Abstract
Simple SummaryThe postnatal period may be the most critical window for rumen manipulation, and the early feeding regime may lead to permanent changes in the rumen microbial composition. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of the most common liquid feeds (whole milk, waste milk, and milk replacer) on growth performance, rumen development, and the ruminal bacterial community during the weaning period, and to then follow calves to up to six months of age to determine the persistence of any ruminal imprinting effects. The results demonstrate that the early feeding regime impacts rumen development not only by dry matter intake, but also the type of liquid feed. Calves fed waste milk had a distinctly structured bacterial community at two months of age, but this difference diminished at six months of age. Calves fed milk replacer had a different rumen fermentation pattern at two months of age, which may induce a long-lasting effect on the rumen environment. We investigated the effects of different types of early feeding on rumen fermentation parameters and the bacterial community in calves. Fifty-four Holstein calves were assigned to three treatments and fed whole milk (M), pasteurized waste milk (WM), or milk replacer (MR). Male calves were slaughtered at the age of two months to measure the stomach masses. The female calves were followed for six months to determine the body weight, blood indices, rumen fermentation, and ruminal bacterial community. At the age of two months, the average daily gain was lower, but the concentration of total volatile fatty acids was greater in the MR group. Starter intake and stomach mass were lower, but the isovalerate molar proportion was greater in the WM group. The blood indices and ruminal bacterial community of the WM group differed from those of the other groups. At the age of six months, the ruminal propionate molar proportion was lower, but the ruminal pH and acetate/propionate ratio were greater in the MR group. In conclusion, calves fed WM had different rumen fermentation and bacterial community during the weaning period, whereas feeding MR produced a long-lasting effect on the rumen environment.
Highlights
Whole milk (M), waste milk (WM), and milk replacer (MR) are the most common liquid feeds for calves on dairy farms
The growth performance has been shown to be similar for calves fed WM and M [1,2], whereas the growth rate of calves fed MR is influenced by the ingredient composition and nutrient intake of the MR [3,4]
The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of the most common liquid feeds on calf ruminal development, fermentation, and the bacterial community during the weaning period, and to follow them up to six months of age to determine the persistence of any effects
Summary
Whole milk (M), waste milk (WM), and milk replacer (MR) are the most common liquid feeds for calves on dairy farms. The growth performance has been shown to be similar for calves fed WM and M [1,2], whereas the growth rate of calves fed MR is influenced by the ingredient composition and nutrient intake of the MR [3,4]. Previous research has mainly focused on the effects of different liquid feeds on intestinal microbiota and development. Colostrum was shown to have a positive effect on gastrointestinal tract development and function in calves, through the provision of nutrients, and due to the high concentration of growth factors and biologically active peptides [5,6]. Calves fed pasteurized WM had a more diverse bacterial community in feces [7], whereas calves fed MR containing soy flour had a less acidic abomasal environment [8,9] and slower intestinal development [10]
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