Evaluation of a Feed Preference Agent for Dairy Calves

A feed preference agent, Firanor-24², was added (0, 50, or 100 ppm) to whole milk and starter ration to determine if association of it with milk would enhance starter intake and weaning performance in dairy calves. Thirty 1-day-old Holstein calves (six males, four females per treatment) each received 1.6 kg of milk twice daily to 30 days of age and starter ration from 7 to 40 days of age. There were no differences from treatments in daily feed intake or body weight gains.In a paired comparison preference test for Firanor-24 in milk, two groups of five unnursed newborn calves were preconditioned to 0 or 100 ppm Firanor-24 in colostrum at birth and in milk twice daily for 6 days. In the 5-day test period each calf was offered a choice of milk with 0 or 100 ppm randomized in two adjoining buckets. No differences in milk preference were observed.