Calf Growth Research Articles

Effect of injectable trace mineral at weaning on growth and physiology of Nellore calves under feed restriction

Calves are susceptible to a wide variety of stressors besides the seasoning low forage availability during their weaning phase. Thus, it is ideal if they receive adequate trace mineral supplementation during this period. This study evaluated the effect of injectable trace minerals (ITM) on performance, concentration of oxidative stress enzymes, and biochemical plasmatic parameters in Nellore calves during the weaning phase and under feed restriction. A total of 30 Nellore calves were used at the age of 7 ± 1month and 176.23 ± 21.68kg of initial body weight (BW). These animals were allocated in Urochloa decumbens pasture for 28days and transferred to Urochloa brizantha cv Marandu pasture for another 28days. The treatments were: Saline (saline solution; 0.9% NaCl) and ITM (Multimin®, providing: 15mg Cu/mL, 60mg Zn/mL, 10mg Mn/mL, and 5mg Se/mL). Both treatments were applied subcutaneously in the ratio of 1mL/45kg of BW. At the end of the experiment (d 56), animals were lighter than on d 0 in both treatments (P < 0.05). However, calves that received the ITM treatment presented lower body weight (P < 0.05) on d 56, compared to those in the control group. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed on the concentrations of oxidative stress enzymes. Moreover, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the plasmatic parameters; these were at normal range or slightly below the concentrations described for the species. We concluded that, in a feed restriction condition, the use of ITM in weaned calves did not improve performance, and the concentration of oxidative stress enzymes, and biochemistry variables. Therefore, we do not recommend using injectable trace minerals in the concentrations used in this study in animals under such stressful conditions.

Backfat Thickness Does Affect the Restoration of Ovarian Activity Postpartum in Different Breeding Programs in Zebu Cattle.

The backfat thickness (BFT) was used to forecast the onset of ovarian activity and predict the calf growth. Eighty Brahman cows with their calves were allocated in two groups of 40 distributed in 4 months according to the month of calving, starting in March and finishing in June. One was synchronized and inseminated at fixed time following by natural mating (TAI+NM); whilst the other only by natural mating (NM). The programs started at 60 ± 5 days postpartum and ended 60 days later. From day 30 postpartum, serial ultrasound examinations and progesterone samples were used to monitor the onset of ovarian activity. The BFT in the rump area was measured by ultrasound from 30 days postpartum and every 15 days thereafter. The weight of the calves was recorded at birth and at weaning on 160 days. The adjusted effect of BFT on ovarian activity and the calves' development was assessed by binomial logistic regression at 30, 60, 75, and 120 days postpartum. The cycling cows averaged higher BFT irrespective of breeding program (P < 0.001). Also, slower changes in BFT were recorded during the follow-up at each time for all cows. However, the former had the higher BFT values from calving to the end of the study (P < 0.001). At 60, 75, and 120 days, the BFT measured, at the preceding time, was the only factor predicting the commencement of cyclicity (P < 0.001). The accumulative pregnancy through time was higher in TAI+NM (P = 0.003). Daily weight gain and weaning weight of the calves born in March was significantly heavier (P < 0.001) than peers born in April, May, or June. The most critical element to forecast the onset of ovarian activity is the monitoring of BFT around calving regardless of the breeding program. BFT to estimate the development of the calves until weaning was unpredictable.

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ ПОЛИФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫХ КОРМОВЫХ ДОБАВОК В МОЛОЧНЫЙ ПЕРИОД ТЕЛЯТ

The purpose of these studies was an evaluation of the use of two developed formulations of multifunctional biologically active feed additives for calves during the dairy period. It was found that the average daily and absolute gain in both experimental groups is higher than that of the control by 11 and 8 %, respectively. Calves that received a feed supplement with active carbon and balsam poplar bud extract (group 1) exceeded the control group in girth measurements. In general, according to the results of the experiment, the positive effect of multifunctional feed additives on the growth and development of calves during the dairy period was determined.

