Fermented Colostrum or Milk Replacer for Growing Calves

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Abstract
Holstein calves were assigned to experimental diets of milk replacer or fermented colostrum to measure the effects of these diets on growth, health and feed intake. Calves were fed .32 kg dry milk replacer reconstituted with warm water or 2.27 kg fermented colostrum once daily. Calf starter (17% crude protein) was offered ad lib beginning at 4 days of age. Calves were weaned at 28 days of age or continued on liquid feed until they consumed 45 kg starter/day. Weight gains during 0-4 wk were less for calves fed replacer (2.8 vs. 6.3 kg), but weight gains during 4-6 wk (5.1 vs. 5.1 kg) and the 0-12 wk gains (22.5 vs. 25.5) did not differ. Calves fed sour colostrum were weaned at 29.8 days while those fed milk replacer were weaned at 33.2 days. Starter intake for calves fed colostrum was greater during 0-6 wk. The incidence of diarrhea did not differ between treatments.

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