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- Title
Influence of equalizing the gross composition of milk replacer to that of whole milk on the performance of Holstein calves.
- Authors
Lee, H. J.; Khan, M. A.; Lee, W. S.; Yang, S. H.; Kim, S. B.; Ki, K. S.; Kim, H. S.; Ha, J. K.; Choi, Y. J.
- Abstract
This study compared the performance of female Holstein calves fed either whole milk (WM) or milk replacer (MR) having similar gross compositidn to WM. Calves (n = 20) were separated from their mothers within 2 h of birth, weighed, moved into individual pens, and fed colostrurn (10% of their BW over 2 feed- ings daily) for the first 3 d. Calves were alternately assigned to either WM (n = 10) or MR (n = 10) and were fed using mobile plastic bottles. At each feeding, diluted MR was prepared in buckets by mixing 0.143 kg of MR powder (as-is basis) in 1 L of lukewarm water. Calves on both treatments were fed (1.8 L/feeding) for 4 times daily for the first 25 d of age. Feeding frequency was reduced to 3 times daily for next 5 d, then to 2 times daily for next 14 d, and then to once daily during the last 5 d of the preweaning period. Feed intake, growth, and health variables were monitored until calves were 70 d of age. Mean daily consumption of WM and MR was similar in both treatment groups (P = 0.74). Initial BW of calves fed either WM or MR was similar (42.1 ± 3.3 vs. 41.9 ± 2.9 kg, respectively; P = 0.83). Calves fed WM or MR daily consumed similar amounts of calf starter (1,019 vs. 1,056 g, respectively; P = 0.32), hay (121.5 vs. 126.3 g, respectively; P = 0.30), and water (5.2 vs. 5.0 kg, respectively; P = 0.54). At weaning (d 49) and postweaning (d 70), BW was greater (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively) in calves fed WM than in those fed MR. Mean DM1 from both solid and liquid feeds was not affected by the treatments during the preweaning (P = 0.21) and postweaning (P = 0.16) periods. Body weight gain efficiency during preweaning and overall was improved (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) in calves fed WM than in those fed MR. Health (days scoured, recta,1 temperature, respiratory score, and general appearance score) and serum chemistry variables (glucose, total protein, urea N, nonesterified fatty acids, and creatinine) in calves were not affected (P ≥ 0.12 and P ≥ 0.12, respectively) by the treatments. Even though gross composition of the MR and WM was similar, growth was greater in calves fed WM. Calves fed WM consumed similar amounts of DM and were heavier than those fed MR, probably because of better bioavailability (digestion and assimilation) of nutrients and availability of some unknown growth factors from WM.
- Subjects
INGESTION; HOLSTEIN-Friesian cattle; CATTLE feeding &; feeds; CATTLE parturition; MILK yield; FATTY acids
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2009, Vol 87, Issue 3, p1129
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2527/jas.2008-1110