Growth Performance and Survival Rate of Fogera and Their Crossbred Calves at Government Ranches in Ethiopia

The economic benefit of dairy products can be enhanced by increasing the efficiency of growth and survival rate of calves. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of non-genetic factors on pre- and post-weaning growth traits and mortality rate of pure Fogera and their F1 cross Fogera × Holstein Friesian calves at the Andassa and Chagni Cattle Breeding and Improvement Ranch. Retrospective types of study design and direct measurement were used to collect the data. A total of 3,626 for pre-weaning weight records and 107 for post-weaning measurements were used for analysis. Genotype, sex, dam parity, year of birth, the season of birth, and location were the considered production factors. The overall least square means (LSM ± SE) of birth weights were 22.33 ± 0.12 and 24.56 ± 0.11 kg for Fogera and their crosses, respectively. The overall LSM ± SE of weaning weights were 93.25 ± 0.85 and 111.63 ± 0.84 kg for Fogera and their cross calves, respectively. The overall post-weaning weight for Fogera and their cross calves were 101.02 ± 1.62 and 111.08 ± 2.65, respectively. All variables considered in the model, except dam parity, significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) affected post-weaning weight. The overall recorded mortality rate was 3% which was nearly the optimum that many scholars agreed to successful rearing practices.

Nutrition at Early Stages of Life Determines the Future Growth and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Calves

This fact sheet summarizes some of the research conducted in calf nutrition and nutrition’s impact on the growth and reproductive performance of dairy calves. Written by Philipe Moriel and Fernanda Batistel, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, revised November 2021.

Automated behavioural monitoring allows assessment of the relationships between cow and calf behaviour and calves' survivability and performance

Calf mortality in northern Australia is one of the largest welfare and productivity constraints in the industry. The proximity of cows and their calves in the days after birth may provide valuable information linked to calf performance and survival. In this study, ten cows (n = 10) and their ten calves (n = 10) were monitored using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) collars to measure the proximity between cow and calf, and their behaviours from birth. Cows were fitted with GNSS collars at time of pregnancy testing and calves were fitted with GNSS collars shortly after birth. Cows and calves maintained longer distances from other cows and calves during the first 3 days after calving compared to days 4–14 after calving (P < 0.05). Cows travelled longer distances than their calves during the first 4 days after calving (P < 0.05). Cows also travelled similar distances throughout the calving period however calves travelled shorter distances during the first week after birth (P < 0.05). Calving occurred at 1.35 ± 0.91 km from the water point on average and calves travelled up to 5.66 km/d on the day of birth. Daily distance travelled by both cows and calves, and distance from birth site increased during the first week (P < 0.05). Calf growth rate had a strong negative correlation with the distance cows travelled in the two weeks prior to calving (r = −0.79, P < 0.05) and a strong positive correlation with the time the cow spent near the water point in the first week after birth (r = 0.84, P < 0.05). Cow age was positively correlated with the distance between cows and calves during the first week after birth (r = 0.87, P < 0.05). Results from the present study showed that GNSS devices offer a powerful tool to understand the behaviour of cows and calves around the time of calving in extensive commercial conditions. This information may be helpful to understand risk factors of mortality in the early stages of calves’ lives, such as the separation between cows and their calves in the first week after birth which may expose calves to predation by wild dogs and dehydration in tropical regions. Further investigation is required to understand the impact of these behaviours on calf survival in extensive breeding operations.

