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Influence of Colostrum Preservation and Sodium Bicarbonate on Performance of Dairy Calves1
Influence of Colostrum Preservation and Sodium Bicarbonate on Performance of Dairy Calves 1 B. F. J E N N Y , S. E. H O D G E , G. O. O ' D E L L , and J. E. ELLERS Department of Dairy Science Clemson University Clemson, SC 29631
2.53 for calves without and .36 and 3.01 with sodium bicarbonate added to colostrum diets. Although addition of sodium bicarbonate had no detrimental effect, additional research on the use of sodium bicarbonate in young calves is needed.
ABSTRACT
Forty-eight Holstein calves were fed one of four liquid diets from 3 to 30 days of age to compare sodium benzoate, propionic acid, and formaldehyde as preservatives for colostrum. Colostrum batches were fermented at temperatures of 20°C or higher. Diets were 2.73 kg of 1) naturally fermented colostrum, or colostrum treated with 2) sodium benzoate (.5% by weight), 3) propionic acid (1.0% by weight), or 4) formaldehyde (.05% by weight). Colostrum diets were diluted with .91 kg water. Prior to feeding, 25 g sodium bicarbonate was added to liquid diets of one-half the calves on each treatment. Liquid diets were fed once daily. Water and a 15% crude protein complete starter were offered for ad libitum consumption. Calves were weaned abruptly at 30 days of age and received only water and starter from 31 to 44 days of age. Daily gain from 0 to 4 wk and 0 to 6 wk favored calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate or propionic acid. Gains from 0 to 6 wk were .33, .44, .45, and .32 kg/day for the four diets, and feed efficiencies (kg dry matter intake/kg gain) were 3.23, 2.36, 2.76, and 2.89 during the same period. Addition of sodium bicarbonate to colostrum diets improved intake during the 1st wk of feeding. Gain and feed efficiency were similar during wk 0 to 4 but favored slightly calves not receiving sodium bicarbonate during the overall study, wk 0 to 6. Daily gain and efficiencies during wk 0 to 6 were .41 and
INTRODUCTION
Storing excess colostrum and its feeding as a fermentation product have been documented (1, 5). The use of liquid (3, 5, 9, 12, 13) and dry (6, 10) chemical additives have helped control undesirable fermentations, protein breakdown, and reduced acceptability associated with fermentation at warm ambient temperatures. However, direct comparisons have not .been conducted between animals fed colostrum treated with liquid or dry additives. Further research also is needed to improve acceptability of colostrum stored during warm weather. Addition of sodium bicarbonate at feeding may further help to reduce problems of acceptability (12). Objectives were to compare performance of calves fed colostrum treated with either sodium benzoate, propionic acid, or formaldehyde with and without sodium bicarbonate addition at feeding. All colostrum batches were to be fermented under temperatures similar to warm weather storage. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Received July 1, 1983. i Technical Contribution No. 2186. Published with the approval of the Director, South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. 1984 J Dairy Sci 67:313-318
Forty-eight Holstein calves in groups balanced by sex were assigned randomly at 3 days of age to one of eight treatment combinations. The experiment included a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. Sodium bicarbonate was added to four liquid diets at 0 or 25 g per day. The four liquid diets consisted of 1) naturally fermented colostrum and colostrum preserved with 2) sodium benzoate (.5% by weight), 3) propionic acid (1.0% by weight), and 4) formaldehyde (.05% by weight).
313
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JENNY ET AL.
Calves remained with their dams for the first 2 days postpartum. Then calves were placed in individual crates with an expanded metal floor in the rear half and wood slats in the front half. All animals were weighed just before placement in crates and at weekly intervals during the 6-wk trial. Calves were fed their respective liquid diets once daily in nipple buckets. Colostrum diets were offered at 2.73 kg diluted with .91 kg water. Sodium bicarbonate was added to the diluted colostrum diets just prior to feeding. Water and commercially prepared complete calf starter (guaranteed minimum 15% crude protein, maximum 18% crude fiber) were available ad libitum throughout the study. All animals were weaned abruptly at 4 wk of age and maintained in their crates until 6 wk of age to determine immediate postweaning performance. Liquid and starter intake were recorded daily with incidence and duration of health disorders. Feces were observed daily, and fluidity was scored (8). Colostrum was collected for the first six milkings postpartum from Holstein cows within the University herd and stored in 95-liter plastic containers with lids. Colostrum was pooled if two cows calved within 3 days. Preservatives were added daily to fresh colostrum before addition to the respective batch. To simulate summer conditions, all containers were placed in a room with supplemental heat and allowed to ferment naturally at temperatures of 20°C or greater. Samples were obtained from colostrum batches shortly after diet treatments were initiated and were analyzed for total solids, protein, fat (2), and nonprotein nitrogen (14). The pH was measured with a Corning model 10 pH meter. Titratable acidity was determined by titrating 10-ml samples of colostrum to pH 8.3 with .1N NaOH by the pH meter. Data were analyzed by least-squares analysis of variance for a factorial experiment. No treatments interacted with sex for any variables, and results were averaged over sex. Effects of treatment were compared by partitioning degrees of freedom for colostrum treatment into the following comparisons: 1) C1 contrasts naturally fermented colostrum with the preserved colostrums, 2) C2 contrasts sodium benzoate preservation with the propionic acid and formaldehyde preservatives, and 3) C3 contrasts propionic acid preservation Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
with formaldehyde trum.
