Influence of feeding mustard oil cake and soybean meal in calf starter on growth and blood metabolites of crossbred dairy calves

Abstract

The study was designed to envisage the changes in growth measurements and blood metabolites of crossbred dairy calves in response to calf starters feeding with different protein sources. All calves up to three days of age were kept on colostrum feeding. Then, calves were given 2.5 L of fresh whole milk for up to 10 days and 3 L of fresh whole milk for up to 56 days. Calves were fed a farm starter (control), other dietary groups starter containing mustard oil cake (MOC), soybean meal (SM), and a mixture of MOC and SM as MOCSM protein sources. Starting on day 21, all of the calves received starter feeds. On day 56, they were weaned, and the study included calves until day 70. Data were recorded on dry matter intake, growth measurements and blood nutrients profile. Calves consumed greater DM when MOC in the starter was supplied, which was 22.5% more than that of the control-fed group. Calves feeding with SM and MOCSM consumed almost similar quantities of DM at 220.87 and 224.87 g/head/day, respectively. The BWG of calves increased significantly by 5.04 and 4.06% more in the MOC-fed group than in the SM and MOCSM groups. MOC, SM, and MOCSM-fed calves had similar (p > 0.05) BLG; however, the control diet had significantly lower BLG. Blood glucose levels did not vary among the calves fed the control, MOC, SM, and MOCSM diets. Significantly higher serum albumin, urea, and BUN concentrations were found in MOC diet-fed calves than in others. Calcium and phosphorus concentration varied significantly among dietary groups and was noticeably lower in the control group compared to the other dietary groups. The results revealed that calf starters endowed with MOC as a protein source and in combination with SM were found advantageous in improving body growth and development.