Effect of porcine plasma on growth and health of Holstein calves

The objective of this trial was to compare the health and performance of calves provided high feeding rates of a whey-based all-milk-protein calf milk replacer (MR) with those fed an MR containing either 5% or 10% porcine plasma, which replaced, respectively, either 15% or 30% of the whey-based proteins in the MR formula. A total of 320 male Holstein calves weighing a mean (± SD) of 47.8 ± 4.1 kg were sourced from local dairy farms, auction facilities, and local order buyers. Calves arrived at the research facility in 4 batches of 80 animals each and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (1) MR composed of whey-based milk proteins (control group); (2) whey replacement of 5% spray-dried porcine plasma (replacing 15% of protein); or (3) whey replacement of 10% spray-dried porcine plasma (replacing 30% of protein). Calves were housed in individual pens for the first 56 d of the experiment and offered, twice daily, a 26% crude protein (CP), 20% fat MR standardized using synthetic amino acids to 2.4% lysine, 0.8% methionine, and 1.6% threonine. Amounts of MR offered from wk 1 to 8 were 0.65, 0.78, 0.91, 1.04, 1.04, 0.78, 0.52, and 0.325 kg/d, respectively. Calves were also offered a 20% CP texturized calf starter from d 0 to 56 and then transitioned over 7 d (d 56–62) of a 50% calf starter and 50% corn and pellet ration with 2% straw to a corn and pellet ration with 2% straw (18.1% CP) for the remainder of the experiment (d 63–77). Calves were individually weighed upon arrival, weekly through d 56, and at d 77. Grain was fed ad libitum, and remaining grain was weighed weekly to determine weekly consumption. Remaining grain was discarded and was replaced with fresh grain that was weighed and recorded. All milk was offered individually via bucket twice daily, and refusals were recorded following milk feeding by weighing back the remaining unconsumed milk solution. Calves were health scored twice daily, and any medical treatments or mortality were recorded. Time to mortality and medical treatments were analyzed using survival analysis, health scoring data were analyzed using a generalized linear model, and growth was evaluated using a mixed repeated-measures linear regression model. No differences in mortality or incidence of diarrhea were noted between groups. Although there was a high incidence of respiratory disease (65%), no differences were found between groups. Over the entire experimental period, calves gained 67.0 ± 14.9 kg; however, no differences in growth among groups were noted, with the exception that, on d 77, BW was greater for calves in the control group (115.8 ± 15.5 kg) compared with those fed a MR with 5% porcine plasma (113.4 ± 17.8 kg). No differences were found between groups with respect to feed conversion. In this study, an MR composed of either 5% or 10% spray-dried porcine plasma performed comparably to a whey protein–based MR.

525 Late-Breaking: Late Gestational Nutrient Restriction of Primiparous Beef Heifers Decreases Milk Yield and Pre-weaning Calf Growth

Abstract Fall-calving Hereford-SimAngus heifers (single-sired; BW: 451 ± 28 [SD] kg; BCS: 5.4 ± 0.7) bred to a single sire were individually-fed 100% (control; CON; n = 12) or 70% (nutrient restricted; NR; n = 13) of NASEM net energy and metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance, pregnancy, and growth from d 160 of gestation to calving. Post-calving, all females were limit-fed chopped tall-fescue hay supplemented to meet lactational nutrient requirements in Calan gates to constrain calves’ diets to milk only until d 147. Four-hour milk yields were measured 5 times; calf size was determined every 21 d. Data were analyzed with treatment, calving date, and calf sex (when P &amp;lt; 0.25) as fixed effects; day and day x treatment were included for milk yield. From calving to d 147, CON cows had greater (P ≤ 0.003) BW, BCS, and backfat, but NR cows gained more (P ≤ 0.004) BW, BCS, and backfat. Milk weight and volume was 15% less (main effect; P &amp;lt; 0.04) for NR cows. Calf size did not differ at birth (P ≥ 0.27). From d 42 to 147, calves born to NR dams had lower (P ≤ 0.02) BW. Heart, abdominal, and flank girths were less (P ≤ 0.07) for NR calves through d 147. Calf ribeye area tended to be less (P ≤ 0.11) in NR calves at d 42, 84, and 126. Nutrient restricted calves had less shoulder to rump length (d 63 to 147; P ≤ 0.08), shoulder height (d 63 to 126; P ≤ 0.02), cannon length (d 42 to 105 and 147; P ≤ 0.09), and cannon circumference (d 63 and 105 to 147; P ≤ 0.06). These data indicate that even when dams are fed to meet lactational requirements, milk yield and calf growth are reduced by late gestational nutrient restriction.

PSV-10 The effects of maternal programming on postnatal growth and inflammation in neonatal dairy bull calves

