Effect of different fat and protein levels in calf ration on performance of Sahiwal calves

Abstract

The current study was carried out to examine the response of different levels of fat and protein in calf starter on nutrient utilisation, nitrogen metabolism, weight gain, blood parameters, and immunity level in pre-ruminant calves. Methods: Twenty four calves (5 days old) were divided into six groups in a 2×3 factorial design, with two levels of fat (10% and 14%) and three levels of protein (18%, 21%, and 24%). The calves were kept in individual pens for 120 days and fed with whole milk (1/10th of body weight) and calf starter ad-libitum. Daily dry matter intake was recorded; whereas body weight was taken on fortnightly basis to calculate average daily gain. During the growth trial blood samples were collected at 30 days interval to estimate blood glucose, albumin, total protein, total leucocyte count, total immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin G levels. A metabolic trial of seven days was carried out to find out the digestibility of different nutrients. Results: The dry matter intake was reduced (p<0.05) with higher fat and protein levels whereas feed conversion efficiency was improved (p<0.05) with higher protein level. Different levels of fat and protein in calf ration did not affect average daily gain in calves. The dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestibility were significantly (p<0.01) higher with increased level of protein. The nitrogen retention was also significantly higher (p<0.05) at 24% protein level, similarly the total immunoglobulin was significantly (p<0.05) high in higher protein fed groups, showed better immunity. Conclusion: The present finding suggested that 10% fat and 18% protein level of calf starter could be used in Sahiwal calves for optimum performance in terms of weight gain and immunity.

Dietary protein to starch metabolizable energy ratios alter growth performance and gastrointestinal microbiota of calves

“…In accordance with the present results, Daneshvar et al (2016) and Makizadeh et al (2020) reported no significant change in TP after feeding calves with different levels of CP; furthermore, both results showed no significant effect on ALB concentration. In contrast to our results, Sharma et al (2019) found that TP concentration increased with higher levels of protein in the starter, but no significant change was observed in ALB. Blood urea N (BUN) concentration is generally considered an indicator of protein status (Kohn et al, 2005).…”

Comparative Effects of Milk Containing A1 versus A2 β-Casein on Health, Growth and β-Casomorphin-7 Level in Plasma of Neonatal Dairy Calves

“…The results revealed that the milk conversion ratio was larger for A2-calves compared to A1-calves (10.5 and 9.2, respectively). In this context, Sharma et al recently reported that feed conversion efficiency was significantly improved with higher protein level [ 41 ]. Additionally, the authors indicated that the nutrient digestibility increased with an increasing protein level.…”

Influence of feeding mustard oil cake and soybean meal in calf starter on growth and blood metabolites of crossbred dairy calves

“…The fact is in agreement with the ndings of Litherland et al (2014) and Hill et al (2009) who reported a reduced feed intake in calves while fed a diet with higher fat content. Increased fat content could increase the calf starter's energy density and ful lled the potential energy requirement earlier (Sharma et al 2020). The identical DMI of MOC, SM, and MOCSM groups might be due to similar concentrations of fat and protein.…”