Study of the use of milk replacers for dairy calves in the United States

This study focused on aspects of the National Dairy Heifer Evaluation Project that involved neonatal feeding practices and types of milk replacers utilized on dairy farms. Types of milk replacers and the management practices associated with their feeding were studied. Nearly 60% of US dairy farms use milk replacers for some or all of the feeding program for neonatal calves. Regional differences existed in the types of liquid feeds and milk replacers fed to calves. Western producers fed less milk replacer, and western and northeast producers fed replacers with less total CP. Many characteristics of management utilized along with these products reflect accepted management and nutrition practices. During the study period from 1991 to 1992, 11.2% of replacers contained casein. A greater proportion of these were found in the West during the first 6 mo of the study, reflecting changes in the milk replacer formulations during that time.