Abstract Neonatal dairy calves are highly susceptible to respiratory and digestive diseases. A mechanism that could be predisposing calves to disease is maternal programming. We hypothesized that high milk production and/or mastitis infection during gestation will 1) affect postnatal growth and development 2) cause increased inflammation in neonatal dairy bull calves. Calves (n = 45) were selected from dams classified has high producers (HI; Top 25% for herd M305; n = 7), high producers with high SCC (HIMAST; SCC test during pregnancy over 200,000 cells/mL; n = 15), moderate producers (MOD; lower 60% for herd M305; n = 17) or moderate producers with high SCC (MODMAST; n = 6). Calves were transported to the University of Rhode Island at 24 hrs of age. Body weights and body measurements (crown rump length (CRL), skull length (SL), skull width (SW), Girth, Height) were collected at 24 hrs (Initial) and at weaning (8 weeks). C-reactive protein (Abclonal, Woburn, MA) and Malondialdehyde (Abcam, Cambridge, MA) analyses were performed on plasma samples collected 72 hrs post travel. Data were analyzed in SAS using repeated measures (BW and growth measurements) and proc mixed (inflammatory biomarkers). As expected, an effect of time was observed on calf BW, CRL, SL, SW, Girth and Height (P ≤ 0.01). However, no difference in calf BW, CRL, SL, SW, Girth and Height were observed between groups (P&amp;gt;0.05). No effect of dam milk production and/or SCC during gestation was observed on CRP or MDA concentrations at 72 hrs post travel (P ≥ 0.17). In conclusion, high maternal milk production and/or mastitis infection during gestation does not affect calf BW and body measurements when analyzed overtime. Correlation analyses will be performed to better understand the relationship between maternal programming and calf growth. Additional inflammatory biomarkers are also going to be evaluated.

PSII-13 Impact of maternal phosphorus intake on colostrum quality, calf growth, and calf immunoglobulin concentrations in primiparous beef cows

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of maternal phosphorus intake on growth and health of their calves. Treatments were 1) a free-choice mineral containing no supplemental P or 2) a free-choice mineral with 4% supplement phosphorus. Primiparous crossbred Angus beef cows (n = 36) were stratified by body weight and pregnancy status (bred by artificial insemination or natural service) then assigned to pasture groups (4 groups, 2/treatment, 9 heifers/group). These bred heifers had been receiving these same dietary treatments from 30 days after weaning until confirmation of pregnancy. Eighteen bred heifers from each treatment were selected randomly to continue into this experiment. At calving, colostrum and blood samples were collected from a subset of 12 heifers/treatment (6/group) and evaluated. Body weights and calf viability scores were obtained for all cattle. Data were analyzed using the MIXED (for continuous data) and GLIMMIX (for scoring data) procedures of SAS using group as the experimental unit. Cows grazed mixed grass pastures; monthly forage samples ranged from 0.28 to 0.36% P. There were no differences (P &amp;gt; 0.10) for cow body weight during gestation, calf birth weight, calf viability scores at birth, or calf weight at an average age of 21 days. There were also no differences (P &amp;gt; 0.10) in colostrum components (fat, protein, lactose, and IgG), or in the serum IgG or plasma mineral concentrations for both cows and calves 48 hours after parturition. All calves were sampled at approximately 21 days of age and there were no treatment differences (P &amp;gt; 0.10) in serum IgG concentrations. There were no benefits to supplementing gestating heifers with phosphorus when they grazed pasture with a history of fertilization with livestock manure.

100 Management Strategies to Optimize Health and Performance of Pre-weaned Calves

Abstract In the United States, 1 in each 10 dairy replacement heifers were raised in a calf raising facility, and that at least half of farms with 500 or more lactating animals raised some of their calves in a specialized calf ranch. Approximately 80% of calves are individually housed, but the type of housing (e.g., outside hutch, inside a barn) varies based on location of calf-raising operations. Generally, the benchmark for optimal growth of calves is to double their birth weight by weaning. Such benchmark can only be achieved with consistent management and nutrition. Hence, it is not surprising that in large operations, up to 90% of facilities receive regular visits of both veterinarians and nutritionists. Milk-replacer is fed in more than 80% of operations, while milk (sealable or non-sealable) is fed in approximately 30% of calf raising facilities. Health challenges such as scours, and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) can hinder the performance of calves and are major causes of mortality in calf ranches. In addition to optimal colostrum management, vaccination and early diagnosis/ treatment can prevent major economic losses caused by these diseases. Compared to calves raised in their original dairies, calves raised in off-site operations are exposed to additional stressors that can lead to impairment of their immune system and weaken their resistance against pathogens. For instance, transportation at a very young age and comingling with animals from other dairies can increase the risk of diseases. Current research efforts are focusing in determining individual factors such as body weight at arrival or biomarkers of inflammation and stress that can be predictive of disease morbidity, mortality, and performance of calves. Such information could be used in the future to optimize management and to develop targeted preventative strategies to reduce incidence of diseases and mortality during the pre-weaned period.

