Dairy Cattle Nutrition: Milk Replacer

Question 1

What are 3 types of waste milk?

Answer 1

1) 2nd and 3rd day milk (postpartum)
2) Residue milk (Antibiotics etc)
3) Mastitic milk

Question 2

What do calves fed on after colostrum uptake and before weaning?

Answer 2

Artificial milk (milk replacer)

Question 3

4 essential characteristics of milk replacer

Answer 3

1) Fat 10 - 20% (20% during cold weather)
2) Protein > 20%
3) Important to have protein of milk origin
4) Fiber < .15%

Question 4

Which is better: feeding collectively or individually?

Answer 4

Depends on management system

Individual feeding is better to ensure calves drink the milk

Ideal: Individual in first months -> Collective

Question 5

What form is milk replacer purchased as?

Answer 5

Purchased in the form powder

Question 6

Reason why claves less than 3 weeks need a rich and nutritious replacer

Answer 6

The enzymes that break down plant proteins are NOT available

until about 3 weeks of age