EFFECTS OF INCREASING THE ENERGY VALUE OF A WHOLE MILK DIET FOR CALVES. I. NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND NITROGEN RETENTION

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Abstract
In each of four metabolism trials using male Holstein calves, the biological value (BV) of whole milk protein was improved by increasing the energy:protein ratio through addition of glucose or butterfat. Cow’s milk, which provided 21.7–23.8 kcal digestible energy (DE)/g digestible crude protein (DCP) had a BV of 73–78, whereas supplementation with glucose to provide 28 kcal DE/g DCP increased the BV to 84–86. Higher levels of glucose providing 31–32 kcal DE/g DCP tended to further elevate the BV to 87–89 but some diarrhea occurred in younger calves. Attempts to provide larger quantities of energy by increasing the amount of glucose resulted in severe diarrhea and the consistent detection of glucose in the feces. Except where the diarrhea was severe, digestibilities of dry matter and gross energy were not affected by increasing quantities of glucose in the diet. Protein digestibility, however, was depressed in each metabolism trial when higher levels (8–10% glucose monohydrate) were added to whole milk.