Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Two Froms of a B-Vitamin and Choline Blend on the Performance of Holstein Calves During the Transition and Early Postweaning Period

Abstract

Should we add B-vitamins and choline to calf starters? These nutrients are often ignored in calf starter formulation as it is assumed that calves can get sufficient amounts from the diet and ruminal synthesis. This presentation discusses the results of an experiment designed to test this assumption by providing a rumen-protected and non-protected supplements to calves receiving a diet provided by calf starter that was balanced for all essential amino acids and designed to support 1 kg/d of gain at the expected dry matter intakes.