EFFECT OF PROCESSING SORGHUM GRAIN ON DAIRY CALF PERFORMANCE

Two trials evaluated the effect of sorghum grain processing on dairy c alf performance. In trial 1, Holstein calves (n = 76; .5 to 8 wk of ag e) were fed one of three calf starters that contained either raw, roas ted (exit temperature of 135 degrees C), or conglomerated sorghum grai n. The conglomeration process consisted of grinding the grain, adding water, pelleting the mixture, and then roasting it. Raw and roasted so rghum grains were ground through a 3.2-mm screen and then included in complete pelleted starters; conglomerated sorghum grain pellets were m ixed with the other pelleted ingredients of the starter. Processing di d not enhance calf performance or affect selected ruminal and blood me tabolites. In trial 2, roasted and conglomerated sorghum grains were g round through a 3.2-mm screen, and each was included in a pelleted sta rter fed for ad libitum intake to Holstein calves (n = 48) from .5 to 8 wk of age. Calf performance was not affected by method of grain proc essing, and ruminal and blood metabolites were similar; however, 22% o f calves on the conglomerated sorghum grain starter bloated during the postweaning period, which probably resulted in reduced feed intake fr om wk 6 to 8. Measures to prevent bloat may be necessary to realize a potential benefit of conglomerating sorghum grain for calves.