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For newborn calves, milk as a source of nutrients is a crucial element to their health and wellbeing.
When a calf is orphaned or not getting enough milk from its mother, it’s important that you find a good replacement milk so that your calf can still receive the nutrients and immunity support it needs.
When you’re choosing a calf milk replacer, it can be overwhelming! There are tons of options available on the market.
To help you out, we took a look at some of the best calf milk replacers on the market, and here are our top 7!
*This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclaimer for additional details.
Our Top Picks
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: Land O Lakes C ProNurse Multi-Species Milk Replacer | This milk replacement option is highly nutritious and has multiple uses. | Check Price |
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Best Overall Nutrients: Manna Pro Suckle Pro Calf Milk Replacer, 25lbs | Worried about providing your calves with top-notch nutrition? This is your best option. | Check Price |
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Best for Rehydration: Bluelight C Calf | Use this as a milk additive to rehydrate sick or especially weak calves. | Check Price |
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Best for Multiple Animals: Manna Pro Nurse All Multi-Species Milk Replacer | If you need milk for more animals than just calves, we recommend this option. | Check Price |
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Best Colostrum Replacer: Premolac Bovine Immunoglobulins (IgG) Plus Milk Replacement Powder | If your calf needs colostrum, this is the best option to use within the first 24 hours of life. | Check Price |
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Best Medicated Replacer: SAV-A-CAF Performance Calf Milk Replacer | This milk replacement product is a great buy for medicated milk. | Check Price |
How We Narrowed Down the Best Calf Milk Replacers
To choose the top calf milk replacers, we took a look at the top brands known for their quality ingredients and nutritional value.
One of those brands is Manna Pro, which was founded in 1842, and is known for its high quality feed products for many types of livestock.
They have a number of products designed for different purposes, such as feeding newborn animals, promoting weight gain in underweight animals, and providing dietary supplements.
We also checked out a few companies, such as Land O Lakes, that don’t necessarily specialize in livestock feed, but still have some great products out and over 100 years of experience in farming as a company.
Finally, we read countless reviews from consumers like you to see what products and brands were consistently receiving top ratings.
From all of these brands and products, we narrowed it down to 10 to try out, and 7 of those products made our list for top-recommended calf milk replacers.
Best Calf Milk Replacers Reviewed
1. Best Overall: Land O Lakes C ProNurse Multi-Species Milk Replacer
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Healthy Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Multi Purposed | 5/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 |
Size: 8lb bag | Brand: Land O Lakes | Flavor: Elk, Milk | Target Animals: Goat, Sheep, Pig, Llama, Horse, Cow, Deer | Form: Powder | Special Features: Sensitive Stomach
What We Liked
- Excellent option for most orphaned calves or calves whose mothers aren’t producing enough milk
- Great mix of nutrients and highly-digestible ingredients
- Very versatile use for multiple animals and multiple purposes
- Good flavor for easy feeding
What We Didn’t Like
- Not the most affordable option
- Description somewhat misleading
Although the price tag of this milk replacement option is a little higher than what you could probably find at your average feed store, we still think the quality is worth the money.
In fact, we rated this Land O Lakes product as our number one overall pick. Let’s take a look at why.
Healthy Ingredients
To begin, this calf milk replacement option has a great blend of ingredients that will keep your calf healthy and happy.
It includes the perfect blend of 24% protein and 24% fat, along with 26 vitamins and minerals that will boost your calf’s immune system and growth.
The blend of nutrients is highly digestible, and it also has a yummy flavor that your calf will be eager to scarf down.
Purpose
This Land O Lakes product is designed to be a feed supplement for multiple different types of animals.
Not only can you use this milk replacer for calves, but you can also use it for goats, sheeps, pigs, llamas, horses, and deer.
We love that this product is so versatile. This milk replacer is also labeled as “sensitive stomach,” which means it contains natural ingredients that even the most sensitive of calves should be able to digest.
You don’t have to worry about any of your calves reacting poorly to this milk replacer due to a sensitive stomach.
Finally, even though this product is designed to be used in a simple, mix-with-water format like any normal calf milk replacer, its uses don’t stop there.
