The effect of starch level and starter texture on the performance, digestibility, and blood metabolites of Holstein dairy calves

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Javad Talebi Bersiani 1
Ali Moharreri 2
Fariborz Khajali 2
Mohammad Javad Zamiri 3
1 Ph. D Student of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord- Iran
2 Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord- Iran
3 Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz- Iran
10.22034/IJVCS.2024.14934.1107
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of starch level and physical form on the performance of dairy calves. Forty-eight three-day-old calves were randomly assigned to four treatments in a factorial design: (1) high starch with ground starter with, (2) low starch with pelleted starter, (3) low starch with ground starter, (4) low starch with pelleted starter. The results of this study indicated that calves consuming the high-starch diet with a meal texture had a higher dry matter intake compared to those on the high-starch diet with a pellet texture. However, dry matter intake in the low-starch treatments was not affected by feed texture. During the post weaning and overall periods, ADG tended to be greater in calves fed GS than in those fed PS (P<0.05). Furthermore, Calves fed PS had lower DMI compared with those fed GS. Heart girth was greater for calves fed HS compared with those fed LS, body barrel tended to be greater for HS compared with those fed LS and also GS-supplemented calves compared with PS-supplemented calves. Blood concentration of Glucose concentrations was greater for calves fed high starch and triglycerides concentrations were greater in calves on the low starch diets (P<0.05). Apparent DM, OM, neutral detergent fiber, and EE values were greater in calves fed HS than in those fed LS (P<0.05). In conclusion, ground form of the starter feeds can be used when calves are fed high starch diets and might influence better performance.
Keywords
Starter
Performance Dairy Calf
Starch
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Volume 18, Issue 2 - Serial Number 31
Fall & winter 2024/2025
January 2025
Pages 99-109