Effect of milk replacer carbohydrate source on performance and health of dairy calves

Eighty Holstein calves were used in an 8-wk randomized block design trial to determine the effect of milk replacers formulated with alternative carbohydrate sources on the performance and health of dairy calves. After receiving colostrum and transition milk for 2 d, calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary experimental milk replacers differing in carbohydrate source: all whey (CONT, 41% lactose); whey + 20% corn syrup solids (CS20, 25% lactose); whey + 10% corn syrup solids (CS10, 33% lactose); or whey + 10% corn syrup solids + 10% dextrose (CD20, 25% lactose). Experimental milk replacers were fed at a rate of 0.57 kg/d divided into 2 equal feedings except during wk 6 when milk replacer was reduced by 50%. Calves were weaned at the end of wk 6. Starter was offered daily to ensure ad libitum access. Body weights and measurements were recorded every 2 wk. Intake of milk replacer and starter was similar among treatments. Animals consuming CS20 initially consumed slightly less starter than animals fed CONT, but the rate of increase in grain consumption was similar across treatments. Carbohydrate source did not affect the odds of having higher fecal scores or number of days with scours compared with CONT. Nonetheless, there were differences in the dynamics of the scour outbreak early in life, which occurred at approximately the same time across treatments. The duration of scours was greater (~ 1.5 d) for CS20, CS10, and CD20 compared with CONT. Growth performance was unaffected by carbohydrate source. Overall, these results suggest that beyond a slight effect on scour outbreak duration, the inclusion of 10 to 20% corn syrup solids and dextrose has no negative effect on health and performance of newborn dairy calves from birth through weaning.