Pre- and post-weaning performance and health of heifer calves fed different levels of bovine spray dried animal plasma in a traditional milk replacer program
S. Hayes1, D. Carlson2, D. Ziegler3, M. Raeth-Knight4, G. Golombeski4, B. Ziegler5, R. Larson5, J. Linn4, and H. Chester-Jones3
Holstein heifer calves (n=120; 2 to 4 d of age; 40.4 kg ± 0.68 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 different milk replacers (MR; 20% protein, 20% fat) in November 2007 to develop feeding programs that targeted the use of spray-dried animal plasma (SDP) in MR. Calves were housed in 2.29 x 1.17 m individual calf pens within a frame-steel curtain side-wall naturally ventilated barn. Treatments (Trt) were:- 1) All-milk (AM) protein medicated MR fed at 0.284 kg in 1.99 L water (12.5% solids) 2X daily for the first 35 d and 1X daily from d 36 to weaning at 42 d (CON); 2) Medicated MR with 4% inclusion of SDP fed as in Trt 1 (SDP4); 3) Medicated MR with 8% inclusion of SDP fed as in Trt 1 (SDP8); 4) Same as Trt 3 with additional amino acids (SDP8AA). Calves were fed an 18% CP (as-fed) texturized calf starter and had access to fresh water. Total DMI from MR averaged 22.9 kg. Average daily gain (ADG) pre-weaning (0.56 kg/d), ADG post weaning (0.99 kg), total d 1 to 56 (0.67 kg/d) and hip height gain (9.9 cm) were not affected (P>0.05) by MR program. Pre-weaning and total calf starter dry matter intake were 21 and 12.2% greater (P<0.05), respectively, for SDP8AA calves vs. those fed the other MR programs. Calves fed SDP8 had 4.2% greater feed efficiency (P<0.04) than those fed SDP8AA but similar to calves on other MR programs. There were no Trt differences in health parameters. Under the conditions of this study, inclusion of 4 or 8% SDP in a 20:20 milk replacer resulted in similar calf performance and health to those fed an all-milk protein milk replacer. The addition of amino acids to milk replacer formulated with 8% SDP increased starter intake but not calf growth.
1APC, Inc., Ankeny, IA
2Milk Products, Chilton, WI
3Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca
4Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
5Hubbard Feeds, Inc., Mankato, MN
Impact of glycerol in milk replacer on dairy calf performance
M. Raeth-Knight1, J. Linn1, R. Larson2, and J. Salzer1
The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of adding glycerol to milk replacer (MR), as a partial replacement for lactose, on calf performance and health. Following birth, thirty-four Holstein or Holstein crossbred calves were blocked by sex and breed and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 MR treatments for 70 d. Treatments were MR without glycerol supplementation (CON) or MR with glycerol added at 35% of the total DM (G). Calves were born November to December of 2007 and were individually housed in outdoor hutches. Colostrum was fed twice daily the first two d following birth. Calves assigned to the CON treatment were offered a 20% protein: 20% fat MR (42.7% lactose) at 0.32 kg MR DM twice daily from 3 to 36 d of age and then once daily from d 37 to weaning at d 42. A 30% protein: 30% fat MR (23.2% lactose) was fed to calves on the G treatment. Calves were offered 0.22 kg MR DM and 0.11 kg glycerol (DM basis) twice daily d 3 to 36 and then once daily d 37 until weaning at d 42. The CON and G MR were mixed with water to contain 15.2% solids and glycerol was added to the G MR after being reconstituted with water. Starter (18% CP) and water were offered ad libitum starting d 3. Feed intake was recorded daily. Body weight was recorded at birth and 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 d of age. Hip height was measured at birth and d 70. Fecal scores were observed daily and blood samples were taken on d 21 and 56. There was no difference in MR, starter or total DM intake across treatments. Calves consumed 0.59 kg/d MR and 1.06 kg/d starter DM pre-weaning (d 1 to 42) and 3.10 kg/d starter DM post-weaning (d 43 to 70). Average daily gain was also similar with calves gaining 0.59 and 1.01 kg/d pre- and post-weaning, respectively. There was no difference in stature growth with calves gaining 15.2 cm in hip height d 1 to 70. Blood glucose concentration was 10.4 mg/dl higher for CON compared to G calves on d 21 however not different at d 42. Fecal scores indicated no impact of MR treatments on fecal consistency with an average fecal score of 1.1 pre-weaning across treatments. Under the conditions of this study, glycerol replaced approximately 46% of lactose in MR without negatively impacting calf growth or health.