preservation
of
cotos-
RESULTS A N D DISCUSSION
Mean chemical composition, pH, and acidity of colostrum diets are in Table 1. Total solids, fat, protein, and nonprotein nitrogen are within ranges of (5, 6, 10). Although means of composition were similar, colostrum treated with sodium benzoate was slightly higher in fat and lower in protein than other colostrum treatments. Colostrum preserved with sodium benzoate had a slightly higher pH (Table 1) compared with other colostrums. This is most likely due to greater buffering capacity of sodium benzoate. Mean titratable acidity was lowest for colostrum preserved with sodium benzoate and highest for colostrum preserved with propionic acid. Similar observations were reported when colostrum was treated with propionic acid or formaldehyde (3, 13) or benzoic acid (6) compared to colostrum fermented naturally. No interaction between sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) addition or method of preservation was significant; therefore, least squares means for main effects are presented. Health data and liquid diet refusals are in Table 2. Two female calves, one fed propionic acid and one formaldehyde-treated colostrum, would not adapt to the liquid diet and were removed during wk 2. Both calves did not have NaHCO3 added prior to feeding. A male calf fed formaldehyde-treated colostrum with bicarbonate added prior to feeding developed pneumonia and was removed from study during wk 3. All remaining animals completed the study without major health problems. The number of calves affected with scours was high in all treatments. Duration of scours was similar on all treatments except calves fed colostrum treated with formaldehyde had a lower duration of scours. All incidence of scours occurred during the liquid feeding period. Almost all calves fed colostrum diets, with or without NaHCO3, had some initial refusals. Calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate had the least refusal (Table 2) during wk 1 while calves fed naturally fermented or propionic acid treated colostrum refused 20% of the liquid diet offered. During wk 2 calves fed colostrum preserved with sodium
PRESERVED COLOSTRUM FOR DAIRY CALVES
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benzoate had only 1% refusal while calves fed naturally fermented colostrum had 10% refusal. Refusal of colostrum preserved with propionic acid or formaldehyde was intermediate. After wk 2 calves consumed essentially all of the liquid diet offered, Similar refusal patterns have been reported when naturally fermented colostrum was compared with colostrum preserved with sodium benzoate (6) or liquid preservatives (5, 9). Calves fed colostrum diets without NaHCO3 refused 22% (Table 2) of their liquid diet during wk 1 compared to 9% refusal when bicarbonate was added. Refusal decreased during wk 2 and was similar for both percents of NaHCO3. This is consistent with a recent report of Eppard et al. (4) indicating that NaHCO3 was effective in improving intake of acidified colostrum early in the feeding period. Average daily gain during each week showed considerable variation; however, calves fed colostrum diets gained at an acceptable rate during wk 4 (Table 3). Although gain during wk 4 and overall gain from wk 0 to 4 did not differ significantly, calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate or propionic acid showed the highest gain• This trend continued throughout the trial. During wk 5 to 6, calves fed formaldehyde-treated colostrum gained at a lower rate (P<.05) compared with calves fed propionic acid treated colostrum. Overall gain from wk 0 to 6 was lower (P<.05) for calves fed naturally fermented compared to the mean for treated colostrum. Gain on formaldehyde-treated colostrum was lower (P<.O1) compared to propionic acid-treated colostrum during wk 0 to 6. Jenny et al. (6) reported more gain when colostrum preserved with sodium benzoate was compared with naturally fermented colostrum whereas Muller et al. (9) indicated that calves fed colostrum preserved with formaldehyde had lower gain compared to calves fed propionic acid-treated colostrum. However, Rindsig and Bodoh (13) indicated a more favorable response to formaldehyde treatment as compared to propionic acid. Differences are probably from factors such as colostrum composition, environment, additives, etc. Rates of gain in our experiment were within ranges reported (4, 5, 6,9,13). Because calves consumed all liquid diet offered during wk 4, differences in liquid dry matter intake (DMI) (Table 3) reflect difJournal of Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
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JENNY ET AL.
