Effect Of Milk Replacer-fed On Growth, Development And Health In Calves Before 60 Days

The objective of this study was to evaluate milk-fed or milk replacer-fed on growth, wean, health and selected blood metabolites of female Holstein dairy calves before 60 days age. Forty-eight calves were blocked by body weight and assigned randomly within block to one of milk replacer or milk experimental groups. All of the calves were housed outdoors in individual hutches at Mengniu Australia International Dairy Farm (Hohhot, China). Calves in milk replacer team were fed 500g/d DM divided into two equal feedings mixed into 2 liters water per feeding, from d-4 to 10, and then reduced to 400 g/d from d-11 until weaning. Milk replacers contained 22.0% CP and 18.8% fat, the starter contained 20.3% CP and 4.8 fat. Milk replacers contained 22% CP and 18% fat. In milk team,milk weight totaled 10% of the calf's BW, and milk weight was adjusted individually according to each calf's weight. Body weight, wither high and heart girth were measure on birth day, 11, 18, 25, 32, 39, 46, 53 and 60 days of age. Fecal scores were recorded daily. Determined starter intake per week form 4 days of age. Blood samples were taken via jugular venipuncture before the morning feeding. Wither high was not different between treatments, calves in Milk team were great higher in body weight and heart girth. Calves fed milk replacer had greater DMI along the experiment period and lower weaning age. GLU, BUN, NEFA and TP were not different between treatments, but BHBA was greater in calves which fed milk replacer at 60 days of age. Weaning criterion was based on a minimum daily starter intake of≥900 g for 2 consecutive days. Under conditions of this study, compared with the milk-fed, the same number of days the calves fed Milk Replacer had soft feces, improve rumen development,lower body weight gain, reduce cost, greater starter intake.