Milk Replacer Needs a Safe Home

Just like your calves, the milk replacer you feed them needs a protective, consistent and controlled environment for optimal performance.

Many a bag of milk replacer has been damaged, or its quality diminished by adverse storage conditions. Here are the key factors to consider for best milk replacer storage practices:

 1. Shelter

Keeping milk replacer dry is clearly an important priority. While most commercial products have a sealed, plastic bag liner, allowing bags to be soaked with moisture never is a good idea. So be sure the milk replacer storage area is well-covered and protected from the elements – including the sun. Stacking bags on pallets also will prevent the bottom layer from absorbing water or condensation off the floor.

2. Humidity

Aim for storage conditions with no more than 65% humidity. Dryer conditions are even better, but humidity above this threshold can cause paper bags to become damp and damaged. If the bags are not sealed properly, high humidity conditions will cause lumping and Maillard browning of the milk replacer powder.

“In the case of both milk replacer and starter grain, fresh is always best.”

3. Temperature

Ideal storage temperature is approximately room temperature (about 75°F) or lower. At temperatures higher than this, there is a risk of the milk replacer’s fat component oxidizing and becoming rancid. This will cause off-flavors and odors, making the product less palatable. At high temperatures, a Maillard reaction also can occur, denaturing the lactose in the product and producing a distinct, brown color. This situation, too, produces off-flavors and odors.

At extremely high temperatures, the fat in milk replacer also can re-liquify. When the product cools down again, the result can be a bag of milk replacer as hard as cement. I’ve seen this happen in shipping containers in which the data loggers post internal temperatures of 150°F or more.

Whenever milk replacer is damaged by heat, the product likely will reconstitute less effectively, and nutritional value may be altered, along with palatability issues.

When considering storage space, be sure to place milk replacer away from direct heat sources. Even if the building atmosphere is the correct temperature, bags stored too close to a furnace or heater can be damaged.

4. Animals

Many little critters love the taste of milk replacer! Preventing mice and rat infestation in storage areas is important. But don’t forget their larger and more aggressive buddies, raccoons – who are more capable of scratching bags open and eating large quantities of powder. Even friendly barn cats have been known to do serious damage to milk replacer stores.

5. Insects

Bug infestation should not be a problem if the bag liner is not corrupted. But once the product is open, milk replacer can harbor insect larvae, mites and weevils. This happens most commonly with products that contain wheat or other plant proteins. An important storage tip is to never store milk replacer directly alongside calf starter or other grain products. These feedstuffs are much more likely to be infested with weevils, which have the ability to survive in the paper fibers of milk replacer bags, especially in warm and moist conditions. Then when the bags are handled, the weevils spread through the environment and into the product.

6. Storage time

Store milk replacer on-farm for no more than 12 months after its manufacturing date. While there technically is not an “expiration date” for milk replacer, the vitamins in it will start to degrade after 12 months. This could result in reduced calf performance and potential health problems.

In the case of both milk replacer and starter grain, “fresh is always best,” to help ensure a high-quality, palatable product. In the heat of summer, it is best to keep product supplies tighter and turn them over faster, to promote freshness and prevent the possibility of heat damage.

Freezing temperatures do not affect milk replacer quality, so stores can be larger through colder seasons. But again, be sure to only carry product for 12 months or less.

Beware of “fire sale” or after-market bargains on milk replacer. Often these “cheap” buys can become very expensive if the age or quality of the product is compromised.

Finally, don’t be afraid to refuse a milk replacer shipment if you detect problems with odor, color, powder consistency or damaged bags. You always should receive the first-quality product you paid for, and that your growing calves deserve.