SUPPLEMENTATION OF EARLY WEANED CALVES WITH COMBINATIONS OF RUMEN MODIFIERS, COTTONSEED MEAL AND MOLASSES AND TREATMENT WITH AVERMECTIN B1

An investigation was conducted to determine whether the rumen modifiers lasalocid and avoparcin, when included in molasses/urea based supplements, enhanced liveweight performance, in early weaned calves. As part of the study the broad-spectrum parasiticle Avermectin B1 was given to the calves to assess any undesirable side effects on animals of less than four months of age. There were no significant (p>0.05) liveweight responses to supplementation when the rumen modifiers lasalocid and avoparcin were included in supplement rations. Lasalocid reduced supplement intake, however, it had no adverse effect on liveweight gain. Avoparcin substantially improved growth when cottonseed meal was included in the ration. Weaners treated with Avermectin B1 tended to show a greater liveweight gain than untreated weaners during the experiment (p<0.10) and no adverse side effects were noted.