Animal Plasma In Calf Milk Replacers

Animal plasma provides a unique protein source which is often referred to as functional proteins. These functional proteins contain biologically active albumin and globulin proteins. Immunoglobulins such as IgG are important antibodies that circulate in plasma. Animal plasma is a highly soluble, high quality protein source with an amino acid profile and nutritive value comparable to nonfat dried (skim) milk and casein.

Animal plasma was introduced in commercial calf milk replacers over 20 years ago. Today, about one third of all calf milk replacers made in the United States contain plasma. Large calf ranches where calves are co-mingled and often have not received adequate colostrum are the major users of animal plasma milk replacers, . These operations recognize the advantage of plasma from a health perspective as well as a cost savings. Animal plasma is often fed in conjuction with hydrolyzed wheat protein in calf milk replacers to provide the benefits of plasma at a more significant cost savings.

In the Digestive Tract
As well as being an excellent source of nutrition for young calves, animal plasma has additional beneficial effects in the digestive tract. During the first two weeks of life, the calf secretes a portion of the immunoglobulins it absorbed from colostrum back into its digestive tract. The more colostrum absorbed, the more immunoglobulins secreted. This recycling of immunoglobulins helps protect the calf against pathogens. Providing animal plasma in milk replacer increases immunoglobulin levels in the digestive tract, and provides an ongoing source after the calf has stopped secreting immunoglobulins from its own bloodstream.

Research with both young calves and baby pigs demonstrates that feeding animal plasma to young animals has a direct effect on the integrity and function of the small intestine. Animal plasma may directly affect antigen growth and attachment in the small intestine, affecting intestinal growth and improving its barrier function.

Calf Performance
There have been at least 30 trials conducted to evaluate the effects of animal plasma on the growth and performance of baby calves. In these trials, plasma always performed as well as or better than all-milk protein milk replacers. Improvements include:

Fewer, shorter scour episodes
Reduced medical costs
Better gain
More starter intake
Lower cost than all-milk protein milk replacers

Animal Plasma Characteristics

78% protein, 0.3% fat, 0.5% fiber, 7% moisture, 8.5% ash
Light tan color that does not change the color, aroma or solubility of the milk replacer

Spray Dried Animal Plasma
(NutraPro B, APC)
photo courtesy of Dave Wood (Animix)