Effect of Feeding Whole Cottonseed on Intake, Body Weight, and Reticulorumen Development of Young Holstein Calves

Abstract

Three rations were fed to newborn Holstein calves to determine the effect of whole cottonseed on feed intake, body weight, and development of the reticulorumen. Rations were: 1) concentrate and hay (control); 2) concentrate containing 25% whole cottonseed and hay; and 3) concentrate containing 25% whole cottonseed and no hay. Milk was fed at 2.8 liters daily. Morphometric development of reticulorumen was determined on all male calves between 6 and 12 wk of age.Feed intakes, body weights, thickness of rumen epitheliums, and rumen papillae per square centimeter were greater at 12 wk for calves fed whole cottonseed compared to controls. No differences in rumen fluid pH, total and individual volatile fatty acid concentrations, thickness of rumen walls, length of rumen papillae, weight of stomachs and their compartments, or capacities of reticulorumens and abomasums occurred because of ration. In vitro digestibility of alfalfa tended to be higher because of rumen inocula from calves fed whole cottonseed compared to control.In vitro digestibilities, rumen fluid pH, total volatile fatty acids to 8 wk, reticulorumen and omasum weights and volumes as percentages of total stomaches, thickness of rumen walls, and length of rumen papillae increased whereas papillae per square centimeter decreased with age.