Influence of Level and Source of Crude Fiber in Calf Starters on Weight and Feed Consumption

Abstract

Summary Thirty-five Holstein and Jersey calves were fed starters containing five, nine, or 13% crude fiber, with the fiber of the higher levels coming from either corn cobs and shucks or alfalfa meal. There were no important differences among the calves owing to level or source of crude fiber, in weight gain, starter consumption, or hay consumption, at either eight or 16 weeks (P = 0.05). Highly significant simple correlation and regression coefficients were observed at 16 weeks of age, between starter consumption and gain (r = 0.86) (b = 0.37-lb.) and between starter consumption and hay consumption (r = −0.55) (b = −0.59-lb.). Highly significant partial correlation and regression coefficients were observed between starter consumption and gain and between hay consumption and gain.