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Effect of Steam Processed Barley, Source of Protein and Fat on Intake and Utilization of Starter Rations by Dairy Calves
E f f e c t o f S t e a m Processed Barley, Source of Protein and F a t on I n t a k e and U t i l i z a t i o n of S t a r t e r Rations b y D a i r y Calves D. E. WALDERN 1 and L. J. FISHER Research Station Agriculture Canada Agassiz, British Columbia ers containing little or no forage. Leibholz (9) compared different qualities of roughages for calf diets and found that weight gains were greater when ground lucerne was incorporated in the diet compared to ground wheat straw. Various sources of energy also have been tested as components of calf starter rations. Gardner and WaUentine (5) found addition of tallow to a calf starter enhanced kidney fat, external carcass fat cover, and resulted in carcasses of a quality equivalent to that of milk fed calves. In an experiment with broiler chicks, Gardner (3) found that the acidulated rapeseed oil soapstock provided equivalent energy content to tallow when it was included up to 10% of the diet. It appears advantageous to include both a high quality forage and a high energy source in a starter ration for replacement heifers, but addition of fat to a ruminant's diet depresses fiber digestibility (1). Therefore, it was thought advisable to determine the digestibility of starter rations containing dehydrated grass and one of two sources of energy. This evaluation was in conjunction with an experiment designed to test the observation of Lima et al. (10) that steam cooking and flaking of barley improved its conversion rate as compared to steam rolled barley. Our study was designed to estimate the effect of tallow or of acidulated fatty acids (residue from rapeseed oil processing), with or without dehydrated grass, added to a steam rolled or a steam cooked flaked barley based starter ration on the consumption, rate of growth, and feed conversion of Holstein calves.
ABSTRACT Two hundred and sixteen Holstein calves (144 heifers and 72 bulls) were used to determine how a d d i n g tallow or acidulated fatty acids, with or without dehydrated grass, to steamed rolled or steam cooked and flaked barley based rations affected growth and consumption of feed. Means for initial weight, final weight, days on test, and rate of gain were 42.4 kg, 115 kg, 105.2 days, and 702 g per day. Calves fed the steam cooked and flaked barley rations were on test longer (106.5 versus 103.9 d a y s ) a n d gained weight more slowly (687 versus 716 g/day) than calves fed steam rolled barley. Calves fed the starter ration supplemented with acidulated fatty acids required fewer days to reach finishing weight than calves fed either acidulated fatty acids or tallow plus dehydrated grass. Feed conversion was more efficient when the barley rations were supplemented with acidulated fatty acids than when any other supplements were added or barley fed alone. The addition of dehydrated grass to rations containing either tallow or acidulated fatty acids resulted in a less efficient conversion of feed to weight gain than when only the energy sources were added. ! NTRODUCTION There are many feeds available for inclusion in the formulation of calf starters. Waldern and Nelson (15) demonstrated that satisfactory gains could be achieved with starters containing ground alfalfa compared to complex calf start-
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Received June 10, 1977. xResearch Station, Agriculture Canada, Kamloops, British Columbia. Contribution No. 238. 1978 J Dairy Sci 61:221--228
Over 3 yr, 216 Holstein calves (144 heifers and 72 bulls) were assigned randomly at birth to 1 of 12 starter rations. Calves were housed in individual pens with expanded metal floors over shallow liquid manure pits. Temperature was 15 C during winter months b u t tended to fluctuate with o u t d o o r temperature in summer time. Calves were fed colostrum during the first 3
221
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WALDERN AND FISHER
