Performance of calves fed milk from either a normal or artificially induced lactation

Abstract

Friesian bull calves approximately five days old were fed milk for six weeks from cows in the third month of normal parturient lactation or from cows induced to lactate by oestrogen-progesterone treatment. There were no differences in liveweight gain, faecal index, reaction to Open Field Test or lethargy index. It is concluded that artificially induced milk is nutritionally equivalent to normal milk and there is no indication from this experiment that it would not be fit for human consumption.