PSXIV-5 Methionine supply during mid-gestation affects offspring birth weight in a sex-dependent manner in beef cattle

Abstract In previous studies with dairy cattle, methionine supply during late-gestation enhanced cow feed intake and affected calf growth in utero and postnatally. Our objective was to investigate how methionine supply during mid-gestation, phase where the secondary myogenesis occurs, alters heifers’ plasma concentration of amino acids and offspring’ birth weight in beef cattle. Forty purebred Angus heifers were blocked by expected parturition day and blocks were balanced by sire, body weight, and body condition score. Heifers were randomly assigned to a basal diet with no added methionine (Control) or the basal diet plus a commercial source of rumen-protected methionine (Methionine). The methionine source was dosed to deliver 6 grams of metabolizable methionine daily. Heifers received the treatments from day 90 to 180 of gestation, and all heifers were pair-feed during early- and late-gestation. Heifers’ plasma samples were collected on day 180 of gestation. Data were analyzed using mixed models. The model for plasma samples included the fixed effect of treatment and the random effect of block, while the birth weight model included the fixed effect of treatment, sex, and its interaction and the random effect of block. Plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, and urea were not affected by treatments (P ≥ 0.20). Dietary supply of methionine increased plasma concentration of methionine (P &amp;lt; 0.01), and decreased glycine and serine (P &amp;lt; 0.01). None of the other essential and non-essential amino acids were affected by treatments (P ≥ 0.12). Heifers supplemented with methionine had a greater plasma concentration of the antioxidant taurine than control heifers (P = 0.04). A treatment × sex interaction was observed for calf birth weight; methionine-fed heifers delivered heavier male calves than control-fed heifers (P = 0.03). No treatment or sex effect was observed for calf birth weight (P ≥ 0.18). Our preliminary results indicate that methionine supply during mid-gestation affects fetal growth in beef cattle in a sex-dependent manner.

291 Weaned Holstein Calves Fed an Experimental Botanical Extract Alone or in Combination with an Eubiotic Product

Abstract A botanical extract (BE; garlic oil, anise oil, cinnamaldehyde, rosemary, and thyme blend) has been shown to enhance dry matter intake (DMI) and gut health, while eubiotics (EU; lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product), has been shown to improve gut health and growth performance of growing Holstein calves. The hypothesis was the combination BE and EU could be synergistic to post-weaning neonatal calf growth performance. Seventy-seven (77) Holstein bull calves from a previous milk replacer trial were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments using a 3 wk experimental period. Treatments were: 1) Control: Calf starter (CS) without BE or EU; 2) BE: CS with 275.6 g/ton of an experimental BE (Adisseo North America, Alpharetta, GA); 3) EU: CS with 0.22% EU (RumaCell DF 5G; Pacer Technology, Murtaugh, ID); and 4) BE&amp;EU: CS with added BE and EU. The 22% crude protein CS was a mini-pellet and fed for ad-libitum consumption with amounts fed and orts recorded daily. Calves fed EU demonstrated greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) body weight (BW; 81.3, 80.8, 84.8, and 84.2 kg for Control, BE, EU, and BE&amp;EU, respectively) compared with calves fed Control and BE with calves fed BE&amp;EU being intermediate and similar (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Calves fed BE demonstrated greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) average daily gains (ADG; 965.5, 984.3, 1052.8 and 989.1 g/d) compared with calves fed Control with calves fed BE and BE&amp;EU being intermediate and similar (P &amp;gt; 0.10). The DMI (2.19, 2.18, 2.31, and 2.14 kg/d) and feed conversions (0.45, 0.46, 0.45, and 0.45 kg BW gain/kg DMI) were similar (P &amp;gt; 0.10) among calves fed all treatments. Blood urea nitrogen concentrations (14.7, 14.6, 14.9, and 13.4 mg/dL) were similar (P &amp;gt; 0.10) among calves fed all treatments. Feeding a EU improved BW of weaned growing Holstein bull calves, but the BE and EU combination was not beneficial for enhancing growth performance.

