• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.756-764
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• 2009

Provision of an optimal environment for the calf is critical to establishing the patterns of growth and development essential to allow the heifer to express its genetic potential for milk output and reproductive capacity during its productive life. Maternal nutrition during gestation is now recognised as a key to genetic programming in utero and this influence is extended through the complexity of hormones, growth factors and immunostimulants incorporated into colostrum and milk consumed by the neonatal calf. This natural process is most often disrupted as calves are weaned abruptly to maximise milk output for commercial exploitation. The key then is to accelerate the rate of maturation of the ruminal epithelium through the provision of concentrate starter rations and high quality forage, which promote VFA production. Management systems to promote these processes in Holstein Friesian cattle are well developed, however, little is known of these processes with buffalo and Bos indicus dairy cattle such as the Sahiwal. The development of methods to program the neonate to grow faster to puberty in these species will be important to improving their productivity for the dairy industries in tropical and sub-tropical environments in the future.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.474-478
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• 2001

Eighteen Murrah male buffalo calves were allotted into three groups of six each. The calves in group I (control) were fed with whole milk, skim milk, calf starter and green maize fodder. The calves in group II (high butyric acid) and group III (low butyric acid) were fed with the same diet as control along with 24 ml and 12 ml of butyric acid/calf/day for 120 days, respectively for 120 days. Dry matter intake was higher in group II and III as compared with group I. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose and hemicellulose was the highest in group II followed by group III and the control group. Body weight gain and conversion efficiency of dry matter, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients were better in group II. Cost of feed for per unit of live weight gain was the lowest in group II. It was concluded that dietary addition of butyric acid (24 ml/day) was economical and had positive effect on the performance of Murrah buffalo calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.659-664
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• 1992

Twelve day old Pabna zebu calves of similar weights were assigned at random to 3 different calf starter-rations namely $T_0$, $T_1$ and $T_2$ to determine the effect of feeding regimes and growth pattern of calves upto 3 months of age. Calves allowed to intake starter 0.5 percent of body weight from 2nd week on to 7th weeks of age, while starter at 1 percent of body weight was allowed later on upto 13th weeks of age. Calves started to intake green grass after 2nd to 3rd weeks and average intake per day was limited to 1 kg upto the end of experiment, while calves started to take rice straw ad libitum after 6th weeks of age. Colostrum feeding was offered ad libitum and in addition calves suckled their dam's milk shortly before and after milking usually in the morning and evening. Growth of calves in different treatment groups was found statistically insignificant. The mean growth rate per head per day ranged from 196.43-375.0 g for $T_0$ group, 185.72-360.72 g for $T_1$ group and 180.1-385.72 g for $T_2$ group respectively between 1st to 7th weeks of age while the growth rate ranged from 309.53-328.57 g for $T_0$, 304.29-342.86 g for $T_1$ and 304.77-333.30 g for $T_2$ groups respectively from 9th weeks on to the end of the experiment.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.239-244
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate effects of weaning age on growth perforance, feed intake, disease occurrence and maternal reproductive efficiency in Hanwoo. Sixty experimental calves were allocated into two groups, early weaned (n=29, calf age 90 d, EW) and normally weaned (n=31, calf age 120 d, NW). Body weights and average daily gains during nursing and post-weaning periods were similar between two groups (p>0.05). Weaning age had no effect on calf starter, grass hay, dry matter, crude protein and TDN intakes of calves (p>0.05). Maternal calving interval in EW was shortened by 23 days compared to NW (p>0.05). Any difference in occurrence of disease was not observed between groups. Present results indicate that early weaning age has no negative effects on growth performance, feed intake or on disease occurrence in Hanwoo calves. And it has positive influence on maternal calving interval.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.224-233
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• 2012

