Aspects of protein quality in calf nutrition. Problems and possibilities of milk protein substitutes.

T h e high cost of milk proteins limits the profits of veal production. The situation is made worse by an increasing demand for beef. For this reason the rearing of calves for veal production is expected to decline to one-third within the next 10 years. One method of solving some of these problems would be the partial or total replacement of milk proteins with suitable substitutes. This course of action may, however, generate new problems. The alternative protein sources might become more and more expensive. Also, there are many technical and physiological difficulties connected with the use of milk-protein substitutes. We shall have an increasing overproduction of milk protein which cannot be consumed by man alone; it is best utilized in veal production.