Weaned calve’s performance fed with liquid soybean protein through oesophageal groove

Abstract

Twenty Holstein weaned male calves, about 100 days old and 109 kg of live weight, were fed with textured soybean meal protein (TSP) in solid or liquid form. Calves were reared trying to keep working the oesophageal groove reflex and received four treatments in a randomized block design : A) 100% TSP in solid way plus 4 kg of water; B) 66% TSP in solid way plus 33% TSP solved in 4 kg of water; C) 33% TSP in solid way plus 66% TSP solved in 4 kg of water; D) 100% TSP solved in 4 kg of water. Liquid parts of meals were furnished in nipple pails, at 35 degrees Celsius. Performances in weight gains, dry matter consumption and feed dry matter conversion rates were not different among treatments.