ABSTRACT
Objective
Bedding with long straw improves animal health and performance but could affect digestibility
measurements if calves consume the bedding. Feeding hay with calf starters is common
practice; however due to the limited capacity of the young calf’s rumen, high levels
of roughage can lead to decreased DMI, digestibility, and ADG. The objectives of this
study were to evaluate the effect of long-straw bedding and free-choice hay on nutrient
digestibility in calves less than 2 mo old.
Materials and Methods
Sixteen calves (45.4 ± 1.18 kg of BW, 3 d of age) were bedded on long wheat straw or on rubber mats and fed
diets with or without free-choice, long-grass hay. Calves were fed a 25% CP, 17% fat
milk-replacer powder at 0.66 kg of DM 2 times per day for 35 d and then 0.33 kg of
milk replacer 1 time per day for 7 d. Milk replacer was diluted to 14% DM. Calves
were fed free-choice textured starter and water for the entire 56-d trial. Hay was
5.4% CP and 62.8% NDF (DM basis). Digestibility was estimated on d 47 to 51 using
acid insoluble ash in feeds and feces as an internal marker.
Results and Discussion
Hay intake varied and reduced the digestion of dietary DM, OM, CP, and fat by calves.
As hay intake increased, digestion of OM decreased linearly.
Implications and Applications
Long wheat straw as bedding did not change estimates of digestion in young calves
consuming coarse, textured starter, whereas moderate- to low-quality hay intake reduced
digestion.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 31,
2019
Received:
February 19,
2019
Footnotes
This research was completely funded by Provimi, where the authors work. There were no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.
