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Effect of Compensatory Growth on Regulation of Growth and Lactation: Response of Dairy Heifers to a Stair-Step Growth Pattern^1,2,

North Dakota State University, Fargo 58105 and University of Minnesota, Crookston 56716

³ To whom reprint requests are to be directed.

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to improve the productive efficiency of growth via optimal use of both high fiber-low quality and high energy-high protein feeds in diets for growing dairy cattle. Twenty Holstein heifers were randomly assigned to either a control or treatment group. The control diet met the National Research Council (NRC) requirement for .45 kg/d gain, with heifers calving at 24 to 26 mo of age. The test groups were fed according to a 5-2-5-2 mo schedule in which the nutrient density was alternately 15% below or 40% above the NRC requirement. Results showed that the heifers on the test dietary regimen (compensatory growth) gained more and consumed less, resulting in significantly improved efficiency of growth (body gain/dry matter intake x 100), energy (body gain x 1,000/metabolizable energy (ME) intake) and protein utilization (body gain/protein intake x 100) in comparison to control animals (13.0 vs 7.3%; 57.9 vs 32.6 g/Mcal ME; 96.5 vs 54.2%, respectively). Marked changes in average concentration of urea-N, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity in blood were seen for test heifers during the stair-step growth phase (i.e., alternating maintenance and compensatory). Evidence from this experiment suggests that the phased growth (stair-step) system offers a simple, practical and cost-effective method for raising dairy heifers.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the North Dakota Agr. Exp. Sta.

² The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of W. Keller and the assistance of G. Erickson and his crew in caring for the heifers. The authors also extend their appreciation to M. C. Jacobson and Dairy staff at the Northwest Exp. Sta., Univ. of Minnesota, Crookston, for their cooperation in feeding and caring for the animals.

⁴ Anim. and Range Sci. Dept., North Dakota State Univ.

⁵ Anim. Sci. Dept., Univ. of Minnesota.

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