Between the numerous variables of mixing milk replacer, storing and heating raw milk and properly dosing for various ages – even if just one person is involved in calf care – consistency is a tough goal to reach. Research has shown that a lack of consistency in temperature, total solids and nutrient level can lead to calves who are unwilling to drink or scouring when they are consuming an inconsistent diet. One solution to calf feeding consistency that has been quickly growing in popularity over the last ten years is the Milk Taxi from CalfStar.
At any given time, Emily Zweber of Elko, MN, says she has between 30 and 40 calves on milk. “Before the Milk Taxi, we would store raw milk from previous milkings in pails,” she says. “Then I would have to warm up the milk, two groups at a time, in hot water. I was carrying a lot of pails from our milk house to the calf housing area.”
She cites several problems with this method: milk didn’t get cooled, the temperature of the fed milk was never consistent, and it took a lot of time. Since implementing the Milk Taxi, Zweber says she has solved all of those issues. “I can now feed 40 calves a consistent amount and temperature of milk in about 30 minutes, including washing the machine.”
CalfStar first brought the Milk Taxi to market in the U.S. around 2009. According to Minnie Ward, CalfStar Sales Representative, sales have exploded, especially in the last three years. She says that while the majority of her customers are looking to solve inconsistencies in temperature and dosing, many didn’t realize how inconsistent they had been until after implementing the Milk Taxi.
Ward says the self-contained unit comes in four sizes and can pasteurize raw milk if needed, fitting in with a variety of farm sizes and calf management programs. “It has a nine-minute wash cycle, and you can program up to nine different volumes. It’s got its own cooling unit, and you don’t even have to physically be there to push the button to start pasteurizing – it’s on an internal timer.”
Adding to the consistency factor, Ward says, “If you’re using saleable milk but want to balance your ration for more consistency or raise solid levels, it can tell you if you need to add powder or water to reach the desired solids feeding level.”
With automation that also streamlines dosing based on a smart ID system, the Milk Taxi does require a certain level of setup and programming. But from there, Ward says maintenance is low. “Of course, the way you treat your machine will equate to the number of hiccups down the road. But you can get up to seven years without major repairs other than hoses and gaskets.”
Zweber says she was impressed with the taxi’s handling in deep snow, but the one drawback she has noticed is navigating in the mud. “The only thing I would change is shortening the spring muddy season here in Minnesota – or adding more concrete.”
