Abstract

Intrauterine growth retardation, reduced bone density, and an increased risk of fracture were observed in a cohort of calves born to dams fed a diet of baleage and either fodder beet or kale during winter. This study aimed to examine whether the intrauterine effects of the dam’s diet on bone development can be overcome by the time the calf reaches its first lactation. Heifer calves from these cohorts were grown, mated, calved, and milked under standard farm practice. At 11 weeks post-calving, heifers were slaughtered, and the humerus was collected and scanned using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). There were no differences in pQCT measures of bone size, density, and strength between heifers whose dams were wintered on kale or fodder beet before calving (p>0.05). Results indicate subsequent bone growth and development after birth may compensate for the intrauterine effects of late gestation dam diet.

Gibson, M.J., Rogers C.W., Back P.J., Kittmer K.E., Wehrle-Martinez A.S., Dalley D.E., and Woods R.R.

New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production, Volume 84, Oamaru, 26-29, 2024