290 Encapsulated Sodium Butyrate (Ultramix GF) for Transitioning Neonatal Calves from Milk to Calf Starter

Abstract Butyrate (UltraMix GF; Adisseo) is known to enhance ruminal papillae development for transitioning calves to dry feed. The hypothesis was that butyrate would be beneficial to neonatal calf growth performance. Eighty 2- to 5-d old Holstein bull calves were assigned to one of 2 treatments using a randomized complete block design. Treatments were: 1) control: no butyrate; or 2) butyrate: 0.3% butyrate added to milk replacer (MR). Calves were fed 2x/d at 0630 and 1800 h along with free choice water and a 22% CP mini-pelleted calf starter (CS). The MR was fed at 0.567 kg/d for d 1–14, then increased to 0.85 kg/d for d 15–42, and feeding reduced to 1x/d for d 42–49 with weaning occurring after the 49-d experimental period. Calves fed butyrate demonstrated greater (P &amp;lt; 0.04) ending body weight (BW; 54.7 and 56.2 kg, for control and butyrate, respectively), BW gain (29.0 and 31.7 kg), and average daily gains (ADG; 591.3 and 647.7 g/d), compared with calves fed control. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar (P &amp;gt; 0.10) for both treatments, but the number of d required for calves to consume 0.9 kg CS for 3 consecutive days (47.3 and 45.7 d) was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for calves fed butyrate compared with calves fed control. Feed conversions were improved (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for calves fed butyrate (0.53 and 0.58 kg/kg) compared with calves fed control. At the end of the 49-d study, withers height tended (P &amp;lt; 0.10) to be greater for calves fed butyrate (85.2 and 86.0 cm) compared with calves fed control, while the remaining frame measurements (hip height, hip width, body length, and heart girth) and fecal scores were similar (P &amp;gt; 0.10) for calves fed both treatments. Feeding neonatal calves butyrate in the MR improved growth performance and reduced the days to transition calves to CS.

Some Aspects of Using Clinoptilolite in Calves Feeding

The use of clinoptilolite is an effective means of increasing the gain and live weight of calves. The application does not cause difficulties in the methods of introducing the additive to calves. Natural clinoptilolites of various deposits are presented in a wide range on the feed additives market.&#x0D; Aims: The objective of the work was to study the effectiveness of natural mineral clinoptilolite on physiological and zootechnical indicators of growth and development of calves.&#x0D; Methodology: The study was carried out on 39 clinically healthy Holsteinized black-and-white calves selected at random, 13 animals per group. For 85 days, the calves of the experimental group received a basic diet enriched with natural mineral clinoptilolite to increase the efficiency of growth and development at a dosage of 25-50 and 50-100 g / head / day. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein at the end of the supplement feeding (n = 5) for physiological, biochemical and immunological studies.&#x0D; Results: In the course of the study, it was found that in the experimental groups there were higher gains in live weight by 7.3 and 4.7% in comparison the control, and low feed costs per 1 kg of gain. Feeding clinoptilolite promoted an increase in the concentration of Ca in the blood of calves of the dairy period by 14.2% (p &lt;0.05), an increase in phagocytic activity by 4.87 (p &lt;0.05), the phagocytic number was higher by 0.20 (p &lt; 0.05) units.&#x0D; Conclusion: The totality of the information presented confirms the physiological adequacy for calves to the introduction of natural mineral clinoptilolite in the indicated dosages.

Optimizing the growth and immune system of dairy calves by subdividing the pre-weaning period and providing different milk volumes for each stage.

In systematically considering the advantages and disadvantages of complementarity in high or low milk feeding, novel milk feeding schemes involving altering the volume of supplied milk in different stages of the pre-weaning period but maintaining the total milk feeding volume were tested. Twenty-seven newborn male Holstein calves were selected and randomly assigned to 3 treatments. Calves in the control (CON) group were fed 7 L of milk daily from 4 to 66 d of age. Calves in the low-high (LH) group were fed 6 L of milk daily at the beginning, and then the daily feeding volume was later increased to 7 to 8 L of milk, which served as the early-period low-volume feeding group. The calves in the high-low (HL) group were fed 7 to 8 L daily at the beginning, and then the daily feeding volume was decreased to 6 L of milk, which served as the early-period high-volume feeding group. Then all calves were fed 3 L of milk daily from 67 to 70 d of age, weaned at 70 d of age, and then fed starter feed to 100 d of age. All calves had access to the starter feed from 15 to 100 d of age. The diarrheal condition of calves was recorded daily and the growth performance including the starter feed intake and body weight of calves was recorded at 70 and 100 d of age. Then, five 100-d-old calves from each treatment were sampled for measurement of plasma indices, ruminal morphology, and volatile fatty acids. When compared with the CON and LH groups, calves in the HL group exhibited a significantly increased body weight and lower diarrhoeal rate. When compared with the CON group, calves in the HL group exhibited a significantly increased average daily feed intake, ruminal epithelium papillae length, total volatile fatty acids, and percentages of propionate and butyrate. Moreover, the significantly increased plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) content and a trend of decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) content (P = 0.083) were also identified in the HL group when compared with the CON group. Overall, the early-period high-volume feeding for calves produced greater body weight gain and a lower incidence of diarrhea.

