Effect of milk substitutes with various soy bean products on the N metabolism in calves

N-balance trials on young calves aged 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 weeks, respectively, revealed that a mixture of soybean and whey powder accounting for 39.5% of the total protein amount can be fed without any disadvantage. Feeding this mixture gave N-balance results differing only slightly in the groups aged 7, 9 and 11 weeks. The milk replacer with a higher proportion of soybean and whey powder revealed a more unfavourable N-balance. This allows to conclude that milk replacers containing soybean preparations can be successfully applied to young calves from 5 weeks on, no disadvantages being likely as to N-balance and live weight gain.     

Investigations on the sulfate concentration in milk substitutes and milk products and its effect on feces composition in calves

In continuing investigations on effects of milk replacers with high ash and mineral contents (KAMPHUES et al., 1999a) on feces' quality and composition in calves in the present study the sulfate concentration (and its effects) in milk replacers and whey products were proved. In 13 samples of milk replacers the SO4 concentration varied between 2.4 and 6.7 g/kg dry matter, in 14 samples of dried whey products SO4- concentrations of 1.4 up to 41.8 g/kg dm were found. In general higher sulphur contents were caused by higher concentrations of sulfate. In feeding a milk replacer (6.7 g SO4/kg dm) about 20% of the consumed sulfate were excreted via feces (app. digestibility of about 80%). In experiments with elevated SO4 intake (in liquid diets: 560-1980 mg/l) the digestibility rate of sulfate decreased dose dependently (75-->65%). By analysis of milk replacers (used in previous experiments, TSCHENTSCHER, 1998) resulting in diarrhea in all treated calves unexpected SO4- concentrations were found of 16.3 and 10.2 g/kg dm. In feeding experiments (6 calves) by addition of Na2SO4 (85%) and MgSO4 (15%) sulfate concentration in the liquid diet was elevated from 560 mg to 1980 mg/l. Here the SO4 concentration in the diet and the dry matter content in calves' feces were correlated significantly (r = -0.86). Presented results on the SO4 concentration in milk replacers and the observed effects of sulfate intake on feces quality (i.e. dry matter content of feces) indicate by the first time that the SO4 content in milk replacers and dried whey products is an essential parameter when an estimation of milk replacers or whey products' quality is required.     

Indigestion in Young Calves VI: Studies of Diarrheic Calves Fed Milk Replacers Made of Normal and Heat-Treated Skim Milk and whey Powder

Diarrhea occurred in 12 pre-ruminant calves after the introduction of milk replacers. Six of the calves were fed a replacer made of normally treated skim milk and whey powder, while the other 6 got a replacer made of heat-treated powders, although otherwise similar to that of the first group. Abomasal curd formation was deficient in calves fed for 9 or 17 days on the heat-treated replacer (4 of 6 calves). Otherwise, no clear differences between the calves given normally treated and heat-treated replacer occurred, as regards diarrhea, bacteriological, virological, and pathomorphological findings in the intestinal tract. Rotavirus and chlamydial infections were indicated and considered as the major cause of the diarrheic condition, although bacteria, including coliforms and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, may have contributed. The milk replacers may have been involved was provoking factors.Key words: heat-treatment, skim milk, whey, diarrhea, curd formation, intestinal microflora, rotavirus, chlamydia, calves     

Raising the orphan foal

Orphan foals are best reared by fostering them onto a brood mare of appropriate size. If no foster mother is available, they can be reared on 2 per cent fat skimmed cow's milk fortified with dextrose at the rate of 20 gm per L. This should be slowly increased from 10 per cent of body weight at 1 day of age to 25 per cent of body weight at 10 days of age. The amount should then be held constant until weaning. Alternatively, foals can be reared on milk replacers. Manufacturers' feeding instructions rarely mimic the milk intake obtained by a foal nursing her dam, and problems have been observed in milk replacer fed foals. It may be better to feed milk replacers at 1- to 2-hour intervals as a 12.5 per cent solution. The volume fed can be slowly increased from 5 per cent of body weight at day 1 to 20 per cent of body weight at day 10. Fresh water, hay, and good-quality creep feed with at least an 18 per cent crude protein should be offered from 2 weeks of age. Foals can be weaned at 8 to 12 weeks of age.     

