Milk Replacer

[cow whisperer]

Thought I'd get an idea of what everyone else is paying for milk replacer...... Ours is up to $69.75 for a 50lb bag..... 2 years ago it was only $45.....

[Ken Scharabok]

Looks like all milk-based products are heading up in price. Am told China is largely responsible. As individual income/wealth increases, so does their appetite for such things as dairy products. China cannot meet the growing demand internally, thus is heavily buying on the world market.

A couple of comments on milk replacer from past threads. Avoid soy-based milk replacer. Make sure it has at least 20% protein. Over-feeding is as bad as under-feeding. Recommended amounts to feed on label has to be tailored to individual calf. Personally I go with medicated over unmedicated.

[JeffNY]

I just started feeding milk replacer, I like the results thus far. Easy to mix, and no scours like you can get from regular milk. This has to do with the teramyacin or whatever its called. Scours hurts growth, so feeding something that combats scours is key to a well grown calf.


What we are feeding is 26% protein/20% energy. I am feeding them 2lbs 6oz of powder per day (accelerated growth). They get 3quarts. Typically for accelerated growth 2-3lbs of powder per day is ideal, with 3-4 quarts of water (total mixed).

The key is powder, thats where the nutrients are, so feeding that quantity is important. Also introduce grain early on, work up some as weeks go by. Water is good as well, if you do feed a higher protein replacer. Remember energy tends to put fat, muscle on an animal more so than protein. Protein tends to push for a bigger boned animal.

I am paying 65-69 or so per bag. Seeing how well they do off this stuff, or atleast we'll see, ill keep feeding it. The other option is to mix both products for the teramyacin, to prevent scours. Because if your going for big calves, or atleast good growth early on, you need to feed a good quantity to keep them going.


Jeff

[TSYORK]

59.67 here in NC, 50-lb bag, tax included.

[travlnusa]

Price is $64.95 here. I do not use the medicated version, so that might be higher.

Could not agree more with the post about overfeeding.

[RosewoodfarmVA]

$72.00 here now. Last year was $54.00. Medicated, all milk protein. Southern States brand

[Gin64]

Just purchased my first milkreplacer of the season and it was 68.39 for a 50# bag. We usually go threw 4 bags a month.