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Amounts of Sour Colostrum for Growth and Health of Calves^{1 ,2,}

Dairy Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings 57006

ABSTRACT

Forty-two Holstein calves were fed one of three liquid diets once daily from birth until weaning at 4 wk to examine the performance of calves fed sour colostrum in two amounts during autumn and winter. Diets were: (1) 3.64 kg whole milk, (2) 2.73 kg sour colostrum plus .91 kg water, and (3) 1.82 kg sour colostrum plus 1.82 kg water. The 2.73 kg sour colostrum provided a similar amount of total solids to the 3.64 kg whole milk. Colostrum was collected for the first six milkings, allowed to ferment naturally, and stored for an average of 12 days prior to feeding. Calves fed whole milk and 2.73 kg colostrum gained more weight than calves fed 1.82 kg colostrum for 4 wk. After weaning, growth was not different. Calves fed 1.82 kg colostrum consumed more pelleted ration than calves fed whole milk. Three calves died after weaning on the 1.82 kg colostrum diet which may be related to an insufficient intake of nutrients. Incidence of scours was low and not different between diets. Calves fed 2.73 kg sour colostrum once daily performed similar to calves fed 3.64 kg whole milk, and 1.82 kg sour colostrum was inadequate for satisfactory growth and health.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station as Publication 1319 of the journal Series.

² This research was conducted as a part of regional research project NC-119, Improving Large Dairy Herd Management Practices.