A High Roughage System for Raising Calves Based on the Early Development of Rumen Function. VII. Utilization of Grass Silage, Pasture, and Pelleted Alfalfa Meal

Abstract

Growth, feed consumption, digestibility and efficiency of feed utilization, volatile fatty acids in the rumen juice, and blood sugar levels were used as criteria in comparing various roughages for calf feeding. In the 1st experiment, 20 rumen-inoculated calves (18 Jerseys and 2 Hol-steins) were fed grass legume silage free choice along with limited hay and grain to 12 weeks of age. In a 2nd experiment, 14 calves (10 Jerseys, 4 Holsteins) were fed free choice pelleted alfalfa meal and a coarse grain mixture combined in a 1:1 ratio plus alfalfa hay free choice. Sixteen of the calves fed grass silage to 12 weeks of age were used during the 13-26 week age period to compare those fed Ladino clover pasture with those fed hay in the barn at a 2:1 ratio of hay to grain. Calves fed grass silage grew less, consumed less TDN, and made less efficient gains than the calves fed the pelleted alfalfa meal - alfalfa hay ration. Calves feeding on Ladino clover pasture and 2 lb. of oats daily gained more rapidly from 18-26 weeks than barn fed calves receiving a 2:1 ratio of hay to grain. Results indicated that good legume pasture may be substituted for hay in the high roughage system after the calves are 3 months of age. Volatile fatty acid content of rumen juice and blood glucose levels were highest in the calves fed alfalfa and lowest in calves fed grass silage.