Preweaning intake and postweaning dietary energy effects on intake and metabolism of calves weaned at 26 days of age.
Holstein calves (n = 48) were used to evaluate whether preweaning feeding management affects postweaning DMI and metabolism after abrupt weaning at 26 d of age. Calves were fed only whole milk until d 19 of age. From d 19 to 26, calves were provided one of three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets: milk at 15% of d-1 BW, milk at 12% of d-1 BW plus a grain-based supplement added to the pail, or milk at 12% of d-1 BW and drenched (force-fed) with the supplement. After weaning, calves were offered a low or high energy (1.7 or 5.8% ether extract) starter. From d 26 to 36, starter intake was similar between calves fed the supplement in the pail and those fed only milk but lower than for calves drenched with supplement. Plasma NEFA increased threefold from d 26 to 27, and calves fed only milk had higher NEFA than drenched calves. From d 26 to 42, plasma VFA of drenched calves were higher than those fed only milk. Except for an increase in plasma NEFA at d 36 and 42, high energy starter did not affect any variable. Preweaning drenching of calves stimulated postweaning adaptation to dry diets. Intake postweaning appears to depend more on physiological adaptation to dry diets than a preweaning feeding management.
Luchini
N D
ND
Meat and Animal Science Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
Lane
S F
SF
Combs
D K
DK
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D014886:Weaning
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005227:Fatty Acids