In Trial 1, 91 Holstein calves were fed starters
containing either soybean meal (SBM), extruded
soybeans (ESB), roasted soybeans (RSB),
SBM+soy oil (SO), or SBM+rumen inert fat
(RIF) from birth to 10 wk of age. There were no
differences in overall feed consumption, except
that calves fed RSB consumed more than calves
fed SBM+SO. There were no significant differences
in weight gains, but calves fed SBM+SO
tended to gain less. In trial 2, 71 Holstein calves
were fed starters containing roasted soybeans
from birth to 10 wk of age. Three of the starters
contained 18% protein and soybeans roasted at
210, 260, or 290 F; the fourth starter contained
15% protein and soybeans roasted at 260 F.
Calves fed starter containing soybeans roasted at
290 F consumed more feed, gained more weight,
and were more efficient in converting feed and
energy to gain than were the other calves fed 18%
protein. Feed consumption was high and gains
were intermediate by calves fed starter containing
15% protein. Growth in body size correlated with
weight gains.