Early life-stage nutrition and its effects on growth, immune competence, and metabolic characteristics of the developing dairy cow
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2023-08
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Melbourne Authors
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School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
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PhD thesis
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Open Access
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© 2024 Emma May Ockenden
Abstract
The primary objective of dairy heifer rearing is to produce resilient replacement cows with a high milk production potential. Early life nutrition is widely understood to affect development of physiological systems in all species; it is therefore essential that effective calf rearing strategies are in place to ensure a productive and profitable dairy industry. The research detailed in this thesis evaluated the effects of different pre- and postweaning nutritional strategies that lead to parameters linked to superior resilience of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Growth, Immune competence, and metabolic characteristics were compared with the use of repeat immune challenges in dairy replacement heifers reared under various pre- and postweaning nutritional strategies from birth until 20 months of age. Results indicate a positive influence of accelerated preweaning nutrition on growth and the immune development of dairy cows, and therefore do not support the current industry feeding practices.
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Calf nutrition, Dairy calf development, Immune challenge, Accelerated milk feeding, Metabolic development, Immune development