This product can be helpful when it comes to transitioning calves from bottle to feed, and even when the calves are a little older, and no longer need milk, it can be sprinkled over feed to increase weight gain and nutrient intake.
Ease of Use
This calf milk replacer is fairly easy to use. It includes a measuring scoop, and you simply use 1 part powder to 2 parts water. We recommend using very warm water to help the powder mix well.
Although the product is advertised as “instant,” we also recommend letting it sit for a little while to ensure the powder is fully dissolved. Also, the bag is easily resealable with a zip-lock top.
Something to be aware of when purchasing this item is that some reviewers complained, along with ourselves, that the description of this product was off.
Although the title of this product was “Land O Lakes C ProNurse Multi Species Milk Replacer four 8LB,” your purchase will only get you one 8lb bag, and not four.
See Price on Amazon2. Best Overall Nutrients: Manna Pro Suckle Pro Calf Milk Replacer
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Healthy Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Multi Purposed | 2/5 |
| Ease of Use | 3/5 |
Size: 25 or 40 lb bag | Brand: Manna Pro | Target Animals: Calf | Form: Powder | Special Features: Easy Digestion, Fast Prep, Contains Probiotics
What We Liked
- Ingredients are specifically engineered to promote digestion and gut health
- Easy to prepare
- Contains probiotics and manna oligosaccharide (more on this later)
What We Didn’t Like
- Must be fed immediately; can’t be mixed up ahead of time
- Packaging can be a little difficult to read
Calves may need to be bottle fed for a variety of reasons: they could be orphaned, the mother may not be producing enough, or you could have another purpose for the cow’s milk.
One cause for concern with milk replacement is that not all milk replacers will give your calf the same level of antibodies that they would normally be getting from their mothers.
Antibodies are incredibly important for immunity and overall health.
With this milk replacer, you will ensure that your calves are getting the best possible nutrient blend in order to promote a healthy immune system.
Healthy Ingredients
This Manna Pro milk replacer has several supplements to support your calf’s immune system. It contains a natural supplement called manna oligosaccharide that enters your calf’s digestive tract.
Bad bacteria that may get into your calf’s gut will attach itself to this supplement rather than the calf’s intestines, which will allow the bacteria to safely pass through the calf’s system without doing any damage.
Purpose
The purpose for this milk replacer is a little limited; it’s targeted only for calves, although a few reviewers note that they have used it successfully with other animals, such as deer.
Additionally, the powder must be mixed with water in a specific format in order to create the milk blend your calf needs. It is not recommended to be consumed in any other way.
One thing we do like about this milk replacer’s purpose is that the manufacturers do suggest it to be used during times of digestive stress, even after your calf is already weaned.
Last but not least, this cow milk replacer also comes in two sizes for your convenience: you can buy it in a 25lb bag or a 40lb bag.
Ease of Use
This calf milk replacer comes with specific directions on how to mix up a bottle for your calf.
We love that the directions give you the option of mixing up a small batch (2 quarts) or a large batch (5 gallons). That will make your life easier if you have a lot of calves to feed.
These directions are written on a “one size fits all,” basis, assuming your calf weighs around 100 pounds, so these amounts may not be the correct amount to feed your calf.
Additionally, this mix has to be fed immediately, so you can’t store any extra milk your calf doesn’t consume.
Some reviewers complained that the expiration date on the packaging was difficult to find and read.
If you have trouble, make sure to reach out to the manufacturer, as it can be dangerous to feed your calf milk created with expired powder.
See Price on Amazon3. Best for Rehydration: Bluelight C Calf
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 2/5 |
| Healthy Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Multi Purposed | 2/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 |
Size: 25 lb tub | Brand: Bluelight C | Target Animals: Cows, Horses | Special Features: Dehydration
What We Liked
- Affordable way to rehydrate calves
- Specifically targeted to weak or dehydrated calves
- Easy storage
What We Didn’t Like
- Must be mixed up with normal milk
- Not designed for everyday use
If you are looking for a milk additive as a specific way to rehydrate sick or weak cows, this product is the perfect fit.
While you will still need a basic milk replacer if your calf is not getting milk from the mother, you can add this product in to help rehydrate a calf who is starting to suffer from dehydration.
