Novel Encapsulated Calcium Butyrate Supplement Enhances On-Farm Dairy Calf Growth Performance and Body Conformation in a Pasture-Based Dairy Production System

Abstract

The effect of supplementing neonatal heifer calves with varying levels of ECAB on pre-weaning growth performance was investigated. Post-weaning growth was also measured, to determine any carry-over effect of pre-weaning supplementation of ECAB. Forty-eight heifer calves (7 ± 0.4 days old, average liveweight of 39.3 ± 5.3 kg) were utilized in a complete randomised experimental design, comprising 16 calves per pen, randomly allocated to one of the following three treatments: (1) Basal commercial calf starter mix without ECAB (Control); (2) control plus 4 kg/ton of ECAB (Low); and (3) control plus 6 kg/ton of ECAB (High). Calves were group-fed ad libitum for 77 days (11 weeks, pre-weaning period) with free choice access to water and 5.5 L of milk per head per day through an automated feeder. Calves were weighed weekly during the pre-weaning period, after which all calves were then weaned onto the same ryegrass pasture as one group. At approximately 9 months of age, calves were weighed to estimate post-weaning body weight gain. During the pre-weaning period, average daily dry matter feed intake was similar for 4 kg/ton and 6 kg/ton calves (649 g versus 688 g, respectively) and both were greater than that of the control calves (382 g). Average daily gain (ADG) was significantly higher for 4 kg/ton calves compared to 6 kg/ton calves or control calves (0.83 ± 0.03 kg, 0.74 ± 0.03 kg and 0.71 ± 0.03 kg, respectively; p = 0.0001). Similarly, 4 kg/ton calves had significantly increased chest girth (95.9 ± 0.7 cm), withers height (88.9 ± 0.5 cm), body length (82.9 ± 0.6 cm), and body condition score (1.99 ± 0.12) compared to 6 kg/ton calves (93.4 ± 0.7 cm, 87.4 ± 0.7, 81.5 ± 0.6 cm, and 1.67 ± 0.10, respectively) or control calves (92.9 ± 0.7 cm, 88.2 ± 0.5 cm, 80.1 ± 0.6 cm, and 1.30 ± 0.08, respectively). There was significant treatment × week interaction for all pre-weaning growth parameters. Breed differences were detected but there was no treatment × breed interaction. Post-weaning, 4 kg/t calves and 6 kg/t calves had significantly higher ADG compared to control calves (0.80 ± 0.03 kg, 0.85 ± 0.03 kg versus 0.70 ± 0.03 kg, respectively; p = 0.0047). It is concluded that under the conditions of this study, supplementing heifer calves with ECAB during pre-weaning period resulted in improved growth performance and there appears to be a post-weaning carry-over effect.

Genetics and nutrition impacts on herd productivity in the Northern Australian beef cattle production cycle

“…This increased antioxidant capacity can translate into enhanced ADG, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency. Improving the digestibility of pre-weaning calves through nutrient absorption by enhancing the development of rumen papillae has been investigated by Malau-Aduli et al., (2020) and Diao, Zhang and Fu, (2019) . Strategies to improve rumen papillae development include but are not limited to, increasing available volatile fatty acids such as butyrate, altering the particle size of the diet and supplementation with probiotics ( Malau-Aduli et al., 2020 ; Diao, Zhang and Fu, 2019 ; McCurdy et al., 2019 ).…”

“…Recent research into the effects of supplementing encapsulated calcium butyrate to pre-weaning calves ( Malau-Aduli et al., 2020 ; McCurdy et al., 2019 ) evaluated ADG, chest girth, wither height, body length and body condition score and found that supplemented calves weighed on average, nine kilograms more and had an ADG that was 0.1 kg higher than the unsupplemented group ( Malau-Aduli et al., 2020 ). The bodyweight (BW) of calves is moderately influenced by maternal genetic predisposition of the dam because the maternal heritability of BW is 0.42 in beef cattle ( Cortés-Lacruz et al., 2017 ).…”

“…Early calf weaning for faster and subsequently heavier turn-off weights through enhanced rumen papillae development at the pre-weaning stage can be targeted through supplementation with probiotics. This could potentially increase available butyrate, thus promoting rumen development, and in turn, enhance growth and productivity ( Malau-Aduli et al., 2020 ). Yeast is another probiotic that requires further research into maximising the benefits of productivity when incorporated into ruminant diets.…”