days and then fed whole milk for 5 wk at 2.3, 3.2, 3.6, and 3.2 kg per day for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th wk, respectively. Water was available beginning the 3rd wk of life. The assigned starters were offered beginning at 1 wk of age and continuing until calves weighed 115 kg. Intakes of starter rations were recorded bi-weekly. There were 18 calves, 12 females and 6 males, assigned to each of the 12 starter rations (Table 1) which were designated and described SRB, steam roiled barley; SRB-g, steam rolled barley plus 25% dehydrated grass; SRB-t, steam rolled barley plus 5% stabilized animal tallow; SRB-gt, steam rolled barley plus 25% dehydrated grass and 5% stabilized tallow; SRB-af, steam rolled barley plus 5% acidulated fatty acids; SRB-gaf, steam rolled barley plus 25% dehydrated grass and 5% acidulated fatty acids; SCF, steam cooked and flaked barley; SCF-g, steam cooked and flaked barley plus 25% dehydrated grass; SCF-t, cooked and flaked barley plus 5% stabilized animal tallow; SCF-gt, steam cooked and flaked barley plus 25% dehydrated grass plus 5% stabilized tallow; SCF-af, steam cooked and flaked barley plus 5% acidulated fatty acids; and SCF-gaf, steam cooked and flaked barley plus 25% dehydrated grass plus 5% acidulated fatty acids. In assigning calves to treatments, care was exercised to reduce seasonal and sire effects. Calves were weighed at birth and once every 2 wk to a final target weight of 115 kg. Samples of the starter rations were taken weekly and composited monthly for the determination of dry matter, protein, acid detergent fiber, cell wall, lignin, fat, and ash (Table 2). Dry matter was determined by oven drying at 60 C for 48 h. Acid detergent fiber, percent cell walls, and lignin were determined according to the procedure outlined by Van Soest (14). Percent ash was determined by heating to 600 C 2 h. Protein content was estimated by a micro digestion procedure followed by the estimation of nitrogen by the autoanalyzer. Data collected during the trial were subjected to analysis of variance; where significant differences were indicated between treatments (P<.05), treatment means were tested by Duncan's multiple range test. Variance analysis also was used to test the differences between the different processing methods for the barley component of the ration and for comparing the Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 61, No. 2, 1978
various supplements. Data provided an indication of difference in response of males and females to the rations. R ESU LTS
Mean content of the chemical components of the starter rations (Table 2) represented the analysis of 15 composite samples for each diet. The various fiber components reflected the addition of the dehydrated grass. Acid detergent fiber, lignin, and percent cell walls were higher for the steam rolled barley than for the steam cooked and flaked barley rations, 8.6 vs. 7.6, 2.08 vs. 1.48, and 24.3 vs. 18.1. The recovery of supplemental fat by the ether extract method (Table 2) was less for the steam rolled barley than for the steam cooked and flaked barley (4.03 vs. 4.43%). Protein content of the twelve rations (Table 2) ranged from a low of 15.7 for SRB-g to a high of 18.5 for SCF-af although in formulation of the rations, a more similar protein content had been intended. The comparison of individual treatments (Table 3) indicated differences (P<.05) in days on test. When the differences between means were tested by Duncan's multiple range test, results of this test indicated that calves fed rations SRB-g, SRB-t, SRB-af, and SCF-af were on test for a shorter time than calves fed starter rations SRB-gaf or SCF-gt with other treatments being intermediate (Table 3). Daily rate of gain for the complete trial was greater (P<.05) for treatment SRB-af compared to SRB, SRB-gt, SRB-gaf, SCF, SCF-g, SCF-t, SCF-gt, and SCF-gaf. Treatments SRB-t, SRB-g, and SCF-af produced more rapid daily rate of gain (P<.05) than calves fed ration SCF-gt. Feed conversion (kg of starter per kg of gain) was more efficient (P<.05) for calves fed ration SCF-af and SRB-af than for SRB, SRG-gt, SCF-g, and SCF-gt (Table 3). Rate of gain from the end of milk feeding to finishing weight was greater (P<.05) for calves fed ration SRB-t than those fed SRB-gt and was faster for those fed SRB-t, SRB-af, and SCF-af than for SRB-gaf, SCF-g, and SCF-gt. Treatment SCF-af resulted in a higher rate of gain (P<.05) after milk feeding was discontinued than SCF-t and SCF-gaf (Table 3). The influence of form of processing of the barley on its utilization by calves was compared
TABLE 1. Percent of components in starter rations for replacement dairy heifers.
Barley #1 feed grade
Ration a SRB SRB--g SRB-t S RB--gt SRB--af SRB-af g SCF SCF--g SCF--t SCF-gt SCF-af SCF--af g
Steam rolled 79.0 60.5 73.0 i4.0 73.0 54.0
Steam processed and flaked
Pelleted dehy grass
""
2510
'
"
''" "'" "'" 7910 60.5 73.0 54.0 73.0 54.0
2510 2510 2510 ... 25.0 2510
Soybean meal
Molasses
Stabilized animal tallow
11.0
7.0
.
4.5 12.o 6.0 12.0 6.0 11.0 4.5 12.0 6.0 12.0 6.0
7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0
5:0 5.0 ... ... . . . . 5.0 5.0 ... ...
.
.
.
.
Acidulated fatty acids (rapeseed foots)
> -q
...
Z
7~
.
0 510 5.0 . .
. .
. .
