We investigated how different fat sources in calf starter diets influence growth, health, and inflammation, particularly during cold weather. Our study involved 48 Holstein calves, divided into four diet groups: one without added fat, one with calcium-salts of soybean oil (Ca-SBO), another with calcium-salts of fish oil (Ca-FO), and a mix of both.
We found that calves fed the Ca-FO diet, which contains DHA and other beneficial fats, had significantly better growth performance and higher final body weights compared to the other groups. In fact, these calves showed enhanced feed efficiency and increased average daily gains, suggesting that DHA, often found in fish oils, plays a crucial role in improving growth in challenging cold conditions.
Furthermore, the calves on the Ca-FO diet exhibited lower levels of inflammatory markers compared to their counterparts, which indicates a potential of DHA in reducing inflammation, a common issue in cold environments. In contrast, the Ca-SBO group had higher levels of certain fats and inflammation markers, pointing to the advantages of including DHA in calf diets during cold seasons.
Overall, our findings suggest that enriching calf diets with DHA not only supports better growth in cold climates but also helps in managing inflammation.