The limiting sequence and relative ratio of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), and threonine (Thr) for calves about 2 mo of age fed milk replacers (MR) containing soy protein are not clearly defined. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of supplementing MR containing 22% CP, half from soy protein concentrate (SPC, 40.56% CP, flour) and half from whey proteins, with Lys, Met, and Thr to estimate amino acid (AA) sequence and their relative ratio for calves about 2 mo of age. A method of partial deduction of AA was adopted. Twenty-four newborn calves (half males and half females, $40.7{\pm}0.9$ kg of BW) were fed 1 of 4 MR diets for 56 d (n = 6/diet). The diets were supplemented with all (positive control) or with 2 of the 3 AAs: Lys, Met and Thr, (i.e., PC (22% CP, 2.34% Lys, 0.72% Met and 1.80% Thr), PC-Lys (22% CP, 1.64% Lys, 0.72% Met and 1.80% Thr), PC-Met (22% CP, 2.34% Lys, 0.50% Met and 1.80% Thr), and PC-Thr (22% CP, 2.34% Lys, 0.72% Met and 1.26% Thr)). Calves were fed thrice daily; starter (20% CP, 1.03% Lys, 0.30% Met and 0.69% Thr), hay (3.23% CP, 0.29% Lys, 0.12% Met and 0.23% Thr) and water were offered free choice. Starter and hay were only offered beginning on d 36 (after 5 wk) and d 43 (after 6 wk), respectively. BW, body size and blood samples measures were taken every two weeks. Three-day total collection of feed refusals, feces, and urine were recorded starting at d 33 and d 54 of age, respectively. From the results, the limiting sequence and relative ratio between the 3 AAs in calves with different diet structures were calculated. The limiting sequence of the 3 AAs were ranked as Lys, Met and Thr; the proper ratio was 100:29:70 for MR-only diet and 100:30:60 for diets consisted of MR, starter and hay. Nitrogen digestion and utilization and nutrient digestibility were negatively affected by AA deletion treatments. From the evidence of this experiment, it did not appear that the AA limiting sequence was selectively altered by differences in diet structures such as would be encountered in practice. The relative ratio between the 3 AAs varied with the offer of starter and hay to calves, and the average ratio was 100:29.5:65 for calves during 2 to 10 wk of age.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.198-203
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• 2008

This study was conducted to compare the effects of feeding high protein and low energy milk replacer (HPR; CP 25%, ME 3.6 Mcal/kg DM) with low protein and high energy milk replacer (HPR; CP 21%, ME 4.2 Mcal/kg DM) on feed consumption, body weight (BW) gain, health and selected blood metabolites in Holstein calves during the pre-weaning period. At each feeding, each milk replacer (MR) was prepared by mixing 0.125 kg of dry MR in 1L of warm ($60^{\circ}C$) water. The calves were fed either HPR (n = 10) or HER (n = 10) using mobile plastic bottles fitted with soft rubber nipples. All calves received 1.8L diluted MR at each feeding 3 times daily during the first 4 weeks of age; feeding frequency was reduced to 2 times daily for the next 2 weeks of age and then to once daily during the last week of the experiment. Jugular blood was sampled in calves at day 7, 14, 21, 35 and 49 of age to enumerate selected metabolites. Daily MR, starter and hay intake during the pre-weaning period were similar in calves fed HPR and HER. Consumption of starter, MGH and total DM steadily increased with the age of calves. Final BW, daily BW gain and feed efficiency of calves were not affected by treatments. Serum glucose, cholesterol, creatinine were decreased (p<0.05) and blood urea N was increased (p<0.05) in calves fed HER or HPR as they grew older. Serum glucose, total protein and albumin concentrations in calves were not affected by treatments. Serum GPT and GOT concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in calves on HPR than on HER. Scouring score, days scoured, respiratory score, rectal temperature and general appearance were similar in calves fed HPR and HER. Poor general appearance (dullness and droopy ears) of calves fed either HPR or HER reflected nutritional insufficiency and stress. In conclusion, energy and protein concentrations in MR did not affect feed intake and BW gain in Holstein calves during the pre-weaning period. Poor general appearance and lower BW gain of calves compared to those reported in the literature for milk fed calves prompt a demand for further research to improve the daily nutrient supply to MR-fed calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.61-63
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• 1988

A total of 38 energy balance trials were done for calves fed a liquid milk replacer, calf starter and second cut mixed hay. Milk replacer supplied 81% of the total dietary energy. Live weight of calves averaged 54.1 (S.D 6.2) kg and daily gain 0.37 (${\pm}0.23$)kg. The metabolizability of gross energy averaged 0.822. A regression was calculated relating energy retention (ER, $kJ/kg^{0.75}$) to the intake of metabolizable energy (IME, $kJ/kg^{0.75}$): ER = 0.72 (${\pm}0.12$) IME - 330, r = 0.702, P < 0.01, $S.E.{\pm}18.0$. Metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm) was calculated to be $458kJ/kg^{0.75}$ when ER = 0. The amount of IME over MEm for an individual animal (Meg, $kJ/kg^{0.75}$) was regressed on averaged daily gain (ADG, kg): Meg = 413 (${\pm}91$) ADG + 0.2, r = 0.650, P < 0.01, $S.E.{\pm}21$. The amount of ME requirement for suckling calves was estimated using values obtained above.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.190-201
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• 1980

