Evaluation of Wheat Gluten in Milk Replacers and Calf Starters

¹ Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506

Two trials were conducted to evaluate wheat gluten as an ingredient in calf feeds. In one trial, Holstein bull calves (n = 120) were assigned for 6 wk to one of five milk replacers, which contained different percentages of CP and different percentages of protein furnished from soluble wheat gluten. Within a given protein percentage, BW gains of calves were not affected by the percentage of protein that was supplied as wheat gluten. Calves fed milk replacer containing 18% CP with 33% wheat gluten gained as much as calves fed replacers containing 20% CP.

In another trial, newborn Holstein calves (n = 62) were used. Protein supplements of the calf starters used until 7 wk of age were either soybean meal or spray-dried wheat gluten and soybean meal. No significant differences were observed between the two treatments. Also, no significant carry-over effect occurred when all calves received a common diet from 7 to 10 wk of age.

Key Words: calves • wheat gluten • milk replacers • calf starters

Submitted on May 3, 1995
Accepted on February 20, 1996

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