Effects of GUSTOR BP70 supplementation in antibiotic-free milk replacer and starter on growth performance in suckling calves

The last study published by Roh et al. (2018) evaluated butyrate supplementation of antibiotic‐free milk replacer and starter on growth performance in male Holstein calves. Twenty-nine calves were divided into two groups: Group C (n = 13) was fed antibiotic‐free milk replacer without supplementation, and Group B (n = 16) was fed antibiotic‐free milk replacer supplemented with Gustor BP70 (1.6% DM). Starter in Group B contained 0.3% DM of BP70. The intake of milk replacer tended to be lower in group B than in C (P=0.07 for the treatment x week interaction). Body weight and heart girth in group B was higher than in C during the experimental period (P=0.07 and 0.01 for the treatment × week interaction, respectively). The duration of the weaning period in group B was shorter than in group C (P=0.02). β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) was higher in group B than in C (P=0.04). Insulin like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentrations tended to be higher in group B than in C (P=0.07 for treatment x week interaction). The results showed that Gustor BP70 supplementation may be an effective growth promoter in milk replacer and starter-fed calves from 3 to 26 days of age because of its effects in improving the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract and the digestive functions of the pancreas and intestinal mucosa.