The effect of concentrate feeding levels on the postweaning performance of Holstein-Friesian calves

摘要

The influences of different levels of concentrate on the growth characteristics of Holstein-Friesian calves under an original calf-rearing programme were investigated in this study. 41 new-born calves (20 male and 21 female) were allocated to 4 concentrate groups: 2, 2.5, 3 kg/calf and ad libitum. The calves were weaned at 5 weeks of age and the trial lasted for 6 months. Results regarding the weight at 6 months of age revealed that an increasing amount of concentrate supplementation resulted in asignificantly (P < 0.01) higher liveweight. Furthermore, daily liveweight gains between birth and 6 months of age was also significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the ad libitum group than in the 2, 2.5 and 3 kg/day groups. The highest overall gains in body measurements, for example body length and heart girth, were obtained from calves fed concentrate ad libitum. However, feed efficiency ratios were not significantly influenced by the various amounts of concentrate offered to the calves. The overall resultssuggest that the appropriate level of concentrate for the new calf-rearing programme should be ad libitum.