Associations between preweaning calf feeding behaviors with age at first calving and lactational performance using an automatic calf feeder

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine whether preweaning calf behaviors recorded by an automatic calf feeder were associated with performance in adulthood. As the number of unrewarded visits to the feeder increased, first-lactation mature-equivalent milk yield and energy-corrected milk yield increased. These associations justify additional investigation into the use of preweaning calf feeding behaviors to predict first-lactation milk yield. Highlights • Unrewarded visits were positively associated with first-lactation ME305 milk yield. • Unrewarded visits were positively associated with first-lactation ME305 energy-corrected milk yield. • Preweaning calf feeding behaviors may be associated with long-term performance.