Kent KAFNURS Gold with Bovine Plasma

Kent Kafnurs® Gold is a premium milk replacer containing milk and animal (bovine) plasma protein (16% crude protein from milk protein and 4% crude protein from bovine plasma).  The primary benefits of Kent Kafnurs Gold are better performance under stress conditions and a slight cost savings compared to an all-milk protein milk replacer.  The benefits of bovine plasma protein in calf milk replacers are most often observed in stressed calves and calves facing a greater pathogen load and include increased gains, fewer scour days, better fecal scores, less dehydration, and reduced mortality.

Bovine plasma is a concentrated source of protein obtained by removing the red and white blood cells from fresh whole blood.  The bovine plasma used in Kent Kafnurs Gold is NutraPro^TM (American Proteins Corporation).  It is a straw colored, freely flowable, soluble powder that is properly processed to retain plasma biological functions.  The proteins (e.g., tansferrin, loctoferrin, immunoglobulins and others) in plasma have been shown to inhibit bacterial growth, reduce the severity of diarrhea and improve overall animal performance.

Although the specific interactions of bovine plasma protein in calves are uncertain there are two apparent benefits.  First, some of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the plasma escapes gastric and intestinal degradation and remains in the digestive tract to help fight bugs such as salmonella, corona virus and E. coli.  Second, use of plasma protein in pig prestarter diets has indicated the plasma promotes intestinal growth resulting in improved digestion and overall animal growth (animal plasma protein has been used in baby pig diets for years to improve performance).

Tests with calves that are not stressed generally indicate bovine plasma protein is well utilized by the calf (similar to all-milk protein).  The responses vary from similar performance (similar gains, fecal scores, scouring, and mortality) to improved performance compared to a standard whey protein based milk replacer.  In addition to being an excellent quality protein that is highly digestible with excellent amino acid profile, bovine plasma also provides immunoglobulin and other beneficial (functional) factors.

An early research study (Morrill et al, 1995) with 40 calves per treatment indicated improved performance in calves receiving bovine plasma in milk replacer compared to a 20/20 all-milk protein milk replacer:

• 4.2 lb more body weight gains by 6 weeks of age…the difference in gains occurred after 3 weeks of age.
• 5 lb more starter intake by the end of 6 weeks.
• Fecal scores did not differ.
• Mortality was similar (2 deaths in control and 3 deaths in bovine plasma group).

A 2002 study (Quigley et al, 2002) was conducted with barn sale calves that blood IgG test indicated the majority had not received an adequate colostrial feeding.  The results indicated calves on a 20/20 milk replacer containing bovine plasma protein had:

• 4.9 lb more body weight gains by 56 days.
• Less mortality, no mortality in plasma fed calves versus 3.3% mortality on all-milk fed calves.
• A 25% reduction in number of day calves had diarrhea.

A more recent study (Quigley et al, 2003) with barn sale calves (blood test indicated that the majority had received adequate colostrum) indicated calves on a 20/20 milk replacer containing bovine plasma protein had:

• 3.0 lb more body weight gains by 42 days.
• 7.5% mortality in plasma fed calves versus 25% mortality on all-milk fed calves.
• A 30% reduction in the number of day calves had diarrhea.

Reduction in mortality has been observed in at least seven reported studies where a standard milk replacer was compared to one containing bovine plasma:

Table 1

Effect of Bovine Plasma on Mortality

A trial reported in 2000 (Quigley et al) looked at challenging calves with E. coli.  Calves were fed one of three 20/20 all-milk protein milk replacers (unmedicated; medicated with 400/800NT; or unmedicated with bovine plasma).  At 3 days of age calves were challenged with E. coli and observed for the next three weeks.  Results were as follows:

Table 2

Effect of E. Coli Challenge During 3-Week Observation

The use of bovine plasma protein has been exempt from the government ban on use of ruminant products associated with the BSE concerns.  Bovine plasma products carry little or no risk to cattle due the aseptic environment in which blood is collected from slaughter facilities (at slaughter the blood does not come in contact with the brains of the animal-thought to be the source of BSE transmissions).

Kent Kafnurs Gold looks and mixes well (very similar to Milk Formula™ 1).  Kafnurs Gold should be mixed in 110-120 degree water and fed soon after mixing to avoid possible coagulation of the bovine plasma protein.

Kent Kafnurs Gold is a premium quality milk replacer providing highly digestive sources of protein with additional nutritional factors that can assist with raising health calves.

References:

Morrill et al. 1995.  Journal of Dairy Science. 78:902-907.

Quigley et al. 2003.  Journal of Daily Science.  86:586-592.

Quigley et al. 2000.  Food and Agricultural Immunology.  12:311-318.

Quigley et al. 2002.  Journal of Dairy Science.  85:413-421.