The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum iron (Fe) levels and hemoglobin (Hb) values in Holstein-Friesian calves with different types of milk diet. In total, 20 dairy calves (10 from each farm) were used for the experiment on two dairy farms. One farm provided the calves with a milk replacer twice a day from day 3 until weaning (Farm 1), and the other one fed the calves native milk twice a day for three weeks before the milk replacer was administered (Farm 2). Blood samples were collected three times, first at the age of 2-7 days, second time at the age of 30 days and last time at the age of 56 - 60 days, for the determination of iron and hemoglobin levels. Our experiment included monitoring of the occurrence of diarrheal and respiratory diseases in all calves. Values of serum iron and hemoglobin during the first sampling on Farm 1: Fe 33.18 µmol l-1 (±29.39) and Hb 83.7 g l-1 (±11. 35); Farm 2: Fe 8.38 µmol l-1 (±7.90) and Hb 90.4 g l-1(±8.36). Second sampling on Farm 1: Fe 37.35 µmol l-1 (±23.40) and Hb 106 g l-1 (±9.30); Farm 2: Fe 5.62 µmol l-1 (±3.42) and Hb 80.3 g l-1 (±16.59). Last time on Farm 1 the results were: Fe 42.69 µmol l-1 (±13.50) and Hb 101.0 g l-1 (±6.88); Farm 2: Fe 32.79 µmol l-1 (±16.07) and Hb 89.9 g l-1 (±6.71). No respiratory diseases were observed on either farm during this study, diarrheal diseases occurred five times on Farm 1 and nine times on Farm 2. The results show that iron deficiency and lower hemoglobin concentration are more prevalent in animals fed whole milk.

26.1.2021