Dietary fiber and early weaning on growth and rumen development of calves.
Holstein calves were assigned to treatments of 1) pelleted prestarter (22% protein and 12% fat) and starter containing 10% alfalfa; 2) prestarter and starter containing 20% alfalfa; 3) no prestarter and starter containing 10% alfalfa; and 4) no prestarter and starter containing 20% alfalfa. Calves assigned to treatments 1 and 2 were fed 3.64 kg milk/d for 2 wk and calves assigned to treatments 3 and 4 were fed 3.64 kg milk/d for 3 wk and 1.82 kg milk/d for wk 4. Calves on treatments 2 and 3 were heavier at 10 wk but body weights and heights were similar by 6 mo. Rumen fluid and plasma measures were similar among treatments. Bull calves were assigned to treatments 1 and 3 and necropsied at 3 or 6 wk. Dry feed intakes to 3 wk and volatile fatty acid concentrations were greater for calves on treatment 1 than those on treatment 3. Wet weights of the empty reticulorumens were greater for calves on treatment 1 than those on treatment 3. Papillary development was not affected by weaning system. Calves weaned at 17 d and fed a prestarter have earlier rumen development than calves fed no prestarter and weaned later.
Klein
R D
RD
Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6320.
Kincaid
R L
RL
Hodgson
A S
AS
Harrison
J H
JH
Hillers
J K
JK
Cronrath
J D
JD
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D012417:Rumen / Q000254:growth & development*; D014886:Weaning