Colostrum, Whole Milk, and Whole Milk plus Whey Protein Concentrate for Holstein Calves

Thirty-six Holstein calves were fed 3.6 kg of one of three liquid diets once daily from birth until weaning at 4 wk. Diets were: (1) colostrum (collected for five milkings postpartum and frozen), (2) whole milk, and (3) whole milk plus sufficient whey proteinconcentrate to bring diets 1 and 3 to similar whey protein. Compared to whole milk, colostrum feeding improved weight gains by 40~ during wk 1 and 29g during the first 3 wk. However, this advantage was reversed during the 4th wk. Mean weight gains (kg/day) from birth to 4 wk were .47, .43, and .44 kg for diets 1, 2, and 3. Gains of calves were not different among treatments from 4 to 10 wk. Dry matter consumption of a complete pelleted starter for the first 4 wk averaged .19, .27, and .24 kg per day for diets 1, 2, and 3. Colostnma fed calves were slightly more efficient in terms of dry matter intake per kg gain (1.44) than calves fed diets 2 and 3 (1.82 and 1.77). Incidence of scours tended to be greater for calves fed eolostrum. Serum protein values were similar for all calves.