. . ... ... 5.0 5.0
<
aAll rations contained .5% lecithin, 1.0% mineral mixture, .5% salt, .5% feed grade limestone, and .5% Aurofac. SRB, steam rolled barley; SCF, steam cooked and flaked barley;g, 2 5% dehydrated grass; t, 5% stabilized animal tallow;and af, 5% acidulated fatty acids. < o
Z O
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to to ta~
224
WALDERN AND FISHER
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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 61, No. 2, 19"78
(Table 4). Initial and finishing body weights were 41.9 and 42.6 kg, and 115.0 and 114.9 kg for calves fed rations SRB and SCF. Calves fed the SCF rations were on test longer and gained weight more slowly (P<.05) than those fed the SRB rations (Table 4). Rate of gain was apparently higher for calves fed the steam rolled barley rations only when starter was fed. Observations were pooled across basal rations for the effect of the supplements (Table 5). Calves consuming rations supplemented with acidulated fatty acids required fewer days (P<.05) to reach the finishing weight than calves fed rations supplemented with combinations of dehydrated grass and tallow, and dehydrated grass and acidulated fatty acids. Non-supplemented barley and barley supplemented with grass or tallow were intermediate. Average daily gain was less (P<.05) for calves fed barley, barley plus dehydrated grass and tallow, and barley supplemented with both acidulated fatty acids and dehydrated grass as compared to those fed barley supplemented with acidulated fatty acids. Total starter intake was greater (P<.05) for calves fed barley supplemented with grass and tallow than for those fed barley supplemented with acidulated fatty acids (Table 5). Starter intake per kg of gain for calves fed barley plus acidulated fatty acids was less than the amount of starter required per unit gain by calves fed any of the other supplemented rations or barley alone. Barley plus tallow was converted more efficiently to body gain (P<.05) than barley plus grass and tallow. Calves fed barley plus acidulated fatty acids grew faster (P<.05) during the last 8 wk of the trial than those supplemented with either acidulated fatty acids or tallow in combination with dehydrated grass. Initial body weights of males were heavier (P<.01) than female calves (44.1 vs. 41.3 kg), but both males and females were taken to the same final weight. Heifer calves were, therefore, on test longer, consumed more starter, required more starter ration per unit of gain, and gained less per day than the bull calves (Table 6). In the complete data there was a negative relationship between initial weight and time the calves were on test with an R 2 of .15. However, efficiency of feed conversion was not related (P<.05) to initial weight of the animal, indicating that the lighter animal at birth consumed less feed daily and was not notably a worse
T A B L E 3. Effect of calf starter ration on days on test, average daily gain during the complete trial and post weaning, starter intake, and conversion (18 animals per treatment).
Overall m e a n SRB--ge SRB--t SRB--gt SRB-af SRB-gaf SCF SCF-g SCF-t SCF--gt SCF-af SCF-gaf ~7 O~ o
SE F
Days on test
Av. daily gain (g/day)
Total starter intake (kg)
Starter conversion (kg/kg gain)
Rate of gain post weaning (g/day)
105.2 101.9 a 101.4 a 106.9ab 98.6 a 111.5 b 105.6ab 106.8ab 107.6ab 111.9 b 100.1 a 106.9ab
700 736 bcd 726bcd 701abc 760 d 671 ab 694ab 674ab 692ab 658 a 729bed 677ab
164.1 159.9 161.5 172.0 156.8 167.7 166.1 166.9 164.1 172.1 152.4 165.8
2.26 2.23 abc 2.23 abc 2.32 c 2.11 ab 2.26 abc 2.30 bc 2.34 c 2.23 abc 2.38 c 2.09 a 2.29 bc
940 965 abcd 1103 d 919 abc 1019 bcd 845 a 952 abcd 864 a 896 ab 819 a 1053 cd 876 ab
3.31 1.66
18.9 2.57
5.59 1.16
.068 1.82
51.8 2.79
Z O
_>
~q
a'b'C'dMeans with a c o m m o n superscript were n o t different (P>.05). eSRB, steam rolled barley; SC F, s t e a m cooked a n d flaked barley; g, 25% d e h y d r a t e d grass; t, 5% stabilized animal tallow; and af, 5% acidulated fatty acids.
o~
Z O
to t,o 00
t.n
bO Ox
T A B L E 4. A comparison of steam rolled and steam cooked and flaked barley effects on days on test, average daily intake, conversion of starter, and on rate of gain. t7
Treatment
Days on test
Av. daily gain (g/day)
Total starter intake (kg)
Starter conversion (kg/kg gain)
Rate of gain post weaning (g/day)
SRB c SCF
103.9 106.5
716 a 687 b
164.0 164.6
2.25 2.27
968 909
[/]
<
o_ Z o ~a
SE F
1.37 1.83
.795 6.59
4.88 .03
.282 .26
22 3.60
~D
a'bMeans with a c o m m o n superscript were n o t different (P>.05). CSRB, steam rolled barley and SCF, steam cooked and flaked barley.
t~ ~0 Z Z t~
T A B L E 5 Effects of various supplements with barley on days on test, rate of gain, starter intake, and feed conversion.
Barley Barley Barley Barley Barley Barley SE F
+ gd +t + gt + af + gaf
Days on test
Av. daily gain (g/day)
Total starter intake (kg)
Starter conversion (kg/kg gain)
Wt gain post weaning (g/day)
104.2ab 104.3 ab 104.5 ab 109.4 b 99-4 a 109.2 b
698 a 705 ab 709ab 680 a 744 b 674 a
166.1 ab 163.4 ab 162.8ab 172.1 b 154.6 a 166.7ab
2.33 bc 2.29 bc 2.23 h 2.35 c 2,10 a 2.27bc
958 bed 915 abcd 1000cd 869 ab 1036 d 861 a
3.71 2.33
.047 3.61
36.8 3.60
2.34 2.57
7.8 3.38
a'b'CMeans with a c o m m o n superscript are n o t different (P>.05). dg, 25% d e h y d r a t e d grass ; t, 5% stabilized animal tallow; and af, 5% acidulated fatty acids.
STARTER RATIONS FOR DAIRY CALVES
227
converter o f starter ration.