Effects of replacing steam-flaked corn with shredded sugar beet pulp on feed sorting, behavior, blood metabolites, and growth performance of dairy calves.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of partial replacement of steam-flaked corn (SFC) with shredded sugar beet pulp (SBP) in the starter diet on selective intake (sorting), feeding and chewing behavior, blood biochemical parameters, and growth in newborn female Holstein dairy calves. A total of 48 calves (3 d old; 40.1 ± 0.84 kg body weight; mean ± SE) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 feeding treatments containing 0 or 25% SBP (percentage of dry matter [DM]) in the starter diet. Calves were weaned on d 61 and remained in the study until d 81. Intake of starter feed and total intake of DM (milk DM + starter feed DM), crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber were increased (P < 0.05) by feeding SBP; however, intake of starch (P < 0.01) and total intake of ether extract (P = 0.03) were decreased with no apparent effect on total intake of ME. Average daily gain, feed efficiency, final weight, and skeletal growth also showed no significant changes. Circulating concentrations of glucose, total protein, and albumin were not affected by partial replacement of SBP with SFC; however, higher concentrations of blood urea-N (P = 0.01) and a lower albumin-to-globulin ratio (P = 0.03) were observed in SBP- vs. SFC-fed calves. Calves fed SBP sorted more for particles retained on the 4.75-mm sieve (P = 0.02) and against particles retained on the 0.6-mm sieve and bottom pan (P < 0.01). Intake of neutral detergent fibers and starch from particles retained on all sieve fractions was increased and decreased (P < 0.01), respectively, by replacing SFC with SBP. Replacement of SBP with SFC was associated with increased meal length and meal size and increased rumination frequency and length, but decreased intervals between rumination (P ≤ 0.01). Calves fed SBP spent more time eating, rumination, and standing and less time lying and non-nutritive oral behaviors (P < 0.01). In general, 25% replacement of SFC with SBP did not affect calf performance but increased time spent rumination and eating and decreased non-nutritive oral behaviors.

Effects of oral administration of timothy hay and psyllium on the growth performance and fecal microbiota of preweaning calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of fiber from the first week of life on the growth and hindgut environment of preweaning calves. Twenty newborn female Holstein calves were divided into 2 groups as control and treatment. Calves in both groups were reared under the same feeding program except for oral fiber administration. Timothy hay and psyllium were mixed at a 50-to-6 ratio as a treatment diet for oral fiber administration. Calves in the treatment group were orally administered 50 g of fiber daily from 3 to 7 d of age and 100 g of fiber from 8 d of age until weaning. Feed intake and occurrence of diarrhea were recorded daily, and body weight (BW) was recorded weekly for the individual calf. Fresh feces were collected from calves at 7, 21, 35, 49, and 56 d of age to analyze fermentation parameters and microbiota to characterize the hindgut environment. Higher fiber intake in the treatment group due to oral administration of timothy and psyllium did not affect the starter intake and achieved higher BW at 21 d of age. The fecal pH, total volatile fatty acid, lactate, and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were not affected by oral fiber administration; meanwhile, the molar proportion of propionate was higher in the treatment group at 7 d of age. The difference in fecal microbiota in the calves subjected to the oral administration of fiber was observed within 21 d of life; Lactobacillus spp. and Prevotella spp. showed higher abundance, whereas that of Clostridium perfringens was decreased. These higher abundances of beneficial bacteria and lower abundance of pathogenic bacteria during early life may partly explain the higher BW of calves in the treatment group at 21 d of age. Furthermore, no adverse effect was observed for the BW and health status in the treatment group throughout the preweaning period. Therefore, early fiber feeding via oral administration potentially contributes to improving the hindgut environment in newborn calves, which leads to better growth of calves during the early stage of life.