1University of Minnesota, St. Paul
2Hubbard Feeds, Mankato, MN
Performance of post weaned Holstein heifer calves fed limit or free-choice pelleted grain mixes with two differing fiber levels along with free-choice hay
D. Ziegler1, R. Larson2, B. Ziegler2, M. Raeth-Knight3, G. Golombeski3, H. Chester-Jones1, and J. Linn3
Ninety-six heifer calves (85.5 ± 1.73 kg BW) were used in a 112-d study to evaluate feed intake and performance from 9 to 25 wk of-age. Heifers were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 diets among 4 replicated pens/treatment (6 heifers/pen). Treatments (Trt) were:- 1) 16% CP (as fed) grain mix (66.25% cracked corn, 32.5% pellet, 1.25% tallow) fed at 2.72 kg/d for 28 d and 2.27 kg/d from d 29 to 112 with free-choice (FC) hay (CON); 2) 16% CP high fiber (19.9% ADF; 37.8% NDF, DM basis) pelleted grain mix limit-fed as CON with FC hay (LFHF); 3) High fiber pelleted grain mix as in Trt 2 fed FC with FC hay for 84 d and then switched to CON with FC hay from d 85 to 112 (FCHF); 4) Medium fiber (11.1% ADF; 32.5% NDF, DM basis) pelleted grain mix fed for 84 d as Trt 3 and switched to CON d 85 to 112 (FCMF). Daily gain d 1 to 84 was the highest (P<0.05) for heifers fed FCHF (1.16 kg/d) vs. other heifers groups (0.95 kg/d), which were similar. Grain and hay intake d 1 to 84 averaged 2.18, 1.73; 2.18, 1.64; 3.96, 0.64; 3.64 and 0.59 kg for heifers fed CON, LFHF, FCHF and FCMF diets, respectively. Overall 112 d average daily gain (1.10 kg) and hip height gain (22.1 cm) were the highest (P<0.05) for FCHF heifers with the other heifer groups being similar (av. 0.93 kg and 18.9 cm). Total DMI expressed as a percentage of body weight was the lowest (P<0.05) for CON and LFHF heifers d 1 to 84 and FCHF heifers d 85 to 112. There were no overall differences in feed/gain. Under the conditions of this study, feeding FC hay with FCHF pellet mix resulted in gain and growth advantages when compared to heifers fed FCMF, LFHF or CON for 84 days without excessive body condition. This advantage was maintained from d 85 to 112 when heifers were on a common diet.
1Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca
2Hubbard Feeds, Inc., Mankato, MN
3Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
- 2008 -
Performance and growth of young Holstein dairy heifers limit-fed diets based on body weight
H. Chester-Jones1, D. Ziegler1, R. Larson2, B. Ziegler2, M. Raeth-Knight3, and G. Golombeski3
Ninety dairy heifers (91.68 ± 0.72 kg BW) were used in a 112-d study to evaluate feed efficiency and performance from 9 to 25 weeks of-age when reducing total DMI as a % of BW below an expected 3% or greater shown from previous studies. Heifers were housed in 9.14 x 4.57 m pens (6 heifers/pen) within a naturally ventilated bedded-pack pole barn and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 grower diets among 5 replicated pens/treatment. Treatments (Trt) were: 1) 18% CP grain mix control (58.75% cracked corn, 40% pellet, 1.25% tallow) fed at 2.72 kg/d for
28 d and 2.27 kg/d from d 29 to 112 with access to free choice (FC) 15.24% CP (DM basis) hay (CON); 2) 18% CP grain mix fed as for CON with limit hay feeding based on cumulative DMI of grain and hay to equal 3% of projected BW by 14-d periods (3DMI); 3) 18% CP grain mix fed at 2.72 kg/d for 14 d, 2.39 kg/d from d 15-28 and 2.05 kg/d d 29-112 with limit hay feeding based on cumulative DMI of grain and hay to equal 2.7% of projected BW by 14-d periods (2.7DMI). Initial BW and estimated daily gains were based on previous studies of 0.98, 1.07, 1.09, 1.0, 1.0, 0.98 and 0.93 kg by 14-d periods and were used to project period BW. Total DMI and DMI as a % of BW were lowest (P<.05) for heifers fed 2.7DMI for each 14-d period from d 15 to 112 except d 29-42 when CON had similar DMI to 2.7DMI (P>0.05). Total DMI d 1-112 were 8.5 and 8.9% less for 2.7DMI than heifers fed 3DMI and CON, respectively. Overall 112 d daily gain was lowest (0.99 kg; P<0.05) for 2.7DMI heifers being 5.7 (1.05 kg) and 9.2% (1.09 kg) less than those fed 3DMI and CON, respectively. There were no Trt differences (P>0.05) in feed/gain. Although limit feeding young heifers under the conditions of this study did not improve feed efficiency, it did offer acceptable growth and body weight gain. Further research on optimum hay quality when limit feeding is needed.
1Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca
2Hubbard Feeds, Mankato, MN
3Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
Pre- and post weaning performance and health of calves fed milk replacers supplemented with trace minerals from differing sources
G. Golombeski1, S. Hayes2, M. Raeth-Knight1, B. Ziegler3, R. Larson3, D. Ziegler4, H. Chester-Jones4, and J. Linn1
One hundred-seven 2 to 4 day-old dairy heifer calves (40.1 ± 0.61 kg) were randomly assigned to one of 3 medicated, all-milk protein (20% protein:20% fat) milk replacers (MR) with supplemental trace mineral treatments to evaluate their effect on pre- and post weaning calf performance and health. Calves were housed in 2.29 × 1.17 m individual calf pens, within a curtain side-wall, naturally ventilated barn. Treatments were: 1) MR control containing inorganic trace minerals (INORGMR); 2) MR containing organic trace minerals (ORGMR); 3) ORGMR with organic selenium (Se; ORGSEMR). Milk replacers were fed at 0.284 kg (as-fed) in 1.99 L water 2X daily for the first 35 d, then 1X daily from d 36 to weaning at 42 d. Calves were offered a 21.4% CP (DM basis) texturized calf starter (CS) free choice and had access to fresh water at all times. Total DMI from MR for 42 d averaged 20.56 kg/calf. There were no pre- and post weaning performance differences by treatments (P>0.05). Pre-weaning total DMI, gain and feed/gain averaged 37.23, 21.33, and 1.83 kg, respectively. Post weaning CS DMI, gain, and feed/gain averaged 25.60, 12.70 and 2.02 kg, respectively. Overall 56-d daily gain and feed/gain averaged 0.61 and 1.91 kg, respectively. Hip height gain was greater (P<0.02) for calves fed ORGMR vs. those fed INORGMR. Calves fed ORGSEMR had higher (P <0.03) serum Se on d 14 compared to those fed ORGMR with INORGMR being intermediate. Health treatment costs/calf were similar across treatments. Under the conditions of this study, feeding a MR containing organic trace minerals with or without organic Se did not affect pre- and immediate post weaning calf performance and health compared to calves fed MR with inorganic trace minerals.
1Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
2Milk Products, Chilton, WI
3Hubbard Feeds, Mankato, MN
4Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca
Pre- and post weaning performance and health of calves fed different milk replacer programs using non-medicated additives and different feeding rates
