Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange
Abstract
Many dairymen who would prefer to feed calves skim milk direct from the cream separator are reluctant to do so, because of the effects the foam, which normally accumulates on separated milk, may have on the calves. Despite this more or less prevalent opinion among calf raisers regarding the harmful effects of foam, the literature seems to contain no experimental work either refuting or corroborating this opinion. The foam on skim milk may affect calves in several ways: 1. In the physical appearance of the calves. 2. In the height of the calves at the withers. 3. In the gain in live weight. 4. In the general health. There is no definite and accurate measurement of the physical condition and general health of calves, except daily observations. Such observations may be very inaccurate, but it is believed that these observations are helpful in interpreting the data. The growth, as indicated by the increase in height at the withers, affords a definite means of comparing the experimental calves with calves on a normal ration and calves which are making normal growth. The weight of the experimental calves is also a definite measurement of growth, which makes possible a comparison of experimental calves with normal calves. Accordingly data were secured on these objectives, and the results interpreted on that basis