T A B L E 2. S u m m a r y of health problems and liquid refusal. Sodium bicarbonate
Colostrum t r e a t m e n t
No. calves started No. calves weaned (wk 4) No. calves finished (wk 6) Scours No. of calves affected Average days/calf a Liquid refusal, a % total a m o u n t offered Week 1 Week 2
Naturally fermented
Sodium benzoate
Propionic acid
Formaldehyde
0g
25 g
12 12 12
12 12 12
12 11 11
12 10 10
24 22 22
24 23 23
18 2.33
18 2.92
9 2.75
10 3.33
20 10
8 2.92
9 1
9 1.50
20 3
13 7
22 5
9 6
abased on all calves receiving diet.
calves offered treated colostrums consumed more (P<.05) liquid DM than calves offered naturally fermented colostrum whereas calves offered colostrum treated with sodium benzoate
f e r e n c e s in p e r c e n t d r y m a t t e r o f c o l o s t r u m d i e t s ( T a b l e 1). L i q u i d D M I f r o m w k 0 t o 4 r e f l e c t s b o t h d i f f e r e n c e s in c o m p o s i t i o n a n d i n i t i a l r e f u s a l s ( T a b l e 2). D u r i n g w k 0 t o 4
T A B L E 3. Weight gain, dry m a t t e r (DM) intakes, and feed efficiency of calves fed naturally fermented colostrum (NF), or colostrum treated with sodium benzoate (NB), propionic acid (PA), or formaldehyde (F). Treatment NF Average daily gain, kg/day Week 4 Week 0--4 Week 5 - 6 Week 0--6 Liquid intake, kg DM/day Week 4 Week 0 - 4 Starter intake, kg DM/day Week 4 Week 0--4 Week 5--6 Week 0 - 6 Total intake, kg DM/day Week 0--4 Week 0--6 Feed efficiency, kg DM intake/kg gain Week 0--4 Week 0 - 6
NB
Comparisons a
PA
F
SE
C 1
C 2
C 3
.39 .24 .53 .33
.58 .32 .66 .44
.58 .30 .76 .45
.35 .24 .49 _32
.09 .03 .09 .03
NS b NS NS .05
NS NS NS NS
NS NS .05 .01
.42 .39
.44 .43
.43 .41
.41 .39
.01 .01
NS .05
.01 .01
.01 NS
.62 .29 1.63 .74
.60 .26 1.68 .73
.81 .35 2.09 .93
.49 .31 1.48 .63
.10 .05 .17 .08
NS NS NS NS
NS NS NS NS
.05 .05 .05 .05
.68
.69
.76
.60
1.00
1.02
1.20
.89
.05 .09
NS NS
NS NS
.05 .05
3.01 3.23
2.33 2.36
3.18 2.76
3.07 2.89
.41 .20
NS .01
NS .05
NS NS
a c 1 contrasts naturally f e r m e n t e d colostrum with treated colostrum, C 2 contrasts sodium benzoate with propionic acid-treated and formaldehyde-treated colostrum, and C 3 contrasts propionic acid-treated with formaldehyde-treated colostrum. bNS, Nonsignificant (P>.05). Journal o f Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
PRESERVED COLOSTRUM FOR DAIRY CALVES consumed more liquid DM compared so the mean for colostrums preserved with propionic acid and formaldehyde. Starter DMI was greatest for calves fed propionic acid treated colostrum and least for calves fed formaldehyde-treated colostrum for all periods indicated (Table 3) except wk 0 to 4. Starter DM1 during wk 0 to 4 is consistent with the tendency for intake of dry ration to increase as DMI of liquid ration decreases (1). Comparison for starter DMI of calves fed colostrum treated with propionic acid vs. formaldehyde was significant (P<.05) for all periods whereas other comparisons were not (P>.05). Total DMI was higher (P<.05) for calves fed colostrum preserved with propionic acid as compared with formaldehyde during wk 0 to 4 and wk 0 to 6 (Table 3). Total DMI for calves fed colostrums naturally fermented or treated with sodium benzoate were intermediate. Feed efficiency during wk 0 to 4 was variable and did not differ for the comparisons (Table 3). Range of feed efficiencies for calves fed colostrum diets has been wide (5). However, feed efficiency for wk 0 to 6 improved (P<.05) for calves fed preserved colostrum as compared
317
with natural fermentation and for sodium benzoate preservation as compared with the liquid preservatives. Reports have indicated that calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate (6) or propionic acid (9) were more efficient than those fed naturally fermented colostrum. Addition of NaHCOs to colostrum diets (Table 4) had no effect (P>.05) on gain during wk 4 or wk 0 to 4. However, calves receiving NaHCO3 in colostrum had a lower rate of gain (P<.05) during wk 5 to 6, the immediate postweaning period. Differences in overall gain from wk 0 to 6 were not significant (P>.05), and rates of gain were consistent with current recommendations (11). The DMI from liquid and starter and total DMI were similar for the periods indicated (Table 4). Feed efficiency during wk 0 to 4 did not differ for NaHCO3 treatment. However, feed efficiency from wk 0 to 6 favored (P<.01) calves not receiving NaHCO3. Other workers (4, 7, 12) have not observed decreased performance of calves fed liquid diets with NaHCO3. However, calves were not removed abruptly from NaHCO3 treatment at
TABLE 4. Weight gain, dry matter (DM) intakes, and feed efficiency of calves fed colostrum diets with or without sodium bicarbonate addition at feeding. Sodium bicarbonate 0g 25 g Average daily gain, kg/day Week 4 Week 0 - 4 Week 5-6 Week 0-6 Liquid intake, kg DM/day Week 4 Week 0 - 4 Starter intake, kg DM/day Week 4 Week 0 - 4 Week 5-6 Week 0 - 6 Total intake, kg/day Week 0--4 Week 0 - 6 Feed efficiency, kg DM intake/kg grain Week 0 - 4 Week 0 - 6
SE
Significance
.47 .27 .71 .41
.48 .27 .51 .36
.06 .02 .06 .02
NS a NS .05 NS
.42 .40
.42 .41
.01 .01
NS NS
.59 .27 1.67 .74
.67 .28 1.77 .78
.08 .03 .12 .06
NS NS NS NS
.68 1.01
.69 1.05
.03 .06
NS NS
2.90 2.53
2.89 3.01
.29 .14
NS .01
aNS, Nonsignificant (P>.05). Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
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JENNY ET AL.