•.=
DISCUSSION
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Steam cooking and flaking of barley reduced the fiber components as determined by the Van Soest (14) procedures as compared to the fiber determination in steam rolled barley, y e t the calves gained more rapidly when fed steam rolled barley than when fed steam cooked and flaked barley. The lack if response of young calves to the added processing of barley was in contrast to the earlier work of Lima et al. (10), who found that steam cooking and flaking of barley increased its efficiency of utilization as compared to normal steam rolled barley. Stiles et aI. (12) found that the addition of tallow at 4% to the ration of bull calves beginning at 12 wk of age resulted in greater efficiency of feed conversion• Response by veal calves to the addition of tallow to starter rations has been positive (5). However, in our study addition of tallow at 5% only increased rate of gain during the period of starter feeding as compared to the unsupplemented barley• There was no apparent improvement in feed conversion which could have been expected from earlier observations (4, 10). In contrast to the addition of tallow, the inclusion of the acidulated fatty acids from rapeseed oil shortened time on test, increased rate of gain, and improved feed efficiency as compared to the unsupptemented bartey. In (3), acidulated fatty acids were equivalent to tallow as an energy source in broiler diets when either source of energy was included at 10% of the ration. The marked advantage for acidulated fatty acids compared to tallow in this calf trial may have been in response to the lower amounts of supplements than in previous experiments (2, 3) or simply a difference in species in the utilization of the two sources of energy. The protein content and the ratios of protein to energy of the 12 starter rations fell within the range suggested in (2, 4, 7) as acceptable for calves of the age and rate of gain characteristic of this study. Van Horn et al. (13) and John et al. (6) have found improved performance of calves when forage was added to the starter rations of dairy calves. Although growth rate and feed conversion were n o t improved b y the incorporation of 25% dehydrated grass, there was no apparent J o u r n a l o f Dairy S c i e n c e Vol. 6 1 , No. 2, 1978
228
WALDERN AND FISHER
d i s a d v a n t a g e to its i n c l u s i o n as h a d b e e n indic a t e d earlier (7) f o r l o w e r q u a l i t y roughages. H o w e v e r , t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f d e h y d r a t e d grass a n d t a l l o w a n d t o a lesser e x t e n t d e h y d r a t e d grass a n d a c i d u l a t e d f a t t y acids did i m p a i r calf p e r f o r m a n c e in this trial. W h e t h e r this e f f e c t was m e d i a t e d t h r o u g h a r e d u c t i o n in t h e d i g e s t i b i l i t y o f t h e f i b e r as suggested (1) o r d u e to o t h e r d i e t a r y i n t e r a c t i o n s was n o t clear. A s u b s e q u e n t r e p o r t will discuss d i g e s t i b i l i t y to indicate the impairment of fiber utilization. A d d i t i o n o f b o t h a high q u a l i t y forage a n d a f a t w o u l d n o t be advisable. N o r w o u l d it b e a d v a n t a g e o u s t o i n c l u d e t a l l o w in t h e s t a r t e r r a t i o n s f e d t o calves d u r i n g t h e first 4 m o of life. H o w e v e r , t h e a d d i t i o n o f t h e a c i d u l a t e d f a t t y acids f r o m t h e p r o c e s s i n g o f r a p e s e e d oil t o a calf s t a r t e r r a t i o n c o u l d b e e x p e c t e d to lead t o m o r e rapid w e i g h t gains a n d m o r e e f f i c i e n t f e e d c o n v e r s i o n . T h e e x t r a cost o f s t e a m c o o k i n g a n d f l a k i n g b a r l e y did n o t i m p r o v e calf p e r f o r m a n c e c o m p a r e d t o s t e a m rolled barley. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T h e a u t h o r s wish t o a c k n o w l e d g e t h e services o f A. K r a h n a n d J. W o l f f f o r t h e care o f t h e calves d u r i n g this trial a n d D. H e l k e n b e r g f o r t h e c h e m i c a l analysis o f t h e feed samples. REFERENCES
1 Bull, L. S. 1970. Fats in ruminant rations. Page 20 in Proc. University of Maryland, Nutr. Conf. 2 Chandler, P. T., E. M. Kesler, R. D. McCarthy, and R. P. Johnston, Jr. 1968. Effects of dietary lipid and protein on growth and nutrient utilization by dairy calves at 8 to 19 weeks. J. Nutr. 95:452. 3 Gardiner, E. E. 1970. Comparison of acidulated
Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 61, No. 2, 1978
rapeseed oil soapstock with animal tallow as a source of energy in broiler diets. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 50:529. 4 Gardner, R. W. 1968. Digestible protein requirements of calves fed high energy rations ad libitum. J. Dairy Sci. 51:888. 5 Gardner, R. W., and M. B. Wallentine. 1972. Fat supplemented grain rations for veal production. J. Dairy Sci. 55:989. 6 Jahn, E., P. T. Chandler, and C. E. Polan. 1970. Effects of fiber and ratio of starch to sugar on performance of ruminating calves. J. Dairy Sci. 53:466. 7 Jones, G. M., L. P. Jacobs, and L. J. Martin. 1974. Feed consumption and growth of dairy heifer and bull calves fed calf starters differing in protein content. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 54: 315. 8 Kaiser, A. G. 1976. The effects of milk feeding on the pre- and post-weaning growth of calves, and on stomach development at weaning. J. Agr. Sci. Camb. 87:357. 9 Leibholz, J. 1975. Ground roughage in the diet of the early weaned calf. Anim. Prod. 20:93. 10 Lima, J. O. A., J. D. Scbuh, W. H. Hale, and C. B. Theurer. 1968. Steam processed flaked grains for dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. 51:972. 11 Miller, W. J., ¥. G. Martin, and P. R. Fowler. 1969. Effects of addition of fiber to simplified and to complex starters fed to young dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. 52:672. 12 Stiles, R. P., D. G. Grieve, and W. A. Gillis. 1974. Effects of three protein levels with and without added fat on the performance and carcass characteristics of heavy veal calves. Can. J. Anita. Sci. 54:79. 13 Van Horn, H. H., M. B. Olayiwole, C. J. Wilcox, Barney Harris, Jr., and J. N. Wing. 1976. Effects of housing, milk feeding management, and ration formulation on calf growth and feed intake. J. Dairy Sci. 59:924. 14 Van Soest, P. J. 1966. Non-nutritive residues: A system of analysis for replacement of crude fiber. J. Ass. Off. Anal. Chem. 49: 546. 15 Waldern, D. E., and D. K. Nelson. 1968. Complete starter rations for replacement dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 51:972.
