Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus Supplementation of Milk Replacer on Preweaning Performance of Calves

¹ Animal Nutrition and Animal Products Institute, Irene, Private Bag X2, 1675 Irene, South Africa

Forty Holstein-Friesian calves were used to evaluate the effect on young calves of daily dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus. Calves were randomly assigned at 2 d of age to one of two treatments; 1) milk replacer with no additives or 2) milk replacer supplemented with 1 ml (5 x l0⁷) of viable L. acidophilus bacteria at each of two feedings per day. Milk replacer was reconstituted to 12% DM and fed at 10% of BW/d for the duration of the 6-wk trial. A commercial starter pellet was offered for ad libitum intake from 7 d of age. Treatment had no effect on actual BW at any stage or on total BW gain; however, average daily gain during wk 2 was affected by L. acidophilus supplementation. Calves receiving L. acidophilus maintained initial BW, and the control calves lost BW until 2 wk of age, at an average rate of 112 g/d. Starter intake, total DMI, feed efficiency, and occurrence of diarrhea were unaffected by treatment. Therefore, L. acidophilus supplementation for calves fed milk replacer may be beneficial during the first 2 wk of life.

Key Words: calves • milk replacers • Lactobacillus acidophilus • probiotics

Submitted on March 6, 1995
Accepted on November 14, 1995

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. M. Timmerman, L. Mulder, H. Everts, D. C. van Espen, E. van der Wal, G. Klaassen, S. M. G. Rouwers, R. Hartemink, F. M. Rombouts, and A. C. Beynen Health and Growth of Veal Calves Fed Milk Replacers With or Without Probiotics J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2005; 88(6): 2154 - 2165. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]