HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Coverdale, J. A. Articles by Brumm, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Coverdale, J. A. Articles by Brumm, J. A.

Effect of Various Levels of Forage and Form of Diet on Rumen Development and Growth in Calves

¹ Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 50011
² American Protein Corporation, Ankeny, IA 50021
³ Northeast Iowa Community-Based Dairy Foundation, Calmar, IA 52132

Corresponding author: J. A. Coverdale; e-mail: jcover{at}uga.edu.

The effect of form of starter grain (coarse vs. ground) and inclusion of various levels of hay on body weight gain and rumen development was evaluated. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of form of diet and forage inclusion on intake, growth, feed efficiency, and weaning age in dairy calves. Diets consisted of commercial coarse starter (C), ground starter (G), coarse starter with 7.5% bromegrass hay of consistent particle size (8 to 19 mm) (H1), and coarse starter with 15% hay (H2). In experiment 1, intake was held constant across treatments until weaning, when feed was offered ad libitum. Calves receiving H1 and H2 were heavier and had greater body weight gain and greater feed efficiency than calves receiving C. There were no differences in intake. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations were higher, and the proportion of acetate was lower for calves fed G vs. C. In experiment 2, calves (n = 56) were offered diets on an ad libitum basis and weaned according to intake. There were no differences in body weight gain, average daily gain, feed efficiency, and age at weaning with respect to treatment. Starter and total dry matter intake tended to be greater in calves fed H1 and H2 vs. C. The addition of controlled particle size hay to diets of young calves appears to favorably alter rumen environment, resulting in increased intake and improved feed efficiency. Forage of a consistent particle size can be successfully utilized in starter rations of young calves.

Key Words: calf • forage • particle size • rumen development

Abbreviation key: ADG = average daily gain, C = commercial coarse starter, G = ground starter, G/F = gain to feed ratio, H1 = coarse starter with additional 7.5% bromegrass hay of consistent particle size, H2 = coarse starter with additional 15% bromegrass hay of consistent particle size

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. M. Hill, H. G. Bateman II, J. M. Aldrich, and R. L. Schlotterbeck Roughage for Diets Fed to Weaned Dairy Calves Professional Animal Scientist, June 1, 2009; 25(3): 283 - 288. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. A. Roth, N. M. Keil, L. Gygax, and E. Hillmann Influence of weaning method on health status and rumen development in dairy calves J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2009; 92(2): 645 - 656. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. G. Bateman II, T. M. Hill, J. M. Aldrich, and R. L. Schlotterbeck Effects of corn processing, particle size, and diet form on performance of calves in bedded pens J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2009; 92(2): 782 - 789. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M. Hill, H. G. Bateman II, J. M. Aldrich, and R. L. Schlotterbeck Effects of the Amount of Chopped Hay or Cottonseed Hulls in a Textured Calf Starter on Young Calf Performance J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2008; 91(7): 2684 - 2693. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Khan, H. J. Lee, W. S. Lee, H. S. Kim, S. B. Kim, S. B. Park, K. S. Baek, J. K. Ha, and Y. J. Choi Starch Source Evaluation in Calf Starter: II. Ruminal Parameters, Rumen Development, Nutrient Digestibilities, and Nitrogen Utilization in Holstein Calves J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2008; 91(3): 1140 - 1149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Khan, H. J. Lee, W. S. Lee, H. S. Kim, S. B. Kim, K. S. Ki, S. J. Park, J. K. Ha, and Y. J. Choi Starch Source Evaluation in Calf Starter: I. Feed Consumption, Body Weight Gain, Structural Growth, and Blood Metabolites in Holstein Calves J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2007; 90(11): 5259 - 5268. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Bach, A. Gimenez, J. L. Juaristi, and J. Ahedo Effects of Physical Form of a Starter for Dairy Replacement Calves on Feed Intake and Performance J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2007; 90(6): 3028 - 3033. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]