Composition of Growth of Holstein Calves Fed Milk Replacer from Birth to 105-Kilogram Body Weight

Abstract

Sixty calves were assigned to a comparative slaughter study to determine the changes in composition of milk replacer-fed Holstein bull calves from birth to 105-kg body weight (BW). Six calves were slaughtered on day of birth and served as a baseline for comparison of compositional changes. Fifty-four calves were assigned to one of three treatments (18 calves per treatment). Calves were fed milk replacer containing 30% crude protein (CP) and 20% fat. Target growth rates for treatments 1, 2, and 3 were 500, 950, and 1400 g/d, respectively. Six calves from each treatment were slaughtered and analyzed for energy, nitrogen, ether extract, and ash when they reached 65, 85 and 105 kg of BW. Actual daily gains from birth to slaughter were 560, 973, and 1100 g, and net deposition of CP and fat were 140 and 44, 204 and 154, and 247 and 161 g/d for treatments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Results were used to develop equations to predict retained energy [retained energy = (empty BW(0.223)) x (empty BW gain(1.32))], and retained protein, [retained protein = (184 x empty BW gain (kilograms/d)) + (17.2 x (retained energy)/empty BW gain] where retained energy is in Mcal/d, retained protein is in g/d, and empty BW and gain are in kilograms. The composition of gain observed was compared to predictions from the 1989 Dairy NRC and 1996 Beef NRC equations and demonstrated the equations do not represent the composition of gain in calves of this weight.

Effect of feed intake on heat production and protein and fat deposition in milk-fed veal calves

“…Values for stage 1 are in agreement with earlier reports (Diaz et al, 2001) but are higher than more recent studies (Blome et al, 2003). Values for stages 2 and 3 are consistent with values measured by van den Borne et al (2006) in calves of similar BW.…”

“…Values for the first stages are in agreement with previous results (Donnelly and Hutton, 1976;Diaz et al, 2001) with calves receiving high quantities of protein in their diets and they are also close to the value used by the NRC (187 g/kg BW gain, NRC, 2001). However, the protein content of BW gain for the oldest calves is higher than that measured by Meulenbroeks et al (1986) or values measured previously in our group (Labussiè re et al, 2008b), although they are consistent with results of Vermorel et al (1974).…”

“…Several studies involving different FL have been conducted during the last decade in veal calves using the comparative slaughter technique (Gerrits et al, 1996;Diaz et al, 2001;Bartlett et al, 2006). Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to the dynamic change of the response of the calf over -E-mail: jean.noblet@rennes.inra.fr short periods of time.…”

Effects of feeding level and protein content of milk replacer on the performance of dairy herd replacements

“…Accordingly, performance in the current study was in line with that reported elsewhere. However, these growth rates are significantly lower than the .1 kg/day claimed as achievable by Drackley (2000) and observed by Diaz et al (2001) when high levels of MR are offered.…”

“…The aim of this 'accelerated' growth regime is to exploit the high lean tissue growth potential of young calves and promote greater lean growth without fattening. Diaz et al (1998 and showed that feeding a MR of 300 g/kg CP increased lean tissue deposition without fattening, whereas Blome et al (2003) and Bartlett et al (2006) showed that it increased MR protein concentration while maintaining a constant energy density and decreased body fat content. It is important to note that calves in these studies were offered a liquid diet with no supplementary starter concentrates.…”