Experiences with Free-access Acidified-milk Feeding in Ontario

Abstract

Several Canadian producers have implemented an inexpensive free-access feeding system modeled on Finnish guidelines,¹⁸ using formic acid as a milk preservative. The system mimics natural suckling and permits group social behavior. It allows for accelerated growth and changes labor requirements for calf rearing. Anecdotally, producers report less clinical cases of diarrhea and use of drugs for rearing milk-fed calves and kids. Free-access feeding provides freedom from hunger - the best medicine for milk-fed calves and kids. This paper answers questions about and describes ways to set up the feeding system.