Abstract

Performance of female Holstein calves (n = 60) were evaluated in 3 step-down milk feeding programs: step-down 1 (STP1: 7.5 l/d milk from d 1 to 21, 6 l/d milk from d 22 to 42, 4 l/d milk from d 43 to 63, and 2 l/d milk from d 64 to 84 of the study); step-down 2 (STP2; 7.5 l/d milk from d 1 to 21, 6 l/d milk from d 22 to 42, and 2 l/d milk from d 43 to 63 of the study); and step-down 3 (STP3; 7.5 l/d milk from d 1 to 21, 4 l/d milk from d 22 to 42, and 2 l/d milk from d 43 to 63 of the study). Intakes of starter were monitored daily and body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and wither height (WH) were measured monthly. Calves in STP3 had lower dry matter intake between 22-42 d than STP2 animals, but starter intake was greater in STP2 and STP3 calves than those in the STP1 treatment between 43-63 and 64-84 d. Total ADG was greater in STP2 and STP3 animals than in STP1 calves. No effect of treatment was observed on breeding age, BW, WH or the service per conception. In addition, conception rate at the first breeding was not influenced by treatment. It was concluded that the STP2 and STP3 milk feeding regimes improved performance in calves and there was no benefit in feeding milk for longer than 63 d in terms of breeding outcomes.