Novel Encapsulated Calcium Butyrate Supplement Enhances On-Farm Dairy Calf Growth Performance and Body Conformation in a Pasture-Based Dairy Production System
The effect of supplementing neonatal heifer calves with varying levels of ECAB on pre-weaning growth performance was investigated. Post-weaning growth was also measured, to determine any carry-over effect of pre-weaning supplementation of ECAB. Forty-eight heifer calves (7 ± 0.4 days old, average li...
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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/8/1380 |
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| author | Aduli Enoch Othniel Malau-Aduli Razaq Oladimeji Balogun John Roger Otto Sumita Verma Maduka Wehella David Jones |
| author_facet | Aduli Enoch Othniel Malau-Aduli Razaq Oladimeji Balogun John Roger Otto Sumita Verma Maduka Wehella David Jones |
| author_sort | Aduli Enoch Othniel Malau-Aduli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The effect of supplementing neonatal heifer calves with varying levels of ECAB on pre-weaning growth performance was investigated. Post-weaning growth was also measured, to determine any carry-over effect of pre-weaning supplementation of ECAB. Forty-eight heifer calves (7 ± 0.4 days old, average liveweight of 39.3 ± 5.3 kg) were utilized in a complete randomised experimental design, comprising 16 calves per pen, randomly allocated to one of the following three treatments: (1) Basal commercial calf starter mix without ECAB (Control); (2) control plus 4 kg/ton of ECAB (Low); and (3) control plus 6 kg/ton of ECAB (High). Calves were group-fed ad libitum for 77 days (11 weeks, pre-weaning period) with free choice access to water and 5.5 L of milk per head per day through an automated feeder. Calves were weighed weekly during the pre-weaning period, after which all calves were then weaned onto the same ryegrass pasture as one group. At approximately 9 months of age, calves were weighed to estimate post-weaning body weight gain. During the pre-weaning period, average daily dry matter feed intake was similar for 4 kg/ton and 6 kg/ton calves (649 g versus 688 g, respectively) and both were greater than that of the control calves (382 g). Average daily gain (ADG) was significantly higher for 4 kg/ton calves compared to 6 kg/ton calves or control calves (0.83 ± 0.03 kg, 0.74 ± 0.03 kg and 0.71 ± 0.03 kg, respectively; <i>p</i> = 0.0001). Similarly, 4 kg/ton calves had significantly increased chest girth (95.9 ± 0.7 cm), withers height (88.9 ± 0.5 cm), body length (82.9 ± 0.6 cm), and body condition score (1.99 ± 0.12) compared to 6 kg/ton calves (93.4 ± 0.7 cm, 87.4 ± 0.7, 81.5 ± 0.6 cm, and 1.67 ± 0.10, respectively) or control calves (92.9 ± 0.7 cm, 88.2 ± 0.5 cm, 80.1 ± 0.6 cm, and 1.30 ± 0.08, respectively). There was significant treatment × week interaction for all pre-weaning growth parameters. Breed differences were detected but there was no treatment × breed interaction. Post-weaning, 4 kg/t calves and 6 kg/t calves had significantly higher ADG compared to control calves (0.80 ± 0.03 kg, 0.85 ± 0.03 kg versus 0.70 ± 0.03 kg, respectively; <i>p</i> = 0.0047). It is concluded that under the conditions of this study, supplementing heifer calves with ECAB during pre-weaning period resulted in improved growth performance and there appears to be a post-weaning carry-over effect. |
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| spelling | doaj.art-3c6b6cc3c99740b9ab168ac18a9feee42023-11-20T09:33:15ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-08-01108138010.3390/ani10081380Novel Encapsulated Calcium Butyrate Supplement Enhances On-Farm Dairy Calf Growth Performance and Body Conformation in a Pasture-Based Dairy Production SystemAduli Enoch Othniel Malau-Aduli0Razaq Oladimeji Balogun1John Roger Otto2Sumita Verma3Maduka Wehella4David Jones5College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, AustraliaKemin Industries (Asia) Pte Limited, 12 Senoko Drive, Singapore 758200, SingaporeCollege of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, AustraliaSchool of Land and Food, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaSchool of Land and Food, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaWillowdene Dairy Farm, Hamilton, Tasmania 7140, AustraliaThe effect of supplementing neonatal heifer calves with varying levels of ECAB on pre-weaning growth performance was investigated. Post-weaning growth was also measured, to determine any carry-over effect of pre-weaning supplementation of ECAB. Forty-eight heifer calves (7 ± 0.4 days old, average liveweight of 39.3 ± 5.3 kg) were utilized in a complete randomised experimental design, comprising 16 calves per pen, randomly allocated to one of the following three treatments: (1) Basal commercial calf starter mix without ECAB (Control); (2) control plus 4 kg/ton of ECAB (Low); and (3) control plus 6 kg/ton of ECAB (High). Calves were group-fed ad libitum for 77 days (11 weeks, pre-weaning period) with free choice access to water and 5.5 L of milk per head per day through an automated feeder. Calves were weighed weekly during the pre-weaning period, after which all calves were then weaned onto the same ryegrass pasture as one group. At approximately 9 months of age, calves were weighed to estimate post-weaning body weight gain. During the pre-weaning period, average daily dry matter feed intake was similar for 4 kg/ton and 6 kg/ton calves (649 g versus 688 g, respectively) and both were greater than that of the control calves (382 g). Average daily gain (ADG) was significantly higher for 4 kg/ton calves compared to 6 kg/ton calves or control calves (0.83 ± 0.03 kg, 0.74 ± 0.03 kg and 0.71 ± 0.03 kg, respectively; <i>p</i> = 0.0001). Similarly, 4 kg/ton calves had significantly increased chest girth (95.9 ± 0.7 cm), withers height (88.9 ± 0.5 cm), body length (82.9 ± 0.6 cm), and body condition score (1.99 ± 0.12) compared to 6 kg/ton calves (93.4 ± 0.7 cm, 87.4 ± 0.7, 81.5 ± 0.6 cm, and 1.67 ± 0.10, respectively) or control calves (92.9 ± 0.7 cm, 88.2 ± 0.5 cm, 80.1 ± 0.6 cm, and 1.30 ± 0.08, respectively). There was significant treatment × week interaction for all pre-weaning growth parameters. Breed differences were detected but there was no treatment × breed interaction. Post-weaning, 4 kg/t calves and 6 kg/t calves had significantly higher ADG compared to control calves (0.80 ± 0.03 kg, 0.85 ± 0.03 kg versus 0.70 ± 0.03 kg, respectively; <i>p</i> = 0.0047). It is concluded that under the conditions of this study, supplementing heifer calves with ECAB during pre-weaning period resulted in improved growth performance and there appears to be a post-weaning carry-over effect.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/8/1380heifer calvesencapsulated calcium butyrategrowth performancebody conformation |
| spellingShingle | Aduli Enoch Othniel Malau-Aduli Razaq Oladimeji Balogun John Roger Otto Sumita Verma Maduka Wehella David Jones Novel Encapsulated Calcium Butyrate Supplement Enhances On-Farm Dairy Calf Growth Performance and Body Conformation in a Pasture-Based Dairy Production System Animals heifer calves encapsulated calcium butyrate growth performance body conformation |
| title | Novel Encapsulated Calcium Butyrate Supplement Enhances On-Farm Dairy Calf Growth Performance and Body Conformation in a Pasture-Based Dairy Production System |
| title_full | Novel Encapsulated Calcium Butyrate Supplement Enhances On-Farm Dairy Calf Growth Performance and Body Conformation in a Pasture-Based Dairy Production System |
| title_fullStr | Novel Encapsulated Calcium Butyrate Supplement Enhances On-Farm Dairy Calf Growth Performance and Body Conformation in a Pasture-Based Dairy Production System |
| title_full_unstemmed | Novel Encapsulated Calcium Butyrate Supplement Enhances On-Farm Dairy Calf Growth Performance and Body Conformation in a Pasture-Based Dairy Production System |
| title_short | Novel Encapsulated Calcium Butyrate Supplement Enhances On-Farm Dairy Calf Growth Performance and Body Conformation in a Pasture-Based Dairy Production System |
| title_sort | novel encapsulated calcium butyrate supplement enhances on farm dairy calf growth performance and body conformation in a pasture based dairy production system |
| topic | heifer calves encapsulated calcium butyrate growth performance body conformation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/8/1380 |
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