Effect of supplementing pasteurized milk balancer products to heat-treated whole milk on the growth and health of dairy calves

Two experiments were conducted to determine the growth and health effects of supplementing heat-treated whole milk with pasteurized milk balancer products in calf-feeding programs. All calves were removed from their dams at birth (d 0), fed 3.8 L of heat-treated colostrum, and received assigned treatments from d 1 until weaning at d 56. Calves were weighed and skeletal measurements taken every 7 d from d 0 until 56. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) were calculated. In experiment 1, 80 Holstein heifer calves were used to investigate the effects of supplementing 2 levels of heat-treated whole milk with or without a pasteurized all-milk balancer. Four dietary treatments (n = 20) were used. Calves receiving milk (M) and milk plus balancer (M+B) were fed 3.8 L of milk divided into 2 equal feedings daily. Calves fed increased milk (IM) and increased milk plus balancer (IM+B) received 3.8 L of milk divided into 2 equal feedings from d 1 to 14, 5.7 L from d 15 to 42, and 2.85 L fed once daily from d 43 to 56. Treatments M+B and IM+B included pasteurized all-milk balancer fed at a rate of 0.23 kg per 3.8 L of milk. In experiment 2, 72 Holstein heifer calves were used to investigate the effects of supplementing either a pasteurized all-milk balancer or a pasteurized protein-blend milk balancer. Three dietary treatments (n = 24) were used. Calves were fed 3.8 L of milk divided into 2 equal feedings from d 1 to 14 and 5.7 L from d 15 to 56. Treatment IM did not include any supplements. Balancer was added to IM+B and increased milk plus protein-blend balancer (IM+PB). Balancer was supplemented at a rate of 0.23 kg per 3.8 L of milk. In experiment 1, calves fed IM+B had greater average body weight (BW) and average daily gain compared with calves given other treatments. Calves fed 5.7 L of milk had greater FE than those fed 3.8 L regardless of balancer added. In experiment 2, calves fed IM+B and IM+PB had greater BW when compared with calves given M. Calves fed IM+PB had comparable BW and FE to calves given IM+B. The enhanced calf-feeding programs evaluated in this study were successful in increasing growth in preweaned calves when supplementing milk balancer product to heat-treated whole milk. Health scores of fecal, respiratory, and attitude determined illness. Feces were looser for calves receiving IM+B and IM+PB, but attitude scores did not confirm an illness and so overall health was not different between treatments.