22～25日龄羔羊对两种不同营养水平代乳粉消化性的研究

将18只滩羊(♂)×小尾寒羊(♀)的杂交F1代羔羊随机分为3组,A组哺喂1号代乳粉(低营养水平),B组哺喂2号代乳粉(高营养水平),C组随母羊自然哺乳,进行了60d的饲养试验。羔羊22～25日龄采用全收粪法收集粪样,测定代乳粉的表观消化率。结果表明:1号、2号两种不同营养水平的代乳粉干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维、钙和磷的表观消化率中除粗脂肪分别是74.20%、80.99%,差异显著(P<0.05),无氮浸出物分别是63.57%、50.44%,差异极显著(P<0.01)外,其余项目差异均不显著(P>0.05)。     

Digestibility and blood parameters in the preruminant calf fed a clotting or a nonclotting milk replacer

Eight male Holstein calves 7 to 10 d of age were fed a milk replacer containing a skim milk powder subjected to low-temperature drying either with or without addition of an oxalate-NaOH buffer known to prevent curd formation. The calves were used in a completely randomized design to study the effect of milk clotting on digestibility and blood parameters. Plasma glucose and plasma insulin were similar (P greater than .05) for the clotting and the nonclotting milk replacers. For both treatments, concentrations of glucose and insulin reached a peak 2 h postfeeding (P less than .01). Plasma triglycerides were higher (P less than .01) postfeeding for the nonclotting than for the clotting milk replacer. Plasma essential amino acids and plasma urea were higher, whereas plasma calcium was lower, for the nonclotting milk (P less than .01). Digestibility of dry matter, protein and fat was similar (P greater than .05) between clotting and nonclotting milk. The dry matter content of feces was not affected by clotting (P greater than .05). The data are interpreted to indicate that clotting of the milk replacer modifies blood concentrations of triglycerides, essential amino acids and urea without changing the digestibility of the diet.     

代乳料原料组成对早期断奶羔羊生长及脏器发育的影响

为了探讨代乳料原料的不同组合效应对早期断奶羔羊的饲喂效果,选取25只甘肃高山细毛羔羊,分为5组,每组5只,对照组羔羊由母羊自由哺乳和放牧;试验组羔羊30日龄断奶,饲喂4种代乳料:A组主原料未膨化,B组主原料膨化,C组主原料膨化+血浆蛋白粉,D组在C组基础上增加乳清粉。试验期为30~90日龄。结果表明:50、70日龄时,对照组羔羊体质量最大,试验组羔羊受断奶应激的影响,相应指标较小。90日龄时,D组体质量显著高于B、C组(P0.05),超过了对照组。30~90日龄阶段,D组日增体质量最大,且显著高于B、C组(P0.05)。对照组脾脏质量显著高于4个试验组(P0.05),且脾脏指数最高。说明在代乳料中添加血浆蛋白粉及增加乳清粉,有利于羔羊健康发育,使代乳料的饲喂效果最佳。     

The influence of various feedstuffs containing fat and protein on the digestibility of crude nutrients in young calves

Digestibility trials were carried out with calves, aged 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 weeks, which were fed with feedstuffs of various energy and protein levels (various amounts of dried skim milk supplement with 146, 219, 323 g per day of the milk replacer Laktin) plus concentrate and hay. The purpose of the experiment was to find out what effect the amount of milk replacer varying daily had on the digestibility of the nutrients. The experiments confirm that the amount of milk replacer has a great influence on the digestibility of the crude fat. The amount of digestible crude fat consumed with the feed considerably influcenced the digestibility of the energy, it had little influence on the digestibility of the other nutrients, however. With increasing age the calves received more plant protein sources with a lower biologic value. Thus the digestibility of the protein in the complete ration was diminished as well. This shows that the digestibility was influenced by the protein quality, not, however, by the amount of crude protein. The digestibility of the dry matter andthe organic matter as well as of the N-free extractives in the feed ration diminished according to the changed composition with the increasing age of the animals; in constrast to this the digestibility of the crude fibres increased gradually.     

Ultrasonographic imaging of abomasal curd in preruminant calves

The aim of this study was to determine whether ultrasonography could be used to evaluate curd formation in the abomasum of preruminant calves. Holstein-Friesian calves were fed one of three milk replacers: clotting (five calves), non-clotting (four calves) and pH-dependent clotting (clots form at pH 5.5, but not at pH 6.5; six calves). Ultrasonography was performed until 6h after feeding the milk replacers. In calves fed the clotting milk replacer, a large clot of curd was visualised by ultrasonography as a clearly outlined echogenic image and whey as an anechoic image. In calves fed the non-clotting milk replacer, abomasal contents were visualised as a uniform, entirely echogenic image, indicating the absence of curd formation. In calves fed milk replacer with pH-dependent clotting properties, several small curds and whey were visualised by ultrasonography. It was concluded ultrasonography can be used to visualise abomasal curd and to distinguish the presence and absence of curds in the abomasum of calves.     

