Effect of Different Milks and Level of Intake upon Growth of Young Dairy Calves

Abstract

The influence on growth rate and efficiency of feed utilization by calves from 1 through 22 days of age was compared when diets of whole milk, nonfat milk and colostrum were offered ad libitum and whole milk was fed at 9% of body weight per day. Body weight gains averaged 20.2, 14.5, 13.2 and 5.6 kg on these feeding regimes. All differences were significant (P < .05) except for the comparison between calves fed ad libitum on nonfat milk and colostrum. Calculated kilocalories of metabolizable energy above resting metabolism required per gram of gain averaged 3.8, 1.9, 5.5 and 1.2, and all were different (P < .05) except for the comparison between the calves on nonfat milk ad libitum and whole milk at 9% of body weight. This inverse of net efficiency for weight gain was related to amount of metabolizable energy intake. When the gains were adjusted for amount of intake, all diets were equal except colostrum which was used less efficiently. The animals appeared healthy throughout the experiment and diarrhea was not a problem. © 1970, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.