Prices for calf milk replacer don’t seem to have changed much over the past 12 months. The average cost per tonne this time last year was €2,105, while the average price this year is €2,123/t. This is somewhat surprising, considering that the price of skim milk powder was at its lowest price in years during 2018.

Skim and whey are the main sources of protein in most calf milk replacer products. Generally speaking, these are good sources of protein because they are derived from milk. You should avoid using protein sources that are derived from plants such as wheat or soya, as these are less digestible for young calves.

This year’s table only features products that are available nationwide. A lot of feed merchants are now supplying their own brand of milk replacer products. Like own-brand products in supermarkets, most of these milk replacers are manufactured by others and are just branded in the feed merchant’s bags.

When mixing milk replacer, calculate the total amount of feed you need. For example, if you are feeding 10 calves 2l of milk, you need 20l of mixed milk in total. If the feeding rate is 15%, the calves need to get 300g of powder each at each feed, or 3kg of powder for the bunch.

Because milk powder will displace water, you should reduce the amount of water used by the quantity of powder. So instead of mixing 3kg of powder into 20l of water, you should mix 3kg of powder into 17l of water to make 20l of mixed milk.

When mixing, pour the correct amount of milk powder into half the desired amount of water and mix with a whisk or other mixing device. Then add the rest of the water. Never mix with boiling water, as this could corrupt the proteins. Only ever mix and feed with water at or below body temperature. Most milk replacer can be successfully fed cold.