The Nutrition of the Young Ayrshire Calf

Abstract

An expt. was devised to test whether young (non-ruminating) calves were as dependent on a dietary source of amino acids as simple-stomached animals. Four Ayrshire calves were used as test animals and gelatin (as a very unbalanced protein), casein (deficient in cystine) and dried skim milk were used as protein sources. Protein was fed to supply only 11.9% of the total dietary energy. Biological values were calculated from N balances and basal energy exchanges, and averaged 92.3 for dried skim milk, 78.8 for casein and 29.5 for gelatin. Close agreement was noted with biological values for these proteins with other, non-ruminant, species. Mean daily changes in body wt. were + 268, + 241 and - 271 g. for dried skim milk, casein and gelatin diets, respectively. Considerable hair loss was noted among the exptl. animals, particularly when the casein diet was fed. The significance of the findings in relation to formulation of rations for calf rearing is discussed.