Jersey calf performance in response to high-protein, high-fat liquid feeds with varied fatty acid profiles: Intake and performance

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether altering the fatty acid (FA) profile of milk replacer (MR) with coconut oil, which contains a high concentration of medium-chain FA, to more closely match the FA profile typically found in whole milk from Jersey cows, would improve Jersey calf performance. Male (n=18) and female (n=32) Jersey calves were assigned at birth to 1 of 4 liquid diets: (1) pasteurized Jersey saleable whole milk [pSWM; 27.9% crude protein (CP) and 33.5% fat]; (2) 29.3% CP and 29.1% fat MR, containing 100% of fat as edible lard (100:00); (3) 28.2% CP and 28.0% fat MR, containing 80% of fat as lard and 20% as coconut oil (80:20); and (4) 28.2% CP and 28.3% fat MR, containing 60% of the fat as lard and 40% as coconut oil (60:40). Calves were fed their respective liquid diet twice daily during wk 1 through 7 and once daily until weaning (approximately wk 8). Calves had ad libitum access to grain and water, and calves were monitored 1 wk postweaning. Average daily gain and body weight did not differ by treatment. Calves fed pSWM tended to have greater hip height (HH) than calves fed 80:20 (80.5 vs. 79.7 cm). Coconut oil tended to have a quadratic effect on HH, with calves fed 100:00, 80:20, and 60:40 at 79.2, 79.7, and 78.5 cm, respectively. No difference was observed in withers height between pSWM and 80:20. Coconut oil had a quadratic effect on withers height, with calves fed 100:00, 80:20, and 60:40 at 76.6, 77.5, and 76.5 cm, respectively. Change in HH from birth to 9 wk tended to be greater for calves fed pSWM than calves fed 80:20 (0.218 vs. 0.194 cm/d). Calves fed pSWM had higher milk dry matter intake (DMI) than calves fed 80:20 (0.580 vs. 0.518 kg/d). No effect of coconut oil was observed on milk DMI. Grain DMI and total DMI did not differ among treatments. Calves fed pSWM had an increase in days with a fecal score >2 compared with calves fed 80:20 (4.24 vs. 2.00 d). Coconut oil had a quadratic effect on fecal score, with calves fed 100:00, 80:20, and 60:40 scoring 4.00, 2.00, and 3.63 d, respectively. Respiratory score did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, DMI and average daily gain were similar among treatments. However, differences among treatments in skeletal growth and fecal scores are indicative of some possible benefits of medium-chain FA on calf health and performance.

Jersey calf performance in response to high-protein, high-fat liquid feeds with varied fatty acid profiles: Blood metabolites and liver gene expression

“…Overall, calves fed pSWM had a higher intake of MCFA than calves fed 80:20. In addition, a linear increase in total MCFA consumption with CO inclusion in CMR was observed (Bowen Yoho et al, 2013).…”

“…Grain orts were recorded daily at the evening feeding and liquid feed orts (if any) were recorded at both feedings. Full details regarding animals, treatments, growth, and health data are reported in a companion paper (Bowen Yoho et al, 2013).…”

“…The sec-ond hypothesis was that feeding a CMR diet containing 20% of total fat as CO to Jersey calves would result in similar lipid deposition in the liver, gene expression in the liver, and blood metabolites when compared with Jersey calves fed pasteurized Jersey saleable whole milk. Results of diet effects on DMI, total fat intake, individual FA intake, body growth, and health measures for these same animals are reported in detail in a companion paper (Bowen Yoho et al, 2013). Tables 1 to 3 summarize those data.…”

Growth, ruminal measurements, and health characteristics of Holstein bull calves fed an Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract

“…Starter samples used to calculate DM were weighed and then placed in an oven set at 50°C for 24 h. After 24 h, the samples were taken out, weighed, and the DM content was determined. The MR samples were analyzed for DM content by weighing each sample and then heating in an oven at 100 °C for 5 h (Bowen Yoho et al, 2013). Samples were cooled in a desiccator until they reached room temperature and then weighed again to determine DM content.…”

Nutraceuticals

“…Milk fat already contains a significant quantity of butyrate; however, the exact concentrations of these short-chain fatty acids to supplement in milk replacer are not known. 59,61 Supplementing omega-3 PUFAs and altering the omega-6 to omega-3 PUFA ratio to transition and early lactating cows was investigated as a strategy to improve health and production performance. Feeding whole flaxseed as a source of the omega-3 PUFA, specifically a-linolenic acid, from calving until 105 days in milk (DIM) decreased the serum concentrations of the proinflammatory eicosanoid, prostaglandin E 2 .…”