Recent Calf Milk Replacer Research Update

Abstract

The first calf milk replacer in the United States was developed and introduced in 1951 to dairy producers. Since the original calf milk replacer, there have been many nutritional advances in calf milk replacers and calf raising programs. During the last ten years, there has been less and less research information concerning the young calf occurring in scientific literature. Those researchers who consider themselves as primarily working in the area of calf nutrition and health are also fewer in number. For these reasons, this paper will present mainly primary source information rather than review information, in order to add to the scientific information base. This paper will discuss the key nutritional principles as it relates to milk replacer feeding and composition along with some of the newer calf milk replacer areas. The application of the information presented shall be limited to the herd replacement and dairy beef calf.

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