R.L. Schlotterbeck

Effects of Changing the Fat and Fatty Acid Composition of Milk Replacers Fed to Neonatal Calves

Calf milk replacers (MR) in the United States are typically manufactured with predominately animal fat sources with greater concentrations of fatty acids C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1 than the fatty acid profile of cows milk. Several groupings of fatty acids have research properties related to health, antimicrobial properties, and growth. Four replicated trials using 220 Holstein calves, initially less than 7 d of age, were conducted to examine the effect of including a specific fatty acid and fat sources in 20% CP and 20% fat MR (as-fed) fed at 454 g daily on growth, efficiency, and health. Trial 1 compared 2 MR formulated with and without sodium butyrate (C4:0). Trial 2 compared 4 MR formulated with coconut oil (medium-chain fatty acids), canola oil (source of C18:3), or the combination replacing a portion of the animal fat in the control MR. Trials 3 and 4 compared 2 MR with coconut and canola oil replacing a portion of animal fat in the control MR. Calves fed MR with butyrate (trial 1) and the MR with added coconut and canola oil (trials 2, 3, and 4) grew faster (P < 0.05) with fewer (P < 0.05) abnormal fecal score days than calves fed the control MR. Formulating the calf MR to increase the concentration of short-chain (C4:0), medium-chain (C8:0, C10:0, C12:0,and C14:0), and essential fatty acids (C18:3) above what is provided in a MR based on all animal fat reduced the number of days with abnormal fecal scores and improved ADG in calves.

Amino Acids, Fatty Acids, and Fat Sources for Calf Milk Replacers

Three trials were conducted to examine the effect of including specific amino acids, fatty acids, and fat sources in 20 and 22% CP and 20% fat milk replacers (MR; as-fed) fed at 454 g daily. Trial 1 measured selected blood constituents in calves fed a 20% CP, 20% fat MR including all added fat from lard and no added synthetic amino acids (CON20); a MR with added butyrate (BUT20); a MR with added coconut plus canola oil (FB20); and a MR with added L-Lys plus DL-Met (LM20). Trial 2 compared CON20, LM20, and a MR with 22% CP (CON22). Trial 3 compared CON22, a MR with 20% CP with added Lys and Met, 20% lard, coconut, and canola fat with sodium butyrate (MOD20), and pasteurized whole milk at the equal rates of DM. Compared with calves fed CON20 in Trial 1, amylase increased (P < 0.05) and urea-N decreased (P < 0.05) in calves fed BUT20; alkaline phosphatase increased (P < 0.05), creatinine tended to increase (P < 0.10), and urea-N decreased (P < 0.05) in calves fed FB20; and urea-N decreased (P < 0.05) in calves fed LM20. Calves fed LM20 in Trial 2 grew faster (P < 0.05) than calves fed CON20. In Trial 3, the calves fed MOD20 grew faster (P < 0.05) than calves fed CON22 or whole milk and had fewer abnormal fecal score days (P < 0.05) than calves fed CON22. Calves fed 20% CP MR for

Effects of the Feeding Rate of High Protein Calf Milk Replacers

Abstract Weaning and postweaning reductions in ADG in calves fed large amounts of milk or milk replacers (MR) are common. The purpose of these trials was to determine the effect of feeding a high CP MR at different rates on ADG, starter intake, and efficiency. In trial 1, a 26% CP, 17% fat MR was fed at either 0.681 kg/ d (P681), and then stepped up to 0.794 kg/d by d 8 (P794), or stepped up to 0.908 kg/d by d 15 (P908). In trial 2, P681 and P908 were fed. In trial 3, calves were fed either P681, 26% CP, 17% fat MR stepped up to 1.135 kg/d by d 22 (P1135), 28% CP, 20% fat MR stepped up to 1.135 kg/d by d 22 (PF1135), or conventional 20% CP, 20% fat MR at 0.454 kg/d (C454). Calves fed P794, P908, P1135, and PF1135 had faster ADG from 0 to 21 d and less starter intake from 0 to 56 d compared with calves fed P681 (P

Effects of Feeding Rate of Milk Replacers and Bedding Material for Calves in a Cold, Naturally Ventilated Nursery

