Evaluation of wheat gluten in milk replacers and calf starters

Two trials were conducted to evaluate wheat gluten as an ingredient in calf feeds. In one trial, Holstein bull calves (n = 120) were assigned for 6 wk to one of five milk replacers, which contained different percentages of CP and different percentages of protein furnished from soluble wheat gluten. Within a given protein percentage, BW gains of calves were not affected by the percentage of protein that was supplied as wheat gluten. Calves fed milk replacer containing 18% CP with 33% wheat gluten gained as much as calves fed replacers containing 20% CP. In another trial, newborn Holstein calves (n = 62) were used. Protein supplements of the calf starters used until 7 wk of age were either soybean meal or spray-dried wheat gluten and soybean meal. No significant differences were observed between the two treatments. Also, no significant carry-over effect occurred when all calves received a common diet from 7 to 10 wk of age.