Interaction between the physical forms of starter and forage source on growth performance and blood metabolites of Holstein dairy calves

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the physical forms of starter and forage sources on feed intake, growth performance, rumen pH, and blood metabolites of dairy calves. Forty male Holstein calves (41.3 ± 3.5 kg of body weight) were used (n = 10 calves per treatment) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with the factors being physical forms of starter (coarse mash and texturized) and forage source [alfalfa hay (AH) and wheat straw (WS)]. Individually housed calves were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments, including (1) coarsely mashed (CM; coarse ground grains combined with a mash supplement) starter feed with AH (CM-AH), (2) coarsely mashed starter feed with WS (CM-WS), (3) texturized feed starter (TF; includes steam-flaked corn, steam-rolled barley combined with a pelleted supplement) with AH (TF-AH), and (4) TF with WS (TF-WS). Both starters had the same ingredients and nutrient compositions but differed in their physical forms. Calves were weaned on d 56 and remained in the study until d 70. All calves had free access to drinking water and the starter feeding at all times. No interaction was detected between the physical forms of starter feeds and forage source concerning starter intake, dry matter intake, metabolizable energy (ME) intake, average daily gain (ADG)/ME intake, ADG, and feed efficiency (FE). The preweaning and overall starter feed intake, dry matter intake, and ME intake were greater for calves fed TF starter diets than those fed CM starter diets. The ADG/ME intake was greater for calves fed TF starter diets than that fed CM starter. The FE was greater for calves fed TF starter diets compared with those fed CM starter during the preweaning, postweaning, and overall periods. The WS improved FE during the postweaning period compared with AH. The physical form of starter, forage source, and their interaction did not affect plasma glucose, triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein concentrations. Ruminal pH was greater for calves fed TF starter diets than those fed CM starter on d 30 of life. An interaction was observed between the physical forms of starter diets and forage source for β-hydroxybutyrate on d 28. These results showed that when starter diets contained similar ingredients and nutrient contents, processing calf starters to reduce the number of fine particles can improve the growth performance in dairy calves. Furthermore, the provision of WS improved FE and ADG of calves during the postweaning period.

Corn processing and crude protein content in calf starter: Effects on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites

“…Previous work reported higher VFA concentration when steers were fed with processed grains (Murphy et al, 1994), which was due to greater ruminal starch digestibility (Theurer et al, 1999;Gimeno et al, 2015). The range of ruminal VFA concentrations in the current study was within the ranges reported for dairy calves in previous studies (Khan et al, 2008;Mirzaei et al, 2016;Omidi-Mirzaei et al, 2018). The difference in the molar percentage of individual VFA in the rumen (greater propionate and butyrate instead of acetate and BCVFA) in calves fed SFC diets partly explains improved ADG from the energetic efficiency point of view compared with the GRC diets.…”

“…A successful calf rearing program aims to maximize the growth potential of dairy calves early in life. Readily fermentable carbohydrates and processing of grains play an important role in encouraging early starter feed intake and promoting excellent growth (Bateman et al, 2009;Omidi-Mirzaei et al, 2018). Corn grain ferments more slowly than barley or wheat, and slower rates of ruminal digestion increase the quantity of starch bypassing the reticulorumen (Khan et al, 2007).…”

Reconstituted versus dry alfalfa hay in starter feed diets of Holstein dairy calves: Effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and metabolic indications of rumen development

“…Starter feed diets for dairy calves are typically based on concentrate and a source of forage (hay or straw) and therefore are almost dry (Beiranvand et al, 2014(Beiranvand et al, , 2016Pazoki et al, 2017;Omidi-Mirzaei et al, 2018). Earlier studies with heifers have revealed decreased (Khan et al, 2014) or no changes (Thomas et al, 1961) in DMI with increasing dietary moisture.…”

“…Total mixed rations with higher moisture levels are in cake form (and very sticky; Beiranvand et al, 2016) and thought to be more susceptible to spoilage (especially at higher environmental temperatures; Felton and DeVries, 2010), and DMI will be decreased if feed is spoiled or not fresh, leading to increased feed waste and increased cost. Most forages offered to young calves are low in sugars and higher in more poorly fermented fiber (Beiranvand et al, 2014;Omidi-Mirzaei et al, 2018). Reconstituting hay by soaking in water can increase fiber digestibility by decreasing the ruminal digestion lag time (Pasha et al, 1994) or increase cation exchange capacity for some minerals (Van Soest, 1994), and therefore increase rumen buffering capacity and fecal consistency.…”

Association of fibre degradation with ruminal dissolved hydrogen in growing beef bulls fed with two types of forages

“…Dietary fibre is important for promoting rumination and maintaining rumen health and also provides energy to the host animal for maintenance and production (1,2) . Fibre degradation in the rumen is a complex process that needs a wide range of microorganisms to work as a consortium, including fungi, protozoa, bacteria and methanogens (3,4) .…”