Abstract
The consumption of calf starter by young calves at an early age is important for the development of a functioning rumen and to achieve optimal growth. By the fourth week of life, calves should be consuming more nutrients from calf starter than from milk replacer, which increases the importance of feeding a nutritious, highly palatable starter. Two commercially available calf starters were evaluated at Merrick's Inc. research farm in Union Center, WI. Holstein bull calves (n=120), less than 7 days of age were purchased from an area sale barn. Using a randomize complete block design, with initial weight as the blocking factor, calves were assigned to either calf starter A (18% protein, 5% fat) or B (18% protein, 3% fat) and to one of three milk replacer diets (no significant interactions between calf starter diet and milk replacer diet existed). Calves were housed in individual hutches with water available free choice from d 0. A high quality, commercial calf starter was available free choice beginning at d 7. Feed intake, incidence of scours and antibiotic treatments were recorded daily. Calves were weighed weekly. Calves were weaned at a minimum of 42 d with weaning dependent on the calf eating a minimum of 454 g of calf starter for 3 consecutive d. Calves fed starter A had greater average weekly weights beginning at week 4 and lasting the rest of the trial (P<0.05), greater total weight gains (39.7 kg, 30.1 kg for A and B, respectively; P<0.05), greater ADG (P<0.05) and higher feed intakes from week 3 through the end of the trial (P<0.05). Weaning age for calves fed starter A was, on average, 2 days earlier than calves on starter B (P<0.05). These results indicate that the importance of feeding a high quality, nutritious calf starter to young dairy calves and should not be overlooked on the dairy farm.
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Introduction
Calf starters are an important part of every dairy farm's replacement heifer rearing program. Important characteristics when choosing a calf starter include ingredient choice and quality and quality of manufacturing. Other significant qualities of a calf starter include knowing that the calf starter will remain fresh and not develop fines or molds over time. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of calves fed two commercially available calf starters to determine how dramatically the quality of starter can effect performance of young dairy calves.
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Objective
To compare the performance of calves fed two commercially available calf starters.
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Materials and Methods
Animals and housing:
- 120 Holstein Bull calves purchased from an area sale barn
- Calves were housed in individual hutches
Feeding
- Milk Replacer*
- Control - 20% CP, 20% Fat
Fed at 454g/d, reconstituted to 12% DM
- High Protein - 25% CP, 20% Fat
Fed at 675g/d, reconstituted to 18% DM
- High Protein, Low Fat - 25% CP, 15% Fat
Fed at 675g/d reconstituted to 18% DM
- Calf Starter:
- A - 18% protein, 5% fat
- B - 18% protein, 3% fat
- Fed free choice beginning on d 7
- Water
- Fed free choice beginning on d 0
- Weaning
- Calves were weaned at a minimum of 42 d with weaning dependent on the calf eating a minimum of 454g for 3 consecutive d.
Data Collection
- Weights recorded weekly
- Serum IgG levels collected on d0
- Fecal scores recorded daily on a scale of 1 to 4
1 = very firm, 4 = extremely watery
- Antibiotic treatments recorded daily
*No significant interactions between calf starter diet and milk replacer diet existed.
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Table 1
Table 1. Treatment means of growth, feed intake, health, and weaning age for calves fed a two different commercially available calf starters.
| Treatment |
| Item |
A |
B |
P-value |
| ADG, kg |
0.710 |
0.537 |
0.032 |
| Total Weight Gain, kg |
39.743 |
30.093 |
0.032 |
| Feed Efficiency, kg/kg |
0.530 |
0.535 |
N/S |
| Total Starter Intake, kg |
52.466 |
35.012 |
0.023 |
| Weaning Age, d |
43.06 |
45.34 |
0.011 |
| Scours, d |
0.763 |
0.774 |
N/S |
| Treated, d |
2.091 |
2.994 |
N/S |
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Figure 1
Effects of Calf Starter Diet on Average Daily Feed Intake
| Figure 1. Average weekly feed intakes (g) for calves fed two different commercially available calf starters. |
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Figure 2
Effects of Calf Starter Diet on Average Weekly Weight Gain
| Figure 2. Average weekly weight (kg) for calves fed two different commercially available calf starters. |
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Summary and Conclusions
Summary
Weaning, on average, was 2 days earlier for calves on starter A.
Performance measures (weekly weight, ADG, total gain, and feed efficiency) were greater for calves on starter A.
Calves on starter A ate higher quantities of calf starter than did calves on starter B.
Conclusion
Results from the current study indicate that the importance of feeding a high quality, nutritious calf starter should not be overlooked on the dairy farm.
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