1183
Effects of Milk Replacer Feeding Frequency on Growth and Performance of Neonatal Holstein Calves

Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Exhibit Hall AB (Kansas City Convention Center)
Michael Thomas , LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Cathleen C. Williams , LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Bruce F Jenny , LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Steven Blair , LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Charles F. Hutchison , LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Christie Burke , LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Erica L. Chartier , LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Marisol Orellana , LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Ashley H Dolejsiova , LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Abstract Text:

Fifty-seven neonatal Holstein calves (40 female; 17 male) were assigned to one of 3 treatments at day 2 of age to study effects of milk replacer feeding frequency on growth, performance, and health. Treatments consisted of 1X, with total amount of reconstituted milk replacer fed at 6:00 a.m.; 2X, with total amount of reconstituted milk replacer divided into 2 equal amounts and fed at 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.; and 3X, with total amount of reconstituted milk replacer divided into 3 equal amounts and fed at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 5:00 p.m.  Calves were housed in individual hutches and fed milk replacer until abrupt weaning at 42 days of age.  Total daily amount of milk replacer offered was equal to 1.5% of birth weight and reconstituted to a total volume of 10% birth weight.  Water and an 18% crude protein calf starter were offered ad libitum beginning on d 3 throughout the duration of the trial.  Calves remained in their hutches until day 56 to determine immediate post weaning performance.  BW was determined at birth and weekly throughout the trial.  Wither height (WH), hip height (HH) and hip width (HW) were measured on d 7, 14, 28, 42, and 56 of age.  Feed intake, water intake, and fecal scores were recorded daily.  Effects of treatment, week, and their interactions were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS® (Cary, NC). There was no effect (P>0.05) of treatment on BW, HH, HW, or WH. There was a week effect (P<0.01) for BW, HH, HW, and WH as well as grain and water intake, with all calves increasing intake and growth throughout the duration of the study.  There was no effect (P>0.05) of treatment on fecal scores, with scores being similar and within the normal ranges for healthy calves throughout the project.  Overall, milk replacer feeding frequency did not show any significant effects on growth or performance of these Holstein dairy calves.

Keywords:

dairy calves, milk replacer, feeding frequency

milk replacer

feeding frequency

See more of: Growth & Development Poster II
See more of: Growth and Development
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