Effect of supplementing pasteurized milk balancer products to heat-treated whole milk on the growth and health of dairy calves.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the growth and health effects of supplementing heat-treated whole milk with pasteurized milk balancer products in calf-feeding programs. All calves were removed from their dams at birth (d 0), fed 3.8L of heat-treated colostrum, and received assigned treatments from d 1 until weaning at d 56. Calves were weighed and skeletal measurements taken every 7 d from d 0 until 56. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) were calculated. In experiment 1, 80 Holstein heifer calves were used to investigate the effects of supplementing 2 levels of heat-treated whole milk with or without a pasteurized all-milk balancer. Four dietary treatments (n=20) were used. Calves receiving milk (M) and milk plus balancer (M+B) were fed 3.8L of milk divided into 2 equal feedings daily. Calves fed increased milk (IM) and increased milk plus balancer (IM+B) received 3.8L of milk divided into 2 equal feedings from d 1 to 14, 5.7L from d 15 to 42, and 2.85L fed once daily from d 43 to 56. Treatments M+B and IM+B included pasteurized all-milk balancer fed at a rate of 0.23kg per 3.8L of milk. In experiment 2, 72 Holstein heifer calves were used to investigate the effects of supplementing either a pasteurized all-milk balancer or a pasteurized protein-blend milk balancer. Three dietary treatments (n=24) were used. Calves were fed 3.8L of milk divided into 2 equal feedings from d 1 to 14 and 5.7L from d 15 to 56. Treatment IM did not include any supplements. Balancer was added to IM+B and increased milk plus protein-blend balancer (IM+PB). Balancer was supplemented at a rate of 0.23kg per 3.8L of milk. In experiment 1, calves fed IM+B had greater average body weight (BW) and average daily gain compared with calves given other treatments. Calves fed 5.7L of milk had greater FE than those fed 3.8L regardless of balancer added. In experiment 2, calves fed IM+B and IM+PB had greater BW when compared with calves given M. Calves fed IM+PB had comparable BW and FE to calves given IM+B. The enhanced calf-feeding programs evaluated in this study were successful in increasing growth in preweaned calves when supplementing milk balancer product to heat-treated whole milk. Health scores of fecal, respiratory, and attitude determined illness. Feces were looser for calves receiving IM+B and IM+PB, but attitude scores did not confirm an illness and so overall health was not different between treatments.