Effect of various fatty acids on dairy calf performance

The effect of various fatty acids on calf performance was evaluated in 3 trials. In trial 1, calves were fed a milk replacer with all animal fat or a blend of fats and with or without a blend of butyrate, medium-chain fatty acids, and linolenic acid (NeoTec4, Provimi North America, Brookville, OH) in a 2-by-2 factorial arrangement. Calf ADG, starter intake, feed efficiency, hip width change, and serum titers to bovine viral diarrhea and parainfluenza 3 vaccines were greater (P < 0.05) in calves fed NeoTec4. The rectal temperature increase after a Pasteurella vaccine was greater (P < 0.05) in calves fed the fat blend compared with those fed all animal fat and was less (P > 0.05) in calves fed versus not fed NeoTec4. In trial 2, calves were fed starters with A) 0.5% NeoTec4 10, 0% soy oil; B) 0.5% NeoTec4 10, 2.0% soy oil; or C) 0% NeoTec4 10, 0% soy oil. Calves fed starter A had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than did calves fed starter B or C. In trial 3, calves were fed 4 growers: A) control, B) 0.25% Flaxtech (Virtus Nutrition LLC, Corcoran, CA), C) 0.5% NeoTec4 10, and D) 1.5% soy oil. Calf ADG was greatest (P < 0.05) in calves fed NeoTec4 and least (P < 0.05) in calves fed soy oil. Hip width change was greater (P < 0.05) in calves fed NeoTec4 than in calves fed the control or soy oil diet. Addition of soy oil to starter and grower feeds reduced ADG, whereas adding NeoTec4 to milk replacer, starter, and grower feeds increased ADG.