Research and Reviews: Dairy

Special Circular 163-99

Grain Intake and Growth of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves

M. L. Eastridge
1The Ohio State University
Department of Animal Sciences

D. K. Roseler
2Countrymark Cooperative, Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana

1 For more information, contact at: The Ohio State University, 221B Animal Science Building, 2029 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1095; 614-688-3059; fax: 614-292-1515; e-mail: eastridge.1@osu.edu

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to investigate performance of calves being fed different calf starters. In Trial 1, a commercial calf starter was compared to a specially designed calf starter with higher NDF content but source of the additional NDF was from highly digestible by-products. Grain intake averaged 2.04 and 2.21 lb/day during 49 days of age for the calves fed starters containing 20.6 versus 36.3% NDF, respectively. The ADG from birth to weaning was 1.07 and 1.31 lb/day for the calves fed control versus the high-fiber grain.

In Trial 2, a flavor additive was included in a commercial calf starter to determine if the flavoring increased grain consumption by calves. Grain intake was higher than during Trial 1 but not different between the treatments, possibly because of the high grain intake with the control calf starter. The high grain intake resulted in weaning calves between four and five weeks of age. Average daily gain from birth to weaning (0.79 lb/day) was similar between the two treatments.

Calves can be successfully weaned at four to five weeks of age, but actual weaning age should be based on grain intake. On average, a target of 1.0 lb/day of body weight gain should be used for preweaned calves.

Introduction

The greatest risks in calf rearing are during the preweaning period. This period is denoted with the highest mortality, morbidity, and incidence of disease. Good quality colostrum, properly formulated and fed milk replacer, a sound vaccination program, and a clean environment are needed to assist the young calf in getting off to a good start. The grain fed to the preruminant calf must be palatable, highly digestible, and possess characteristics to stimulate rumen development, enhance rumen volatile fatty acid production, and minimize bloat.

Two studies were conducted to investigate performance of calves being fed different calf starters. In Trial 1, a commercial calf starter was compared to a specially designed calf starter with higher NDF content, but the source of the additional NDF was from highly digestible by-products. Both starters were formulated as complete feeds. In Trial 2, a flavor additive was included in a commercial calf starter to determine if the flavoring agent increased grain consumption by calves.

Materials and Methods

Trial 1

Forty Holstein and Jersey female calves were fed one of two calf starters from three days of age until 300 lb. of body weight. The two calf starters varied by level of fiber (20.6 vs. 36.3% NDF) (Table 1), but the increase in fiber occurred by using highly digestible by-products. Both calf starters contained Bovatec® (Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc., Nutley, NJ) at 30 g per ton. Calves were fed colostrum for three days. Milk replacer was fed at 10% of body weight until calves were consuming 1.5 lb/day of grain. Calves were housed in hutches and remained on the study until their weight was between 275 and 325 lb. Water was available free choice throughout the trial. Grain intake was recorded daily, and BW and wither height were recorded biweekly.

Trial 2

Thirty Holstein calves (22 female and eight male) were blocked into 15 groups of two based on sex and date of birth. Each calf within a block was assigned to either being fed calf starter (Table 1) without or with a maple flavoring product (Feed Flavors, Inc., Oregon, Wisc.). Chemical composition of diets was similar. Calves entered the study at birth and began receiving grain and water free choice at about three days of age. Milk replacer was fed at 10% of body weight at birth. Calves were weaned when starter intake was at least 1.5 lb/day for two consecutive days. When average nightly temperature fell below 30 degrees F, milk replacer was increased to 12% of body weight and weaning occurred when starter intake was at least 2 lb/day for two consecutive days. At the time of weaning, calves were fed milk replacer once daily for one week. Calves then continued on the study for two more weeks (total of three weeks postweaning).

Calves were housed in hutches throughout the trial. Body weight and wither height were measured at birth, weekly, and at three weeks postweaning. Starter intake and health status were recorded daily. Fecal scores were recorded daily using the following scale (Garthwaite et al., 1994; Larson et al., 1977): 1 = normal; firm but not hard; original form is distorted slightly after dropping to the ground; 2 = does not hold form; piles but spreads slightly, i.e., soft serve ice milk; 3 = runny; spreads readily to about 6 mm depth, i.e., pancake batter; 4 = watery; splatters, i.e., orange juice; and 5 = liquid, devoid of any observable solids. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized block design using SAS (1988).

Results

Grain intake averaged 2.04 and 2.21 lb/day during 49 days of age for the calves fed starters containing 20.6 versus 36.3% NDF, respectively (Figure 1). The ADG from birth to weaning was 1.07 and 1.31 lb/day for the calves fed control versus the high fiber grain. These grain intakes and ADG were higher than observed by Akayezu et al. (1994) when feeding a calf starter containing 15% CP and 15.3% NDF (1.83 lb/day grain intake from day four to 56 of age; 0.81 lb/day ADG from day four to weaning; weaned at 30.6 days).

Figure 1. Grain intake by calves in Trial 1 (open square 20.6% NDF, filled square 36.3% NDF) and Trial
2 (open circle + Flavor, filled circle - Flavor).

Grain intake by calves during Trial 2 was a little higher than for calves in Trial 1 (Table 2; Figure 1). There were no statistical differences between the treatments for any of the variables investigated. The flavoring product may not have increased grain intake of the preweaned calves because of the high grain intake with the control calf starter. The high grain intake resulted in weaning calves between four and five weeks of age. Using the criteria for weaning of 1.5 lb/day of grain for three consecutive days, greater than three weeks of age, and a gain of 10 lb. or more since birth, Abdelgadir and Morrill (1995) observed weaning age to range from 31.8 to 34.7 days during two different trials.

Conclusions

Calf starters designed as total calf rations (TCR), i.e., no separate hay, can be very effective for preweaned calves. The palatability of the calf starter is very important, but the use of a flavoring product may only be beneficial if palatability is poor. No response to the addition of a flavoring product was observed in this study.

Calves can be successfully weaned at four to five weeks of age, but actual weaning age should be based on grain intake. Relative to other published studies, preweaning average daily gain was not compromised as a result of feeding a 15% crude protein calf starter. On average, a target of 1.0 lb/day of body weight gain should be used for preweaned calves.

References

Abdelgadir, I. E. O. and J. L. Morrill. 1995. Effect of processing sorghum grain on dairy calf performance. J. Dairy Sci. 78:2040.

Akayezu, J. M., J. G. Linn, D. E. Otterby, and W. P. Hansen. 1994. Evaluation of calf starters containing different amounts of crude protein for growth of Holstein calves. J. Dairy Sci. 77:1882.

Garthwaite, B. D., J. K. Drackley, G. C. McCoy, and E. H. Jaster. 1994. Whole milk and oral rehydration solution for calves with diarrhea of spontaneous origin. J. Dairy Sci. 77:835.

Larson, L. L., F. G. Owen, J. L. Albright, R. D. Appleman, R. C. Lamb, and L. D. Muller. 1977. Guidelines toward more uniformity in measuring and reporting calf experimental data. J. Dairy Sci. 60:989.

SAS/STAT User's Guide. Release 6.03 Edition. 1988. SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC.