Nutritional drivers of rumen development: A review

Abstract

Proper development of the rumen is an imperative chore that can be controlled to benefit both the calf and producer. The process of rumen development can be enhanced with right nutrition and management that can reduce the cost of raising a calf. Important considerations in regard to nutrition at the time of rumen growth (birth to approximately three months) can lead to faster rumen development and better growth rate of neonatal calves. Additionally, calves with well developed rumen at weaning are less susceptible to diseases and gain more body weight with lower management and labor costs. Therefore present review discusses the different nutritional factors affecting earlier rumen development.