Abstract Different milk replacer (MR) programs and rates were evaluated with different bedding materials during cold temperatures. A MR (26% CP and 17% fat) was fed at 0.681 to 0.908 kg/d (study 1) or a MR (20% CP and 20% fat) was fed at 0.454 to 0.681 kg/d (study 2A) to calves bedded with hardwood shavings or wheat straw. In study 2B, calves from study 2A were grouped in pens by previous MR rate and fed a common diet for 28 d. In study 3, calves were fed A) a MR (26% CP and 17% fat) at 0.681 kg/ d for 42 d, B) or MR (26% CP and 17% fat) stepped up to 0.908 kg/d then reduced to 0.681 kg/d for 21 d, or C) 0.817 kg/d of a MR (22% CP and 27% fat) for 21 d and then fed 0.681 kg/d of a MR (26% CP, 17% fat) for 21 d. Calves were weaned at 42 d. In Studies 1 and 2A, ADG was unchanged and starter intake declined linearly (P

Roughage Amount, Source, and Processing for Diets Fed to Weaned Dairy Calves

ABSTRACT Roughage amount, source, and processing were evaluated using Holstein steer calves initially 8 wk of age in four 56-d trials. In all trials, calves were fed a common textured grower diet (20% CP, 12% NDF) based on whole corn and oats, a protein supplement pellet, and liquid molasses. In trial 1, the treatments were 0, 3, 6, or 9% chopped wheat straw (3% CP). Average daily gain, DMI, hip width, and BCS decreased linearly as straw was increased. In trial 2, the treatments were 0, 5, 10, or 15% long alfalfa hay. Average daily gain and hip width decreased linearly as the level of alfalfa hay in the diet increased. In trial 3, the treatments were 0, 3, 6, or 9% chopped grass hay. Average dairy gain, DMI, and hip width changed quadratically as hay increased. Calf ADG, DMI, and hip width change were maximal at 3% grass hay. Calf BCS declined linearly as grass hay increased. In trial 4, the treatments were 7% alfalfa hay fed as either chopped or long hay, and there were no differences in calf performance. When the treatment means of trials 1, 2, and 3 were combined and regression analysis was performed, ADG and DMI declined quadratically as NDF intake increased, but roughage source was not significant. Dry matter intake and ADG declined the most when NDF from roughage exceeded 1.5% of DM.

Methods of reducing milk replacer to prepare dairy calves for weaning when large amounts of milk replacer have been fed

ABSTRACT Abrupt weaning of calves fed over 0.7 kg DM of milk or milk replacer (MR) has reduced ADG in calves by depressing starter intake in numerous trials and laboratories. We compared different gradual weaning programs in two 56-d trials. In trial 1, a 27% CP, 17% fat MR fed at 0.66 kg DM/d for 42 d (LO) was compared with the same MR fed at 0.88 kg/d for 21 d and reduced 0.66 kg/d for 21 d before weaning (HI) and a 22% CP, 27% fat MR fed at 0.79 kg/d for 21 d and changed to the 27% CP, 17% fat MR fed at 0.66 kg/d for 21 d before weaning (HIFAT). Calves fed HI had greater ADG and similar starter intake compared with calves fed LO, whereas calves fed HIFAT had lower starter intake and ADG compared with calves fed LO. In trial 2, a 27% CP, 17% fat MR was fed at 0.66 kg DM/d for 42 d (LO), fed at 0.96 kg/d for 21 d and reduced to 0.66 kg/d before weaning over 21 d (HI), and fed at 0.96 kg/d for 28 d and more gradually reduced compared with HI over 14 d before weaning (HIGRAD). Calves fed both HI and HIGRAD had greater ADG and similar starter intake to calves fed LO. Weaning calves over 14 to 21 d that had been fed MR at 0.88 kg DM or more did not result in reductions in ADG and starter intake.

Effects of Changing the Fatty Acid Composition of Calf Starters

Abstract Specific fatty acid blends (C 4:0 , C 8:0 , C 10:0 , C 12:0 , C 14:0 , C 18:2 , and C 18:3 ) replacing a portion of the fat from animal fats in a milk replacer improve ADG, effciency, and health in calves. The objective of these trials was to test these fatty acids in starters fed to calves through 4 mo of age. In trial 1, 48 calves were fed either a control starter or a starter containing a blend of sodium butyrate, canola oil, and coconut oil (FA1) from 3 to 59 d of age. In trial 2, 48 calves were fed a control starter, FA1, and starter containing a proprietary blend of C 4:0 , C 8:0 , C 10:0 , C 12:0 , C 18:2 , and C 18:3 (FA2) from 3 to 59 d of age. Intrial 3, 12 calves were fed a control, FA1, and FA2 starters, and selected blood constituents were measured between approximately 45 and 59 d. In trials 4 and 5, 48 calves per trial were fed either a control starter or FA2 from approximately 59 to 115 d. In trials 1, 2, 4, and 5, the calves fed FA1 and FA2 gained BW faster and more effciently than calves fed the control (P

