Grass as a food for the calf I. The value of cut grass in the diet of the unweaned calf in comparison with hay and concentrates

Abstract

1. The relative nutritive value to the unweaned calf of concentrates-with-hay and of grass cut from pasture in spring was measured.2. No significant difference was found in liveweight gain or increase in body measurement between calves receiving these feedingstuffs.3. There was some indication that rumen development, as measured by belly girth, may have been affected by the diet.4. There was no interaction between the type of dry food consumed and the milk ration or housing conditions.5. Results indicate that good quality grass, free from parasitic infestation, is capable of replacing hay and concentrates in the diet of the unweaned calf.