Milk Replacer Protein Sources

Each calf rearing system has different goals and availability of feed stuffs. Some farms feed waste milk, others may feed milk replacer or a blend of the two. Still others might create their own milk ration from raw ingredients. Each one is utilizing available resources to make the best milk ration possible at an affordable price.

While milk rations may vary from farm to farm there are a few principles that should be followed. First, is to meet the nutrient needs of the calf. Second, is to meet growth and other performance goals, and thirdly, still be cost effective.

When it comes to formulating a milk replacer, protein is typically the most expensive ingredient. While quality should not be compromised due to price, sometimes it is necessary to choose different protein ingredients to save a little money. 

Milk Based Protein Sources

Typically, it is best to derive our milk formulas from milk-based ingredients. These are the most digestible and nutritious for the calf. Common milk-based ingredients include……

• Dried Whey Protein Concentrate
• Dried Skim Milk
• Casein
• Dried Whey
• Dried Whey Product

Digestible Non-milk Protein Sources

As the demand for whey-based products and dried skim milk for humans has increased so has the cost. When the cost of milk-based ingredients are high or of limited availability we look to alternative protein sources. Some of these can still be good ingredients to include in a milk replacer. Many of them are soy based and the best results will come when they are fed to calves 3 weeks of age or older. 

Animal plasma has become a popular protein source for milk replacers due to decrease in cost without compromising animal performance. Plasma has an excellent amino acid profile and is high in iron. Animal plasma also contains functional proteins that help protect the calf from disease causing pathogens. Milk replacers containing animal plasma cannot be labeled as “all milk” because of the added plasma protein, however they can still be of high quality and yield good growth results.

The most digestible and nutritious non-milk protein sources include….

• Soy Protein Isolate
• Protein Modified Soy Flour
• Soy Protein Concentrate
• Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Modified
• Animal Plasma
• Wheat Gluten or Isolate

Protein Sources Best Avoided

There are some protein sources that are best avoided as they are less digestible and nutritious than those listed above. They include……

• Meat Solubles
• Fish Protein Concentrate
• Wheat Flour
• Soy Flour
• Egg Products (with the exception of IgY added to bind disease causing pathogens)

Most of today’s milk replacers on the market have been extensively researched and when fed as directed can support optimal calf growth and performance. The price, ingredients, and nutritional quality of milk replacers vary significantly, and it is important to make informed decisions when choosing a milk replacer to add to your blend or to be fed solely to your calves. Carefully matching your milk program to your calf-rearing system will provide many benefits including improved biosecurity, calf performance, and economics.

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

Sources:

Microsoft Word - BAMN GuidetoModernMilkReplacerAFIA Changes1.doc (usda.gov)

Calf Note #70 – Glutamine and soy protein in milk replacers – Calf Notes.com

Calf Note #53 – Milk replacer ingredients and labels – Calf Notes.com

https://apcproteins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DHM-Plasma-in-CMR.pdf