EFFECT OF ENERGY-SOURCE AND ESCAPE PROTEIN ON RECEIVING AND FINISHINGPERFORMANCE AND HEALTH OF CALVES

Two receiving and two finishing trials evaluated energy source and esc ape protein supplementation for calves. In receiving Trial 1, 398 calv es (257 +/- 24 kg BW) were used in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of tr eatments. Energy sources were dry-rolled corn (DRC) and wet corn glute n feed (WCGF); each was fed without or with supplemental escape protei n (EP). Calves fed WCGF gained slower (P < .05) and consumed less DM ( P < .01) than calves fed DRC. Feed efficiency improved (P < .10) with EP supplementation. In finishing Trial 1, 240 calves (305 +/- 21 kg BW ) were used. The arrangement of treatments was the same as in receivin g Trial 1. Calves fed DRC/WCGF tended (P = .15) to be more efficient a nd consumed less DM (P < .05) than calves fed DRC. In receiving Trial 2, 315 calves (252 +/- 23 kg BW) were fed diets similar to those fed i n receiving Trial 1. Calves fed WCGF consumed less DM (P < .01), gaine d similarly (P > .15),and were more efficient (P < .10) than calves fe d DRC. In finishing Trial 2, 320 calves (298 +/- 23 Hg BW) were fed di ets containing DRC, DRC/WCGF, high-moisture corn (HMC), HMC/WCGF, and DRC/HMC; each was fed without or with supplemental EP. An energy sourc e x protein supplement interaction was detected for gain (P < .05) and efficiency (P < .01). Results suggest that WCGF has a NEg greater tha n DRC in receiving diets and a NEg similar to that of DRC but lower th an that of HMC in finishing diets.