ABSTRACT Two hundred and sixteen Holstein calves (144 heifers and 72 bulls) were used to determine how a d d i n g tallow or acidulated fatty acids, with or without dehydrated grass, to steamed rolled or steam cooked and flaked barley based rations affected growth and consumption of feed. Means for initial weight, final weight, days on test, and rate of gain were 42.4 kg, 115 kg, 105.2 days, and 702 g per day. Calves fed the steam cooked and flaked barley rations were on test longer (106.5 versus 103.9 d a y s ) a n d gained weight more slowly (687 versus 716 g/day) than calves fed steam rolled barley. Calves fed the starter ration supplemented with acidulated fatty acids required fewer days to reach finishing weight than calves fed either acidulated fatty acids or tallow plus dehydrated grass. Feed conversion was more efficient when the barley rations were supplemented with acidulated fatty acids than when any other supplements were added or barley fed alone. The addition of dehydrated grass to rations containing either tallow or acidulated fatty acids resulted in a less efficient conversion of feed to weight gain than when only the energy sources were added. ! NTRODUCTION There are many feeds available for inclusion in the formulation of calf starters. Waldern and Nelson (15) demonstrated that satisfactory gains could be achieved with starters containing ground alfalfa compared to complex calf start-
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Received June 10, 1977. xResearch Station, Agriculture Canada, Kamloops, British Columbia. Contribution No. 238. 1978 J Dairy Sci 61:221--228
Over 3 yr, 216 Holstein calves (144 heifers and 72 bulls) were assigned randomly at birth to 1 of 12 starter rations. Calves were housed in individual pens with expanded metal floors over shallow liquid manure pits. Temperature was 15 C during winter months b u t tended to fluctuate with o u t d o o r temperature in summer time. Calves were fed colostrum during the first 3
221
222
WALDERN AND FISHER
days and then fed whole milk for 5 wk at 2.3, 3.2, 3.6, and 3.2 kg per day for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th wk, respectively. Water was available beginning the 3rd wk of life. The assigned starters were offered beginning at 1 wk of age and continuing until calves weighed 115 kg. Intakes of starter rations were recorded bi-weekly. There were 18 calves, 12 females and 6 males, assigned to each of the 12 starter rations (Table 1) which were designated and described SRB, steam roiled barley; SRB-g, steam rolled barley plus 25% dehydrated grass; SRB-t, steam rolled barley plus 5% stabilized animal tallow; SRB-gt, steam rolled barley plus 25% dehydrated grass and 5% stabilized tallow; SRB-af, steam rolled barley plus 5% acidulated fatty acids; SRB-gaf, steam rolled barley plus 25% dehydrated grass and 5% acidulated fatty acids; SCF, steam cooked and flaked barley; SCF-g, steam cooked and flaked barley plus 25% dehydrated grass; SCF-t, cooked and flaked barley plus 5% stabilized animal tallow; SCF-gt, steam cooked and flaked barley plus 25% dehydrated grass plus 5% stabilized tallow; SCF-af, steam cooked and flaked barley plus 5% acidulated fatty acids; and SCF-gaf, steam cooked and flaked barley plus 25% dehydrated grass plus 5% acidulated fatty acids. In assigning calves to treatments, care was exercised to reduce seasonal and sire effects. Calves were weighed at birth and once every 2 wk to a final target weight of 115 kg. Samples of the starter rations were taken weekly and composited monthly for the determination of dry matter, protein, acid detergent fiber, cell wall, lignin, fat, and ash (Table 2). Dry matter was determined by oven drying at 60 C for 48 h. Acid detergent fiber, percent cell walls, and lignin were determined according to the procedure outlined by Van Soest (14). Percent ash was determined by heating to 600 C 2 h. Protein content was estimated by a micro digestion procedure followed by the estimation of nitrogen by the autoanalyzer. Data collected during the trial were subjected to analysis of variance; where significant differences were indicated between treatments (P<.05), treatment means were tested by Duncan's multiple range test. Variance analysis also was used to test the differences between the different processing methods for the barley component of the ration and for comparing the Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 61, No. 2, 1978
various supplements. Data provided an indication of difference in response of males and females to the rations. R ESU LTS
