Effect of replacing calf starter feed with lucerne leaf-meal on diet intake, rumen degradation and growth of Holstein heifer calves

Abstract

A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of replacing calf starter feed with lucerne leaf-meal (LLM) on diet intake, rumen degradation and growth of Holstein heifer calves. The treatments were calf starter pellets (PEL), a mixture of 65% calf starter concentrate pellets and 35% LLM (P65L35), and a mixture of 50% calf starter concentrate pellets and 50% LLM (P50L50). The first part of the study determined nutrient composition of lucerne leaf-meal (LLM), calf starter pellets and lucerne leaf-meal substituted diets. The experimental design was a completely randomised design (CRD). Lucerne leaf-meal had high protein (25% DM) and gross energy (GE) (16.2 MJ/kg DM) levels; low starch (0.2% DM) and fibre fractions. All diets had similar (P>0.05) crude protein (CP) and GE values. The concentrate diet was higher (P<0.05) in starch, ether extracts and fibre bound CP (neutral detergent insoluble crude protein). The second part of the study estimated the supply of energy and protein fractions and carbohydrate composition from LLM and the diets. A CRD was used. Lucerne leaf-meal had high energy density and protein supply with low unavailable fibre and protein contents. All the treatments had TDN above 80%. Non-fibre carbohydrate levels differed (P<0.05) across treatments. The energy fractions were similar (P>0.05) across all dietary treatments. However, Diets P65L35 and P50L50 had higher (P<0.05) soluble and non-fibre carbohydrates than PEL diet. The third part of the study determined in vitro degradation of LLM and the three dietary treatments using the ANKOM DaisyII incubator system. Lucerne leaf-meal had high in vitro dry matter (IVDMD), organic matter (IVOMD), crude protein (IVCPD) and neutral detergent fibre (IVNDFD) degradation. All diets had similar (P>0.05) IVDMD and IVOMD at 0, 4, 10 and 48 hours of incubation. Higher (P<0.05) IVNDFD, IVCPD and effective degradation (ED) were observed in Diets P65L35 and P50L50 than in Diet PEL. No differences (P>0.05) in IVNDFD and IVCPD were observed at 24 and 48 hours of incubation. The rate of degradation (‘c’) was similar (P>0.05) across all the diets. The data demonstrated that LLM diets had higher (P<0.05) degradation values than Diet PEL. vi The fourth part of the study determined the effects of replacing calf starter pellets with lucerne leaf-meal on diet intake, feed conversion ratio and growth of pre-weaned (21 to 42 days old calves) and transition (43 to 56 days old calves) Holstein heifer calves. The experimental design was a completely randomised design, with a total of 24 calves housed in individual pens. This study was divided into two experimental phases, namely, pre-weaning (Experiment 1) and transition (Experiment 2) phases. In each experiment, different calves were used. Body weights were taken weekly. The balance of ruminal nitrogen (% RNB) was predicted using Large Ruminant Nutrition System (LRNS) model. In Experiment 1 calves had free access to clean water and fed 4 litres/calf/day of unpasteurised milk. During the pre-weaning phase, differences (P<0.05) were observed in solid feed dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and starch intakes with Diet P50L50 having higher (P<0.05) intakes than Diets PEL and P65L35. Similarly, higher (P<0.05) % RNB and daily weight gains (ADG) were observed with calves on Diet P50L50. However, calves had similar (P>0.05) initial and final weights and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Calves in Experiment 2 were fed 2 litres/calf/day of unpasteurised milk. Calves were weaned at the age of 56 days. During the transition phase, calves on Diet HP50L50 had higher (P<0.05) CP intake and % RNB than those on HPEL and HP65L35 diets. However, higher (P<0.05) solid feed starch intake was observed with calves on Diet HPEL. All dietary treatments had similar (P>0.05) DM intake, initial and final live weights, ADG and FCR. The fifth part of the study predicted diet concentrations of Holstein heifer calves under specific conditions using the level 1 solution of Large Ruminant Nutrition System (LRNS) model. During the pre-weaning phase, P65L35 and P50L50 diets indicated higher (P<0.05) energy density values than Diet PEL. However, all diets had similar (P>0.05) metabolisable energy levels. No differences (P>0.05) in net energy for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg) during the transition phase were observed. However, Diet HPEL had higher (P<0.05) apparent TDN and ME levels compared to other dietary treatments. Diets P65L35 and P50L50 had higher (P<0.05) protein, energy density and degradation values than Diet PEL. It is concluded LLM inclusions in the calf diet improved Holstein heifer calves’ performance.