weaning. In an initial r e p o r t b y O t t e r b y e t al. (12) calves w e r e s w i t c h e d to w h o l e milk after 2 wk o n acidified c o l o s t r u m plus NaHCO3. M o r e r e c e n t l y , NaHCO3 was a d d e d to b o t h starter and c o l o s t r u m diets (4), and no p o s t w e a n i n g data were r e p o r t e d w h e n NaHCO3 was a d d e d to f e r m e n t e d waste milk (7). A b r u p t removal o f NaHCO3 f r o m t h e t o t a l diet m a y have an adverse e f f e c t o n p e r f o r m a n c e in t h e i m m e d i a t e p o s t w e a n i n g period. In c o n c l u s i o n , s o d i u m b e n z o a t e is a suitable alternative to p r o p i o n i c acid and m o r e desirable t h a n f o r m a l d e h y d e as a preservative for colostrum f e r m e n t e d at w a r m e r t e m p e r a t u r e s . S o d i u m b i c a r b o n a t e is effective in i m p r o v i n g intake o f c o l o s t r u m diets early in t h e f e e d i n g period. However, a d d i t i o n a l research is n e e d e d on t h e e f f e c t s o f NaHCO3 in t h e diet o f y o u n g calves.
REFERENCES
1 Appleman, R. D., and F. G. Owen. 1975. Symposium: Recent advances in calf rearing. III. Breeding, housing, and feeding management. J. Dairy Sci. 58:447. 2 Association of Official Agricultural Chemists. 1970. Official methods of analysis. 9th ed. Assoc. Offic. Agric. Chem., Washington, DC. 3 Carlson, S.M.A., and L. D. Muller. 1977. Compositional and metabolic evaluation of colostrum preserved by four methods during warm ambient temperatures. J. Dairy Sci. 60:566. 4 Eppard, P. J., D. E. Otterby, R. G. Lundquist, and J. G. Linn. 1982. Influence of sodium bicarbonate
Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
on growth and health of young calves. J. Dairy Sci. 65:1971. 5 Folley, J. A., and D. E. Otterby. 1978. Availability, storage, treatment, composition, and feeding value of surplus colostrum: A review. J. Dairy Sci. 61:1033. 6 Jenny, B. F., B. A. Costello, and H. J. van Dijk. 1980. Performance of calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate or benzoic acid. J. Dairy Sci. 63:959. 7 Keith, E. A., L. M. Windle, N. K. Keith, and R. H. Gough. 1983. Feeding value of fermented waste milk with or without sodium bicarbonate for dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. 66:833. 8 Larsen, L. L., F. G. Owen, J. L. Albright, R. D. Appleman, R. C. Lamb, and L. D. Muller. 1977. Guidelines toward more uniformity in measuring and reporting calf experimental data. J. Dairy Sci. 60:989. 9 Muller, L. D., F. C. Ludens, and J. A. Rook. 1976. Performance of calves fed colostrum or colostrum with additives during warm ambient temperatures. J. Dairy Sci. 59:930. 10 Muller, L. D., and J. Smallcomb. 1977. Laboratory evaluation of several chemicals for preservation of excess colostrum. J. Dairy Sci. 60:627. 11 National Research Council. 1978. Nutrient requirements of domestic animals. No. 3. Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. Natl. Acad. Sci., Washington, DC. 12 Otterby, D. E., D. G. Johnson, J. A. Folley, D. S. Tomsche, R. G. Lundquist, and P. J. Hanson. 1980. Fermented or chemically treated colostrum and nonsalable milk in feeding programs for calves. J. Dairy Sci. 63:951. 13 Rindsig, R. B., and G. W. Bodoh. 1977. Growth of calves fed colostrum naturally fermented or preserved with propionic acid or formaldehyde. J. Dairy Sci. 60: 79. 14 Rowland, S.J. 1938. The determination of nitrogen distribution in milk. J. Dairy Res. 9:42.