Effect of Weaning Age of Dairy Calves Fed a Conventional or More Optimum Milk Replacer Program

ABSTRACT Comparisons of different weaning ages of calves fed high-protein, high-feeding-rate milk replacer (MR) programs have not been reported in the literature. Thus, the objectives of these trials were to compare the performance of calves fed either a conventional MR [0.454 kg of a 22% CP, 20% fat (as fed) MR powder daily; MR A] or a more optimum MR [0.681 kg of a 26% CP, 17% fat (as fed) MR powder daily; MR B] and weaning them at either 28 or 42 d. Trial 1 evaluated the weaning age of calves fed MR A or B. Trial 2 compared the weaning age of calves fed MR B. Holstein calves were fed an 18% CP starter and fresh water ad libitum throughout the 56-d trials. In trial 1, calves fed MR B had 50% greater ADG, consumed 24% more starter, were 13% more efficient, and had 68% more hip width change than calves fed MR A (P

CASE STUDY: Effect of high- and low-cereal-grain starters on straw intake and rumen development of neonatal Holstein calves

ABSTRACT A high-cereal-grain, coarse, textured calf starter (TEX) was compared with a fine-particle, pelleted, low-cereal-grain starter (PEL) for the effect on straw intake and rumen papillae development. Two-day-old calves were fed a 27% CP, 17% fat milk replacer at 0.66 kg of DM daily and weaned at d 35. Calves were fed TEX or PEL (20% CP) and straw ad libitum with water over a 56-d trial. Calves were housed in individual pens with geotextile fabric over rock as flooring with no bedding. After slaughter on d 56, gastrointestinal tracts were divided into stomach and intestine at the pyloric sphincter and weighed. Rumen wall and rumen papilla samples were measured, and kidneys with associated fat were measured. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design. Straw intake averaged 0.8% of total intake and did not differ by starter type. Calves fed TEX had greater final BW and greater ADG than did calves fed PEL. Empty stomach weight was greater for calves fed TEX. Intestine plus digesta weights were less and stomach and intestine plus digesta weights were less for calves fed TEX compared with those fed PEL. Rumen papilla length was greater for calves fed TEX compared with those fed PEL. Percent kidney fat was greater for calves fed TEX compared with those fed PEL, and it increased linearly with ADG. Simulated straw intake was very small. Feeding a coarse, textured, high-cereal-grain diet increased rumen papilla length and contributed to less stomach, intestine, and digesta as a percentage of BW than did feeding a fine-particle, pelleted, low-cereal-grain diet.

High-starch, coarse-grain, low-fiber diets maximize growth of weaned dairy calves less than 4 months of age

Starch concentration, fiber concentration and type, and diet form were evaluated using Holstein steer calves from 2 to 4 mo of age in four 56-d trials. In trial 1, 96 calves were fed a high-starch diet that had the same composition in meal, pelleted, and whole-grain textured forms that was blended with 5% chopped grass hay at the time of feeding. In trial 2, the same meal and textured diets were retested with 96 calves. Calves fed the meal form diet consumed less DM and had lower ADG than the calves fed the textured form diet in each trial (P < 0.05). In trial 3, 96 calves were fed either a high-starch, whole-grain textured or low-starch, high-fiber (wheat middlings, soyhulls, distillers grains) pelleted diet that was blended with either 4 or 12% chopped alfalfa-grass hay. Calves fed the high-starch, low-hay diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, intake, feed efficiency, and change in BCS than calves fed the other treatments. In trial 4, 48 calves were fed a high-starch, whole-grain textured or 0, 20, 40, and 60% of a low-starch, pelleted diet blended with the high-starch, textured diet for progressive 14-d intervals. There were no differences in calf performance. Coarse high-starch textured diets supported more intake and ADG than meal form diets. Fiber from fibrous concentrates and roughages reduced calf performance and need to be introduced slowly in moderate amounts to calves under 4 mo of age.