The nutrition of the early-weaned calf VIII. The effect on nitrogen retention of diets containing different levels of fish meal

Abstract

SUMMARY1. All-concentrate diets containing four different levels of Peruvian (anchovy) fish meal and varying in crude protein content from 14·8% to 21·7% in dry matter were given ad libitum to 8 early-weaned Friesian calves over a live-weight range of 60–100 kg.2. Nitrogen retention was significantly higher on diets containing 21·7% and 19·4% crude protein in dry matter than on diets with 16·8% and 14·8% crude protein. Nitrogen retention as a percentage of dietary intake appeared to be less on the diet with 21·7% crude protein in dry matter than on the other diets.3. From these data it was calculated that the digestible crude protein requirement for a calf of 82 kg. live-weight gaining at 909 g. daily is between 270 and 340 g.