饲喂不同营养水平代乳粉对犊牛生长性能的影响

选择体重和出生日期相近、健康状况良好的荷斯坦公犊牛30头,随机分为3组（试验I组、Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组）,每组10头,研究了饲喂不同脂肪和蛋白质水平代乳粉对犊牛生长性能的影响。不同处理代乳粉的营养水平分别为：试验I组,EE13％、CP22％;Ⅱ组,EE16％、CP24％;Ⅲ组,EE19％、CP26％。研究结果表明．犊牛的日增重随着代乳粉营养水平的升高逐渐提高,试验Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组的日增重分别比试验I组提高了35．45％和37．63％（P〈（1．05）．试验Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组的平均日增重差异不显著;饲喂高营养水平代乳粉具有降低犊牛腹泻的趋势;不同试验处理对犊牛开食料采食量无显著差异。综合分析饲喂不同营养水平代乳粉对犊牛生长和经济效益的影响,代乳粉的适宜营养水平为EE16％、CP24％。     

Indigestion in Young Calves: I. Different Lactose Levels in Milk Diets and Milk Replacers

Increasing the lactose content of different milk replacers or milk diets by approx. 30 % of the dry matter increased the frequency of diarrhoea the first 10–12 days in young calves on all occasions in 5 experiments comprising 120 calves. For all diets taken together, this effect was highly significant. Total daily intakes of lactose amounted to 200–480 g. When lactose was given on top of the milk rations, the growth rate increased significantly, whereas the growth rate was usually insignificantly reduced when lactose replaced other nutrients in milk diets or milk replacers, their levels of protein and fat becoming low. Albumin and total protein in blood plasma were significantly lower when the dietary protein level was low. Milk replacers with 20 or 40 % whey powder, replacing skim milk powder, performed equally well, but gave significantly less growth than the old-fashioned feeding of whole milk-skim milk. Intake of hay and barley and a number of clinical and histological or pathological parameters did not vary consistently with dietary level of whey powder or lactose. Feeding whole milk all the time resulted in low intake of hay and barley and poorly developed forestomachs, but high dressing-out %. Substituting soya for part of the skim milk powder in milk replacers gave abomasal content with no curds. In most cases, pH in the rumen appeared to be nearly up to neutral until the calves ate ground barley, about 1 month old.     

Milk feeding and utilization of nutrients in clinically healthy calves and in calves with diarrhea

Digestibility of nutrients was determined in healthy calves and in those with diarrhoea at the age of two and three weeks. The total collection of feces and indigestible marker methods (with Cr2O3) were used. High equality of results and statistically non-significant differences between the method of a total collection of feces and indigestible marker one in the suckling calves (Tab. II) confirm the suitability of using these two methods to determine digestibility. Based on the composition and commercially recommended feeding guide of milk replacer, it is clear that it has lower digestible energy, Zn and Fe intake. Slightly higher digestible crude protein and Mg intake, optimum Ca and P intake, all these values were calculated for 1 kg of live weight (Tab. I). Nutrient contents is responsible for nutrient ratio which is unbalanced and for low contents of digestible energy (76.5 KJ per g of digestible crude protein) instead of recommended values of 100-110 KJ per of digestible crude protein in milk replacer in suckling calves. In six clinically healthy calves fed with milk replacer Laktavit twice a day, an apparent digestibility of organic matter was found to be 95.7 +/- 1.8%, crude protein 93.5 +/- 1.8%, fat 94.5 +/- 1.4%, carbohydrates 97.2 +/- 1.5%, Ca absorption was 86.5 +/- 2.8%, P 95.3 +/- 2.9%. There was a depressed absorption for Mg 43.4 +/- 6.8%, Fe 24.2 +/- 4.3% and Zn 36.8 +/- 3.5% (Tab. III).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of wheat protein in milk replacers on abomasal emptying rate in calves

Diarrhoea is a condition with tremendous impact on calf health. Infectious agents play a dominant role; however, non‐infective factors may also contribute to pathogenesis of diarrhoea. One factor, the abomasal emptying rate, is mainly influenced by the composition of feed. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of different protein sources in milk replacers on abomasal emptying rate and clinical parameters. The effect of increasing age of the calves on abomasal emptying was also evaluated. The study compared abomasal emptying rates and clinical parameters in calves, which were fed either milk replacer containing only whey protein or one which partially contained wheat protein. Abomasal emptying rate was estimated by ultrasonography. Ten calves were used in the study over 18 days, and each calf was fed 3 periods of 3 days length using different milk replacers in an alternating crossover design. The abomasum was emptied significantly faster when the wheat protein containing milk replacer was fed (half‐emptying time wheat protein 49.1 ± 4.1 min, half‐emptying time milk protein 59.1 ± 7.4 min); however, clinical parameters and weight gain did not differ between the feeding regimes. Age did not significantly influence abomasal emptying rate. As milk replacers containing wheat proteins increased abomasal emptying rate, they may have a higher potential to initiate diarrhoea, especially if high volumes are fed. Thus, the feeding regimes are likely to be even more important when such milk replacers are used.     

