Effects of accompanying use of heat treated corn grain and whole soybeans in concentrates on weaned calves performances

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of simultaneous using heat-treated corn grain as basic energy source and heat treated whole soybeans as protein source, in diet for calves 60-120 days old. The main predicted effects were improved energy and nutrients utilization efficiency and production performances of calves at this age. Thirty-six weaned Holstein calves were used, there were three treatments using different concentrates, formulated as: concentrate with micronized corn grain and extruded whole soybeans (KTT); concentrate with non-treated corn grain and soybean meal (KTN); concentrate with non-treated corn grain and extruded whole soybeans (KS). The marked effects of simultaneous use of heat-treated corn grain and whole soybeans were determined for feed efficiency (feed conversion ratio, FCR was 6,2% higher for calves on KTT than on KTN and 4,3% higher than on KS treatment). Efficiency of energy utilization (MJ ME/kg of gain) was better for calves on diet with KTT concentrate (5.8 % and 5.3% lower efficiency of metabolic energy utilization for KTN and KS treatment respectively). Consumed crude protein was better utilized for growth by calves on KTT diets, than other two treatments (10.8 % more CP/kg of growth for KTN, and 7.5% more for KS).