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Evaluation of skim and whey based milk replacers on the performance of artificially reared dairy-bred bull calves.

Experiment to compare the effect of feeding either a skim-based or whey-based milk replacer on the performance of artificially reared dairy-bred bull calves.

Year of Publication2011

Many commercial calf rearers believe that when artificially reared calves are fed skim-based rather than whey-based milk replacers, performance is improved and coat bloom scores improve. However, skim-based powders are more expensive than whey-based milk replacers (typically, £150 more per tonne). As a result of this price differential the majority of milk powders on the feed market are whey-based. The objective of this experiment was to compare the effect of feeding either a skim-based or whey-based milk replacer on the performance of artificially reared dairy-bred bull calves to 12 weeks of age.

This item is categorised as follows

• Subject Collection > Livestock & dairy > Animal health & welfare
• Subject Collection > Livestock & dairy > Beef production

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