• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2012

The present survey was conducted to provide basic information on Hanwoo calf management. Eight hundred and sixty-two Hanwoo breeding farms from all nine provinces were surveyed via personal interviews. The percentages of farms categorized by herd size were 30.5%, 32.8%, 26.0% and 10.7% for <50 heads, 51-100 heads, 101-200 heads, and >200 heads, respectively. More than 50% of farms offered calf starter at 6-10 days of age, showing that calf starter was offered relatively at an earlier age. Calf starter was replaced every three days by 30.1% of farms. The percentages of farms replacing starter weekly (19.2%) were even higher than those of replacing starter daily (18.8%), suggesting that the frequency of replacing starter needs to be increased to maintain starter freshness and to increase starter intake. About one-third of farms offered forage at 6-10 days of age and 21% of farms offered even at 1-5 days of age although it has been well known that forage does not contain either nutrient density or nutrient profile necessary to stimulate rumen papillae development, especially before weaning. Furthermore, about half of farms used rice straw with calf starter. Water was offered relatively at an earlier age (1-5 days of age) by 55% of farms. Deciding when to wean calves should be based on starter intake rather than age but less than 50% of farms decided weaning age by starter intake. In conclusions, to reduce weaning age of Hanwoo calves by rapid rumen papillae development it is necessary to provide fresh starter and water by increasing frequency of starter replacing and water trough cleaning and not to feed forage before weaning.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 2010

Effect of molasses addition to complete calf starter (CCS) and the following pellet processing was evaluated with 12 Holstein-Friesian (HF) calves (7-14 d old with $42\;{\pm}\;5.5\;kg$ average BW), with 6 calves (replicate) per treatment. The CCS was formulated with 65% concentrate calf starter and 35% local corn fodder. On the CCS, molasses was added either 5% (M5) or 10% (M10), then the mixture was pelleted and fed to the calves for 7 weeks. Molasses addition, regardless of addition level, improved (p<0.05) both the durability and hardness of the pellet which contains 35% of high fibrous local corn fodder. Upon feeding to calves, the feed intake and daily gain were numerically higher with 5% molasses addition compared to 10% molasses addition. Blood VFA level was remarkably higher (p<0.01) in calves fed M10 than calves fed M5. There was no difference (p>0.05) in blood glucose level between M5 and M10. Length and number of papillae were not different (p>0.05) by the addition levels of molasses. However, there was one exception in number of papillae at caudo-dorsal sac which were higher (p<0.05) number in M5 than M10 calves. Considering the quality of CCS pellet, calf performance and rumen development, there was no additional benefit of 10% molasses addition compared to 5%. From the results of this study, 5% molasses addition could be recommended for local farmer when they utilize local corn fodder to make CCS for HF calves in Indonesia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.295-298
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• 1996

An experiment was planned to investigate the effect of early weaned calves on their growth performance. Twelve newly born Sahiwal male calves were employed for this study. These calves were divided into four groups (A, B, C, D); three animals in each group. Calves weaned at 13 weeks (A), a traditional method of calf rearing in Pakistan, received whole milk throughout the experimental period of 90 days while calves weaned at 8 (B), 6 (C) and 4 (D) weeks received the starter ration to compensate the reduced milk allowance. Weight gain of calves of all groups remained unaffected statistically. However, the average daily body weight gains of calves weaned at 6 (300 grams) and 8 (377 grams) weeks of age were similar to those weaned at 13 (368 grams) weeks of age. The results of this study suggest that calf weaning could successfully be obtained at 6 weeks of age with the abundant provision of palatable and nutritious starter ration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2020

