Productive response of calves fed RELAC milk replacer at different growth stages

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of including RELAC milk replacer at different growth stages on dry matter intake, crude protein, crude fiber and average daily gain in crossbred dairy calves.

Materials and Methods: Forty-five crossbred dairy calves (Holstein × Zebu) aged 15 days and with an average live weight of 28,0 kg (± 2 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatments with 15 animals each. Treatment I (control) consisted of feeding Raltec Milk-17-1 until 90 days of age (weaning). Treatment II included Raltec Milk-17-1 until 60 days, followed by RELAC plus a whole diet until weaning. In treatment III, the animals received Raltec Milk-17-1 until 30 days of age and then switched to RELAC with a whole diet until 90 days of age. Both milk replacers were administered at a dose of 4 kg animal^-1 day^-1 divided into two feedings, with Raltec reconstituted at 100 g L^-1 of water and RELAC at 120 g L^-1. Live weight was determined every 15 days and ADG was obtained for each stage.

Results: The results showed differences (p < 0,05) in daily dry matter, crude protein and crude fiber intake between the different experimental stages. However, no differences (p > 0,05) were observed in average daily gain (ADG) among treatments, although calves in treatment III had lower ADG between 30 and 60 days compared with groups I and II.

Conclusions: The use of RELAC since 30 days of age did not negatively affect the productive performance of calves compared with conventional milk replacer (Raltec Milk-17-1), suggesting its viability as an alternative in calf feeding in dairy production systems.