This experiment was designed to optimize the process of manufacturing the soybean cheeses and to elucidate the chemical changes during ripening when the chemical changes during ripening when the milk components and enzyme preparations were added to the raw materials. Conditions for extracting soybean protein such as temperature, duration and amount of water added were determined; various coagulaters were compared by checking the curd texture and yield; starters from S. thermophilus, S. lactis MLB and S. cremoris EB-9 were tested as single- or multi-stain combinations; and the effects of skim milk and/or rennins-both microbial and calf origin-addition upon the process of manufacturing and ripening were studied. The results obtained were as follows. 1. optimal conditions for soybean extraction were found to be: temperature $100^{\circ}C$, duration 10 minutes, and amount of water added 9-fold, as considered the extraction rate of solids and proteins, and curd yield. 2. Sodium gluconate was the most effective among the coagulators tested, and 5% of single-strain starter from S. thermophilus was appered to be adequate inoculum for curd formation. 3. The effects of skim milk and/or rennins addition on the process of manufacturing and ripening of soybean cheeses were: 1) The addition of rennins resulted in fast formation of curd, especially with skim milk it was so. And Hansen rennet extracts brought better results in curd formation than Meito rennet extracts did. 2) No significant effect was observed on the changes in moisture content during ripening, however the levels of moisture contents in the products were higher in case of using Meito rennet extracts. 3) Effect on pH changes during ripening was also not significant in general, while levels of pH were decrease markedly during manufacturing and the initial stage of ripening. 4) The levels of bacterial counts were much higher in case of skim milk addition throughtout the ripening period. In general the numbers were reached to approximately $10^8cells/g$ during manufacturing, then decreased gradually to below $10^2cells/g$ in 8 weeks of ripening. 5) The addition of skim milk and/or rennin resulted in higher ripening index, and skim milk plus Meito rennet extracts was appeared to be best combination for the ripening index.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.500-506
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• 2006

An experiment was conducted with twenty crossbred male calves (7-15 days old) divided into 4 different experimental groups on the basis of body weights to study the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the serum ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentration and immune response of the calves. All the calves were fed on milk and calf starter up to 13 weeks and afterwards, they were fed on concentrate mixture and oat hay up to 32 weeks of age. In addition, the calves in groups I, II, III and IV were supplemented with 0, 125, 250 and 500 IU feed grade DL-${\alpha}$-tocopheryl acetate, respectively. Blood samples were collected at 0 day and subsequently at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 months of age to monitor the serum ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentration in crossbred calves. After 24 weeks of experimental feeding, 4 animals from each group were intramuscularly inoculated with single dose (3 ml) of Haemorrhagic septiceaemia (Pasteurella multocida P52 strain) oil adjuvant vaccine. The cumulative group mean serum ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentration (${\mu}g/100ml$) was 88.12, 210.11, 235.21 and 294.02 in-groups I, II, III and IV, respectively and differed significantly (p<0.001) among the four groups. Lymphocyte stimulation indices (LSI) did not differ among the groups significantly. The pooled mean ELISA antibody titer against Pasteurella multocida (P52 strain) was 788.02, 926.85, 1,214.00 and 1,109.51 for group I, II, III and IV, respectively, which indicated higher antibody titer in groups supplemented with vitamin E as compared to the control group. It may be concluded that vitamin E supplementation increased the ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentration in serum and dietary supplementation of vitamin E at higher level has a humoral immune enhancing effect against killed bacterial antigen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.984-992
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of milk supplemented with Sel-Plex on thyroid hormones, rectal temperature, plasma glucose and cholesterol concentrations, and body weight in suckling calves. Ten Holstein suckling male calves of approximately 1 month of age were selected and randomly allocated to one of two groups and fed either unsupplemented milk (control) or milk supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg DM Se from Sel-Plex (treated). The animals received treated milk and free choice starter for two months. Dry matter intake for each individual animal was recorded daily throughout the study. The calves were weighed and blood samples were taken weekly. Plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine ($T_{3}$), thyroxin ($T_{4}$) and $T_{3}$-Uptake were determined using radioimmunoassay kits. Plasma cholesterol and glucose concentrations were determined by enzymatic-colorimetric methods. Rectal temperature was recorded at blood sampling time. During the experiment, ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded at the time of blood sampling and every four hours. Treatment significantly (p<0.01) affected the concentration of $T_{3}$, free $T_{3}$ index ($FT_{3}I$) and ratio of $T_{3}$:$T_{4}$ in plasma. The plasma concentrations of $T_{3}$ in treated calves were 33% higher than in the control. The plasma concentrations of $T_{4}$ (p<0.05), glucose (p<0.01) and cholesterol (p<0.01) were decreased in the treated group. Calves fed Sel-Plex had higher rectal temperature (p<0.01). Plasma free $T_{4}$ index (FT4I) did not differ significantly between the two groups. An increase in body weight was observed (p<0.09) in the treated group. The results indicated that milk fortified with Sel-Plex could increase tissue conversion of $T_{4}$ to $T_{3}$ and therefore improve thermometabolism in suckling calves.