Complete Rations for Holstein Calves

8 to 18 Weeks of Age I
K E R M I T B O R L A N D and E. M. KESLER
Department of Dairy and Animal Science
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park 16802

ABSTRACT involving feasibility of different roughages (8)

or varying protein-energy ratios (10, 14).
Thirty-two Holstein calves were fed
Physical form of the ration appears to affect
four complete rations from 8 to 18 wk of
calf performance. Feed intake has increased
age differing in composition, roughage,
with pelleting (2, 4, 8), but some studies have
and form. The control contained chopped
indicated no change or even a decrease in intake
hay as roughage source and was fed loose.
Ration 2 was identical to control but was (4, 5, 6). Pelleting usually has reduced digesti-
reground and pelleted. Ration 3 was bility (7, 9) of the feed.
based on corn silage, and 4 was a com- The objectives of this study were to evaluate
mercial pellet. All diets were palatable the effect of pelleting a complete ration and to
and were consumed satisfactorily. Intake determine the feasibility of using corn silage in
of dry matter was least on corn silage, a complete ration on performance of Holstein
largest on the commercial ration. Appar- calves between 8 and 18 wk of age.
ent digestibility of protein was highest for
Ration 4, that of energy higher for EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
Rations 3 and 4 than for hay-based diets.
All weight gains were excellent, averaging Until assignment of this study, all animals
.93, .99, .89, and 1.10 kg/day with gains were fed and housed under similar conditions.
by animals fed the commercial product Holstein calves, 24 males and 8 females, were
exceeding those on Rations 1 and 3. used. Each had been given at least one feeding
Efficiency of conversion of dry matter or of dam's colostrum followed by 4.4 kg milk
digestible energy was greatest on pelleted daily for 35 days. A commercial calf starter had
diets. Blood was analyzed for packed cell been fed ad libitum. Calves were in individual
volume, glucose in plasma, b-hydroxy- box stalls bedded with wood shavings in an
butyrate, acetate, and propionate at ages environmentally controlled barn. All were
13 and 17 wk. Differences from ration placed on the control diet (Ration 1, Table 1)
and sampling age were not great except from age 42 to 56 days. At age 57 days they
for variations in acetate and propionate at were removed from individual stalls and as-
13 wk. signed sequentially to experimental treatments.
An A and B group were formed for each of the
INTRODUCTION four rations with each group consisting of three
males and one female. Duration of the trial was
Use of complete rations for postweaned from 8 to 18 wk of age.
calves may be advantageous. The diet consumed Four complete rations were offered, Table 1.
by all animals can be defined more exactly and The concentrate portion of Ration 1 (control)
a better balance of nutrient intake can be was ground through a 1.9 cm screen, then
achieved by avoiding individual preferences for mixed with the hay portion, which had been
forage or concentrate. Ease of handling and ground through a 3.8 cm screen. Ration 2 was
enhanced labor efficiency may be possible (2).
prepared by regrinding Ration 1 (.6 cm screen)
Complete feeds have been used in studies
and pelleting. Pellet size was 1.6 × 2.0 cm, and
it was of medium hardness. Corn silage consti-
tuted one-third of the dry matter of Ration
Received May 12, 1978.
1Authorized for publication on May 1, 1978 as 3. The concentrate portion was formulated so
Paper No. 5509 in the Journal Series of the Pennsyl- that the complete ration was approximately
vania Agricultural Experiment Station. equivalent in nutrient composition to control

1979 J Dairy Sci 62:304-309 304

 COMPLETE RATIONS FOR CALVES 305

TABLE 1. Formulation of complete rations fed during trial (8 to 18 wk).

Ration
1,2 3 4a

(kg, as-fed basis)

Grass hay, coarse ground 28.0
Corn silage 92.3 (32.5% DM)
Ground corn 36.0 24.2
Ground oats 15.0 15.0
Soybean meal 9.0 16.0
Dry molasses 5.0 5.0
Wheat bran 5.0 5.0
Salt, with trace minerals 1.0 1.0
Dicalcium phosphate 1.0 1.1
Ground limestone .3

aLabel ingredients: processed grain by-products, forage products, roughage products, cane molasses, ground
limestone, monocalcium and dicalcium phosphate, vitamins, minerals. Guaranteed analysis as per label: crude
protein 15%, crude fat 3.0%, and crude fiber 12.5%.

