Grober Nutrition

Posts Tagged ‘milk protein’

Product Profile

A specifically formulated high protein milk replacer for excellence in raising heifer calves.

The Need

Intensive feeding programs have been a major topic for discussion and presentation over the last year. Their aim has been to maximize genetic growth potential, get heifers to breeding weight sooner and also maximize lean tissue growth (height and weight).

A young animal can not be limit fed protein and energy and be successful or efficient in depositing protein as lean tissue growth. During the first two months, calves have the greatest opportunity to maximize rapid early growth. Protein in the diet can be utilized very efficiently at this age. The higher the percentage of protein of the diet (maximum 28%), the better the increase in average daily gain; with a priority on lean muscle tissue deposition over fat. The correct balance of metabolizable energy must also be provided for maintenance and daily gain. Feeding more total nutrients on a conventional program can achieve higher rates of gain, improve health and immune status.

The Feeding

Conventional milk replacer and whole milk heifer calf feeding programs revolved around two times per day feeding and half-gallon or 2 litres per feeding.

Intensive or accelerated feeding programs revolve around feeding more total solids more often. These programs will work on a twice-daily cycle although calves fed more often (i.e.) on automatic feeders or those fed 3 to 4 times per day tend to have a better response. In reality this type of feeding program is more similar to that of the calf nursing on the cow.

If the total volume of milk or milk replacer is limited, a calf will tend to consume calf starter earlier. However, this reduces the calf’s ability to utilize the milk protein portion of the diet and sacrifices growth potential. By extending the liquid feeding period to 7-8 weeks, we can achieve higher gains prior to weaning and a continued benefit post weaning. The ability of the calf or the desire by calves to consume dry feed (starter) is in direct proportion to the volume of liquid feed being offered. To help prevent the weaning stall out, reduce the volume of liquid being fed to achieve a starter intake of 700 to 1000 grams per calf per day, for 3 consecutive days prior to weaning. The calf starter ration, to compliment an intensive calf management program, needs to be highly palatable and of excellent quality. When a high protein milk replacer is being fed (i.e. 26%min.) the calf starter should be at least 22% protein to maintain optimal growth.

As always the availability of clean fresh water is critical to dry matter intake and overall calf health and performance.

Economics

Although the initial cost of an intensive feeding program is higher than the conventional feeding program, it is important to determine the goals of the calf raiser and the finished economics. The true measure of an enhanced feeding program has to be measured in terms of breeding weight & height, calving age, improved milk production and overall animal development.

Grober Excel calf milk replacer is part of a full management program. Please contact Grober Animal Nutrition for more details.

Andre Roy MSc.
Sally Charlton BSc. (Hons)
April 2003

Newborns have very naïve immune systems. Severe infections can be introduced and spread by bacterial contamination on esophageal feeders, buckets, nipples and bottles.

Review the cleaning and sanitation procedures on your facility to be sure that all the utensils have been properly cleaned and maintained.

Clean feeding utensils are critical to the maintenance of good health in newborns.

If the equipment and feeding utensils are not clean enough to feed human babies then they should not be used on newborn animals either.

The cleaning process need not be laborious or complicated. Follow the same procedures, as is regularly done on your milking equipment for the best results.
It would be unthinkable for a mother to feed her child milk or formula in a feeding utensil that was not cleaned and sterilized.

Newborn animals are babies and deserve the utmost in cleanliness of the feeding utensils too. Many severe outbreaks of scours can be traced back to the spread of infectious scour bacteria through contaminated mixing pails, feeding bottles or buckets, esophageal feeders and feeders.

All feeding equipment is best cleaned using a procedure as follows:

• Rinse all buckets, bottles, nipples, milk replacer mixers and esophageal feeders with lukewarm water. (Hot water will coagulate milk protein and cause adherence to the equipment surface and provide a place for bacterial colonization).
• Follow the lukewarm rinse with a sanitizing soap at “hot” temperatures 50°C (120°F).  Make sure the water remains hot throughout this rinse. (Too hot for bare hands but okay if wearing rubber gloves).
• Rinse with an acid rinse (same as milk line sanitation products) and allow drying.
• Dry the bottles, pails and esophageal feeders by putting on a rack or shelf. (Do not stack buckets or place bottle opening directly in contact with a flat surface).

When in the midst of a disease outbreak increase vigilance of all cleaning and disinfection processes to interrupt any possible spread of disease from contaminated feeding utensils or personnel.

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Andre Roy MSc.

Sally Charlton BSc. (Hons)

April 2003

We put the best possible ingredients to work for you.

All good milk replacers use milk protein for good digestion. Grober Milk Replacers go beyond just milk protein.

We blend together combinations of milk products to provide the amino acid structure required for total digestion and absorption.

We even add several proteins found wanting in all available milk products.

To this high quality energy base, we then add specially selected vitamins, coated for longer shelf life, and minerals chosen for their availability and digestibility.

Taurine, an amino acid that is often added in adult rations is also provided in our milk replacer.