Performance of Calves Fed Colostrum Stored by Freezing, Fermentation, or Treatment with Lactic or Adipic Acid

Abstract

Holstein calves were allotted randomly at 4 days of age to one of three colostrum diets in two trials. Calves weighing 31.8 to 45.4 kg and over 45.4 kg at birth were offered 2.27 and 2.73 kg of colostrum daily, respectively, diluted with .91 kg of warm water. Calf starter and water were available ad libitum. Calves were weaned at 28 days of age and received only water and starter from 29 to 42 days of age. In trial 1, 31 calves were fed colostrum stored by freezing, fermentation, or treatment with 1% lactic acid. Colostrum refusals were minimal and preweaning calf health was excellent. Two calves died during the postweaning period. There were no differences in intakes of starter and crude protein or feed and crude protein efficiencies. Few differences in weekly average daily gains were detected, and gains for 0 to 4 wk and 4 to 6 wk were similar for all treatments. Calves fed colostrum stored by freezing consumed more dry matter from colostrum than calves fed fermented colostrum and more total dry matter than calves fed fermented or acidified colostrums from 4 to 28 days of age. In trial 2, 33 calves received colostrum stored by freezing, fermentation, or treatment with 1% adipic acid. Two calves were lost during the preweaning period. Adipic acid-treated colostrum was less acceptable to calves than frozen or fermented colostrums. Calves fed adipic acid-treated colostrum gained less weight to weaning than calves fed frozen or fermented colostrums and consumed less starter from 4 to 28 days of age than calves fed fermented colostrum. © 1979, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.