or using Pats figure, .9*4*100, 36euro/day.

4 litres doesn't seem like much though?

Suppose you will have some waste milk if your dairying anyway.

Suppose it depends on what suits your system getting them on meal fast is the most important thing IMO.

Would the replacer be more consistant than whole milk?

PatQfarmer

[QUOTE=

4 litres doesn't seem like much though, not for older calves![/QUOTE]

Don't know how much whole milk you'd use, but that's fine for replacer, with adlib meal. Gets them eating earlier. I wean at 6-7 weeks depending on calf and eating.

Timmaay

Ha don't worry I know all about waste milk given the last few weeks I've had with a good few cases of mastitis in the fresh calvers! Today was the 1st day I was short on high SCC milk and had to pull out the milk replacer! So I guess that's the main reason I'd often feed them more than 4l/day!

I've heard that feeding the high scc stuff to the calves is far from ideal though, how much it effects the calf I'm not sure!

TimTam82

I feed about 4ltr/day of whole milk with cooked meal and hay. Find the cooked meal is better for there digestion system. Is there any problems with feeding replacer then after a period of time moving back to whole milk?????

PMU

Timmaay wrote: »

Yeh I don't know where I read that it costs about 26cent/L when you factor in everything, take that 4l/day with say 100 calves as a nice round average figure, at a milk price of 32cent/l you'd save .06*4*100, 24euro per day, or using Pats figure, .9*4*100, 36euro/day.

4 litres doesn't seem like much though, not for older calves!

4lts is enough because replacer is more concentrated

delaval

PMU wrote: »

4lts is enough because replacer is more concentrated

We use Shine once a day but mix recommended amount in 3 litres of water as it gets in more drymatter and gets them on meal sonner..........quicker weaning

PMU

i am thinking of once a day with mine as well this year . last year they were slow to take to the meal

White Clover

Agri Man wrote: »

Im using Kiernan's new calf milk the last month. Calves are flying. Its a whey based milk replacer with added skim and also has a gut conditioner. Best of all they give one bag in 10 free if you take a pallet. I think it worked out at 35 a bag when you counted the free one!

Thanks for the heads up Mr Kiernan. Much appreciated!

Buford T. Justice XIX

Agri Man wrote: »

MOD NOTE: This post looks remarkably like advertising. I'm closing this thread until the OP PMs me to persuade me otherwise.

24 hours, Agri Man, or the post will be deleted!

BTJ.

Buford T. Justice XIX

Mod Note: No reply from poster so post deleted and thread reopened.

Carry on, folks.

BTJ.