ration. Silage and concentrate were mixed 7-day collection. Apparent digestibilities for
daily. Silage moisture was determined weekly, crude protein, gross energy, and acid-detergent
and proportions of silage and concentrate were fiber (ADF) were calculated.
adjusted to insure that one third of the dry Feed and feces samples were analyzed for
matter was provided by the silage. Ration 4 was dry matter (Brabender semi-automatic moisture
a pelleted complete feed which recently had analyzer at 100 C), nitrogen (Kjeldahl), gross
been introduced commercially 2. Pellet size was energy (Parr adiabatic oxygen bomb calori-
approximately .4 × 1.0 cm. meter), acid-detergent fiber, and acid-detergent
Calf groups were housed and fed in two lignin (Van Soest). In vitro dry matter disap-
unheated, naturally ventilated barns, the A pearance was determined on all ration samples
group for each ration in one barn and the B by a modification of the Tilley and Terry
group in the other. A 10-cm manure pack was procedure (1).
allowed to accumulate, with straw as bedding. Jugular blood samples were taken at 13 and
Fresh water was available continuously. Rations 17 wk of age. A microhematocrit determination
were offered ad libitum on a group basis (four was made with an International microcapillary
calves). Fresh feed was given one time daily in centrifuge. Glucose in plasma was determined
amounts slightly in excess of expected con- by an enzymatic/colorimetric glucose test (11).
sumption, and intakes were recorded. Represen- D-beta-hydroxybutyrate was determined as an
tative feed samples were taken weekly and indicator of circulating ketone bodies by the
composited for later analysis. enzymatic/colorimetric method of Williamson
Initial and final body weight, height at and Mellanby (3) with all reagent and sample
withers, and chest circumference were deter- quantities reduced by two-thirds, except
mined by averaging measurements taken on D-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase which
days 55, 56, 57 and on days 1 2 5 , 1 2 6 , 1 2 7 . was reduced only by one-half to insure comple-
A group digestibility trial with acid-deter- tion of the reaction. The volatile fatty acids,
gent lignin (ADL) as the indigestible marker acetate and propionate, were determined by gas
was carried out with each group when the liquid chromatography, with a column of 10%
oldest calf in the group reached 17 wk of age. SP-1200/1% H3PO4 liquid phase on 80/100
Fecal samples were taken at 12-h intervals for a Chromasorb WAW packing.
The F-ratio test from analysis of variance 3
2Brand name, TCR I; Agway, Inc., Syracuse, NY. was used to determine significant differences
3ANOVES/ANOVUM-mimeograph, The Pennsyl- among treatment effects. Duncan's new multi-
vania State University Computation Center. ple-range test (12) was used for isolation of

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 62, No. 2, 1979

306 BORLAND AND KESLER

significant differences between treatments. and 4, and especially the decrease between
Rations 1 and 2, may reflect a negative effect
of pelleting. Digestibilities of gross energy were
RESULTS A N D DISCUSSION
higher for the silage-based diet and for the
Ration compositions are in Table 2. Crude commercial feed, Rations 3 and 4, than were
protein, ADF, and ADL all were slightly lower those of Rations 1 and 2. The similarity of
and ash higher for Ration 3, the corn silage values for the hay-based rations appears to
based ration, than for those with hay or the discount any depressing effect of pelleting. In
commercial product. Ration 4 was slightly vitro dry matter disappearance values were
higher than the other rations in ADF and similar for Rations 1, 2, and 3 with that for
ADL. In general, however, gross composition of Ration 4 being lower, perhaps reflecting ADF
all diets was reasonably uniform. and ADL due to highly indigestible but un-
Only two digestibility values were deter- specified grain by-products and roughage
mined per ration and there was variation products in this ration. Values for this param-
between subgroups; therefore, treatment differ- eter did not predict in vivo digestibilities under
ences were not statistically significant. Sum- the conditions of this trial.
mary values, Table 2, show that digestibility of Weight gain and increases in height at
crude protein was identical for Rations 2 and 3, withers and chest circumference were param-
with Ration 1 lower and Ration 4 considerably eters for evaluation of growth, Table 3. Rations
higher. Comparison of values for the hay based 1, 2, and 3 supported roughly similar weight
rations (1 and 2) appears to indicate no detri- gains. Ration 4 calves grew faster than did those
mental effect on protein digestibility from on RatioAas 1 and 3 (P<.05). The superior per-
pelleting. Digestibility of ADF of the corn formance of Ration 4 calves may be explained
silage based diet, Ration 3, was considerably by higher digestibility of gross energy and crude
higher than that of the other rations. The lower protein, along with a greater intake of dry
ADF digestibility values of pelleted Rations 2 matter. Although Ration 3 calves had the