Mean content of the chemical components of the starter rations (Table 2) represented the analysis of 15 composite samples for each diet. The various fiber components reflected the addition of the dehydrated grass. Acid detergent fiber, lignin, and percent cell walls were higher for the steam rolled barley than for the steam cooked and flaked barley rations, 8.6 vs. 7.6, 2.08 vs. 1.48, and 24.3 vs. 18.1. The recovery of supplemental fat by the ether extract method (Table 2) was less for the steam rolled barley than for the steam cooked and flaked barley (4.03 vs. 4.43%). Protein content of the twelve rations (Table 2) ranged from a low of 15.7 for SRB-g to a high of 18.5 for SCF-af although in formulation of the rations, a more similar protein content had been intended. The comparison of individual treatments (Table 3) indicated differences (P<.05) in days on test. When the differences between means were tested by Duncan's multiple range test, results of this test indicated that calves fed rations SRB-g, SRB-t, SRB-af, and SCF-af were on test for a shorter time than calves fed starter rations SRB-gaf or SCF-gt with other treatments being intermediate (Table 3). Daily rate of gain for the complete trial was greater (P<.05) for treatment SRB-af compared to SRB, SRB-gt, SRB-gaf, SCF, SCF-g, SCF-t, SCF-gt, and SCF-gaf. Treatments SRB-t, SRB-g, and SCF-af produced more rapid daily rate of gain (P<.05) than calves fed ration SCF-gt. Feed conversion (kg of starter per kg of gain) was more efficient (P<.05) for calves fed ration SCF-af and SRB-af than for SRB, SRG-gt, SCF-g, and SCF-gt (Table 3). Rate of gain from the end of milk feeding to finishing weight was greater (P<.05) for calves fed ration SRB-t than those fed SRB-gt and was faster for those fed SRB-t, SRB-af, and SCF-af than for SRB-gaf, SCF-g, and SCF-gt. Treatment SCF-af resulted in a higher rate of gain (P<.05) after milk feeding was discontinued than SCF-t and SCF-gaf (Table 3). The influence of form of processing of the barley on its utilization by calves was compared
TABLE 1. Percent of components in starter rations for replacement dairy heifers.
Barley #1 feed grade
Ration a SRB SRB--g SRB-t S RB--gt SRB--af SRB-af g SCF SCF--g SCF--t SCF-gt SCF-af SCF--af g
Steam rolled 79.0 60.5 73.0 i4.0 73.0 54.0
Steam processed and flaked
Pelleted dehy grass
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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 61, No. 2, 19"78
(Table 4). Initial and finishing body weights were 41.9 and 42.6 kg, and 115.0 and 114.9 kg for calves fed rations SRB and SCF. Calves fed the SCF rations were on test longer and gained weight more slowly (P<.05) than those fed the SRB rations (Table 4). Rate of gain was apparently higher for calves fed the steam rolled barley rations only when starter was fed. Observations were pooled across basal rations for the effect of the supplements (Table 5). Calves consuming rations supplemented with acidulated fatty acids required fewer days (P<.05) to reach the finishing weight than calves fed rations supplemented with combinations of dehydrated grass and tallow, and dehydrated grass and acidulated fatty acids. Non-supplemented barley and barley supplemented with grass or tallow were intermediate. Average daily gain was less (P<.05) for calves fed barley, barley plus dehydrated grass and tallow, and barley supplemented with both acidulated fatty acids and dehydrated grass as compared to those fed barley supplemented with acidulated fatty acids. Total starter intake was greater (P<.05) for calves fed barley supplemented with grass and tallow than for those fed barley supplemented with acidulated fatty acids (Table 5). Starter intake per kg of gain for calves fed barley plus acidulated fatty acids was less than the amount of starter required per unit gain by calves fed any of the other supplemented rations or barley alone. Barley plus tallow was converted more efficiently to body gain (P<.05) than barley plus grass and tallow. Calves fed barley plus acidulated fatty acids grew faster (P<.05) during the last 8 wk of the trial than those supplemented with either acidulated fatty acids or tallow in combination with dehydrated grass. Initial body weights of males were heavier (P<.01) than female calves (44.1 vs. 41.3 kg), but both males and females were taken to the same final weight. Heifer calves were, therefore, on test longer, consumed more starter, required more starter ration per unit of gain, and gained less per day than the bull calves (Table 6). In the complete data there was a negative relationship between initial weight and time the calves were on test with an R 2 of .15. However, efficiency of feed conversion was not related (P<.05) to initial weight of the animal, indicating that the lighter animal at birth consumed less feed daily and was not notably a worse
T A B L E 3. Effect of calf starter ration on days on test, average daily gain during the complete trial and post weaning, starter intake, and conversion (18 animals per treatment).
