Good quality skim milk powder and buttermilk contain over 30% protein and if processed and dried with calf feeding in mind there is nothing to touch them in terms of calf health, especially for the first 3-4 weeks of life.

Keeping calves healthy is actually the key factor in producing healthy, thriving weaned calves and this factor is probably responsible for more than 95% of the difference in heifer milk yield further down the line. This statement has been backed up by a recent review of calf rearing practises and trials (A. J. Heinrichs et al., 2016).

Skim milk and buttermilk milk are expensive so using the right quantities alongside specific whey ingredients and a range of plant oils allows MILKY WAY to be fed at lower levels than standard calf milk. Feeding MILKY WAY improves calf health and dry feed intakes reducing the cost and labour involved in rearing calves.

What is the right level of milk protein to feed?

We believe 100-120g a day of the right protein is far better than higher levels for calf health. Feeding higher levels increases calf rearing problems. This is because processing protein requires energy as does fighting disease and a calf on a high protein diet cannot divert this energy when required. (Table 1)

Commercially viable high protein products always contain plant protein and this makes the situation potentially far worse.

UK and European studies on high protein milk replacer have failed to find any positive benefit in feeding this type of product whether you have heifers producing 5000L or 12000L.