2.53 for calves without and .36 and 3.01 with sodium bicarbonate added to colostrum diets. Although addition of sodium bicarbonate had no detrimental effect, additional research on the use of sodium bicarbonate in young calves is needed.
ABSTRACT
Forty-eight Holstein calves were fed one of four liquid diets from 3 to 30 days of age to compare sodium benzoate, propionic acid, and formaldehyde as preservatives for colostrum. Colostrum batches were fermented at temperatures of 20°C or higher. Diets were 2.73 kg of 1) naturally fermented colostrum, or colostrum treated with 2) sodium benzoate (.5% by weight), 3) propionic acid (1.0% by weight), or 4) formaldehyde (.05% by weight). Colostrum diets were diluted with .91 kg water. Prior to feeding, 25 g sodium bicarbonate was added to liquid diets of one-half the calves on each treatment. Liquid diets were fed once daily. Water and a 15% crude protein complete starter were offered for ad libitum consumption. Calves were weaned abruptly at 30 days of age and received only water and starter from 31 to 44 days of age. Daily gain from 0 to 4 wk and 0 to 6 wk favored calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate or propionic acid. Gains from 0 to 6 wk were .33, .44, .45, and .32 kg/day for the four diets, and feed efficiencies (kg dry matter intake/kg gain) were 3.23, 2.36, 2.76, and 2.89 during the same period. Addition of sodium bicarbonate to colostrum diets improved intake during the 1st wk of feeding. Gain and feed efficiency were similar during wk 0 to 4 but favored slightly calves not receiving sodium bicarbonate during the overall study, wk 0 to 6. Daily gain and efficiencies during wk 0 to 6 were .41 and
INTRODUCTION
Storing excess colostrum and its feeding as a fermentation product have been documented (1, 5). The use of liquid (3, 5, 9, 12, 13) and dry (6, 10) chemical additives have helped control undesirable fermentations, protein breakdown, and reduced acceptability associated with fermentation at warm ambient temperatures. However, direct comparisons have not .been conducted between animals fed colostrum treated with liquid or dry additives. Further research also is needed to improve acceptability of colostrum stored during warm weather. Addition of sodium bicarbonate at feeding may further help to reduce problems of acceptability (12). Objectives were to compare performance of calves fed colostrum treated with either sodium benzoate, propionic acid, or formaldehyde with and without sodium bicarbonate addition at feeding. All colostrum batches were to be fermented under temperatures similar to warm weather storage. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Received July 1, 1983. i Technical Contribution No. 2186. Published with the approval of the Director, South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. 1984 J Dairy Sci 67:313-318
Forty-eight Holstein calves in groups balanced by sex were assigned randomly at 3 days of age to one of eight treatment combinations. The experiment included a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. Sodium bicarbonate was added to four liquid diets at 0 or 25 g per day. The four liquid diets consisted of 1) naturally fermented colostrum and colostrum preserved with 2) sodium benzoate (.5% by weight), 3) propionic acid (1.0% by weight), and 4) formaldehyde (.05% by weight).
313
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JENNY ET AL.
Calves remained with their dams for the first 2 days postpartum. Then calves were placed in individual crates with an expanded metal floor in the rear half and wood slats in the front half. All animals were weighed just before placement in crates and at weekly intervals during the 6-wk trial. Calves were fed their respective liquid diets once daily in nipple buckets. Colostrum diets were offered at 2.73 kg diluted with .91 kg water. Sodium bicarbonate was added to the diluted colostrum diets just prior to feeding. Water and commercially prepared complete calf starter (guaranteed minimum 15% crude protein, maximum 18% crude fiber) were available ad libitum throughout the study. All animals were weaned abruptly at 4 wk of age and maintained in their crates until 6 wk of age to determine immediate postweaning performance. Liquid and starter intake were recorded daily with incidence and duration of health disorders. Feces were observed daily, and fluidity was scored (8). Colostrum was collected for the first six milkings postpartum from Holstein cows within the University herd and stored in 95-liter plastic containers with lids. Colostrum was pooled if two cows calved within 3 days. Preservatives were added daily to fresh colostrum before addition to the respective batch. To simulate summer conditions, all containers were placed in a room with supplemental heat and allowed to ferment naturally at temperatures of 20°C or greater. Samples were obtained from colostrum batches shortly after diet treatments were initiated and were analyzed for total solids, protein, fat (2), and nonprotein nitrogen (14). The pH was measured with a Corning model 10 pH meter. Titratable acidity was determined by titrating 10-ml samples of colostrum to pH 8.3 with .1N NaOH by the pH meter. Data were analyzed by least-squares analysis of variance for a factorial experiment. No treatments interacted with sex for any variables, and results were averaged over sex. Effects of treatment were compared by partitioning degrees of freedom for colostrum treatment into the following comparisons: 1) C1 contrasts naturally fermented colostrum with the preserved colostrums, 2) C2 contrasts sodium benzoate preservation with the propionic acid and formaldehyde preservatives, and 3) C3 contrasts propionic acid preservation Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
with formaldehyde trum.
