Abstract #T41

# T41
Pre- and post weaning performance and health of dairy calves fed milk replacers supplemented with egg antibodies, direct-fed microbials, neomycin sulfate and oxytetracycline.
David M. Ziegler*1, Hugh Chester-Jones1, Bruce E. Ziegler2, Angie K. Manthey2, Julian L. Olson3, 1University of Minnesota, Waseca, MN, 2Hubbard Feeds Inc, Mankato, MN, 3Milk Products, Chilton, WI.

One hundred seven (2 to 5 d old) individually fed Holstein heifer calves (38.5 ± 0.67 kg) from 3 commercial dairies were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 milk replacer treatments (MR) supplemented with egg antibodies (EA), direct-fed microbials (DFM), or neomycin sulfate and oxytetracycline (NT) to evaluate pre- (d 1–42) and post weaning (d 43–56) calf performance and health. The study was conducted between May and August 2017. Treatments included (1) all-milk protein, non-medicated MR 20% CP:20% Fat fed at 0.28 kg in 2 L of water 2× daily from d 1 to d 35 and 1x daily from d 36 to weaning at d 42, (CON); (2) MR as in CON supplemented with NT at a rate of 22 mg/kg BW/d for 14 d, (MRNT); (3) MR as in CON supplemented with a blend of egg antibodies and DFM containing multiple strains of Lactobacillus organisms and lactic acid producing bacteria at a rate of 40 g/d for 14 d then 20 g/d for 14 d, (MREA); 4) MR as in CON supplemented with an additive blend of serum and plasma proteins, Bio-Mos, essential oils, and multiple DFM strains at a rate of 40 g/d for 14 d then 20 g/d for 14 d, (MRAB). Calf starter (18% CP as fed) and water were offered free choice from d 1 to 56. Data were analyzed using the PROC mixed procedures of SAS and repeated measures analyses applied where appropriate. There were no differences in pre- (d 1–42), post weaning (d 43–56), and overall (d 1–56) gains averaging 0.49, 1.06, and 0.63 kg/d respectively (P > 0.05). Pre- (d 1–42), and post weaning (d 43–56), calf starter intake was similar across treatments averaging 13.1 and 28.1 kg total intake, respectively. There were no differences in health costs, gain/feed, or hip height gain across treatments (P > 0.05). The number of days fecal scores were 3 ≥ (d 1–42, 1 = normal, 4 = very loose, watery) were similar across treatments, averaging 1.61, 1.82, 1.27, and 1.99 d respectively (P > 0.05). Under conditions of this study, feeding calves a MR blended with EA and DFM, NT or other additives did not affect growth compared with calves fed a non-medicated MR.

Key Words: calf performance, milk replacer, egg antibody