Productive effects of whole milk and milk replacement formula in calves feeding

Determination of correct feeding regimes for calves is very important as it directly influences calves' productive and reproductive traits, as well as duration of adult animal exploitation period. As the liquid feed is the most expensive component, its importance also has an economic aspect in calves rearing. The experiment was carried out on 30 Holstein calves with the aim to determine productive, economic and health effects of feeding calves with whole milk in different periods. Calves were divided into three equal groups (10 calves in each group). Experiment was carried out in the period from calving up to the 60(th) day of calf's age. All groups were given whole milk, however, duration of whole milk feeding differed among groups. Group I consumed whole milk from birth up to the 30(th) day of age, group 2 from birth up to the 20(th) day of age and group 3 from birth up to the 10(th) day of age. Afterwards, all groups were fed with milk replacement formula up to the 60(th) day of age. Suggested technological solutions in calves feeding within this experiment were analyzed through evaluation of basic fattening characteristics, monitoring of diarrhea occurrences and calculating costs per kg of weight gain per each group. Statistical analysis referring to calves body weight, daily gain and liquid feed conversion during the 1(st) month of experiment proved the best values for group 1, which were statistically highly significant (P<0.01) if compared to other groups. Examination of health status of calves determined that diarrhea occurred less frequently in group 1, which led to conclusion that feeding whole milk to calves should be given priority with respect to its nutritive and health benefits. By analyzing economic aspect of feeding whole milk to calves in their P month of age, the lowest costs were obtained for group 1, which supports the fact that feeding calves with whole milk is cost effective.