Effect of medium-chain fatty acids on growth, health, and immune response of dairy calves.

It is necessary for the dairy industry to reduce calf morbidity and mortality, and the reliance on antibiotics to treat sick calves, to address the growing concern regarding antibiotic resistant bacteria. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect that feeding dairy calves medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) has on growth performance and health, and the secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of MCFA on energy status around weaning and the adaptive immune response following a vaccine challenge. Thirty-three Holstein bull calves (5 ± 1.

Effects of milk replacer allowances and levels of starch in pelleted starter on nutrient digestibility, whole gastrointestinal tract fermentation, and pH around weaning.

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of pelleted starter diets differing in starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content when fed differing levels of milk replacer (MR) on nutrient digestibility, whole gastrointestinal tract fermentation, pH, and inflammatory markers in dairy calves around weaning. Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (n = 12 per treatment) in a 2 × 2 factorial design based on daily MR allowance and amount of starch in pelleted starter (SPS): 0.691 kg of MR per day [dry matter (DM) basis] with starter containing low or high starch (12.

Performance and visceral tissue growth and development of Holstein calves fed differing milk replacer allowances and starch concentrations in pelleted starter.

The objectives of this study were to investigate how milk replacer (MR) allowance and differing concentrations of starch and neutral detergent fiber in starter alters visceral tissue and overall growth of the calf. Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (n = 12 per treatment) arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial based on daily MR allowance (MRA) and amount of starch in pelleted starter (SPS) as follows: 0.691 kg of MR/d [dry matter (DM) basis] with starter containing low or high starch (12.

Effects of mixed tocopherols added to milk replacer and calf starter on intake, growth, and indices of stress.

Vitamin E comprises 8 fat-soluble isoforms: α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol and α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocotrienol. Yet the body preferentially uses α-tocopherol, and only α-tocopherol supplementation can reverse vitamin E deficiency symptoms. However, other isoforms influence many biological functions in the body, including inflammation and stress.

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).

Models to predict dry feed intake in Holstein calves to 4 months of age.

Voluntary daily dry feed intake (DFI) in Holstein calves was predicted using 60,761 individual daily observations collected from 1,235 Holstein calves in 30 experiments from 4 research stations in the United States and Europe. Consumption of dry feed (calf starter and hay, kg/d or percent of body weight) was measured from 3 to 114 d of age. Linear models and 2- and 3-parameter nonlinear models were evaluated to predict DFI using age of calf, intake of milk replacer, ambient temperature, percent forage, and neutral detergent fiber concentration in ration dry matter (DM) as independent variables.

Meta-analysis of effects of age on intestinal digestibility of liquid feeds in young calves.

A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of age on digestibility of liquid feeds fed to preweaned Holstein calves. Calves were 4 to 76 d of age and fed whole milk or milk replacer containing all-milk protein. Least squares means of apparent total-tract N, DM, and fat digestibilities (n = 84, 51, and 24, respectively) from 12 publications were used.

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.

Replacing soybean hulls with grass hay on growth, intake, total tract digestibility, and rumen microbial nitrogen production of weaned Holstein dairy calves from 8 to 16 weeks of age.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of replacing soybean hull (SBH) pellets with grass hay (GH) on growth, intake, total-tract digestibility, and rumen microbial nitrogen production of weaned dairy calves from 8 to 16 wk of age. Holstein calves (n = 16) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 rations containing, on a dry matter (DM) basis, 76% grower with the remaining 24% being made up of different amounts of SBH pellets and GH [0% GH, 24% SBH (0GH); 8% GH, 16% SBH (8GH); 16% GH, 8% SBH (16GH); and 24% GH, 0% SBH (24GH)]. Calves were weaned at 6 wk, housed individually, and studied from 8 to 16 wk of age.

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 colostrum and milk replacer feeding rates on intake, growth, and digestibility in calves.

Newborn Holstein male calves (n = 50) born on a single dairy farm were assigned randomly at birth to receive 3 feedings of 1.8 L of pooled maternal colostrum (MC) at 1, 6, and 12 h of age or 1 feeding of 500 g of a colostrum replacer reconstituted to 1.8 L at 1 h of age, followed by 2 feedings of 227 g of a commercial milk replacer (MR) reconstituted to 1.

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.

Effects of fatty acids and calf starter form on intake, growth, digestion, and selected blood metabolites in male calves from 0 to 4 months of age.

The objective of this research was to determine if form of calf starter (CS) and addition of a fatty acid blend (FA) influenced intake, growth, digestion, and indices of immune status and stress in calves from 0 to 4 mo of age. Male Holstein calves [n = 48; 41.9 kg of body weight (BW), standard error = 0.

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.

Symposium review: Re-evaluation of National Research Council energy estimates in calf starters.

Provision of nutrients in appropriate amounts to meet nutrient requirements for growth, production, and reproduction is the basis for modern animal nutrition. Ration formulation systems predict nutrient requirements based on numerous inputs and then predict nutrient supply based on predicted intake and nutrient content of feeds. Energy systems are used to predict energy supply based on gross caloric content of feeds followed by adjustments for digestion and metabolism of ingested energy.

Estimates of calf starter energy affected by consumption of nutrients. 1. Evaluation of models to predict changing digestion on energy content in calf starters.

Apparent total-tract digestibility data from 3 published studies with calves from 0 to 4 mo of age were used to evaluate National Research Council (2001) estimates of metabolizable energy (ME) in calf starters (CS). Calves (n = 83) or pens of calves (n = 24) were used in model development. In each study, 48 Holstein bull calves (2 to 3 d of age at initiation of each study) were fed varying amounts of milk replacer with CS and water for ad libitum consumption.

Estimates of calf starter energy affected by consumption of nutrients. 2. Effect of changing digestion on energy content in calf starters.

Apparent total-tract digestibility data from 3 published studies with calves from 0 to 4 mo of age were used to evaluate National Research Council (NRC; 2001) estimates of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in calf starters (CS). Calves (n = 83) or pens of calves (n = 24) were used in model development. In each study, 48 Holstein bull calves (2-3 d of age at initiation of each study) were fed varying amounts of milk replacer with CS and water for ad libitum consumption.

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.