Inclusion of Molasses or Glucose Syrup in Starter Concentrate for Dairy Calves: Effects on Diarrheic Calves

Marcelo Cezar Soares,Marília Ribeiro De Paula,Carolina Corrêa De Figueiredo Monteiro,Carlos Eduardo Oltramari,Gerson Barreto Mourão,Carla Maris Machado Bittar

doi:10.3844/ajavsp.2016.25.32

Abstract

Severity of metabolic acidosis and other clinical signs in diarrheic dairy calves fed a starter concentrate containing molasses or glucose syrup as a replacement for corn were evaluated. Thirty-two calves were blocked according to birth weight and were divided into four treatments according to starter concentrate composition: (1) Control, starter concentrate based on corn; (2) 5% of molasses as a replacement for corn; (3) 10% of molasses as a replacement for corn; (4) 5% glucose syrup as a replacement for corn. Animals were individually housed with free access to water and concentrate and received 4 L/d of milk replacer. Blood samples were analyzed and evaluations of fecal score, clinical score and physiological parameters were performed during the first three days of all diarrhea event. Starter concentrate composition did not negatively affect (p>0.05) fecal scores or diarrhea clinical signals. Blood gas, electrolytic and biochemical analyses do not indicated hydration, acidosis, or other metabolic disorders (p>0.05). However, higher level of molasses increased hematocrit (p<0.04), suggesting higher dehydration condition. Inclusion of these by products as a replacement for corn in the concentrate did not alter the animals' metabolism in response to the occurrence of diarrhea and can therefore be utilized in the feed without causing damage to the animal’s health.

Highlights

The inclusion of by products in the starter concentrate has been utilized as a strategy to reduce costs associated with feeding dairy replacement heifers
Thirty-two calves were blocked according to birth weight and were divided into four treatments according to starter concentrate composition: (1) Control, starter concentrate based on corn; (2) 5% of molasses as a replacement for corn; (3) 10% of molasses as a replacement for corn; (4) 5% glucose syrup as a replacement for corn
According to Lesmeister and Heinrichs (2005), the inclusion of 12% molasses on a DM basis in the starter concentrate did not result in significant differences in Body Weight (BW) of animals, Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Average Dailygain (ADG) or feed efficiency during the liquidfeeding period as compared to the control group that received 5% molasses

Summary

Introduction

The inclusion of by products in the starter concentrate has been utilized as a strategy to reduce costs associated with feeding dairy replacement heifers. The use of byproducts for young calves feeding may present negative factors since these animals are still in the process of developing their rumen (Lesmeister et al, 2004) and have a reduced ability to efficiently use some nutrients. This lower ability may cause an increase in the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea, thereby resulting in worsening of clinical metabolic disorders. After the liquidfeeding period, the inclusion of molasses, mainly at the inclusion rate of 12% on a total dry matter basis, reduced the total DMI and ADG

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