Fast-growing calves thanks to a healthy appetite

Feed additives for stimulating feed intake and regulating the gastrointestinal flora are most widely used in pig and poultry farming. Their use also in the feeding of calves is quite conceivable and has already been realized widely in practice. The nutritional demands for calves are similar to those of monogastrics in a broader sense due to the incomplete development of the rumen system in animals at a young age.

In this context, an experimental study investigated whether the use of a combination of cayenne pepper extracts, as well as active substances occurring in oregano and cinnamon, leads to performance-enhancing effects in calves. 

The study including 40 males Simmental calves with a starting age of 21 days was lasting for 14 weeks and was performed at the Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Viehhaltung  [teaching and research Institute for Livestock farming] Neumühle in Münchweiler an der Alsenz (Germany).

The test group received a milk replacer (MR), mixed with 250 g/t of the phytogenic additive XTRACT Instant (Pancosma,Switzerland). The MR concentration was 100 g/L. The control group received the same MR, but without additive. The concentrated feed (CF) in the test group was supplemented with 100 g/t of the phytogenic additive XTRACT 6930, while the control group was offered the same CF, but without additive.

The maximum available quantity per animal per day was2.5 kgCF. In addition, all animals had free access to water, hay and corn silage. 

XTRACT Instant, is a soluble version of XTRACT™ 6930, a microencapsulated plant extract product for monogastric animals from speciality feed additives manufacturer PancosmaS.A.,

Switzerland. This new form, XTRACT Instant, being totally soluble, is particularly suitable for use in milk replacers, liquid feed and drinking water systems for calves, pigs and poultry. 

The average MR consumption in the control group was28.0 kgper animal, while consumption in the test group was28.1 kgMR. 

Figure 1 (see below) shows the weekly intake of concentrated feed over the entire test period. It can be seen that the test group had a consistently higher CF intake compared to the control group. The average CF consumption in the test group reached935 g per animal and day, while the animals in the control group ingested828 g per day on average.

 

Figure 1: Concentrated feed intake during the trial period (g/animal/day)  

This resulted in a global significantly higher concentrate intake by 126.4% for the whole trial duration. Also absolute quantities in intakes of corn silage in the two groups differed considerably. While the calves in the control group consumed about0.6 kgper animal per day of dry matter from corn silage in week 13 and 14, the experimental animals ingested approximately1.0 kgcorn silage dry matter per animal and day.

Faster growth 

With regard to growth performance it was obvious that animals in the test group grew significantly faster. The treatment animals exhibited a4.3 kghigher weight at the end of the milk-drinking period compared to the animals in the control group.

Therefore, Calves fed XTRACT exhibited a daily weight gain increased by 50.57 g/d when compared to the control. This resulted in an increased weaning weight by 3.8% when fed XTRACT. By the end of the study the body weight margin in the experimental group was1.4 kg.

Table 1 (see below) shows the dry matter intake per calf over the entire test period, as well as the mean nutrient intake per calf per day. It becomes apparent that the animals in the test group exhibited an CF dry matter intake increased by9.3 kg, and a dry matter intake from roughage increased by9 kg higher. 

 

Table 1: Dry matter intake, daily nutrient intake and growth performance of the calves at the end of liquid feeding. 

This resulted in a roughly18 kghigher total dry matter intake in the experimental group compared to the control. The higher total dry matter intake is also reflected in the mean nutrient intake per calf per day.

Improved rumen parameters

As shown in figure 2 (see bellow), the treatment calves exhibited an increased ruminal concentration of propionate and butyrate (respectively +10.3% and +39.0%). The ruminal concentration of acetate was similar between the two groups. Propionate and butyrate are known to be promoters of rumen papillae development (Flatt et al. 1958). This suggests that calves supplemented with XTRACT may exhibit a quicker development of the rumen.

Positive weight development 

The results of the study show that the supplementation of the MR as well as the CF with the phytogenic additives XTRACT Instant and XTRACT™ 6930, respectively, exhibited positive effects on overall feed intake, especially a significant increase in CF intakes was versus the control animals. The increased CF intake and the associated chemical stimulation triggered in the gastrointestinal tract promotes a faster development of the rumen system of the calves. This explains partly the potential of the calves in the test group to achieve a9 kghigher roughage dry matter intake. 

The comparison of the intakes with the growth performance of the calves demonstrates the positive effect of an increased nutrient intake on the growth development of the calves during the milk feeding period. At the end of the liquid feeding period, the calves in the test group exhibited a4.3 kghigher body weight compared to the control. The control group, however, was able to reduce the weight difference to1.4 kgby the end of the study. The fact that young calves are not yet able to fully leverage the energetic potential of corn silage ingested at high levels is due the insufficient rumen development as shown in previous studies (Dusel et al. 2007). 

According to the modest milk replacer feeding duration, animals in both groups have not suffered from a fall-off in the growth development after weaning. Both groups ingested sufficient roughage and concentrate feed to compensate the removement of the milk replacer. The calves in the experimental group increased silage intake significantly after the milk replacer feeding period.

In conclusion, the corresponding phytogenic additives (XTRACT) applied in this study generated a quicker and higher intake of concentrate feed and roughage as well as an improved growth performance in calves. Therefore, a shortening and economizing of the milk replacer feeding period is conceivable leading to an improved profitability.