Effect of diets containing whole or ground corn with and without soybean hulls on feeding calves during the suckling phase

Abstract

This work evaluated the use of soybean hulls and whole or ground corn in the diets of suckling calves. Diets containing two levels of soybean hull inclusion (0 and 400.1 g/kg) and corn in different physical forms (whole or ground) were evaluated in the diets of newborn crossbred dairy calves that were housed and received experimental diets plus four liters of milk per day over 56 days. Weekly samples of food, diets and leftovers were taken to determine dry matter and nutrient intake. To evaluate the apparent digestibility, samples were taken from the diets, leftovers and feces for three consecutive days using titanium dioxide as an indicator. Blood samples were also collected to evaluate the blood indicators. Including soybean hulls in the diet increased the consumption of neutral detergent fiber but reduced the consumption of non-fibrous carbohydrates, which was also reduced by using whole corn in the diet. Total digestible nutrient consumption did not vary, although its value was reduced by using whole corn and including soybean hulls. The apparent digestibilities of the dry matter and crude protein were similar, resulting in similar performances between the animals, regardless of the factors analyzed. Using soybean hulls or whole corn did not affect blood indicators or feeding costs. Soybean hull or whole corn usage did not affect the performance of crossbred dairy calves during rearing.