S. Hayes1, B. Ziegler2, R. Larson2, D. Ziegler3, H. Chester-Jones3, M. Raeth-Knight4, J. Linn4, and G.
Golombeski4
One hundred-twenty-five 2 to 4 d-old dairy heifer calves (42.7 ± 0.84 kg) were randomly assigned to one of 5 medicated (20% protein:20% fat) milk replacer (MR) programs to evaluate their effect on pre- (42 d) and post weaning (43-56 d) calf performance and health. Calves were housed in individual calf pens within a curtain side-wall, naturally ventilated barn. Treatments (Trt) were: 1) All-milk protein MR (control) fed at 0.284 kg (as-fed) in 1.99 L water 2X daily for 35 d, and then 1X daily from 36 to 42 d (MRC); 2) MRC fed as in Trt 1 for 21 d then reduced at d 22 to 1X daily at 0.46 kg in 3.18 L water to d 35, then 0.23 kg in 1.59 L water from 36 to 42 d; 3) MR including 5% spray-dried animal plasma and nutritional additives (APL) fed as Trt 1 for 21 d, then switched to MRC from 22 to 42 d fed same as Trt 1; 4) APL MR fed for 21 d as in Trt 3, then MRC fed 1X daily from 22 to 42 d as in Trt 2; 5) APL MR fed for 21 d as in Trt 3, then MRC fed at 0.23 kg 2X daily in 1.82 L water from 22 to 35 d, and 1X daily from d 36 to 42 d. Calves were offered a 21.2% CP (DM basis) texturized calf starter (CS) free choice with access to fresh water at all times. Total DMI from MR for 42 d averaged 22.72 kg/calf for Trt 1 & 3 and 20.76 kg/calf for Trt 2, 4, & 5. Milk replacer programs did not affect CS DMI or calf performance (P>0.05). Overall 56-d daily gain and feed/gain averaged 0.69 and 1.89 kg, respectively. Under the conditions of this study, strategies to reduce MR feeding rate and/or the number of MR feedings resulted in similar performance and health compared to the control calves. Calves fed MR supplemented with APL showed similar performance and health to calves fed all milk protein milk replacers.
1Milk Products, Chilton, WI
2Hubbard Feeds, Mankato, MN
3Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca
4Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
Performance and growth of Holstein dairy heifers fed grain mixes supplemented with differing protein and non-protein nitrogen sources
R. Larson1, B. Ziegler1, M. Raeth-Knight2, G. Golombeski2, J. Linn2, H. Chester-Jones3, and D. Ziegler3
Ninety dairy heifers (88.3 ± 1.73 kg BW) were used in a 112-d study to evaluate feed intake and performance from 9 to 25 weeks of-age. Heifers were housed in 9.14 × 4.57 m pens (6 heifers/pen) within a naturally ventilated bedded-pack pole barn and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 grower diets among 5 replicated pens/treatment. Treatments (Trt) were: 1) 16% CP grain mix (66.25% cracked corn, 32.5% pellet, 1.25% tallow) fed at 2.72 kg/d for 28 d and 2.27 kg/d from d 29 to 112 (CON); 2) Same as CON Trt with 1.01% urea in the grain mix (UREA); 3) Same as CON Trt with 6.01% rumen fermentation enhancer (FERMENTEN®; 43% CP, as-fed; FERM). Each treatment group was offered a 16.6% CP (as-fed) hay free choice (FC) for the duration of the trial. During the first 28 d, heifers fed UREA had lower (P< 0.05) daily gains than those fed CON, with FERM heifers being similar to the other groups. Heifer performance was similar across all groups from d 29 to 112 (P>0.05). Overall 112 d gain was higher (P<0.05) for CON heifers (1.08 kg/d) compared to those fed UREA (1.02 kg/d), with FERM heifers being intermediate (1.04 kg/d). There were no overall differences in total DMI, DMI as a percentage of BW, feed/gain or body condition score change (P>0.05) which averaged 4.24 kg/d, 3.26%, 4.02 kg/kg gain and +0.80, respectively. Under the conditions of this study, heifers limit-fed a 16% CP grain mix containing urea (average 0.024 kg/heifer daily) with FC hay had lower overall gains from 9 to 25 weeks of-age than those fed a grain mix without urea mainly due to the first 28 d of the study. Including a rumen fermentation enhancer in the grain mix
(FERMENTEN®; average 0.14 kg/heifer daily) did not improve heifer performance.