TABLE 2. Composition and digestibility of complete rations fed to calves,a

Ration
1 2 3 4
Hay Com-
base Corn cial
Hay pel- silage pel-
base leted base leted SE

Ration composition
Dry matter (%) 85.4 84.7 54.1 85.4
Crude protein (%) 17.6 18.5 16.9 18.5
Acid-detergent fiber (%) 17.1 16.1 15.2 18.1
Acid-detergent lignin (%) 3.3 3.3 2.2 4.0
Ash (%) 7.0 7.6 9.8 8.1
Gross energy (cal/g) 4666 4659 4646 4578

Apparent digestibility (%)b

Crude protein 60.6 64.7 64.7 76.9 4.4
Acid-detergent fiber 27.6 13.6 47.7 18.5 5.6
Gross energy 59.5 59.8 68.0 66.7 3.2

In vitro dry matter

disappearance (%) 78.9 78.4 78.4 70.9 1.9

aAll values except percent dry matter are on a dry matter basis.
bDetermined by lignin ratio method on subgroups of four calves each when oldest in group reached age 17
wk.

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 62, No. 2, 1979

 COMPLETE RATIONS FOR CALVES 307

TABLE 3. Growth of calves fed complete rations between 8 and 18 wk of age. a

Ration
1 2 3 4
Hay
base Corn Corn-
Hay pel- silage mer-
base leted base cial SE

Weight at 8 weeks (kg) 71.4 73.1 66.2 68.3 1.1

Weight at 18 weeks (kg) 136.8 142.2 128.6 145.3 2.4
Average daily gain (kg) .93 .99 .89 1.10 b .02
Increased height at withers (cm) 11.6 12.2 12.0 13.7 c .3
Increased chest circumference (cm) 22.0 23.7 20.4 23.2 .5

avalues are means for eight calves per ration grouping.

bsignificantly greater (P<.05) average daily gain by calves fed Ration 4, than by calves fed Rations 1 or 3.
Csignificantly greater (P<.05) increase in height at withers on Ration 4 than on Rations 1,2, or 3.

lowest gain of b o d y weight in this trial, their bilities of energy. Feed efficiency was similar
p e r f o r m a n c e was acceptable. Increased height for the t w o pelleted rations and m o r e f a v o r a b l e '
at withers also was significantly higher for than for the hay-based or corn silage-base diets,
calves on R a t i o n 4 than for those on the three regardless o f w h e t h e r calculated on intake of
o t h e r diets (P<.05). There were no significant dry m a t t e r or of digestible energy. Improve-
differences in increased chest circumference. m e n t o f feed efficiency with pelleting has b e e n
F e e d intakes and feed efficiencies were r e p o r t e d (13, 15).
d e t e r m i n e d on a group basis and are listed in In Table 5 are values for packed cell v o l u m e ,
Table 4. The differences in intake of dry m a t t e r glucose, D - b e t a - h y d r o x y b u t y r a t e , acetate, and
b e t w e e n rations were not large, considering p r o p i o n a t e in b l o o d samples taken at 13 and
length of trial and the dissimilarity of the 17 wk o f age. Packed cell volume, plasma
rations; however, intakes o f Rations 1 and 4 glucose, and D - b e t a - h y d r o x y b u t y r a t e were
were greater than those of Rations 2 and 3. within normal ranges and were similar in all
Calculated digestible energy intake o f Rations 3 calves. A c e t a t e and p r o p i o n a t e generally were
and 4 were relatively greater than those of the higher than e x p e c t e d , with wide variability
hay-based diets, partly because o f high digesti- b o t h within and b e t w e e n diet groupings. A t 13

TABLE 4. Dietary intakes and feed efficiency by calves fed complete rations.

Ration
1 2 3 4
Hay Corn -
base Corn mercial
Hay pel- silage pel-
base leted base leted SE

Dry matter intake, kg a 217 203 197 223 5.2

Dig energy intake, Mcal b 603 568 624 682
Efficiencies
Kg DM/kg gain 3.3 2.9 3.2 2.9
Mcal/kg gain 9.2 8.2 10.0 8.9

alntake per calf for 70 day experimental period, determined on basis of group feeding four calves in each of
two subgroups per ration.
bcalculated by applying DE values, Table 2, to DM intakes.

