Effect of daily concentrate intake at weaning on performance of Belgian Blue double-muscled rearing calves.
Weaning at a different daily concentrate intake was investigated during a 140-d experimental period, using 54 male and 68 female newborn Belgian Blue double-muscled animals. They were divided into three comparable groups and received milk at 10% of their birth weight up to weaning. Concentrate was levelled off at a maximum daily intake of 3 kg, while grass hay was freely available. Weaning occurred at a daily concentrate intake level (CL) of 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 kg, respectively. Weaning at an increased CL prolonged the milk-feeding period by 13.1 and 14.6 days, and resulted in a higher pre- and post-weaning growth rate (p < 0.05). Daily gain during the entire experimental period averaged 0.84, 0.85 and 0.88 kg for the respective groups (p = 0.065). Daily concentrate intake was not different among groups, with only a small effect of CL on intake around weaning. Early weaning resulted in a significant reduction of hay intake (p = 0.032). Total daily net energy intake increased slightly with a higher CL at weaning, so that energy conversion was slightly improved, amounting to 17.7, 17.6 and 17.4 MJ/kg gain, respectively. Energy balance during the first week after weaning was negative for CL 0.5 kg (-22%), while it was close to 0 for CL 0.75 kg (-2%) or positive for CL 1.0 kg. Most effects of CL at weaning were similar for males and females, but male calves tended to have a higher intake and a faster growth rate than females. It can be concluded that weaning should be delayed until Belgian Blue double-muscled calves consume at least 0.75 kg per day or more for reasons of welfare, although performance was hardly improved by weaning at a daily concentrate intake of more than 0.5 kg per day.
Fiems
Leo
L
Department Animal Nutrition and Husbandry, Scheldeweg 68, B-9090 Melle, Belgium. l.fiems@clo-fgov.be
De Boever
Johan
J
De Campeneere
Sam
S
Vanacker
José
J
De Brabander
Daniël
D
D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D006109:Poaceae; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain