LactoPlan™ is a direct fed microbial (DFM) produced by a proprietary solid-state fermentation process using an unique strain of lactobacillus plantarum which is shelf and heat-stable. The hypothesis was feeding LP will ease transitioning from milk replacer (MR) to calf starter (CS) by improving gut health, appetite, and minimize health challenges due to pathogens and stress. The objective was to evaluate LP in a MR feeding program. Sixty 2-to-5-d-old Holstein calves were randomly assigned to one of three treatments using a randomized complete block design. Treatments were: 1) Control: No LP fed; 2) LP1: LP fed at 4 g/calf/d; and 3) LP2: LP fed at 8 g/calf/d. Calves were fed at 0630 and 1800 h along with free choice water and 22% CP calf starter (CS). The MR feeding phase was 42 d of the 56 d experiment. Calves fed LP2 gained more (P 0.05). The 0 to 42 d (MR feeding phase) ADG (562.9, 595.9, and 655.7 g/d) and 0 to 56 d ADG (588.6, 658.4, and673.0 g/d were greater (P 0.05). The 56 d CS intake was similar (P > 0.05) among calves fed all treatments (66.3, 69.0, and 72.5 kg/ 56 d), which resulted in greater feed efficiency (0.50, 0.53, 0.52 kg gain/kg DMI) for calves fed LP1 compared with calves fed Control, with calves fed LP2 being intermediate and similar (P > 0.05). This study demonstrates that feeding neonatal calves LP can increase growth performance and feed efficiency when fed at the appropriate inclusion rates.
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