Effect of Methane Inhibitors on Ruminal Microbiota During Early Life and Its Relationship With Ruminal Metabolism and Growth in Calves

The present study aimed to determine whether dietary supplementation with methanogen inhibitors during early life may lead to an imprint on the rumen microbial community and change the rumen function and performance of calves to 49-weeks of rearing. Twenty-four 4-day-old Friesian x Jersey cross calves were randomly assigned into a control and a treatment group. Treated calves were fed a combination of chloroform (CF) and 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) in the solid diets during the first 12 weeks of rearing. Afterward, calves were grouped by treatments until week 14, and then managed as a single group on pasture. Solid diets and water were offered ad libitum. Methane measurements, and sample collections for rumen metabolite and microbial community composition were carried out at the end of weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 24 and 49. Animal growth and dry matter intake (DMI) were regularly monitored over the duration of the experiment. Methane emissions decreased up to 90% whilst hydrogen emissions increased in treated compared to control calves, but only for up to 2 weeks after treatment cessation. The near complete methane inhibition did not affect calves’ DMI and growth. The acetate:propionate ratio decreased in treated compared to control calves during the first 14 weeks but was similar at weeks 24 and 49. The proportions of Methanobrevibacter and Methanosphaera decreased in treated compared to control calves during the first 14 weeks; however, at week 24 and 49 the archaea community was similar between groups. Bacterial proportions at the phylum level and the abundant bacterial genera were similar between treatment groups. In summary, methane inhibition increased hydrogen emissions, altered the methanogen community and changed the rumen metabolite profile without major effects on the bacterial community composition. This indicated that the main response of the bacterial community was not a change in composition but rather a change in metabolic pathways. Furthermore, once methane inhibition ceased the methanogen community, rumen metabolites and hydrogen emissions became similar between treatment groups, indicating that perhaps using the treatments tested in this study, it is not possible to imprint a low methane microbiota into the rumen in the solid feed of pre-weaned calves.

Increased super-conditioning temperature of corn grain affects performance, skeletal growth, and blood metabolites in Holstein dairy calves

We aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding super-conditioned corn at different temperatures on intake, growth performance, total-tract starch digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and feeding behavior of dairy calves. Thirty-six Holstein female dairy calves (40 ± 1.72 kg of body weight, ± SD) were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 3 treatments: (1) ground corn (control; CON; n = 12), (2) corn super-conditioned at 75°C (T-75; n = 12), and (3) corn super-conditioned at 95°C (T-95; n = 12). Three mash starter feeds with an identical nutritional composition were blended with 5% chopped alfalfa hay and fed to individually-housed calves from d 3 to 77 of their birth. All calves were fed 4 L/d of pasteurized whole milk twice daily since d 3 to 56, followed by 2 L/d of morning feeding from d 57 to 63 of age. Calves were weaned on d 63 and remained in the study until d 77. The T-75 and T-95 diets increased total-tract starch digestibility compared with the CON diet. Dry matter intake and weaning or final BW were not affected by treatments; however, average daily gain and feed efficiency increased in calves fed T-95 in the overall period. The T-95 diet increased withers height and tended to increase hip height compared with other diets, but feeding behavior did not change throughout the experimental period. Ruminal pH decreased in calves fed the T-95 diet compared with T-75 and CON diets. The molar proportion of ruminal propionate increased, whereas the acetate-to-propionate ratio tended to decrease in calves fed the T-95 compared with CON diet. Calves fed the T-95 diet had the highest blood glucose concentration, whereas a trend for increased insulin concentration was observed in calves fed T-95 compared with other diets. In conclusion, super-conditioning temperature of corn (T-95 vs. T-75 and CON) improved the average daily gain, feed efficiency, and skeletal growth, but did not influence dry matter intake during the first 77 d of age. Finally, the total-tract starch digestibility increased, whereas ruminal pH dropped during the postweaning period as super-conditioning temperature elevated.