Objective: The current study was carried out to examine the response of different levels of fat and protein in calf starter on nutrient utilisation, nitrogen metabolism, weight gain, blood parameters, and immunity level in pre-ruminant calves. Methods: Twenty four calves (5 days old) were divided into six groups in a 2×3 factorial design, with two levels of fat (10% and 14%) and three levels of protein (18%, 21%, and 24%). The calves were kept in individual pens for 120 days and fed with whole milk (1/10th of body weight) and calf starter ad-libitum. Daily dry matter intake was recorded; whereas body weight was taken on fortnightly basis to calculate average daily gain. During the growth trial blood samples were collected at 30 days interval to estimate blood glucose, albumin, total protein, total leucocyte count, total immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin G levels. A metabolic trial of seven days was carried out to find out the digestibility of different nutrients. Results: The dry matter intake was reduced (p<0.05) with higher fat and protein levels whereas feed conversion efficiency was improved (p<0.05) with higher protein level. Different levels of fat and protein in calf ration did not affect average daily gain in calves. The dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestibility were significantly (p<0.01) higher with increased level of protein. The nitrogen retention was also significantly higher (p<0.05) at 24% protein level, similarly the total immunoglobulin was significantly (p<0.05) high in higher protein fed groups, showed better immunity. Conclusion: The present finding suggested that 10% fat and 18% protein level of calf starter could be used in Sahiwal calves for optimum performance in terms of weight gain and immunity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.643-649
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding direct-fed microbials (DFM) on the growth performance and prophylaxis of calf diarrhea during the pre-weaning period as an alternative to antibiotics. A multi-species DFM was formulated including three lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus salivarius Ls29, Pediococcus acidilactia Pa175, and L. plantarum Lp177), three Bacillus strains (B. subtilis T4, B. polymyxa T1 and SM2), one yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, and a nonpathogenic E. coli Nissle 1917. Lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus strains were selected based on the antibacterial activity against various animal pathogens, especially pathogenic E. coli using agar diffusion methods in vitro. Test and control groups were fed milk replacer and calf starter supplemented with DFM ($10^9$ cfu each of eight species/d/head, n = 29) or with antibiotics (0.1% neomycin sulfate in milk replacer and Colistin 0.08% and Oxyneo 110/110 0.1% in calf starter, n = 15), respectively. Overall fecal score and the incidence rate of diarrhea were reduced in the DFM group compared to the antibiotics one. About 40% of calves in antibiotic group suffered from diarrhea while in DFM group only 14% showed diarrhea. There was no difference in the average daily gain and feed efficiency of two groups. The hematological levels of calves were all within the normal range with no significant difference. In conclusion, the feeding of multispecies DFM during the pre-weaning period could reduce calf diarrhea and there was no difference in the growth performance between the groups, thus showing the potential as an alternative to antibiotics.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.239-243
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of supplementation of ${\beta}$-mannanase (CTCZYME$^{(R)}$, CTCBIO, Inc.) on feed intake, growth performance and fecal health of calves fed two levels (3% vs. 8%) of palm kernel meal (PKM). A total of nine Holstein calves were divided into three groups, and fed a conventional starter containing 3% PKM (CON), CON+0.1% CTCZYME$^{(R)}$ (TRT1), or a starter containing 8% PKM+0.1% CTCZYME$^{(R)}$ (TRT2). No clinical symptom of calves was observed through the trial. We did not find significant differences among the treatments on mean feed intake, growth performance, or fecal health during the four-week experimental period. Feed efficiency tended to be improved by adding CTCZYME$^{(R)}$ (0.46, 0.87 and 0.52 for CON, TRT1 and TRT2, respectively). Compared with CON (921 g/d and 786 g/d), TRT2 had lower feed intake (727 g/d) and average daily gain (ADG, 631 g/d) before weaning. However, feed intake (2300 g/d) and ADG (1012 g/d) were similar or even higher in TRT2 than CON (2269 g/d and 560 g/d) after weaning. This was probably due to the effect of a large amount of mannan-oligosaccharide released from PKM by ${\beta}$-mannanase. Salmonella was not detected any fecal samples. No significant difference was observed in the number of fecal E. coli or fecal properties including color, smell, and watery indexes among the treatments. We conclude that a calf starter containing 8% PKM with 0.1% CTCZYME$^{(R)}$ is comparable with a conventional starter in feed intake and growth performance of calf, which is beneficial in terms of reduction in feed cost.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1239-1244
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• 2000

In order to investigate the effect of incorporation of thermally processed cereal (maize) grain and differently degradable protein sources in the calf starter, twenty four newly born crossbred $(Bos\;taurus{\times}Bos\;indicus)$ calves were assigned at random to six diets in a $3{\times}2$ factorial design involving three protein sources viz. groundnut meal (GN), cottonseed meal (CS) and meat and bone meal (MB), each along with two differently processed grain, namely ground raw (R) and pressure cooked (P) maize. The corresponding calf starters with green oats (Avena sativa) were given free-choice from 14 d onwards till the end of the 90 d experimental feeding. A restricted milk diet was fed till the age of weaning at 60 d. Total DM intake was not affected by cereal or protein sources. However, daily intake of DM (59.23 vs 66.45 g) and CP (12.38 vs 14.10 g) per kg $W^{0.75}$ was reduced (p<0.05) due to cereal processing. Better (p<0.05) feed and protein efficiencies after weaning and during entire period in calves fed processed maize resulted in a trend of higher $(p{\leq}092)$ growth rate especially when GN was the source of protein. In comparison among protein sources, calves fed MB diets tended to grow faster $(p{\leq}098)$ concurrent with a higher CP intake before weaning. It is thus evident that thermal processing of maize in the calf starter seems to improve calf performance. Moreover, results indicated that feeding of protein and starch sources of matching ruminal degradability may prove beneficial for early growth of crossbred calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.185-187
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• 1988

