TAKE HOME MESSAGES

• Feeding higher levels of milk replacer containing more protein prior to weaning did not increase growth compared to a traditional calf feeding program.
• Higher incidences of disease occurred in calves fed higher liquid diets.
• Higher feed costs prior to weaning occurred due to higher liquid consumption.

A new concept in calf feeding is to challenge replacement heifer calves with higher amounts of a liquid diet containing higher concentrations of protein prior to weaning. This program can result in replacements growing faster and calving earlier resulting in more net profit for dairy managers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A field study was conducted in the summer of 2000 on a commercial western Illinois dairy farm as part of an undergraduate special research study and supervised by personnel at the University of Illinois Animal Sciences Department. Thirty-two female calves were assigned to a control diet or experimental diet. The control liquid diet was fed twice a day at a constant rate of eight pounds of reconstituted milk replacer containing 22 percent crude protein, 0.10 percent crude fiber, and 20 percent fat. The experimental milk replacer containing 30 percent crude protein, 0.15 percent crude fiber, and 20 percent fat was fed ad libum (to appetite) twice a day. Water and calf starter was available at birth. Calf body measurements were recorded weekly. Liquid intake, starter, and fecal scores (1 for liquid, 2, 3,4, or 5 for firm) recorded three times a week. Medical treatment occurred as needed and recorded. Experimental liquid target amounts were 12 pounds (week 2), 16 pounds (week 3), 20 pounds (week 4), 16 pounds (week 5), and 12 pounds (week 6) with weaning initiated after six weeks. Data was analyzed by SAS and tested for significance. Heifers will be measured every six months and lactation performance followed in the next two years.

RESULTS

Measurements and data are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. No significant growth differences were observed between groups. Average daily gain was 0.69 pound for control calves and 0.70 pound for experimental calves. Milk replacer intake was significantly higher in the experimental group (P < 0.0001). Water intake was also significantly higher in the experimental calves (P < 0.069). No difference in calf starter intake was measured. Scour scores per group were significantly lower (fecal consistency was more liquid) in experimental calves (P < 0.003). Experimental calves also had more health problems with 39 treatment days per group compared to the control calves at 15 treatment days per group. The protocol was to feed experimental calves three times a day, but liquid intake and health limitations dictated feeding both groups of calves twice a day.

Table 1. Comparison of control and accelerated calf feeding program.

Table 2. Diet intakes (values in parenthesis are SEM) and health data on control and accelerated calf feeding program.