Effects of feeding milk replacer at a moderate rate, ad libitum, or with a step-up program on Holstein calf growth performance to 4 months of age.

The objective of this study was to evaluate 3 milk replacer (MR) feeding programs on calf performance to 4 mo of age. Male Holstein calves (n = 48; 2-3 d old) were randomly assigned to either a moderate rate of MR (MOD; 0.66 kg/d for 39 d, then 0.

Effects of milk replacer feeding rate and fat content on Jersey calf nutrient digestion and performance to 4 months of age.

This study evaluated effects of milk replacer (MR) feeding rate and fat concentration in MR on total-tract digestion (TTD) and growth performance in Jersey calves. Jersey heifer calves (n = 100, 2 blocks of 50; initially 30 ± 3.0 kg of body weight; 4-11 d of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of MR feeding rate [454 g for 42 d, and 227 g for 7 d (MOD); or 454 g for 7 d, 681 g for 35 d, and 341 g for 7 d (HI), as-fed basis] and MR fat content (17 or 24% fat as-fed basis).

Effect of increasing the amount of hay fed on Holstein calf performance and digestibility from 2 to 4 months of age.

A good transition from a mainly liquid diet to a solid diet of concentrates and forages is important considering the small size and development of the calf's rumen. However, the optimal amount of hay or other high-fiber ingredients in the diet of recently weaned calves is not well defined. The objective of this trial was to determine the effects of feeding 0, 5, or 10% chopped grass hay (6.

Postweaning response on growth and nutrient digestion to using different weaning strategies when feeding moderate and high amounts of milk replacer to Holstein calves.

Many changes occur in the rumen as calves transition from consuming a liquid diet to a completely solid diet. These changes can influence growth and calf health, being greatly affected by preweaning diet as well as the transitional steps used to wean calves. A 2 × 2 factorial design of moderate [MOD; 0.

Effect of starter form, starch concentration, and amount of forage fed on Holstein calf growth from 2 to 4 months of age.

Young, weaned calves are commonly offered ad libitum forage with limited amounts of starter, in contrast to the suggested amount of approximately 5% forage in the diet due to the limited capacity of the rumen, as well as limited ability to digest high fiber feeds. The objective of this research was to compare 2 types of starters (low starch, pelleted vs. high starch, textured), both fed either ad libitum with 5% chopped hay, or fed at restricted rates with ad libitum long grass hay to calves between 2 and 4 mo of age.

Effect of amount of milk replacer fed and the processing of corn in starter on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen and fecal fibrolytic bacteria of dairy calves.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of milk replacer (MR) feeding rate and processing of corn in calf starter (CS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen and fecal fibrolytic bacteria in dairy calves. Holstein male calves (n = 48, 2-3 d of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of MR level of 0.749 kg of MR/d (LO) or up to 1.

Effects of milk replacer feeding rates on growth performance of Holstein dairy calves to 4 months of age, evaluated via a meta-analytical approach.

Our objective was to evaluate effects of feeding milk replacer (MR) at 2 feeding rates on digestion, intake, and growth of young dairy calves, via a meta-analytical approach using individual data. A database was developed from 10 published studies from the Nurture Research Center (Provimi; Brookville, OH), in which 26 dietary treatments and 491 calves from 0 to 8 wk of age in 13 nursery trials, and 22 dietary treatments and 485 calves from 8 to 16 wk of age in 13 grower trials occurred. Male Holstein calves (n = 491; initial body weight 42.

Effects of feeding different amounts of milk replacer on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in Holstein calves to 2 months of age using different weaning strategies.

Growth and the digestibility of nutrients can be greatly affected by diet preweaning and the rate at which calves are weaned. A 2 × 2 factorial design [moderate (MOD) or high (HI) milk replacer (MR) feeding rates and abrupt (AB) or gradual (GR) weaning] was used to compare these effects. Calves (n = 50) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: MOD-AB, MOD-GR, HI-AB, and HI-GR.

Intake, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance of Holstein dairy calves consuming a milk replacer at moderate or high feeding rates.

The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient intake and digestibility, and growth performance of calves when fed a milk replacer (MR) at 2 feeding rates. Male Holstein calves [n = 49; 45.0 ± 5.

Effects of milk replacer feeding rate and long-term antibiotic inclusion in milk replacer on performance and nutrient digestibility of Holstein dairy calves up to 4 months of age.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate calf performance and diet digestibility when feeding a milk replacer (MR; 25% crude protein, 18% fat, dry matter basis) at a moderate (MOD) and high (HI) rate, along with MOD with neomycin-oxytetracycline inclusion (1.43 each g/kg; NTMOD). Male Holstein calves (n = 48; 45 ± 1.

Effects of gradual and later weaning ages when feeding high milk replacer rates on growth, textured starter digestibility, and behavior in Holstein calves from 0 to 4 months of age.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate calf performance, diet digestibility, and behaviors when feeding 4 milk replacer (MR) programs with different MR rates, weaning ages, and MR reduction steps. Male Holstein calves (n = 96; 40 ± 1 kg of body weight; 1 to 2 d of age) were housed in individual pens for 56 d. Feeding programs for MR were 0.

Relationships between starch concentration of dry feed, diet digestibility, and growth of dairy calves up to 16 weeks of age.