preservation
of
cotos-
RESULTS A N D DISCUSSION
Mean chemical composition, pH, and acidity of colostrum diets are in Table 1. Total solids, fat, protein, and nonprotein nitrogen are within ranges of (5, 6, 10). Although means of composition were similar, colostrum treated with sodium benzoate was slightly higher in fat and lower in protein than other colostrum treatments. Colostrum preserved with sodium benzoate had a slightly higher pH (Table 1) compared with other colostrums. This is most likely due to greater buffering capacity of sodium benzoate. Mean titratable acidity was lowest for colostrum preserved with sodium benzoate and highest for colostrum preserved with propionic acid. Similar observations were reported when colostrum was treated with propionic acid or formaldehyde (3, 13) or benzoic acid (6) compared to colostrum fermented naturally. No interaction between sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) addition or method of preservation was significant; therefore, least squares means for main effects are presented. Health data and liquid diet refusals are in Table 2. Two female calves, one fed propionic acid and one formaldehyde-treated colostrum, would not adapt to the liquid diet and were removed during wk 2. Both calves did not have NaHCO3 added prior to feeding. A male calf fed formaldehyde-treated colostrum with bicarbonate added prior to feeding developed pneumonia and was removed from study during wk 3. All remaining animals completed the study without major health problems. The number of calves affected with scours was high in all treatments. Duration of scours was similar on all treatments except calves fed colostrum treated with formaldehyde had a lower duration of scours. All incidence of scours occurred during the liquid feeding period. Almost all calves fed colostrum diets, with or without NaHCO3, had some initial refusals. Calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate had the least refusal (Table 2) during wk 1 while calves fed naturally fermented or propionic acid treated colostrum refused 20% of the liquid diet offered. During wk 2 calves fed colostrum preserved with sodium
PRESERVED COLOSTRUM FOR DAIRY CALVES
i O
A
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315
benzoate had only 1% refusal while calves fed naturally fermented colostrum had 10% refusal. Refusal of colostrum preserved with propionic acid or formaldehyde was intermediate. After wk 2 calves consumed essentially all of the liquid diet offered, Similar refusal patterns have been reported when naturally fermented colostrum was compared with colostrum preserved with sodium benzoate (6) or liquid preservatives (5, 9). Calves fed colostrum diets without NaHCO3 refused 22% (Table 2) of their liquid diet during wk 1 compared to 9% refusal when bicarbonate was added. Refusal decreased during wk 2 and was similar for both percents of NaHCO3. This is consistent with a recent report of Eppard et al. (4) indicating that NaHCO3 was effective in improving intake of acidified colostrum early in the feeding period. Average daily gain during each week showed considerable variation; however, calves fed colostrum diets gained at an acceptable rate during wk 4 (Table 3). Although gain during wk 4 and overall gain from wk 0 to 4 did not differ significantly, calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate or propionic acid showed the highest gain• This trend continued throughout the trial. During wk 5 to 6, calves fed formaldehyde-treated colostrum gained at a lower rate (P<.05) compared with calves fed propionic acid treated colostrum. Overall gain from wk 0 to 6 was lower (P<.05) for calves fed naturally fermented compared to the mean for treated colostrum. Gain on formaldehyde-treated colostrum was lower (P<.O1) compared to propionic acid-treated colostrum during wk 0 to 6. Jenny et al. (6) reported more gain when colostrum preserved with sodium benzoate was compared with naturally fermented colostrum whereas Muller et al. (9) indicated that calves fed colostrum preserved with formaldehyde had lower gain compared to calves fed propionic acid-treated colostrum. However, Rindsig and Bodoh (13) indicated a more favorable response to formaldehyde treatment as compared to propionic acid. Differences are probably from factors such as colostrum composition, environment, additives, etc. Rates of gain in our experiment were within ranges reported (4, 5, 6,9,13). Because calves consumed all liquid diet offered during wk 4, differences in liquid dry matter intake (DMI) (Table 3) reflect difJournal of Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
316
JENNY ET AL.
