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Sour Colostrum Dilutions Compared to Whole Milk for Calves^{1 ,2,}

Department of Dairy Science, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801

ABSTRACT

Two trials with Holstein calves compared various dilutions of sour colostrum with whole milk fed to weaning at 5 wk. Colostral milk was collected for the first six milkings postpartum, allowed to ferment naturally, and stored for an average of 10.5 days before feeding. In Trial 1, 59 calves were assigned to one of four treatments: 1) 3.63 kg whole milk offered once daily, 2) 1.81 kg sour colostrum + 1.81 kg water offered once daily, 3) treatment 2 offered in two equal portions, and 4) 2.72 kg sour colostrum + .9 kg water offered as in 3. Calves fed whole milk gained more weight than calves fed 1.81 kg sour colostrum for 0 to 5 wk. After weaning, growth was not different. Four of 11 calves assigned to 4 refused the diet, and no further assignments were made. Calves fed 2.72 kg sour colostrum scoured less than those fed whole milk or 1.81 kg sour colostrum twice daily. In Trial 2, 20 calves were fed: 1) whole milk offered at 10% of birth weight once daily, or 2) two parts sour colostrum to one part water offered as in 1. Calves fed whole milk gained more and also scoured more than calves fed sour colostrum. Average daily gains to weaning for calves fed sour colostrum in Trial 2 were comparable to gains of calves fed whole milk in Trial 1 (.32 kg/day and .31 kg/day).

¹ Supported by Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station.

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