Preweaning Intake and Postweaning Dietary Energy Effects on Intake and Metabolism of Calves Weaned at 26 Days of Age

Abstract

Holstein calves (n = 48) were used to evaluate whether preweaning feeding and metabolism after abrupt weaning at 26 d of age. Calves were fed only whole milk until d 19 of age. From d 19 to 26. management affects postweaning DMI calves were provided one of three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets: milk at 15% of d-1 BW, milk at 12% of d-1 BW plus a grain-based supplement added to the pail, or milk at 12% of d-1 BW and drenched (force-fed) with the supplement. After weaning, calves were offered a low or high energy (1.7 or 5.8% ether extract) starter. From d 26 to 36, starter intake was similar between calves fed the supplement in the pail and those fed only milk but lower than for calves drenched with supplement. Plasma NEFA increased threefold from d 26 to 27, and calves fed only milk had higher NEFA than drenched calves. From d 26 to 42, plasma VFA of drenched calves were higher than those fed only milk. Except for an increase in plasma NEFA at d 36 and 42, high energy starter did not affect any variable. Preweaning drenching of calves stimulated postweaning adaptation to dry diets. Intake post-weaning appears to depend more on physiological adaptation to dry diets than to preweaning feeding management.