ECONOMICS OF FEEDING PASTEURIZED COLOSTRUM AND PASTEURIZED WASTE MILKTO DAIRY CALVES

Objective-To estimate the marginal contribution of pasteurization of w aste milk and colostrum to gross margin per calf at weaning and to est imate the minimum number of cattle on a dairy farm for pasteurization to be profitable. Design-Randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Anima ls-300 Holstein calves. Procedure-The performance of calves fed pasteu rized colostrum and waste milk was compared with the performance of ca lves fed nonpasteurized colostrum and waste milk. Costs, revenues, and gross margins for the 2 groups were compared. Results-Calves fed past eurized colostrum and waste milk were worth an extra $8.13 in gross ma rgin/calf, compared with calves fed nonpasteurized colostrum and waste milk. The minimum number of cattle for which feeding pasteurized colo strum and waste milk was calculated to be economically feasible was 31 5 calves/d (1,260-cow dairy farm). Clinical Implications-An economic b enefit was associated with feeding pasteurized colostrum and waste mil k. Additional benefits that may accrue include higher mean weight gain and lower mortality rate of calves as well as calves that have fewer days in which they are affected with diarrhea and pneumonia.