Increased weight gain and effects on growth parameters of Holstein heifer calves from 3 to 12 months of age.

Abstract Two trials involving 280 Holstein heifer calves were to determine effects of increasing nutrient intake on growth (weight, height, and heart girth), dry matter intake, and water intake. In trial 1, 80 calves were fed from 60 to 172 d of age. More calf grower fed increased daily gain from .87 to .92 kg. Gain was further increased to .97 kg with higher energy content and to .99 kg with higher energy and higher protein content of calf growers. Alfalfa hay intake decreased as calf grower intake increased. Wither height and heart girth increased proportionally to body weight. Water intake was variable but proportional to dry matter intake. In trial 2, 114 heifers were fed alfalfa hay with either control or higher protein and higher energy heifer (accelerated program) growers from 187 to 369 d of age. Grass hay was fed to 86 heifers from 230 to 369 d of age with the same grower rations. Daily gain increased from .83 to .93 kg with the accelerated program. Hay intake decreased with higher grower intake on the accelerated program. When fed ad libitum on both programs, grass hay intake was about 5% lower than alfalfa hay. Heart girth at 369 d of age was increased on the accelerated program but there was no effect on wither height. Growth of Holstein heifers can be accelerated up to 1 kg daily gain from 3 to 12 mo of age without excessive fattening.