Effect of Molasses Addition Level to the Mixture of Calf Starter and Corn Fodder on Pellet Quality, Rumen Development and Performance of Holstein-Friesian Calves in Indonesia

Effect of molasses addition to complete calf starter (CCS) and the following pellet processing was evaluated with 12 Holstein-Friesian (HF) calves (7-14 d old with $42\;{\pm}\;5.5\;kg$ average BW), with 6 calves (replicate) per treatment. The CCS was formulated with 65% concentrate calf starter and 35% local corn fodder. On the CCS, molasses was added either 5% (M5) or 10% (M10), then the mixture was pelleted and fed to the calves for 7 weeks. Molasses addition, regardless of addition level, improved (p<0.05) both the durability and hardness of the pellet which contains 35% of high fibrous local corn fodder. Upon feeding to calves, the feed intake and daily gain were numerically higher with 5% molasses addition compared to 10% molasses addition. Blood VFA level was remarkably higher (p<0.01) in calves fed M10 than calves fed M5. There was no difference (p>0.05) in blood glucose level between M5 and M10. Length and number of papillae were not different (p>0.05) by the addition levels of molasses. However, there was one exception in number of papillae at caudo-dorsal sac which were higher (p<0.05) number in M5 than M10 calves. Considering the quality of CCS pellet, calf performance and rumen development, there was no additional benefit of 10% molasses addition compared to 5%. From the results of this study, 5% molasses addition could be recommended for local farmer when they utilize local corn fodder to make CCS for HF calves in Indonesia.