Chocolate Milk Pre-Mix (CMP)
Conditioning drench/feed blend — powdered buttermilk + Gold Dust combination; used to maintain fill and condition when reducing dry feed to tighten belly appearance before a show
Always read and follow product labels for feeding and sheep safety.
Overview
Chocolate Milk Pre-Mix (CMP) is SSS’s proprietary blend of pasteurized powdered buttermilk (with active bacteria added back post-drying) and Gold Dust Power Fluid. It is the commercially packaged version of the “Chocolate Milk” conditioning recipe — a technique popular on the show circuit for managing belly appearance in the final weeks before a show. The concept: when a feeder needs to reduce dry feed volume to tighten a lamb’s belly and improve lower-body appearance, the Chocolate Milk drench or partial feed replacement provides calories, protein, gut flora, and fill volume without the expansion effect of grain. Available in Starter Pack (includes measuring equipment and instructions), 3 lb refill, and 10 lb refill. A full feeding guide PDF is downloadable from the product page.
Manufacturer Specifications
Guaranteed Analysis
Not published online.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Copper | No copper from Gold Dust component; buttermilk component copper unknown |
Key Ingredients / Active Components
| Ingredient | Role |
|---|---|
| Custom pasteurized powdered buttermilk | Dairy protein, calcium, natural fats; full-fat conditioning source; live bacteria added back after drying |
| Gold Dust Power Fluid | Egg yolk, whey, milk protein, live probiotics (5.5 × 10⁷ CFU/g), sodium aluminosilicate |
Official Feeding Rate
- Detailed instructions and recipe available via downloadable PDF from product page and SSS blog
- Typical use: mixed with water as a drench or poured over reduced grain ration
- Species: Sheep, goats, cattle, hogs
Sheep Safety
Copper: Gold Dust (one of the two primary components) contains no copper — confirmed. Pasteurized buttermilk naturally contains minimal copper and is not a copper concern. Overall product is likely copper-safe based on ingredient profiles, but confirm with SSS.
Show Circuit Use
Sources: stockshowsecrets.com product page; SSS blog post on Chocolate Milk recipe
How Experienced Feeders Actually Use It
The Chocolate Milk technique is a well-known show circuit tool for the final 3–4 weeks before a show. The scenario it addresses: a lamb is in excellent muscle and condition but the belly looks too full or round from grain feeding. The feeder reduces dry feed by 20–30% and replaces the calories with the Chocolate Milk drench — buttermilk + Gold Dust mixed in water. The liquid passes through the digestive system faster than grain, reducing rumen fill and belly appearance, while still providing calories, protein, and probiotics to prevent muscle loss during the reduction. The result is a tighter, more tubular lower body without sacrificing body condition score.
Show morning use: Many feeders give the Chocolate Milk mix as the pre-show morning feeding — liquid calories without belly expansion, keeping the lamb eating and energized without looking overfull in the ring.
The “Chocolate Milk” Concept
The name comes from the color and appearance of the mixed product — buttermilk + Gold Dust in water looks like chocolate milk. SSS packaged this as a pre-mix to simplify the recipe and ensure consistent ratios of the two components.
Phase Protocols
Weeks 5–3 | Begin Belly Management
- Rate: Per downloadable guide (obtain from SSS)
- Paired with: Reduction in dry feed volume; CMP replaces removed calories
- Purpose: Begin tightening belly appearance while maintaining condition
Weeks 2–1 / Show Week | Full Belly Management Protocol
- Rate: Per guide; increase CMP as dry feed is reduced
- Purpose: Achieve target belly tightness heading into show; maintain muscle and condition
Show Morning
- Rate: Per guide
- Purpose: Liquid nutrition without rumen expansion before entering the ring
Stacking Protocols
CMP + beet pulp: Some feeders maintain a small amount of soaked beet pulp alongside CMP to provide structural fiber and fill in the rumen without grain’s expansion effect.
CMP + Gut Candy: Adding Gut Candy to the CMP drench supports gut health during the feed reduction phase, when digestive stress is elevated.
Community Tips
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