Lactoferrin supplementation to dairy calves

Authors

R. S. Joslin, University of New Hampshire
Peter S. Erickson, University of New HampshireFollow
H. M. Santoro, University of New Hampshire
Nancy L. Whitehouse, University of New HampshireFollow
Charles G. Schwab, University of New HampshireFollow
J. J. Rejman, ImmuCell Corporation

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