title: Short communication: Effect of canola meal use as a protein source in a starter mixture on feeding behavior and performance of calves during the weaning transition.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of canola meal use as a protein source in a starter mixture (SM) on feeding behavior and performance of calves during weaning transition. A total of 36 female Holstein calves of a mean age 14.9±1.6 d and body weight 40.1±4.2 kg (mean ± SD) were allocated to 1 of 3 treatments differing in the main source of protein for the SM (12 calves per treatment): (1) soybean meal (TSBM); (2) soybean meal and canola meal (TSBM/TCM); and (3) canola meal (TCM). The SM was offered for ad libitum consumption beginning on the first day of the study, whereas milk replacer (MR) was fed in amounts equal to 900 g (as fed) per day from d 1 to 35 and 450 g/d from d 36 to 42 of the study. Calves were completely weaned on d 43 of the study (57.9±1.6 d of age; mean ± SD), and their performance was monitored for an additional 2 wk. Calf body weight was recorded weekly, and MR and SM intake and fecal fluidity were recorded daily. Feeding behavior of calves during weaning transition, including frequency (no./d), time (min/d), and rate (g/min) of eating the SM as well as frequency and time of drinking water, was monitored on 6 calves per treatment for 2 consecutive days before MR step-down (d 34-35), at MR step-down (d 41-42), and after weaning (d 48-49 of study). Starter mixture intake tended to be higher for TSBM calves as compared with TSBM/TCM calves from d 1 to 35 of the study but was not different between TSBM and TCM calves and was not different between treatments in the whole study period. Calves from TCM treatment had reduced average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (g of ADG/kg of dry matter intake) and a higher fecal score in the period from d 1 to 35 of the study and had lower feed efficiency and tended to have lower ADG in the whole study period as compared with TSBM calves. Average daily gain and feed efficiency did not differ between TSBM and TSBM/TCM calves. Frequency of eating the SM and drinking water as well as time and rate of eating the SM and time of drinking water did not differ between treatments. It is concluded that presence of canola meal in a SM does not affect feeding behavior and performance of calves during weaning transition but has a negative effect on ADG, feed efficiency, and number of days with diarrhea during the preweaning phase of rearing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hadam
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kański
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burakowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Penner
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Z M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: p.gorka@ur.krakow.pl.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Górka
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D029688:Brassica napus; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D008892:Milk; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins
keywords: feed efficiency; rearing calves; starter diet; weaning