Effects of milk replacer composition on growth and development of beef × dairy crossbred calves.

ABSTRACT: The production of crossbred beef × dairy (B × D) calves is increasing; however, evaluation of pre-weaning feeding strategies for B × D calves is limited. We hypothesized that both male and female B × D calves fed added fat and protein through milk replacer would have increased muscle growth, muscle fiber cross-sectional area, average daily gain, BW, and morphometric measurements. We also hypothesized that calves fed the additional fat and protein milk replacer would have upregulation of regulatory genes involved in muscle hypertrophy. SimAngus × Holstein calves (n = 42) were assigned to one of two milk replacers: 30.0% crude protein (CP), 32% crude fat (CF) milk replacer (HPHF, n = 11 males, 11 females), or 22% CP, 20% CF milk replacer (CON, n = 10 males, 10 females) f

SUBMITTER: Carter RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11786218 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature