PERSPECTIVE AND COMMENTARY: Dairy calf feeding and nutrition major variables and subsequent performance

Purpose

My objective was to provide a critical analysis of the major nutrition variables when feeding dairy calves and to provide practical applications.

Sources

Peer-reviewed scientific literature, research abstracts, and field experiences in dairy and calf ranch operations were used.

Synthesis

A variety of liquids are fed to dairy calves in the United States, and most often, they are fed in combinations. It is critical to know and measure composition and solids levels, and to ensure consistency in what liquid is fed and how it is fed. Avoid greater than 15% solids to minimize digestive upsets due to osmolality. Traditional early weaning programs and 20% CP/20% fat milk replacer (MR) have been replaced with higher CP MR and fed at higher levels resulting in more ADG prior to weaning. Given the inverse relationship between MR fed (and its fat level) and calf starter (CS) intake, the challenge then is to moderate MR feeding early enough prior to weaning to ensure adequate CS intake prior to weaning to optimize functional rumen development and minimize postweaning slump.

Conclusions and Applications

Feed a well-texturized CS to optimize functional rumen development and avoid needing to feed forage or roughage prior to weaning. Too much forage fed too soon impairs rumen development and confounds true BW gain with gut fill. Water is the most essential nutrient needed in the greatest quantity by dairy calves. It is consumed at about 4:1 relative to DMI. Ensure water and CS containers are physically separated to avoid contamination of each in the other and to have better intake and performance. In colder weather, feed warm water. Calves are most efficient in converting nutrients to growth on a dairy farm when properly fed and managed.