T A B L E 2. S u m m a r y of health problems and liquid refusal. Sodium bicarbonate
Colostrum t r e a t m e n t
No. calves started No. calves weaned (wk 4) No. calves finished (wk 6) Scours No. of calves affected Average days/calf a Liquid refusal, a % total a m o u n t offered Week 1 Week 2
Naturally fermented
Sodium benzoate
Propionic acid
Formaldehyde
0g
25 g
12 12 12
12 12 12
12 11 11
12 10 10
24 22 22
24 23 23
18 2.33
18 2.92
9 2.75
10 3.33
20 10
8 2.92
9 1
9 1.50
20 3
13 7
22 5
9 6
abased on all calves receiving diet.
calves offered treated colostrums consumed more (P<.05) liquid DM than calves offered naturally fermented colostrum whereas calves offered colostrum treated with sodium benzoate
f e r e n c e s in p e r c e n t d r y m a t t e r o f c o l o s t r u m d i e t s ( T a b l e 1). L i q u i d D M I f r o m w k 0 t o 4 r e f l e c t s b o t h d i f f e r e n c e s in c o m p o s i t i o n a n d i n i t i a l r e f u s a l s ( T a b l e 2). D u r i n g w k 0 t o 4
T A B L E 3. Weight gain, dry m a t t e r (DM) intakes, and feed efficiency of calves fed naturally fermented colostrum (NF), or colostrum treated with sodium benzoate (NB), propionic acid (PA), or formaldehyde (F). Treatment NF Average daily gain, kg/day Week 4 Week 0--4 Week 5 - 6 Week 0--6 Liquid intake, kg DM/day Week 4 Week 0 - 4 Starter intake, kg DM/day Week 4 Week 0--4 Week 5--6 Week 0 - 6 Total intake, kg DM/day Week 0--4 Week 0--6 Feed efficiency, kg DM intake/kg gain Week 0--4 Week 0 - 6
NB
Comparisons a
PA
F
SE
C 1
C 2
C 3
.39 .24 .53 .33
.58 .32 .66 .44
.58 .30 .76 .45
.35 .24 .49 _32
.09 .03 .09 .03
NS b NS NS .05
NS NS NS NS
NS NS .05 .01
.42 .39
.44 .43
.43 .41
.41 .39
.01 .01
NS .05
.01 .01
.01 NS
.62 .29 1.63 .74
.60 .26 1.68 .73
.81 .35 2.09 .93
.49 .31 1.48 .63
.10 .05 .17 .08
NS NS NS NS
NS NS NS NS
.05 .05 .05 .05
.68
.69
.76
.60
1.00
1.02
1.20
.89
.05 .09
NS NS
NS NS
.05 .05
3.01 3.23
2.33 2.36
3.18 2.76
3.07 2.89
.41 .20
NS .01
NS .05
NS NS
a c 1 contrasts naturally f e r m e n t e d colostrum with treated colostrum, C 2 contrasts sodium benzoate with propionic acid-treated and formaldehyde-treated colostrum, and C 3 contrasts propionic acid-treated with formaldehyde-treated colostrum. bNS, Nonsignificant (P>.05). Journal o f Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
PRESERVED COLOSTRUM FOR DAIRY CALVES consumed more liquid DM compared so the mean for colostrums preserved with propionic acid and formaldehyde. Starter DMI was greatest for calves fed propionic acid treated colostrum and least for calves fed formaldehyde-treated colostrum for all periods indicated (Table 3) except wk 0 to 4. Starter DM1 during wk 0 to 4 is consistent with the tendency for intake of dry ration to increase as DMI of liquid ration decreases (1). Comparison for starter DMI of calves fed colostrum treated with propionic acid vs. formaldehyde was significant (P<.05) for all periods whereas other comparisons were not (P>.05). Total DMI was higher (P<.05) for calves fed colostrum preserved with propionic acid as compared with formaldehyde during wk 0 to 4 and wk 0 to 6 (Table 3). Total DMI for calves fed colostrums naturally fermented or treated with sodium benzoate were intermediate. Feed efficiency during wk 0 to 4 was variable and did not differ for the comparisons (Table 3). Range of feed efficiencies for calves fed colostrum diets has been wide (5). However, feed efficiency for wk 0 to 6 improved (P<.05) for calves fed preserved colostrum as compared
317
with natural fermentation and for sodium benzoate preservation as compared with the liquid preservatives. Reports have indicated that calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate (6) or propionic acid (9) were more efficient than those fed naturally fermented colostrum. Addition of NaHCOs to colostrum diets (Table 4) had no effect (P>.05) on gain during wk 4 or wk 0 to 4. However, calves receiving NaHCO3 in colostrum had a lower rate of gain (P<.05) during wk 5 to 6, the immediate postweaning period. Differences in overall gain from wk 0 to 6 were not significant (P>.05), and rates of gain were consistent with current recommendations (11). The DMI from liquid and starter and total DMI were similar for the periods indicated (Table 4). Feed efficiency during wk 0 to 4 did not differ for NaHCO3 treatment. However, feed efficiency from wk 0 to 6 favored (P<.01) calves not receiving NaHCO3. Other workers (4, 7, 12) have not observed decreased performance of calves fed liquid diets with NaHCO3. However, calves were not removed abruptly from NaHCO3 treatment at
TABLE 4. Weight gain, dry matter (DM) intakes, and feed efficiency of calves fed colostrum diets with or without sodium bicarbonate addition at feeding. Sodium bicarbonate 0g 25 g Average daily gain, kg/day Week 4 Week 0 - 4 Week 5-6 Week 0-6 Liquid intake, kg DM/day Week 4 Week 0 - 4 Starter intake, kg DM/day Week 4 Week 0 - 4 Week 5-6 Week 0 - 6 Total intake, kg/day Week 0--4 Week 0 - 6 Feed efficiency, kg DM intake/kg grain Week 0 - 4 Week 0 - 6
SE
Significance
.47 .27 .71 .41
.48 .27 .51 .36
.06 .02 .06 .02
NS a NS .05 NS
.42 .40
.42 .41
.01 .01
NS NS
.59 .27 1.67 .74
.67 .28 1.77 .78
.08 .03 .12 .06
NS NS NS NS
.68 1.01
.69 1.05
.03 .06
NS NS
2.90 2.53
2.89 3.01
.29 .14
NS .01
aNS, Nonsignificant (P>.05). Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
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JENNY ET AL.
