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Rearing of dairy cattle 2. Weaning calves according to their concentrate intake

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. D. Leaver
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading, Berks
N. H. Yarrow
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading, Berks
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Summary

British Friesian dairy female calves were offered once daily either 320 or 480 g of milk substitute reconstituted in warm water. Weaning took place when calves were consistently eating 400, 650 or 900 g/day of concentrates. The number of days taken to reach weaning was greater with calves offered 480 g than with calves offered 320 g of milk substitute per day. Calves with a high initial live weight achieved the required concentrate intake and were therefore weaned sooner than smaller calves. A fall in energy intake occurred immediately after weaning and this was greatest in calves previously offered 480 g/day of milk substitute. The treatments had no significant effect on the total intake of concentrates and hay over the 8 weeks of the experiment. Increasing the amount of milk substitute from 320 to 480 g/day increased total feed costs, and feed costs per kg live-weight gain. Increasing the required level of concentrate intake at weaning also increased total feed costs and feed costs/kg live-weight gain, but to a lesser extent. The results suggest that it is preferable to feed dairy replacement calves only 320 g of milk substitute in a once-daily feeding system. Weaning can be successfully under-taken when the calves are consistently eating 400 g/day of concentrates.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1972

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References

REFERENCES

Agricultural Research Council. 1965. The Nutrient Requirements of Farm Livestock No. 2, Ruminants. Agricultural Research Council, London.Google Scholar
Leaver, J. D. and Yarrow, N. H. 1972. Rearing of dairy cattle. 1. Type and level of milk substitute offered once daily to calves. Anim. Prod. 14: 155159.Google Scholar
Preston, T. R. 1967. Calf rearing. Bull. Minist. Agric. Fish. Fd, No. 10. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.Google Scholar