USING DRY FEED-INTAKE AS A PERCENTAGE OF INITIAL BODY-WEIGHT AS A WEANING CRITERION

Newborn Holstein heifers (n = 32) and bulls (n = 12) were used to inve stigate the use of dry feed intake as a percentage of birth weight as a weaning criterion. Three different percentages (1, 1.5, and 2%) were used. Calves in the 1% treatment group met the weaning criterion earl ier than did those in the 1.5 and 2% treatment groups; no difference w as detected between the latter two groups. Total dry feed intake at 8 wk was higher for calves in the 1% treatment group than for calves in the other treatment groups; no difference was detected between the 1.5 and 2% treatment groups. Weights for all calves at 8 wk and weights o f heifer calves at 12, 16, and 20 wk were not different among groups. Using dry feed intake at 1% of birth weight as a weaning criterion red uced days to weaning, increased dry feed intake from birth to 8 wk, de creased variation in weaning age, and had no apparent negative effect on growth at 20 wk of age. Using dry feed intake as a percentage of bi rth weight appears to be a suitable criterion to determine when to wea n dairy calves.