Economic Feasibility and Growth Performance of Holstein Friesian Calves Fed Whey-Dangke Fortified Green Calf Starter

Abstract

This research evaluated the impact of feeding green calf starter fortified with whey-dangke on Holstein Friesian dairy calves' economic feasibility, growth performance, and health parameters. Experimental diets were applied to 18 Holstein Friesian dairy calves using a randomized complete factorial design with two factors: type of calf starter and level fortification of whey-dangke. The results showed that calves fed different types of calf starter, the level of whey-dangke fortification, and the interaction between the two factors had no significant effect (p>0.05) on physiological, hematological, and blood biochemical. However, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) parameter had an interaction; the ALT values in the green calf starter treatment fortified with 5% whey-dangke exhibited a highly significant difference (p<0.01) compared to the green calf starter treatment fortified with 2.5% whey-dangke, as well as the conventional green calf starter fortified with both 2.5 and 5% whey-dangke. The level of whey-dangke fortified significantly affected ADG, FCR, and feed cost perunit of gain (p<0.05). The use of whey-dangke was able to increase ADG and decrease FCR and feed cost per unit of gain. In addition, physiological, hematological, and blood biochemical profile values of Holstein Friesian Friesian dairy calves remained within the normal range when fed whey-dangke-fortified green calf starter.