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 62, No. 2, 1979

 o
o0

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<
o
Ox
tJ TABLE 5. Blood constituents in calves fed complete rations, a
Z
O
Ration b (13 weeks) Ration b (17 weeks)
Parameter c 1 2 3 4 SE 1 2 3 4 SE
O
Packed cell volume (%) 33.6 34.9 33.8 33.6 .4 35.4 33.5 34.6 34.3 .5 I~
t"
Plasma glucose (mg/dl) 67.7 58.4 65.0 65.8 2.6 70.2 65.0 64.2 66.5 1.7 ~"
Beta h y d r o x y b u t y r a t e (mg/dl) 4.4 5.1 4.3 4.5 .5 5.2 5.2 4.4 4.2 .5
Acetate (mg/dl) 46.4 48.6 20.7 d 32.8 d 2.3 41.0 48.3 47.1 39.6 2.2 ;>
Propionate (mg/dl) 8.6 e 4.3 1.6 d 5.6 .4 4.6 7.6 6.3 6.4 .5 Z
t7

aData are m e a n values for eight calves on each ration. O0

v"
bFor description of rations, see text or previous tables. v0
CWhole blood was used for analysis of packed cell volume, deproteinated plasma for all other analyses.
dValues significantly lower (P<.05) than other rations at 13 wk.
e v a l u e significantly higher (P<.05) than other rations at 13 wk.
 COMPLETE RATIONS FOR CALVES 309

weeks R a t i o n 3 a n d 4 calves h a d b l o o d a c e t a t e phenomena. J. Anim. Sci. 20:478.

lower than those of Rations 1 and 2 (P<.05). 5 Gardner, R. W. 1968. Digestible protein require-
ments of calves fed high energy rations ad libitum.
P r o p i o n a t e in R a t i o n 1 calves was h i g h e r
J. Dairy Sci. 51:888.
( P < . 0 5 ) , a n d t h o s e in R a t i o n 3 calves were 6 Gardner, R. W., and M. Akbar. 1970. Effect of
l o w e r ( P < . 0 5 ) t h a n t h o s e in R a t i o n s 2 a n d 4. pelleting calf rations on minimum protein require-
T h e r e were n o d i f f e r e n c e s at age 17 wk. ments. J. Dairy Sci. 53:18.
7 Hager, K. R., and H. D. Radtoff. 1973. Pelleting
While this s t u d y s h o w e d g o o d results in calf
effects on digestion and VFA levels. Proc. Western
performance from grinding and pelleting Sec. Amer. Soc. Anita. Sci. 24:408.
c o m p l e t e calf rations, l a b o r a n d e q u i p m e n t 8 Hibbs, J. W., and H. R. Conrad. 1969. Corn silage
r e q u i r e m e n t s m a y m a k e such p r o c e s s i n g im- in a complete ration for dairy calves. Ohio Agr.
p r a c t i c a l e x c e p t for large or specialized calf Res. and Dev. Center Res. Circ. 164:3.
9 Hodgson, J. 1973. The effect of the physical form
raising o p e r a t i o n s w h e r e t h e c o n v e n i e n c e in of the diet on consumption of solid food by calves,
h a n d l i n g m a y j u s t i f y t h e a d d e d e x p e n s e . Based and the distribution of feed residues in their
o n t h e results o f this e x p e r i m e n t , we believe alimentary tracts. Anita. Prod. 17:129.
c o r n silage m a y be used as a p r a c t i c a l r o u g h a g e 10 Schurman, E. W., and E. M. Kesler. 1974. Protein-
to-energy ratios in complete feeds for calves at ages
s o u r c e f o r calves o f this age w h e n i n c o r p o r a t e d 8 to 18 weeks. J. Dairy Sci. 57:1381.
i n t o a c o m p l e t e r a t i o n a n d w h e n care is exer- 11 Sigma Technical Bulletin. 1973. A quantitative
cised to p r e v e n t spoilage in t h e feed t r o u g h . procedure for determining glucose using the
enzyme, glucose oxidase and peroxidase. Sigma
Tech. Bull. 510. St. Louis.
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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 62, No. 2, 1979