Calf rearing in the tropics: growth rates and utilisation of milk substitute diets

Twelve Brahman (Bos indicus) and 36 Holstein (Bos taurus) calves in Trinidad were fed on an amount of milk substitute equivalent to either 10 or 20% of their body weight each day. The diets contained either 10, 20 or 30% added fat. Nutrient balances were studied for 21 days. The liveweight gains of the calves depended on the quantity of milk fed and the breed of calf (Holstein greater than Brahman) but were independent of fat level. The Brahman calves were reluctant to accept milk substitute from a bucket. The digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and fat was slightly higher for the Holstein than for the Brahman calves but there was little difference between the ME requirements for the 2 breeds.