Pre-weaning growth and feed intake of diary calves receiving different combinations of soybean flour, whey powder and colostrums

Author: C.W. Cruywagen & J.G. Horn
Year: 1985
Issue: 1
Volume: 15
Page: 11 - 14

Five groups of seven Friesian bull calves received different combinations of soybean flour (S), whey powder (W), and preserved colostrum (C). On a dry matter basis, the experimental diets consisted of 20% S, 60% W, and 20% C (Treatment 1); 10% S, 60% W, and 30% C (Treatment 2); 20% S, 40% W, and 40% C (Treatment 3); 10% S, 40% W, and 50% C (Treatment 4); and whole milk as control (Treatment 5). A complete ration, consisting of 48,5% maize meal, 30% of a commercial high-protein concentrate (42% crude protein), 20% ground lucerne hay and 1,5% salt was available ad libitum from 4 days of age. Calves received the (liquid)  experimental diets at a rate of 12 9 dry matter (OM)/kg birthmass, reconstituted to 15% OM, and the control group received whole milk at a rate of 10% of birthmass. All calves were weaned at 30 days of age. Bodymass gain (kg) and dry-feed intake (kg) for calves in Treatments 1-5 were 5,7 and 7,2; 6,1 and 6,2; 9,3 and 8,9; 8,7 and 10,8; 10,5 and 5,4 respectively. Total OM intake (kg) and feed-efficiency ratio (kg OM intake/kg bodymass gain) were 18,6 and 4,8; 18,7 and 3,6; 20,5 and 2,4; 22,1 and 2,7; 18,2 and 1,8 respectively for calves in Treatments 1- 5. It was concluded that dairy calves can be reared successfully until weaning on mixtures of soybean flour, whey powder, and colostrum, with a considerable saving (67- 70%) in feeding costs compared to whole milk. The best results can be expected when the liquid diet mixture contains at least 40% colostrum and less than 60% whey powder on a dry matter basis.

 

 

Keywords: calves, colostrums, milk replacers, soybean flour, whey powder
Read article