Enhancing digestion efficiency and weaning success of dairy calves through provision of a novel calf starter

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Provision of higher quantities of milk to dairy calves has been shown to improve short- and long-term calf performance and efficiency, and overall welfare. A challenge with feeding higher levels of milk is the successful weaning off that milk. With calves having a natural preference for milk, they will tend to consume milk over solid feed when given the choice between the two. Therefore, feeding higher levels of milk can decrease the amount of solid feed calves consume prior to weaning. Weaning dairy calves off milk is a stressful transition and can have detrimental effects on calf physiology and behaviour. To help ease weaning stress, it is important that calves consume sufficient amounts of solid feed, prior to the removal of milk, for calves to develop their rumen and maintain their health and performance during this dietary transition. This requires a proper weaning protocol as well as the feeding of both a highly palatable and digestible feed during this time period. Thus, the objective of this project is to determine the impact of feeding a novel, milk by-product (whey) based calf starter on the growth, efficiency, and welfare of calves. A randomized study will be conducted to test the hypothesis that calves fed a milk by-product based calf starter will start to consume solid feed earlier in life, experience faster rumen development, and show greater efficiency of digestion post-weaning than calves fed only a traditional grain-based calf starter. Such research is important to Grand Valley Fortifiers, who specialize in animal nutrition, and feed products to support animal performance. Sound scientific research investigating the effects of this novel feed product is essential for Grand Valley Fortifiers to be able confidently advise their clientele on how best to feed calves early in life. This research will also complement research at the University of Guelph in discovering factors influencing physiological changes that occur as calves wean off milk onto solid feed. Specifically, this research will provide novel insight on a potential new feed to offer calves to encourage feed intake and ease weaning success. The primary beneficiaries of this research are the Canadian dairy producers who can utilize this feed to optimize growth, health, and welfare of their dairy calves.