This product also targets calves who are suffering from scours (diarrhea).We love how easily Bluelight C mixes in with water or milk for easy feeding.
Healthy Ingredients
This Bluelight C additive has tons of electrolytes and probiotics to help rehydrate your calf.
It’s designed to be easily digestible, so it will not cause any more digestion in a calf that is already weak or dehydrated.
Finally, it’s also flavored, so your calf should have no aversion to drinking it.
Purpose
The purpose for this product is designed specifically to flush out and rehydrate calves who are suffering from dehydration.
This type of product is important, because it can save a calf’s life. It’s good to have on hand in case of an emergency.
However, it does not have much of a purpose beyond rehydration, and it should not be used as a cow milk replacer by itself.
We recommend mixing it right in with your calf’s regular milk replacement or even alternating between a bottle of Bluelight C, and a bottle of milk for your calf.
Ease of Use
Even though Bluelight Chas such a specific purpose, it is fairly easy to use.
The packaging comes with very clear directions on how to store, mix, and administer it to calves. It mixes easily with either milk or water.
See Price on Amazon4. Best for Multiple Animals: Manna Pro Nurse All Multi-Species Milk Replacer
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Healthy Ingredients | 3/5 |
| Effectiveness | 3/5 |
| Multi Purposed | 5/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 |
Size: 8 lb bag | Brand: Manna Pro | Target Animals: Dog, Cat, Cow, Goat, Sheep, Pig, Llama, Deer, Elk | Form: Powder | Special Features: Easy-to-Mix Formula, Good Digestibility, Long Shelf Life
What We Liked
- Can be used for multiple animals
- Good mix of protein and fat
- Easy to mix
- Long shelf life
What We Didn’t Like
- May not have healthiest mix of nutrients
- Not good for sensitive stomachs
If you have animals other than calves who may need a milk replacer, this option is for you!
Manna Pro claims this milk replacer is formulated not only for calves, but also for numerous other animals, including kittens, puppies, goat kids, and piglets.
We are big fans of efficiency, and this product takes the prize in that category.
Healthy Ingredients
While this milk replacer mix has a great blend of 24% protein and 24% fat, we weren’t super impressed with the ingredients contained in this powder.
If vitamins and minerals are a concern for you, make sure you read through the extensive list of ingredients before purchasing this product so you know what you’re feeding.
Additionally, this product may not be great for sensitive stomachs. Several reviewers claimed that their baby animals had digestive troubles after consuming this product.
Purpose
As long as your calf doesn’t have a sensitive stomach, this is a great product in terms of versatility.
It can be used to feed numerous other types of livestock and baby animals who also might need a milk replacer.
If you are trying to feed multiple animals, just buying this one option will get the job done, and save you a lot of time and energy hunting down specific brands, and products for each animal.
Ease of Use
This product is fairly easy to use. The packaging comes with directions for all different animals and amounts of milk needed, so it will be easy to blend the right amount of milk replacer.
The directions also come with hints and tips for how to make the best blend, such as using warm water and a whisk to blend.
This milk replacer can be mixed up ahead of time and refrigerated, and it also has a long shelf life, so you are able to buy and mix ahead of time. Again, everything about this milk replacer is efficient.
See Price on Amazon5. Best Colostrum Replacer: Premolac Bovine Plus Milk Replacement Powder
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 2/5 |
| Healthy Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Multi Purposed | 2/5 |
| Ease of Use | 2/5 |
Size: 0.83 lb bag | Brand: Bovine IgG | Target Animals: Cow, Goat | Form: Powder | Special Features: Colostrum Supplement, USDA Licensed, First 24 Hours Use
What We Liked
- Acts as a colostrum supplement in the case of failure of passive transfer (more on this later)
- USDA Licensed
What We Didn’t Like
- Very limited in purpose
- Expensive
It can be overwhelming to choose a cow milk replacer for your calf, but this milk replacement option has a very specific purpose: to give brand new calves (less than 24 hours old) the colostrum they may be missing due to passive transfer failure.
This means that a calf has failed to absorb the immunoglobulins that are so necessary to create a strong immune system.
These calves have to have the antibodies, and this colostrum supplement gives them those.