Overall m e a n SRB--ge SRB--t SRB--gt SRB-af SRB-gaf SCF SCF-g SCF-t SCF--gt SCF-af SCF-gaf ~7 O~ o
SE F
Days on test
Av. daily gain (g/day)
Total starter intake (kg)
Starter conversion (kg/kg gain)
Rate of gain post weaning (g/day)
105.2 101.9 a 101.4 a 106.9ab 98.6 a 111.5 b 105.6ab 106.8ab 107.6ab 111.9 b 100.1 a 106.9ab
700 736 bcd 726bcd 701abc 760 d 671 ab 694ab 674ab 692ab 658 a 729bed 677ab
164.1 159.9 161.5 172.0 156.8 167.7 166.1 166.9 164.1 172.1 152.4 165.8
2.26 2.23 abc 2.23 abc 2.32 c 2.11 ab 2.26 abc 2.30 bc 2.34 c 2.23 abc 2.38 c 2.09 a 2.29 bc
940 965 abcd 1103 d 919 abc 1019 bcd 845 a 952 abcd 864 a 896 ab 819 a 1053 cd 876 ab
3.31 1.66
18.9 2.57
5.59 1.16
.068 1.82
51.8 2.79
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a'b'C'dMeans with a c o m m o n superscript were n o t different (P>.05). eSRB, steam rolled barley; SC F, s t e a m cooked a n d flaked barley; g, 25% d e h y d r a t e d grass; t, 5% stabilized animal tallow; and af, 5% acidulated fatty acids.
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T A B L E 4. A comparison of steam rolled and steam cooked and flaked barley effects on days on test, average daily intake, conversion of starter, and on rate of gain. t7
Treatment
Days on test
Av. daily gain (g/day)
Total starter intake (kg)
Starter conversion (kg/kg gain)
Rate of gain post weaning (g/day)
SRB c SCF
103.9 106.5
716 a 687 b
164.0 164.6
2.25 2.27
968 909
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SE F
1.37 1.83
.795 6.59
4.88 .03
.282 .26
22 3.60
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a'bMeans with a c o m m o n superscript were n o t different (P>.05). CSRB, steam rolled barley and SCF, steam cooked and flaked barley.
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T A B L E 5 Effects of various supplements with barley on days on test, rate of gain, starter intake, and feed conversion.
Barley Barley Barley Barley Barley Barley SE F
+ gd +t + gt + af + gaf
Days on test
Av. daily gain (g/day)
Total starter intake (kg)
Starter conversion (kg/kg gain)
Wt gain post weaning (g/day)
104.2ab 104.3 ab 104.5 ab 109.4 b 99-4 a 109.2 b
698 a 705 ab 709ab 680 a 744 b 674 a
166.1 ab 163.4 ab 162.8ab 172.1 b 154.6 a 166.7ab
2.33 bc 2.29 bc 2.23 h 2.35 c 2,10 a 2.27bc
958 bed 915 abcd 1000cd 869 ab 1036 d 861 a
3.71 2.33
.047 3.61
36.8 3.60
2.34 2.57
7.8 3.38
a'b'CMeans with a c o m m o n superscript are n o t different (P>.05). dg, 25% d e h y d r a t e d grass ; t, 5% stabilized animal tallow; and af, 5% acidulated fatty acids.
STARTER RATIONS FOR DAIRY CALVES
227
converter o f starter ration.
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DISCUSSION
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Steam cooking and flaking of barley reduced the fiber components as determined by the Van Soest (14) procedures as compared to the fiber determination in steam rolled barley, y e t the calves gained more rapidly when fed steam rolled barley than when fed steam cooked and flaked barley. The lack if response of young calves to the added processing of barley was in contrast to the earlier work of Lima et al. (10), who found that steam cooking and flaking of barley increased its efficiency of utilization as compared to normal steam rolled barley. Stiles et aI. (12) found that the addition of tallow at 4% to the ration of bull calves beginning at 12 wk of age resulted in greater efficiency of feed conversion• Response by veal calves to the addition of tallow to starter rations has been positive (5). However, in our study addition of tallow at 5% only increased rate of gain during the period of starter feeding as compared to the unsupplemented barley• There was no apparent improvement in feed conversion which could have been expected from earlier observations (4, 10). In contrast to the addition of tallow, the inclusion of the acidulated fatty acids from rapeseed oil shortened time on test, increased rate of gain, and improved feed efficiency as compared to the unsupptemented bartey. In (3), acidulated fatty acids were equivalent to tallow as an energy source in broiler diets when either source of energy was included at 10% of the ration. The marked advantage for acidulated fatty acids compared to tallow in this calf trial may have been in response to the lower amounts of supplements than in previous experiments (2, 3) or simply a difference in species in the utilization of the two sources of energy. The protein content and the ratios of protein to energy of the 12 starter rations fell within the range suggested in (2, 4, 7) as acceptable for calves of the age and rate of gain characteristic of this study. Van Horn et al. (13) and John et al. (6) have found improved performance of calves when forage was added to the starter rations of dairy calves. Although growth rate and feed conversion were n o t improved b y the incorporation of 25% dehydrated grass, there was no apparent J o u r n a l o f Dairy S c i e n c e Vol. 6 1 , No. 2, 1978
