Importance of colostrum supply and milk feeding intensity on gastrointestinal and systemic development in calves
Published on 06/02/2020
Feeding management of the postnatal and preweaning calf has an important impact on calf growth and development. After the colostrum feeding period, an intensive milk feeding protocol — that is, at least 20% of BW milk intake/day — is required to realize the calf’s potential for growth and organ development during the preweaning period. Insufficient milk intake delays postnatal growth and may have detrimental effects on organ development.
The authors of this paper posit that a change in early calf management is needed to follow the natural processes of preweaning calf rearing for robust, well-performing dairy cows and bulls.
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