Evaluation of a high or low level of milk replacer, with or without varied intake, on neonatal Holstein calf performance and health

Abstract

ABSTRACT Neonatal Holstein bull calves (n = 30; age ~ 1 wk; average BW = 39 ± 5.4 kg) were allocated randomly in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to evaluate a high or low level of 28% CP, 18% fat milk replacer (MR), with or without varied intake, on calf performance and health. Treatment factors included (1) level (high = 1.13 kg/d or low = 0.45 kg/d) and (2) daily intake (constant or varied). Calves were purchased in 2 blocks and followed for 35 d (block 1) and 42 d (block 2). Intake data and fecal scores were recorded daily; BW data and blood samples were collected weekly. Feeding a high level of milk replacer improved ADG (0.962 vs. 0.858 kg/d), reduced calf starter DMI (0.392 vs. 0.929 kg/d), increased BUN levels (11.62 vs. 9.77 mg/dL; P