| abstract |
An animal milk replacer composition comprises cultured skimmed milk in powder form, a fat portion and a protein portion. Preferably, the cultured skimmed milk in powder form is yoghurt powder and is heat treated and derived from skimmed milk concentrate cultured with lactic acid bacteria, such as <I>Lactobillus acidophilus</I>, <I>Streptococcus salivarius</I>, sub-species <I>thermophilus</I> and mixed strain <I>Streptococcus</I> and <I>Lactococcus</I> cultures. The fat portion may be selected from animal or vegetable fats and is preferably tallow, lard, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil or hydrogenated derivatives thereof. The protein portion is preferably selected from skimmed milk powder, whey powder, delactosed whey powder, whey protein concentrate or vegetable proteins such as soya or wheat protein. Preferably, the composition comprises 0.5-10% by weight of cultured skimmed milk in powder form, 50-70% skimmed milk powder and 12-20% fat. The composition may also comprise a lactic acid adjunct, such as microencapsulated lactic acid powder. The composition is preferably used for calves, lambs, piglets or foals. |