Breed and plane of milk-replacer nutrition influence the performance of pre-and postweaned dairy calves

The objective was to determine the influence of plane of milk-replacer (MR) nutrition on the performance of Holstein and Jersey calves. Forty-two calves (initial BW of 39.3 ± 5.55 kg and 25.5 ± 4.24 kg for Holstein and Jersey, respectively) were used in a completely randomized design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments; calves on a lower plane of nutrition were fed 454 g/d of a 20% CP and 20% fat MR. Holstein calves on the higher plane of nutrition were fed 810 and 1,180 g/d for wk 1 and wk 2 to 6, respectively, of a 28% CP and 20% fat MR. Jersey calves on the higher plane of nutrition were fed 568 and 680 g/d for wk 1 and wk 2 to 6, respectively, of a 28% CP and 25% fat MR. Intake of ME and CP per kilogram of metabolic BW (BW0.75) and ADG were greater for calves on the high plane of nutrition than for those on the low plane of nutrition during the preweaning period. Calves fed a high plane of nutrition, irrespective of breed, and Holstein calves required less (P < 0.05) ME for BW gain. Holstein and Jersey calves on the higher plane of nutrition were also more efficient in utilization of CP for BW gain during the preweaning period; however, Holstein and Jersey calves on the low plane of nutrition were more efficient during the postweaning period. Data indicate that both Holstein and Jersey calves fed higher planes of MR nutrition were more efficient during the preweaning period.