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An Early Weaning Calf Program: Summarization and Review

Dairy Research Department, Ralston Purina Company, St. Louis, MO 63188

ABSTRACT

Experimental data over 3 yr encompassing 277 calves raised under an early weaning program at the Purina Research Farm were summarized. Thirty other recently published experiments also were reviewed briefly for comparison. Calves in this report averaged 49.2 kg body weight during a 28-day preweaning period following 3 days on colostrum. Daily averages were .42 kg intake of dry milk replacer, .47 kg intake of calf starter, .32 kg gain in body weight, 136 g estimated intake of digestible protein, and 3.17 Meal estimated intake of digestible energy. Intake of calf starter accounted for 65% of variation in total gain of body weight. Estimates of digestible nutrient intake accounted for 88% of variation in final metabolic body weight. Calves on milk replacers containing poorer quality protein consumed less calf starter and gained less. Estimates of intake of digestible protein and digestible energy and their average ratio of 43.0 are reviewed relative to studies in which requirements were investigated.