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This week's Focus is on calves. There is an analysis of milk replacer costs and composition. With the lift in milk prices there is more interest in feeding milk replacer. The average cost per litre of milk replacer at 12.5% solids is 27c/l, but there is considerable variation within this, based on the spec of the powder used – ranging from 24/l to 32c/l. When looking at it from an economics point of view, you must compare the costs of milk replacer to the value of whole milk from your farm. Not every farmer will achieve base price in February and March, especially if they have low solids, so they might be better off feeding whole milk. On the flip side, high-solids milk commands a much greater price, so it probably pays to buy powder in this scenario. Labour and facilities for mixing and feeding also play a part in making the decision. There are pros and cons to each system.
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