Impact of a Ration Negative in Dietary Cation–Anion Difference and Varying Calcium Supply Fed before Calving on Colostrum Quality of the Dams and Health Status and Growth Performance of the Calves

摘要

We fed diets with low and high levels of calcium or a negative dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD) to dairy cows before calving and compared their colostrum quality and the health and growth performance of their calves. There were no differences in birth weight and colostrum quantity and composition among groups. However, calves born to cows fed a diet with a negative DCAD had lower body weight and higher prevalence for diarrhea before weaning. The level of Ca in the diet of the dams before calving had no impact on the body weight, feed intake, and health of the calves.