Milk-fed calves: 3. The milk intake, herbage intake and performance of suckled calves

Abstract

SUMMARYTwo trials were conducted to measure the herbage intake of South Devon cross calves suckling Hereford × Friesian cows and to test the validity of applying the relationships established between milk and herbage intake and milk intake and live-weight gain for artificially fed calves to suckled calves. In Expt 1 the milk and herbage intakes of eight calves were monitored. Their average milk consumption was 2250 kg and their growth rate was 1·14 kg/day. Both milk consumption and growth rate were higher than those recorded in other studies with artificially-reared calves. Nevertheless, it was possible to predict the herbage intake and growth rate of the calves from the relationship previously established for artificially reared calves. The nutrition of cows in Expt 2 was manipulated to induce changes in milk production and the consequent effect on the herbage intake of their calves assessed. Milk consumption was at a lower level and herbage intakes fell within the expected range. Herbage intake also responded to changes in the milk production of the cows. The observed herbage intakes and live-weight gains were similar to those predicted from previously established relationships with artificially fed calves.