Healthy Ingredients
Colostrum is the first milk produced by the mother after birth, and if a calf does not get it, then it will be lacking in the vital antibodies it needs to promote immunity.
This colostrum supplement is specifically designed to provide those antibodies the same way a mother’s milk would.
It is packed with immunoglobulins and proline-rich polypeptides in order to help protect the calf against disease and the stressors of a brand-new environment.
These antibodies could save a calf’s life within the first few hours.
Purpose
Although this colostrum replacer serves a vital purpose, it’s only recommended within 24 hours of a calf’s birth. After that, the calf has missed an important window for absorbing those antibodies.
This product is a good milk replacer to have on hand for the first 24 hours of a calf’s life, and it only takes a small amount that first day in order to help set your calf for healthy development.
Be prepared for the pricey cost of this milk replacer.
Cows can be expensive animals to take care of, and you will definitely have to fork over some money in order to make sure your calf gets the colostrum it needs.
After that first 24 hours, we recommend switching your calf to a more generalized milk replacer option.
Ease of Use
Since this milk replacer has such a specific use, it’s not super user friendly.
The packaging has very specific directions, and once mixed, it will need to be administered either by bottle or by esophageal feeder. The good news is, this milk replacer has a 3-year shelf life.
It’s expensive, and you may not use it often, but it lasts a long time, and it could make or break a newborn’s calf’s first 24 hours of life.
See Price on Amazon6. Best Medicated Replacer: SAV-A-CAF Performance Calf Milk Replacer
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 2/5 |
| Healthy Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Multi Purposed | 3/5 |
| Ease of Use | 3/5 |
Size: 25 lb bag | Brand: SAV-A-CAF | Target Animals: Calf | Form: Powder | Special Features: Medicated
What We Liked
- Has good mix of 20% protein and 20% fat
- Easily digestible
- Medicated with Deccox for prevention of coccidiosis
What We Didn’t Like
- Expensive
- Not designed for newborn calves
If you are looking for a medicated milk replacer, this is a great option.
When milk replacer is medicated, it contains extra ingredients to help calves ward off some of the most common sicknesses and diseases they could fall prey to within the first few months of their lives.
While it’s not a guarantee, medicated milk replacers can go a long way towards keeping your calf healthy.
Healthy Ingredients
This milk replacer has a great basic nutrient blend of 20% protein and 20% fat. It also contains numerous vitamins and minerals needed to support your calf’s immune system.
Most importantly, this particular milk replacer is also medicated with Deccox, which is a food additive designed to prevent coccidiosis.
Coccidiosis is an intestinal problem that can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and even blood in feces. It can quickly become serious in small calves if not treated.
Purpose
Although this medicated milk replacer is specifically designed to help ward off sickness, you can use it as an everyday milk replacer for your calf.
However, beware using it for too long, as it could cause your calf to develop resistance to antibiotics.
That means if your calf does ever get sick, it could be less responsive to treatments provided by your veterinarian.
Additionally, the manufacturer does not recommend using this medicated milk replacer for calves that are less than 2 days old.
However, as soon as they’re old enough, you can use this until they’re weaned if you choose.
Ease of Use
We were pleased with how easily this milk replacer mixes in. While the directions are not quite as clear as with some other milk replacers, it is fairly simple to mix up.
Plus, the good flavoring helps calves take bottles easily.
See Price on Amazon7. Best Budget Buy: Manna Pro UniMilk Multi-Species Milk Replacer
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Healthy Ingredients | 3/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Multi Purposed | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 |
Size: 9 lb bag | Brand: Manna Pro | Target Animals: Multiple Small Breeds | Form: Powder | Special Features: Non-medicated, Highly Digestible
What We Liked
- Targeted towards multiple animals
- Very affordable
- Highly Digestible
What We Didn’t Like
- Not specifically formulated for calves
If you’re on a budget, this digestive-friendly, multi-purpose milk replacer is a great option for your calf.
It’s very affordable, contains ingredients that your calf will be able to easily digest, and is an overall good combination of value and performance.
Healthy Ingredients
The natural ingredients contained in this milk replacer mean that your calf will have an easy time digesting this formula.
