Synthetic Rations for the Dairy Calf

Abstract

1.A synthetic milk has been developed for the young dairy calf. This ration will support good growth over a period of 12 weeks from birth. The animals raised on this diet were healthy and thrifty in appearance. 2.On rations containing liberal amounts of vitamin A, the young dairy calf does not require vitamin C. 3.Calves that received soybean oil in the diet grew poorly, scoured, and appeared unthrifty, whereas the animals that received the rations prepared with lard showed good gains in weight, did not scour, and appeared normal and healthy. 4.The calves did much better in all respects when fed the synthetic milk diet than when solid diets fed as a slurry were used. © 1947, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.