Young calves have undeveloped rumens at birth and must undergo physiological changes before they can digest high fiber feeds. Concentrate feeds are digested to propionic and butyric acids in the rumen and stimulate the growth of the rumen papillae. Digestion of milk and forages does not provide the end products needed to develop the rumen papillae. After concentrate feeding begins, 3 to 4 weeks of rumen development is needed before the calf is able to digest substantial amounts of dry feeds.
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