A few are like that.The last calf I raised (Honeydew, milking now) refused to eat or even nibble calf starter. I put out fresh every day for weeks. Finally I dumped some of her milk replacer on the grain and she ate it like a kid with a bowl of cereal
Of course that may be a biased opinion because it's harder for them to market the milk they use for replacer. That said, soy is is high in erucic acid. Whether or not that actually causes damage depends on whether or not the study you read was performed by the soy industry or someone else...In the dairy calf raising industry soy milk replacer is frowned upon.
I had a spare twin that was a bottle calf for a month or so last spring. Accidentally bought some replacer that had soy protein. That calf's butt reeked for a two weeks after I found the real stuff. His name was Stinky for the rest of the summer even after I got a cow to take him.We had one bloat up like crazy on that crap. Liked to never figured it out!!
I've used it. Will I use it again?
NEVER
Even if it's free. They can keep it
Not biased due to being dairy farmers.... the soy is not as well digested as straight milk... or all milk, milk replacer... too many studies done by too many people and too many outside comparisons done....Of course that may be a biased opinion because it's harder for them to market the milk they use for replacer. That said, soy is is high in erucic acid. Whether or not that actually causes damage depends on whether or not the study you read was performed by the soy industry or someone else...