Calves are creatures of habit. They crave physical comfort, companionship, and, of course, their milk ration.

One of the best things we can do as calf raisers is to deliver those elements consistently. When it comes to the liquid ration, it is important, and possible, to deliver the same meal to every calf, every day, at every feeding.

For calf businesses feeding waste milk, that consistency is achievable, but requires defined protocols to ensure steady solids levels from one feeding to the next. We generally consider the “sweet spot” for milk solids fed to calves to fall into the range of 12.5-14.5%.

Solids in waste milk can vary considerably, depending on the contribution to a specific batch by fresh cows, sick cows, or even rinse water. Studies examining waste milk have shown that solids levels can swing widely between batches, from as low as 8% to as high as 15%.

Waste milk can and should be fortified with milk replacer or balancer to achieve batch consistency. A refractometer is an essential tool for evaluating solids levels in these formulations. We recommend digital refractometers from MISCO, due to their accuracy and capability to be programmed specifically to evaluate milk solids. Follow these important steps when fortifying waste milk:

(1)   Always pasteurize waste milk.

(2)   Measure waste milk solids post-pasteurization.

(3)   Calculate the batch formulation based on how many calves you are feeding and how much total volume of the liquid ration you will need. Your Strauss Feeds representative can provide a chart to aid in this calculation.

(4)   Add milk replacer powder and water to make the desired formulation. A handy rule of thumb is that 1.5 ounces of dry powder will increase the solids level of 1 gallon of whole milk (without adding water) by about 1%.

(5)   Adjust the water temperature to achieve a feeding temperature close to a calf’s body temperature – 102°F. The formulation’s temperature also can affect Brix readings, which is another important reason to keep it consistent. A simple way to do this is to start the mixing process with half hot (140°F) water, then add cooler water to finish the solution and bring the formulation to feeding temperature.

(6)   Mix thoroughly. This is a critical step to ensure consistent solids levels, and requires high-quality, easy-to-use mixing equipment.

(7)   Measure the solids level again with a Brix refractometer to check for consistency.

The Brix reading of the final formulation may fall slightly out of the “sweet spot” range. For example, after supplemental powder and water are added to the waste milk, it might register at a solids level of 12.0%. What is most important is that the calculations and mixing are done correctly, and the solids level is consistent from batch to batch.

When using straight milk replacer without waste milk, the process is simpler, but final and routine evaluation of the ration is still important. And if you’re using an analog refractometer – whether with a waste milk formulation or all milk replacer – a rule of “Brix+2” should be followed. That means adding 2 percentage points to the manual reading. So, if the Brix reading is 11%, the actual milk solids value is 13%.

Once the protocols for the mixing process are developed, the next critical step is to ensure they are implemented correctly and consistently, whether by the main calf feeder, the weekend staff, or a relief worker. Clear, illustrated directions -- possibly in multiple languages -- posted in the mixing area are important accomplishments to regular, hands-on training. Periodic “audits” of the final formulation, along with proactive refresher instructions, also can help keep everyone performing the tasks consistently and prevent “protocol drift.”

Your Strauss representative will be happy to help establish mixing and evaluation protocols, train workers, and stop in for period checks to ensure consistency. When our products are formulated consistently, it’s a win for all of us – especially your calves.

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