Carotene Requirements for Guernsey and Jersey Calves as Determined by Spinal Fluid Pressure

Abstract

Guernsey calves under exptl. conditions at Beltsville required an intake of 34 micrograms of carotene per pound of body wt. during the winter to maintain a normal spinal fluid pressure. On the same basis, Jersey calves required an intake of 32 micrograms. If inheritance is found to affect carotene requirements, it is possible that these values might need to be modified even for strains within the breed. This requirement is slightly higher than for Holstein and Ayrshire calves which, under similar conditions, require 30 micrograms of carotene per lb. of body wt. Apparently more attention should be given to the quality of hay used in feeding Guernsey and Jersey calves than in feeding Holstein or Ayrshire calves.