Evaluation of Calf Starters Containing Different Amounts of Crude Protein for Growth of Holstein Calves

¹ Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
² West Central Experiment Station, University of Minnesota, Morris 56267

Holstein calves (n = 110) were used to evaluate the effect of calf starters containing 15, 16.8, 19.6, or 22.4% CP, DM basis (diets A, B, C, and D, respectively), on calf performance from d 4 to 56 of life. Preweaning daily gain tended to increase linearly as protein content of diets increased, averaging .37, .39, .38, and .44 kg/d for diets A, B, C, and D, respectively. After weaning, calves fed diet C gained the most (.86 versus .71, .75, and .79 kg/d for A, B, and D, respectively). Overall BW gains from d 4 to 56 averaged .54, .56, .62, and .61 kg/d for A, B, C, and D, respectively. Throughout the experiment, starter consumption tended to increase as CP content of diet increased. Under these conditions, maximum growth was supported by diet C (19.6% CP); no advantage was gained from higher (22.4%) protein content. Calf growth was moderate when calf starters of lower protein contents (15 or 16.8%) were fed.

Key Words: calves • starter • protein

Submitted on October 7, 1993
Accepted on February 25, 1994

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. M. Hill, H. G. Bateman II, J. M. Aldrich, and R. L. Schlotterbeck Crude Protein for Diets Fed to Weaned Dairy Calves Professional Animal Scientist, December 1, 2008; 24(6): 596 - 603. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. T. Franklin, D. M. Amaral-Phillips, J. A. Jackson, and A. A. Campbell Health and Performance of Holstein Calves that Suckled or Were Hand-Fed Colostrum and Were Fed One of Three Physical Forms of Starter J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2003; 86(6): 2145 - 2153. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]