Your guide to milk replacer prices this spring
On many dairy farms, milk replacer plays a vital role in the calf-rearing process. It aids in calf development and growth performance.
At birth, calves are monogastric, which means they obtain all their nutrient requirements from milk or milk replacer.
During the calf-rearing process, the rumen develops and they become ruminants.
On most farms that use milk replacer it is introduced to calves at about three days of age.
Generally, this is after the calf has received colostrum and a number of feeds of transition milk.
It is important that calves receive adequate amounts of colostrum soon after birth; for this, farmers should follow the 1,2,3 rule.
Using the 1,2,3 rule:
Feeding milk replacer has a number of benefits, with the reduced risk of spreading disease a major one.
When herds have, or might have Johne's disease-positive cows, whole milk should not be fed to calves.
Johne’s disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) which affects cattle and other ruminants.
MAP bacteria can be spread from one animal to another by feeding infected milk, along with a number of other potential diseases.
Using a milk replacer offers calves protection from these diseases. But if you feed calves whole milk or milk replacer, it is important that the calf is provided with energy and protein which is critical to support and maintain their normal bodily functions.
Below is a table that outlines some of the more popular milk replacers on the market and the price you can expect to pay for them.
| Milk replacer | Bag size (kg) | Protein percentage | Cost per bag | Cost per kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auctus Turbo Thrive | 20 | 21.5% | €55.00 | €2.75 |
| Auctus Champion | 20 | 23.5% | €56.50 | €2.83 |
| Bonanza Shine-once-a-day | 20 | 20% | €68.00 | €3.40 |
| Volac Heiferlac | 20 | 26% | €68.00 | €3.40 |
| Volac AAA Golden Maverick | 20 | 23% | €63.00 | €3.15 |
| Volac Maverick Hi-Spec | 20 | 25% | €66.00 | €3.30 |
| Volac Maverick Once-a-day | 20 | 24% | €65.00 | €3.25 |
| Nutrias Nutri Start | 20 | 23% | €64.00 | €3.20 |
| Nutrias Nutri Start Plus | 20 | 25% | €66.00 | €3.30 |
| Wicklow Calf Pro | 25 | 21% | €70.00 | €2.80 |
| Wicklow Calf Excellence | 25 | 23% | €80.00 | €3.20 |
| Gain Shine | 20 | 20% | €66.50 | €3.33 |
| Gain Easi-Mix | 20 | 25% | €67.00 | €3.35 |
| Gain Shine Once-a-day | 20 | 23% | €74.50 | €3.73 |
| Dairygold Prime Elite 23 | 20 | 23% | €61.00 | €3.05 |
| Dairygold Prime Elite 25 Plus | 20 | 25% | €66.00 | €3.30 |
| Liffey Mills Elvor Performance | 25 | 25% | €68.00 | €2.72 |
| Liffey Mills Elvor Adapto | 25 | 21% | €76.00 | €3.04 |
| Interchem ProHeifer | 25 | 26% | €85.00 | €3.40 |
| Interchem Pro Calf | 25 | 21% | €80.00 | €3.20 |
| Cargill Transrite | 20 | 23% | €78.00 | €3.90 |
| Cargill Neomilk Prime | 20 | 22% | €54.00 | €2.70 |
| Cargill Neomilk Boost Whey | 20 | 22% | €60.00 | €3.00 |
| Cargill Neomilk Boost Skim | 20 | 22% | €67.00 | €3.35 |
| Cargill Neomilk Boyond Whey | 20 | 24% | €70.00 | €3.50 |
| Cargill Neomilk Beyond Skim | 20 | 24% | €73.00 | €3.65 |
It is important to note that these prices may change depending on where you are purchasing milk replacer and should only be used as a guide.
