AN EVALUATION OF MILK REPLACERS BASED ON THE GROWTH RATE, HEALTH AND BLOOD CHEMISTRY OF HOLSTEIN CALVES

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Abstract
Forty male Holstein calves were divided into four groups; one group was offered whole milk and each of the others was given a different milk replacer. All calves were fed at 12% of body weight for 6 wk and a starter ration was fed free choice for the last 3 wk of the trial. Growth rate was 0.58, 0.32, 0.30, and 0.25 kg/day for whole milk and milk replacers B, C, and D, respectively, while the respective intake of calf starter was 0.23, 0.36, 0.34, and 0.38 kg/day of dry matter per calf per day. Feed conversions during the last 3 wk of the experiment were 1.15, 1.66, 1.45, and 1.65 kg of dry matter per kg of gain for whole milk and replacers B, C, and D, respectively. Blood hematocrit was higher for calves fed milk replacer B than for the other three treatments. Blood glucose levels were 123, 96, 107 and 101 mg percent for whole milk and milk replacers B, C, and D, respectively. The relationships between plasma glucose and blood urea nitrogen with growth rate and intake of calf starter were evaluated.

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