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New generation of calf milks support precision feeding and sustainable production A new generation of follow-on calf milks, which provide a more precise balance of nutrients and are more sustainable, are now available to UK dairy and beef producers. Developed by animal nutrition company Cargill, the NeoMilk range includes three follow-on calf milks. Two of these are available as skim or whey based products, and they all include specialist feed additives to optimise gut health. The range is the culmination of more than a decade of research and development work by the company. “We’ve looked carefully at the role of specific amino acids and identified a balance that meets a calf’s requirements more precisely than in the past,” says Cargill youngstock specialists Bianca Theeruth. To meet the calf’s requirements for essential amino acids, which can be limited as the calf is unable to synthesise them, Cargill has been able to take advantage of the synthetic amino acids that are now available and are cost-effective.
“It is important to appreciate that the crude protein content of a milk does not give any indication of the nutritional value of the protein. The nutritional value of each protein depends on the composition of amino acids – or building blocks – it’s formed from. These vary from protein to protein. Crude protein levels provided in some calf milks do not provide amino acids in the quantities calves require.” More detailed knowledge of the calf’s amino acids requirements is a major step forward in calf-milk formulations. “It has enabled us to develop calf milk replacers that are formulated with lower protein content, but with a more precise balance of amino acids that gives the same performance,” she adds. “And where we have lower crude protein, and we’re giving the calf exactly what it needs, there’s less waste. This is more costeffective and sustainable, with a favourable environmental impact.” Another development in this latest generation of milk replacers
NeoMilk follow-on milks use precise formulations
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is the fatty acid content. “Each fatty acid has a specific role to play, and a combination of them will promote gut health and immunity, bone growth, metabolism and organ development,” she says. These packages, which can include postbiotics with metabolites and bioactive compounds, have a positive effect on rumen and intestinal development, as well as on the immune response that helps calves cope with disease challenges during the first few weeks of life. The NeoMilk range Cargill’s latest follow-on milks include specific products for beef and dairy. NeoMilk® Prime is a wheybased milk designed for beef calves where daily weight gain is the priority. Neomilk® Boost and NeoMilk® Beyond formulations, both available as whey or skim based milks, are designed for rearing dairy replacements where both lean growth and weight gain is important. NeoMilk Boost targets daily growth rates of between 750g and 850g, and suits systems with few disease and health challenges. NeoMilk® Beyond has the
Bianca Theeruth Cargill calf and heifer rearing specialist.
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highest ingredient specification and it is designed for rearing heifer calves where daily growth rates of between 900g and 1.1kg are targeted. This milk includes a postbiotic that offers extra support for the immune system. So it is suited to rearing bought-in dairy calves and for systems where additional protection from disease and health challenges is required. “The new calf milks, with an ideal balance of amino acids and an optimal crude protein to energy ratio, can improve the diet’s efficiency and avoid an over-supply of nutrients,” adds Ms Theeruth. “Both offer cost, sustainability and environmental benefits.” Rumen development Calf milks are an important part of rumen development. “But they’re not successful singlehanded,” she says. “Calves are born, essentially, monogastric and rumen development happens in the first three or four months. Followon milk and starter feed should encourage this development and promote the calf’s immune system.” Calves, regardless of age, must learn to eat starter feed to promote rumen development, so that when they are weaned, and the diet moves on to 100% solid feed, they are well prepared and less likely to face setbacks. “But we can’t assume they will do this automatically, so supplies of fresh and palatable starter feed will encourage their appetite for it. And there needs to be fresh, clean water alongside. “This along with high management standards and new and more precise calf milks, which match the system’s requirements, will get calves off to a good start in an efficient way.”
