Expansion-extrusion Processed Sorghum Grain and Soybeans in Diets of Dairy Calves

Abstract

Forty-four Holstein calves were allotted randomly into four groups of seven females and four males and fed rations containing: (I) grain sorghum and soybean meal (pelleted), (II) grain sorghum and soybean meal (expanded-extruded), (III) grain sorghum and soybeans (expanded-extruded), and (IV) grain sorghum (pelleted) and soybeans (expanded-extruded). Calves were fed their rations ad libitum from 3 to 95 days of age. Milk replacer was fed twice daily from 3 to 45 days of age. Twelve Holstein bull calves approximately 56 days of age were in a total fecal collection digestion trial to determine apparently digestible protein and energy. Negligible differences occurred among calves in rate of gain, starter intake, and starter to gain ratio. Daily gains were .46, .44, .43, and .46 kg for Groups I through IV. Differences were small in apparently digestible protein and energy. However, rations containing expanded-extruded grain sorghum tended to have higher digestible energy. Extruded soybeans were equal to soybean meal as a source of protein. © 1973, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.