A total of 22 energy balance trials were done for calves fed a liquid milk replacer, calf starter and second cut mixed hay during weaning period. Milk replacer supplied 50% of the total dietary energy, calf starter 42% and hay 8% Live weight of calves averaged 64.6 ($S.D.{\pm}7.8$) kg and daily gain 0.54 (${\pm}0.22$) kg. The metabolizability of gross energy averaged 0.751. A regression was calculated relating energy retention (ER, $kJ/kg^{0.75}$) to the intake of metabolizable energy (IME, $kJ/kg^{0.75}$): $$ER=0.69({\pm}0.09)IME-395,\;r=0.888,\;P<0.01,\;S.E.{\pm}7.1$$. Metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm) was calculated to be $572kJ/kg^{0.75}$ when ER = 0. The amount of IME over MEm for an individual animal (MEg, $kJ/kg^{0.75}$) was regressed on average daily gain (ADG, kg) by the method of regression through the origin: $$MEg=364({\pm}55)ADG,\;r=0.634,\;P<0.01,\;S.E.{\pm}12$$. The amount of ME required for maintenance and growth was estimated to be $936kJ/kg^{0.75}$.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.1114-1125
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• 2021

Supplying a sufficient amount of high-quality colostrum is a prevailing challenge in Hanwoo calf production systems. This study aimed to describe the efficiency of a lacteal-derived colostrum replacer versus natural bovine colostrum (from Holstein) fed to Hanwoo calves. Forty newborn Hanwoo calves (25 males and 15 females; 30.7 ± 3.15 kg body weight [mean ± standard deviation]) were blocked by sex and birth weight and fed either natural colostrum or a commercial colostrum replacer. Calves displayed a narrow difference in the evolution of body weight and structural body dimensions when they received a commercial versus natural colostrum. Minor differences existed in the starter and total dry matter consumption between calves fed natural or commercial colostrum. Although the colostrum source had no significant effects on days to first diarrhea (average of 7.6 days; p = 0.17), the duration of diarrhea was longer in natural colostrum-fed calves (3.2 vs. 4.5 days; p = 0.04). Consumption of natural colostrum resulted in greater mean serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) on day 2 (14.7 vs. 10.8 ± 0.92 mg/mL) and day 7 (8.21 vs. 5.12 ± 0.82 mg/mL) of calf life, resulting in a greater proportion of commercial colostrum-fed calves (50% vs. 15%; day 2) to experience failure of passive transfer of immunity (serum IgG < cutoff point of 10 mg/mL). Overall, growth rate, body frame development, and incidence of diarrheal disease were not different in both groups. These results suggested that the colostrum replacer product tested in this study could be an alternative to natural colostrum derived from Holstein cow in securing calf growth and health in Hanwoo calf-rearing operations.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1031-1040
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding milk replacer (MR) with varying levels of lactose and the increased supply of total solids (from 750 to 960 g/d) on performance, blood metabolites, and health of Holstein male calves during the preweaning period. Methods: Forty newborn Holstein calves (10 per treatment) were blocked according to birth weight and date of birth and distributed in a randomized block design to different liquid diets: Whole milk powder (WMP) diluted to 125 g/L solids; MR with 48% lactose (48L), diluted to 125 g/L solids; MR with 53% lactose (53L), diluted to 125 g/L solids; 53L MR corrected to 160 g/L solids (16TS) by the inclusion of a solid corrector. Calves were individually housed in wood hutches, fed 6 L/d of the liquid diet, and had free water and starter concentrate access. The study lasted 56 days. Results: Liquid diet intake was higher for calves fed 16TS than for other treatments. Calves fed 16TS presented higher protein and fat intake, followed by those fed WMP and the 48L or 53L MRs. Lactose intake was higher for 16TS-fed calves, followed by 53L, 48L, and WMP-fed calves. Starter and total dry matter intake did not differ among liquid diets. The average daily gain was higher for 16TS than 48L-fed calves, with the other treatments being intermediary. The lowest feed efficiency was observed for calves fed 48L. No effects on health were observed, as well as on selected blood metabolites, except for albumin concentration, which was higher for calves fed 16TS and WMP. Conclusion: Higher total solids content (160 g/L) in MR increases nutrient intake and consequently improves the performance of dairy calves. Feeding MRs with levels of lactose up to 53% of the DM had no deleterious effect on the performance or health of the calves.