Lactoferrin supplementation to dairy calves
Abstract
Twenty-one Holstein calves (12 bulls, 9 heifers) were used to evaluate the effects of supplemental lactoferrin (0, 1, and 10 g/d) added to colostrum, milk, and milk replacer in a 56-d study. Calves fed lactoferrin (LF) weighed more during wk 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 than control calves. Calves fed LF had increased preweaning daily weight gains and heart girth gains compared with calves not fed lactoferrin. Calves fed 1 g/d LF had a greater preweaning average daily gain than calves fed 10 g/d of lactoferrin. Hematocrit and serum Fe were unaffected by treatments. Calves were weaned when they had consumed 0.7 kg of calf starter grain for 2 consecutive d and were at least 28 d of age. All calves were weaned by 35 d of age, regardless of starter intake. Calves fed LF consumed more calf starter grain during the preweaning period and met weaning criteria at a younger age. This study indicates that supplementing calf diets with LF is advantageous to calf performance.
Publication Date
5-1-2002
Journal Title
Journal of dairy science
Publisher
American Dairy Science Association
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(02)74187-8
Scientific Contribution Number
2098
Document Type
Article
Rights
©American Dairy Science Association, 2002.
Recommended Citation
Joslin, R. S.; Erickson, Peter S.; Santoro, H. M.; Whitehouse, Nancy L.; Schwab, Charles G.; and Rejman, J. J., "Lactoferrin supplementation to dairy calves" (2002). Journal of dairy science. 106.
https://scholars.unh.edu/nhaes/106