weaning. In an initial r e p o r t b y O t t e r b y e t al. (12) calves w e r e s w i t c h e d to w h o l e milk after 2 wk o n acidified c o l o s t r u m plus NaHCO3. M o r e r e c e n t l y , NaHCO3 was a d d e d to b o t h starter and c o l o s t r u m diets (4), and no p o s t w e a n i n g data were r e p o r t e d w h e n NaHCO3 was a d d e d to f e r m e n t e d waste milk (7). A b r u p t removal o f NaHCO3 f r o m t h e t o t a l diet m a y have an adverse e f f e c t o n p e r f o r m a n c e in t h e i m m e d i a t e p o s t w e a n i n g period. In c o n c l u s i o n , s o d i u m b e n z o a t e is a suitable alternative to p r o p i o n i c acid and m o r e desirable t h a n f o r m a l d e h y d e as a preservative for colostrum f e r m e n t e d at w a r m e r t e m p e r a t u r e s . S o d i u m b i c a r b o n a t e is effective in i m p r o v i n g intake o f c o l o s t r u m diets early in t h e f e e d i n g period. However, a d d i t i o n a l research is n e e d e d on t h e e f f e c t s o f NaHCO3 in t h e diet o f y o u n g calves.
REFERENCES
1 Appleman, R. D., and F. G. Owen. 1975. Symposium: Recent advances in calf rearing. III. Breeding, housing, and feeding management. J. Dairy Sci. 58:447. 2 Association of Official Agricultural Chemists. 1970. Official methods of analysis. 9th ed. Assoc. Offic. Agric. Chem., Washington, DC. 3 Carlson, S.M.A., and L. D. Muller. 1977. Compositional and metabolic evaluation of colostrum preserved by four methods during warm ambient temperatures. J. Dairy Sci. 60:566. 4 Eppard, P. J., D. E. Otterby, R. G. Lundquist, and J. G. Linn. 1982. Influence of sodium bicarbonate
Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 67, No. 2, 1984
on growth and health of young calves. J. Dairy Sci. 65:1971. 5 Folley, J. A., and D. E. Otterby. 1978. Availability, storage, treatment, composition, and feeding value of surplus colostrum: A review. J. Dairy Sci. 61:1033. 6 Jenny, B. F., B. A. Costello, and H. J. van Dijk. 1980. Performance of calves fed colostrum treated with sodium benzoate or benzoic acid. J. Dairy Sci. 63:959. 7 Keith, E. A., L. M. Windle, N. K. Keith, and R. H. Gough. 1983. Feeding value of fermented waste milk with or without sodium bicarbonate for dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. 66:833. 8 Larsen, L. L., F. G. Owen, J. L. Albright, R. D. Appleman, R. C. Lamb, and L. D. Muller. 1977. Guidelines toward more uniformity in measuring and reporting calf experimental data. J. Dairy Sci. 60:989. 9 Muller, L. D., F. C. Ludens, and J. A. Rook. 1976. Performance of calves fed colostrum or colostrum with additives during warm ambient temperatures. J. Dairy Sci. 59:930. 10 Muller, L. D., and J. Smallcomb. 1977. Laboratory evaluation of several chemicals for preservation of excess colostrum. J. Dairy Sci. 60:627. 11 National Research Council. 1978. Nutrient requirements of domestic animals. No. 3. Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. Natl. Acad. Sci., Washington, DC. 12 Otterby, D. E., D. G. Johnson, J. A. Folley, D. S. Tomsche, R. G. Lundquist, and P. J. Hanson. 1980. Fermented or chemically treated colostrum and nonsalable milk in feeding programs for calves. J. Dairy Sci. 63:951. 13 Rindsig, R. B., and G. W. Bodoh. 1977. Growth of calves fed colostrum naturally fermented or preserved with propionic acid or formaldehyde. J. Dairy Sci. 60: 79. 14 Rowland, S.J. 1938. The determination of nitrogen distribution in milk. J. Dairy Res. 9:42.