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Under the conditions of this study, the following conclusions seemed justified: 1. Cud inoculations did not improve rate of growth or efficiency of feed utilization in calves through four months of age. Consumption of hay was not materially increased by cud inoculations. 2. Thus. it is concluded that cud inoculation is of no economic value under practical calf raising conditions. 3. Calves restricted in grain feeding did consume more hay than unrestricted calves; however, the increase was not great. Efficiency of feed utilization, as measured by the pounds of T. D. N. consumed per pound of gain was essentially the same for calves on a grain:hay ratio of 1:2 (restricted grain feeding) as those on a 1:1 grain:hay ratio (unrestricted grain feeding). 4. Skeletal growth, as determined by height at withers, was adversely affected by restriction or grain in the feeding program. 5. Calves fed one pound of whole milk per ten pounds of body weight daily up to 60 days of age, and a simple grain ration made satisfactory growth when grain was fed free choice (with a four-pound daily maximum) and hay of average or better quality was fed free choice. 6. Thus, it is indicated that a substantial monetary saving in the raising of herd replacements may be affected by the use of a simple grain ration instead of high-priced commercial calf mixtures. / Master of Science

Glucose pool size (PS), pool space (PV) and clearance rate (CR) vere determined for eight first-lactation Holstein cows at three lactation stages [early (E) = 75-100 days, late (L) = 205-250 days, and dry (D) ]. A corn silage-based ration (15% CP, 22% ADP) was fed ad libitum during lactation and at maintenance during D, using 4-hr feeding intervals. Three intravenous glucose (.1 g/kg BW) injections were administered each period. Serial blood samples were collected for 40 min post-dosing. Parameters were calculated by the least squares method using natural logarithms of glucose concentration. Basal plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were 57.4, 60.1, and 62.3 mg/dl and .78, .97, and 1.24 ng/ml, respectively, for E, L, and D, respectively. PS and PV increased (P<.05) from E to D; however, when adjusted for body weight there was no difference across stages. CR decreased (P<.05) from E (2.43%/min) to D (1.71%/min) and was correlated with dry matter intake (r = .70, P<.01). Glucose-induced insulin response was greater (P<.05) during D than during lactation due to higher peak (P<.05) and lover insulin clearance (P<.05) values. Glucose parameters were determined by single injection in lactating cows fed a high-concentrate ration (16.8% CP, 13% ADF) (n=5) and a control ration (16.3% CP, 24.4% ADF) (n=4) , at 90 and 120 days postpartum. No differences due to stage or diet were observed, due to insufficient observations. Plasma glucose and insulin tended to be higher with HC-feeding and at the later stage. / Master of Science

Diets of varying forage base were fed to dairy heifers to test the accuracy of an prediction equation to accurately predict dry matter intake (DMI). Heifers ranging from 120 to 430 kg body weight, were randomly assigned to treatments with forage bases of 1) 100% corn silage, 2) 75% corn silage : 25% alfalfa haylage, 3) 50 % corn silage : 50% alfalfa haylage, or 4) 25% corn silage : 75% alfalfa haylage. Diets were fed for an average of 187 days. Rations were formulated to meet NRC requirements for .68 kg ADG and reformulated monthly. Animals consistently gained an average of .8 kg per day. Statistical analysis showed actual DMI to be significantly less than predicted levels of DMI. The correlation coefficient of actual DMI to predicted DMI was .59. In spite of increased rates of gain, differences due to treatment, ration acid detergent fiber (ADF) and season were not significant. Depressed intake may be the result of metabolic control of intake as ADG approaches .8 kg. This suggests that current recommendations for TDN may be excessive for dairy heifers reared in confinement. / Master of Science