It has both milk protein and soy protein isolate in order to promote the healthiest milk replacer for your calf.
Purpose
This milk replacer is not specifically formulated for calves, so if you want something that will target your calf’s specific needs, you may want to explore one of our other options.
However, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that is a more general milk replacement, look no further. This milk replacer is very affordable, and will provide your calf with the nutrients they need.
Plus, it comes in multiple sizes for your convenience.
NOTE: the manufacturer does not recommend this product for kittens or lambs.
Ease of Use
The packaging of this milk replacer is very clear about how to mix up this formula.
The directions also provide hints and tips about how to get the smoothest, creamiest blend for your calves if they tend to be a little picky about their milk.
We recommend refrigerating this milk if you’re going to mix it up ahead of time.
See Price on AmazonComparison Chart
| Products | Best Overall | Best Overall Nutrients | Best for Rehydration | Best For Multiple Animals | Best Colostrum Replacer | Best Medicated Replacer | Best Budget Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Affordability | 3/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Healthy Ingredients | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Multi Purposed | 5/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
The Winner
Overall, we loved the Land O Lakes C ProNurse Multi-Species Milk Replacer. It’s highly nutritious, and has multiple uses.
It has proven to be highly digestible, and it has a good flavor to tempt calves who might be a little more hesitant to eat.
As long as you’re willing to pay a bit of a higher price, this milk replacer is the way to go.
How to Choose the Best Calf Milk Replacer
Think About Your Calf’s Needs
Every situation is a little different, whether your calf is orphaned, the mother isn’t producing, or the calf just needs a little extra supplement.
There are a few things you’ll need to think about when deciding on a milk replacer for your calf.
What nutrients does your calf need? How old are they? Do they have a sensitive stomach? Are they picky about their milk?
Answering these questions will help steer you in the right direction when it comes to choosing your calf’s new milk replacer.
Think About Your Goals and Needs
What do you want out of a calf replacer?
If you’re very busy, you may need to find a milk replacer that can be safely stored and refrigerated for a few hours to help you save time when mixing and feeding.
If you’re on a budget, you may want to choose one of the more affordable options.
If you have multiple animals to feed besides just calves, you may want to choose a milk replacer that is formulated to help other types of livestock and baby animals.
By keeping these thoughts in mind, you’ll be able to choose the best milk replacer to fit both your calf’s needs and your own.
Check out this video guide on calf milk replacer:
Honorable Mentions
Here’s a brief look at the 3options that didn’t make our top 7 best calf milk replacer list.
1. Sav a Caf Milk Products Grade A Ultra 24 Milk Replacer, 4-Pound – Considered for Multiple Animals
We briefly considered this Sav a Caf milk replacer for the Best for Multiple Animals category, although we ultimately went with the Manna Pro Nurse All Multi-Species Milk Replacer instead.
While the Sav a Caf milk replacer is a healthy, nutritious choice for numerous types of animals, including calves, it comes in a very small bag that is extremely expensive.
We weren’t super impressed with the quality for what we were paying.
Instead, the Manna Pro Nurse All is a much more affordable option that offers all the same nutrients and benefits for many different animal breeds.
2. Savacaf Grade A Ultra 24 Multi-Species Milk Replacer, 8-Pound Bag – Considered for Best Overall Nutrients
Although this milk replacer contains a great blend of nutrients for young animals, the Manna Pro Suckle Pro Calf Milk Replacer, 25lbs won out. The Savacaf brand is considered a multi-animal milk replacer.
While that’s great for the efficiency of feeding multiple animals, the Manna Pro Suckle has a nutrient base that is specifically designed for calves.
3. Vet One – Bovine IgG Replacer 115 Natural Dried Colostrum for Newborn Calves – Considered for Best Colostrum Replacer
We considered the VetOne brand for Best Colostrum Replacer, but decided to choose Premolac Bovine Immunoglobulins (IgG) Plus Milk Replacement Powder instead.
The Premolac was more targeted to the calf’s first 24 hours of life, which is that window when it’s so vital for the calf to get these antibodies from the mother.
In our opinion, the Premolac does a better job of providing those antibodies in the critical time window.