1Hubbard Feeds, Mankato, MN
2Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
3Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca
Pre- and post weaning performance and health of calves fed texturized calf starters with different processed corn or on a different milk replacer feeding schedule
B. Ziegler1, R. Larson1, D. Ziegler2, H. Chester-Jones2, M. Raeth-Knight3, G. Golombeski3, and J. Linn3
One hundred-eight 2 to 4 d-old dairy heifer calves (40.5 ± 0.81 kg) were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments to evaluate their effect on pre-(42 d) and post weaning (d 43-56) calf performance and health. Calves were housed in 2.29 × 1.17 m individual calf pens, within a frame-steel curtain side-wall, naturally ventilated barn. All calves were fed a 20% fat, 20% protein all-milk protein medicated milk replacer (MR) with 19.7% CP (DM basis) calf starters (CS) fed free choice with access to fresh water. Treatments (Trt) were: 1) Texturized calf starter (CS) based on steam flaked corn, pellet and oats (SF); 2) CS based on whole corn and pellet (WC); 3) CS based on roasted corn, pellet and oats (RC); and 4) CS as in Trt 3 but fed a different MR feeding schedule (RC1X). Treatment 1, 2 and 3 calves were fed MR at 0.284 kg (as-fed) in 1.99 L water 2X daily for the first 35 d, then 1X daily from d 36 to 42 d. Treatment 4 calves were fed as the other calf groups for d 1-14 then offered 0.568 kg MR (as-fed) in 3.98 L water 1X daily from d 15-35 and 0.284 kg in 1.99 L water from 36 to 42 d. There was no effect on calf performance due to CS fed during the first 28 d (P>0.05). During d 29-42, calves fed WC gained less (P<0.05) than those fed RC. Calves fed WC had the lowest CS DMI (P<0.05) during d 29-42. There were no Trt differences (P>0.05) in overall pre-weaning calf performance. Overall 56 d calf performance was similar (P>0.05). Daily gain and feed/gain averaged 0.66 and 1.98 kg, respectively. Under the conditions of this study, overall calf performance and health were not affected by corn form in the CS or milk feeding schedule. Once a-day milk feeding did not change CS intake as was anticipated.
1Hubbard Feeds, Mankato, MN
2Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca
3Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
Performance of post weaned Holstein heifer calves transitioned to group housing using different management strategies while fed a common diet
D. Ziegler1, B. Ziegler2, M. Raeth-Knight3, R. Larson2, G. Golombeski3, J. Linn3, and H. Chester-Jones1
Our objective was to evaluate the impact of three 14-d post-weaning transition grouping strategies on heifer performance over a 112 d study from 2 to 6 months of age. One hundred-eight Holstein heifer calves (77.38 ± 2.28 kg; 60 ± 1.6 d of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments. Treatments d 1-14 were: 1) Calves moved immediately from the nursery barn to group housing in a grower barn in 6 replicated 9.14 × 4.57 m pens of 6 calves/pen (GM); 2) Calves not moved but changed to group pens in 6 replicated 7.02 × 2.29 m pens of 6 calves/pen within the same nursery barn (GN); or 3) Calves not moved and continued to be individually housed d 1-14 in 2.29 × 1.17 m pens within the same nursery barn (IN). On d 15, calves assigned to GN and IN were moved to the grower barn in 6 replicated pens of 6 calves/pen (GN calves remained in their respective groups). During d 1-7 of the study all calves were fed a complete texturized 20.1% CP (DM basis) calf starter and d 8-14 transitioned to whole corn and pellet 17% CP (DM basis) grain mix. After the feed transition, all group pens were fed 2.73 kg/d of the grain mix for d 1-28 and 2.27 kg/d from d 29 -112 with free choice hay. Transition strategy did not affect calf performance (P>0.05) from d 1-14. Daily gain and feed/gain averaged 0.92 and 2.76 kg, respectively. The GM calves had higher (P=0.03) daily gains (1.03 kg) from d 15-112 than GN (0.99 kg) calves with IN calves being similar (1.02 kg). Calves assigned to IN had lower feed/gain (P=0.05) from d 15-112 (3.88 kg) compared to GN (3.99 kg) and GM (4.01 kg) calves. Under the conditions of this study delaying socialization for 14 d resulted in similar growth as compared to calves grouped housed for 112 d.
1Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of
Minnesota, Waseca
2Hubbard Feeds, Mankato, MN
3Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
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