228
WALDERN AND FISHER
d i s a d v a n t a g e to its i n c l u s i o n as h a d b e e n indic a t e d earlier (7) f o r l o w e r q u a l i t y roughages. H o w e v e r , t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f d e h y d r a t e d grass a n d t a l l o w a n d t o a lesser e x t e n t d e h y d r a t e d grass a n d a c i d u l a t e d f a t t y acids did i m p a i r calf p e r f o r m a n c e in this trial. W h e t h e r this e f f e c t was m e d i a t e d t h r o u g h a r e d u c t i o n in t h e d i g e s t i b i l i t y o f t h e f i b e r as suggested (1) o r d u e to o t h e r d i e t a r y i n t e r a c t i o n s was n o t clear. A s u b s e q u e n t r e p o r t will discuss d i g e s t i b i l i t y to indicate the impairment of fiber utilization. A d d i t i o n o f b o t h a high q u a l i t y forage a n d a f a t w o u l d n o t be advisable. N o r w o u l d it b e a d v a n t a g e o u s t o i n c l u d e t a l l o w in t h e s t a r t e r r a t i o n s f e d t o calves d u r i n g t h e first 4 m o of life. H o w e v e r , t h e a d d i t i o n o f t h e a c i d u l a t e d f a t t y acids f r o m t h e p r o c e s s i n g o f r a p e s e e d oil t o a calf s t a r t e r r a t i o n c o u l d b e e x p e c t e d to lead t o m o r e rapid w e i g h t gains a n d m o r e e f f i c i e n t f e e d c o n v e r s i o n . T h e e x t r a cost o f s t e a m c o o k i n g a n d f l a k i n g b a r l e y did n o t i m p r o v e calf p e r f o r m a n c e c o m p a r e d t o s t e a m rolled barley. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T h e a u t h o r s wish t o a c k n o w l e d g e t h e services o f A. K r a h n a n d J. W o l f f f o r t h e care o f t h e calves d u r i n g this trial a n d D. H e l k e n b e r g f o r t h e c h e m i c a l analysis o f t h e feed samples. REFERENCES
1 Bull, L. S. 1970. Fats in ruminant rations. Page 20 in Proc. University of Maryland, Nutr. Conf. 2 Chandler, P. T., E. M. Kesler, R. D. McCarthy, and R. P. Johnston, Jr. 1968. Effects of dietary lipid and protein on growth and nutrient utilization by dairy calves at 8 to 19 weeks. J. Nutr. 95:452. 3 Gardiner, E. E. 1970. Comparison of acidulated
Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 61, No. 2, 1978
rapeseed oil soapstock with animal tallow as a source of energy in broiler diets. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 50:529. 4 Gardner, R. W. 1968. Digestible protein requirements of calves fed high energy rations ad libitum. J. Dairy Sci. 51:888. 5 Gardner, R. W., and M. B. Wallentine. 1972. Fat supplemented grain rations for veal production. J. Dairy Sci. 55:989. 6 Jahn, E., P. T. Chandler, and C. E. Polan. 1970. Effects of fiber and ratio of starch to sugar on performance of ruminating calves. J. Dairy Sci. 53:466. 7 Jones, G. M., L. P. Jacobs, and L. J. Martin. 1974. Feed consumption and growth of dairy heifer and bull calves fed calf starters differing in protein content. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 54: 315. 8 Kaiser, A. G. 1976. The effects of milk feeding on the pre- and post-weaning growth of calves, and on stomach development at weaning. J. Agr. Sci. Camb. 87:357. 9 Leibholz, J. 1975. Ground roughage in the diet of the early weaned calf. Anim. Prod. 20:93. 10 Lima, J. O. A., J. D. Scbuh, W. H. Hale, and C. B. Theurer. 1968. Steam processed flaked grains for dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. 51:972. 11 Miller, W. J., ¥. G. Martin, and P. R. Fowler. 1969. Effects of addition of fiber to simplified and to complex starters fed to young dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. 52:672. 12 Stiles, R. P., D. G. Grieve, and W. A. Gillis. 1974. Effects of three protein levels with and without added fat on the performance and carcass characteristics of heavy veal calves. Can. J. Anita. Sci. 54:79. 13 Van Horn, H. H., M. B. Olayiwole, C. J. Wilcox, Barney Harris, Jr., and J. N. Wing. 1976. Effects of housing, milk feeding management, and ration formulation on calf growth and feed intake. J. Dairy Sci. 59:924. 14 Van Soest, P. J. 1966. Non-nutritive residues: A system of analysis for replacement of crude fiber. J. Ass. Off. Anal. Chem. 49: 546. 15 Waldern, D. E., and D. K. Nelson. 1968. Complete starter rations for replacement dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 51:972.