Our objective was to examine the potential relationship between starch concentration of dry feed and growth performance of young dairy calves via mixed-effects model analyses. A database was developed from 6 published studies conducted at the Nurture Research Center, Provimi (Brookville, OH), from 2008 to 2017 that included 18 dietary treatments and 372 calves at 0 to 8 wk of age in 5 nursery trials and 26 dietary treatments and 660 calves at 8 to 16 wk of age in 8 grower trials. The dry feeds ranged from 10.

Effects of feeding milk replacer at 2 rates with pelleted, low-starch or texturized, high-starch starters on calf performance and digestion.

Milk replacer (MR) feeding programs have traditionally fed at less than ad libitum amounts to promote calf starter (CS) intake and allow early weaning. More recently, increased amounts of MR preweaning have been shown to increase preweaning ADG, although postweaning growth may be reduced. Several studies suggest that limited postweaning digestion of nutrients in CS may contribute to postweaning growth impairment.

Technical note: A simple rumen collection device for calves: An adaptation of a manual rumen drenching system.

A limited amount of research is available related to the rumen microbiota of calves, yet there has been a recent spike of interest in determining the diversity and development of calf rumen microbial populations. To study the microbial populations of a calf's rumen, a sample of the rumen fluid is needed. One way to take a rumen fluid sample from a calf is by fistulating the animal.

Case Study: Control of respiratory disease in male Holstein calves with tildipirosin and effect on health and growth from 0 to 4 months of age.

In trial 1, phase 1, 48 male Holstein calves initially 2 to 4 d of age were transported 3.5 h to the research facility. Calves were randomly selected to either receive a s.

Effect of milk replacer feeding rate, age at weaning, and method of reducing milk replacer to weaning on digestion, performance, rumination, and activity in dairy calves to 4 months of age.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate calf performance, diet digestibility, and rumination activity when feeding 4 milk replacer (MR) feeding programs. Male Holstein calves (n = 96; 43 ± 1.2 kg of body weight; 1 to 2 d of age) were housed in individual pens for 56 d.

Short communication: Effect of replacing corn with beet pulp in a high concentrate diet fed to weaned Holstein calves on diet digestibility and growth.

Using soluble fiber sources in starter and grower feeds for dairy calves less than 4 mo of age is common to reduce costs compared with including traditional cereal grains. Beet pulp (BP) contains relatively high concentrations of pectin compared with other fibrous feed ingredients and has been shown to be an acceptable replacement for corn in adult cow diets. However, limited information is available on BP digestibility and growth performance for young calves fed diets with BP.

Effects of amount of colostrum replacer, amount of milk replacer, and housing cleanliness on health, growth, and intake of Holstein calves to 8 weeks of age.

Newborn Holstein bull calves (n = 96) were assigned randomly at birth to receive 150 g (C150) or 450 g (C450) of IgG in the first 24 h of life from a lacteal-based colostrum replacer in 2 trials. Mass of product fed was 500 and 1,500 g, respectively. Replacer was reconstituted with warm water and administered by esophageal feeder at approximately 1, 6, and 12 h of age.

Effects of egg yolk inclusion, milk replacer feeding rate, and low-starch (pelleted) or high-starch (texturized) starter on Holstein calf performance through 4 months of age.

The objectives of this research were to evaluate milk replacer (MR) feeding rates, alternative protein and fat sources in MR, and calf starter starch concentration and their effects on calf performance to 4 mo of age. Male Holstein calves (42.6 ± 1.

Case Study: Control of bovine respiratory disease in dairy calves with tulathromycin and effect on calf health and performance from 0 to 4 months of age.

In phase 1, 96 male Holstein calves at risk for bovine respiratory disease initially 2 to 4 d of age from a single dairy farm were transported 3.5 h to southwest Ohio. Calves were randomly assigned to receive a s.

Short communication: Use of fecal starch concentration as an indicator of dry feed digestion in preweaned dairy calves.

Fecal starch (FS) has been used as a tool to evaluate starch and diet digestibility in lactating dairy cows and feedlot steers. Some on-farm advisors also use FS to evaluate calf starter digestibility in preweaned dairy calves. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of starter intake (SI), starch and organic matter digestibility, milk replacer (MR) feeding rate, and age on FS concentrations in preweaned dairy calves.

β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and glucose concentrations in the blood of dairy calves as influenced by age, vaccination stress, weaning, and starter intake including evaluation of BHB and glucose markers of starter intake.

The objective of this research was to determine how blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and glucose are affected by age, time of day, stress, weaning, forced intake restriction, and voluntary starter intake in calves between 1 and 9 wk of age, and to evaluate if either is an acceptable proxy for starter intake. Holstein calves were fed a 27% crude protein, 17% fat milk replacer at 660 g of dry matter daily along with free-choice starter and water. Calves were weaned on d 42.

Short communication: Changes in body temperature of calves up to 2 months of age as affected by time of day, age, and ambient temperature.

Extensive measurements of calf body temperature are limited in the literature. In this study, body temperatures were collected by taping a data logger to the skin over the tail vein opposing the rectum of Holstein calves between 4 and 60d of age during 3 different periods of the summer and fall. The summer period was separated into moderate (21-33°C average low to high) and hot (25-37°C) periods, whereas the fall exhibited cool (11-19°C) ambient temperatures.

Effect of milk replacer program on calf performance and digestion of nutrients in dairy calves to 4 months of age.

Calves fed >0.7kg of dry matter from milk replacer (MR) typically have greater growth preweaning but lower growth postweaning. This is partially explained by lower digestibility of starter due to less development of the rumen at and after weaning; however, it is unclear when digestibility matures postweaning to levels typical of mature ruminants.