The effects of increasing amounts of milk replacer powder added to whole milk on mammary gland measurements using ultrasound in dairy heifers.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of increasing total solids (TS) in the liquid diet during the preweaning phase on mammary gland development in dairy heifers. The increase in TS was obtained with the addition of milk replacer powder to whole milk. Crossbreed Holstein-Gyr heifers (n = 60) were distributed in 4 treatments with different TS concentrations: 13.5% (n = 15), 16.1% (n = 15), 18.2% (n = 15), and 20.4% (n = 15). The liquid diets were provided from 5 to 55 d of age. From 56 to 59 d of age, the total amount of liquid feed was reduced by half. Heifers were weaned at 60 d and monitored until 90 d of age. Ultrasound mammary gland evaluations were performed weekly between 5 to 11 wk of age, using a B-mode ultrasound equipped with microconvex transducer at a frequency of 6 MHz. In those same weeks, the manual palpation of mammary parenchyma (PAR) was performed. Increased TS concentration of liquid diet during the preweaning period increased body weight of heifers, but did not alter PAR growth and the deposition of adipose tissue in the mammary gland evaluated by ultrasonography. The oval-shaped structure of PAR was altered after 2 mo of age. In the evaluated period, PAR growth was isometric with respect to the body growth rate. Palpation scoring of PAR had a strong correlation with the ultrasound evaluation of the PAR.

The effects of increasing amounts of milk replacer powder added to whole milk on feed intake and performance in dairy heifers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on feed intake, heifer performance, and health of increasing the total solids (TS) content of liquid feed (whole milk) by adding increasing amounts of milk replacer powder during the pre- and postweaning periods. Crossbred Holstein-Gyr heifers (n=60) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (n=15 per group), which consisted of different TS concentrations: 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, and 20.0% of liquid feed. Heifers received 6 L of liquid feed per day, divided into 2 equal meals (0800 and 1600h) and provided in buckets, from 5 to 55d of age. From 56 to 59d of age, the total amount of liquid feed was reduced by half, maintaining only morning feedings. Heifers were weaned at 60d and monitored until 90d of age. Water and starter were provided ad libitum during the entire experiment. Corn silage was included in the diet during the postweaning period (70d of age). Feed intake and health scores were evaluated daily. Body weight and body frame development were recorded weekly. Starting at 14d, ruminal pH was measured every other week. Laboratory analysis determined that the actual TS contents of the liquid feed were 13.5, 16.1, 18.2, and 20.4%, for the proposed 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, and 20.0% TS treatments, respectively. The osmolality of liquid feed treatments was 265 to 533mOsm/L. Intake of liquid feed was similar among treatments from 4wk of age. During the preweaning period, starter intake, fecal score, and days with diarrhea were similar among treatments. Ruminal pH at weaning averaged 6.2 and was similar among treatments. Increasing concentrations of TS in the liquid feed were associated with linear increases in average daily gain, final body weight, and growth performance, but linear decreases in feed efficiency. During the postweaning period, intake of starter, corn silage, and water were similar among treatments, as well as average daily gain and feed efficiency. Final body weight and growth performance during the postweaning period also increased linearly with concentration of TS in liquid feed. Increasing the concentration of TS in liquid feed up to 20.4% increased performance and body frame development in dairy heifers during the pre- and postweaning periods and had no effects on solid feed intake or health.