By Andi Anderson
A recent research study conducted at Iowa State University explored how early dietary choices impact long-term performance, health, and meat quality in beef-dairy crossbred calves.
The two-year study closely examined diet effects on Angus x Holstein calves, specifically evaluating early calf diets and their long-term impacts on animal health and carcass characteristics.
The study primarily investigated how different levels of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) in calf starter diets influenced health outcomes later in life.
Calves were grouped based on diet variations during their initial growth stages, with some receiving a high carbohydrate diet (30% NSC) and others a moderate NSC diet.
Researchers tracked the calves through different growth phases, initially at Iowa State University's Dairy facility and later at the ISU Beef Nutrition farm near Ames.
A significant finding of the research was that calves fed diets with moderate carbohydrate levels showed fewer health problems, particularly reduced liver abscesses and fewer gastrointestinal lesions.
Calves maintained on higher NSC diets throughout their early growth phases experienced higher rates of these health issues, suggesting diet composition significantly influences rumen health development at an early age.
Interestingly, despite these clear health benefits, final feedlot performance and carcass outcomes were not dramatically different among the groups at standard market weights of approximately 850 pounds.
However, researchers noted a trend indicating that extending observations to heavier weights, around 1500 pounds, might show more pronounced differences in carcass outcomes based on early diet composition.
The research concluded that early nutrition directly affects rumen development, which, in turn, impacts overall calf health and meat quality.
According to researchers, the younger age of calves suggests that proper diet early in life might enhance rumen growth and function, improving animal productivity over time.
Researchers recommended further studies focusing more closely on calf starter diets and their compositions, emphasizing long-term health and growth performance outcomes.
Farmers are encouraged to consider diet adjustments early in calves' lives to promote better long-term animal welfare, carcass quality, and profitability.
Overall, this study highlights the critical role of early nutritional management, encouraging farmers to carefully select calf diets for improved long-term beef performance and animal health outcomes.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Livestock