The effect of whole milk condensation by milk powder effervescent tablet on performance and health of neonatal Holstein dairy calves

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding a milk powder effervescent tablet to whole milk on the performance and health of neonatal Holstein dairy calves. Individually housed calves (۳۰ males and ۳۰ females) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments from ۰ to ۵۶ d pre-weaning: ۱) whole milk, ۲) whole milk with ۳% milk replacer, and ۳) whole milk containing ۳% milk powder effervescent tablet. From ۵۶ to ۷۰ d post-weaning, the calves were kept in the experiment until ۷۰ d with the same starter feed. Calves enrolled in the study were fed ۶ L/d of pasteurized whole milk in buckets twice daily at ۰۶۰۰ and ۱۶۰۰ from d ۰ to ۵۰, followed by morning feeding (۲ L/d) from d ۵۱ to ۵۶ of age. Calves were weaned at d ۵۶. Starter consumption, ambient temperature, and the fecal score were recorded daily. Calves were weighed every two weeks from birth until the end of the experiment. Rectal body temperature and frame development were measured on birth, weaning, and the final day of the experiment. The blood sample was taken at ۵۶, and ۷۰ d. Increasing the concentration of liquid feed by milk replacer powder and milk powder effervescent tablet improved body weight, average daily gain, heart girth, withers, and hip height without compromising any negative effects on average blood metabolites, rectal body temperature, average fecal score, and diarrhea duration. Also, increment of milk solids had no significant effects on starter intake during pre- and post-weaning. In conclusion, the condensation of whole milk with milk powder effervescent tablets up to ۱۵.۵% could be recommended as it facilitates a more practical concentration of milk for dairy calves. In summary, we strongly recommend using effervescent tablets formulated with milk powder to achieve a concentrated whole milk solution of ۱۵.۵%. This method not only enhances the practicality of milk concentration but also benefits the nutritional needs of dairy calves.

کلیدواژه ها:

milk solids increment ، liquid feed ، milk self-dissolving tablet ، suckling calf