# Effects of Straw Particle Size and Physical Forms of Corn in Starter Diets on Growth Performance and Rumen Parameters in Holstein Calves During the Pre-Weaning Period

## TL;DR

This study found that combining long straw with pelleted concentrate in calf diets reduced growth, but adding whole corn improved weight gain and efficiency.

## Contribution

The study reveals how combining straw particle size and corn form affects calf growth and rumen parameters.

## Key findings

- Long chopped straw with pelleted concentrate reduced weaning weight and growth in calves.
- Whole corn in diets with long straw improved weight gain and feed efficiency.
- Ruminal propionate and VFA concentrations varied with corn form and straw particle size.

## Abstract

This study evaluated the interactive effects of straw particle size (short or long) with two physical forms of corn (ground or whole) in the diets offered as total mixed rations on growth performance of calves during the pre-weaning period. In the diets including short chopped straw, weaning body weight, daily weight gain, starter intake and feed efficiency were similar for the calves fed ground or whole corn. In the diets including long chopped straw, the inclusion of whole corn into the diet led to higher weaning body weight and daily weight gain and better feed efficiency compared with the diet including ground corn. The lowest weaning body weight and daily weight gain were observed in calves fed the total mixed ration with long chopped straw and pelleted concentrate including ground corn. Thus, this study indicated that long chopped straw and pelleted concentrate provision together might not be an appropriate combination to improve growth performance in pre-weaning calves.

This study evaluated the effects of straw particle size (short or long) and corn physical form (ground or whole) in diets on growth performance, rumen fermentation and fecal score in calves. Sixty female newborn calves were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments: 90% pelleted starter and 10% short straw (PSS); 70% pelleted starter, 20% whole corn and 10% short straw (PWCSS); 90% pelleted starter and 10% long straw (PLS); 70% pelleted starter, 20% whole corn and 10% long straw (PWCLS). In PSS and PLS treatments, all of the corn was within the pelleted starter. Calves were weaned at 68 days of age. Body weight (BW), wither height and heart girth were measured at 3 and 68 days of age. Feed intakes and fecal scores were measured daily. Rumen fluid and blood samples were collected for rumen pH, rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) and blood β-hydroxy butyrate (BHB) measurements at 68 days of age. Weaning BW, average daily weight gain (ADG) and weaning wither height were significantly lower in PLS compared to other treatments. Weaning heart girth was significantly lower in PSS and PLS than PWCSS and PWCLS. Feed intake was significantly higher for PWCSS than PWCLS. PWCLS had a significantly lower feed efficiency (starter feed intake/ADG) than PLS. No significant differences were observed for ruminal pH, ruminal acetate and blood BHB among the treatments. In the diets including short straw, ruminal propionate, butyrate and total VFA concentrations were significantly higher for PWCSS than PSS. In the diets including long straw, the ruminal propionate concentration was significantly greater for PLS than PWCLS, and ruminal butyrate and total VFA concentrations were not different for PLS and PWCLS. This study indicated that the effect of corn physical form (ground or whole) on ruminal propionate, butyrate and total VFA concentrations could vary depending on straw particle size. Fecal score was significantly lower in PSS compared to other treatments. In conclusion, long straw combined with pelleted concentrate reduced growth performance in pre-weaning calves. Whole corn inclusion in the diets with long straw increased ADG and weaning BW and improved feed efficiency.