早期断奶对巴音布鲁克羊羔羊增重及血清中部分生长类激素水平的影响

选择巴音布鲁克羊健康羔羊20只,分别在40和60日龄实施早期断奶,同时饲喂2种不同粗蛋白质水平(20%、22%)的代乳料,测定血清中生长类激素水平,研究早期断奶对羔羊生长的影响。试验分为4个试验组(A、B、C、D组,2种断奶日龄分别对应2种粗蛋白质水平代乳料)和1个对照组(哺乳羔羊)。结果表明:①平均日增重,试验组羔羊均高于对照组,其中饲喂22%CP代乳料的2种断奶日龄组显著高于对照组(P0.05);22%CP的2组平均日增重显著高于20%CP的2组(P0.05);同一营养水平的代乳料,2种断奶日龄间平均日增重无显著差异。②血清中4种生长类激素的水平,试验组羔羊血清中IGF-Ⅰ、INS水平均高于对照组,其中B组(40日龄断奶,22%CP)IGF-Ⅰ显著高于对照组(P0.05);B、D组(22%CP)INS显著高于对照组(P0.05);B组IGF-Ⅰ显著高于A、C、D组(P0.05)。试验组羔羊血清中T3、T4浓度与对照组无显著差异(P0.05)。因此,本试验条件下,巴音布鲁克羊羔羊40和60日龄断奶可行,且以饲喂粗蛋白质水平为22%的代乳料效果较好。     

Effect of Different Carbohydrate Sources on Growth Performance,Body Size Indexes andNutrients Apparent Digestibility of Beef Calves

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different carbohydrate sources on growth performance, body size indexes and nutrients apparent digestibility of beef calves. Twenty newborn Black Angus calves were randomly divided into 4 treatments,5 replications per treatment and 1 calve per replication. The calves in control group fed with milk,while that of groups A,B and C fed with glucose,whey powder and ripened corn powder as the main carbohydrate source of milk replacer,respectively. The test was start when the calves were 30 days of age,and the trial period lasted for 45 days. The body weight and body indexes of calves were measured at 30,45,60 and 75 days of age. Two digestion tests were arranged at 35-43 and 65-73 days of age,in addition,the incidence of diarrhea was documented daily. The results showed that the effect of different carbohydrate source on the calves was obvious in the first period. At 30-45 days of age,the average daily gain of group C was extremely significantly lower than that of control group (P< 0.01),and significant lower than groups A and B (P< 0.05),while that of group A was significantly lower than that of control group and group B (P< 0.05).The DM apparent digestibility rate of group C was significantly lower than that of groups A and B (P< 0.05),the apparent digestibility of CP was significantly lower than that of group A (P< 0.05) and extremely significantly lower than that of group B (P< 0.01),diarrhea rate was also high in this period. After 45 days of age,this influence decreased,the average daily gain of groups A and B began to increase,and there was no significant difference compared with control group (P> 0.05). The growth rate of group C increased rapidly,and there was no significant difference of average daily gain compared with group A at 75 days of age (P> 0.05).The nutrient apparent digestibility were improved in the second digestible test,and the diarrhea rate began to decrease which was 0 at the end of the test. During the whole experiment,the different carbohydrate source had little effect on the body indexes. In conclusion,whey powder showed the best effects in the experiment,flowed by glucose and the effect of ripened corn powder was poor in the early,but it became better with the increase of calves' age.     

不同糖源对肉用犊牛生长性能、体尺指数及营养物质表观消化率的影响

试验旨在研究不同糖源代乳料对肉用犊牛生长性能、体尺指数及营养物质消化率的影响。选取20头新生黑安格斯犊牛,随机分为4组,每组5头。对照组随母牛饲喂,A、B、C组分别饲喂以葡萄糖、乳清粉和熟化玉米粉为主要糖源的代乳粉,30日龄时开始正式试验,试验期为45 d。分别在犊牛30、45、60、75日龄时进行空腹称重,测量体尺,每天观察记录犊牛的腹泻情况。在35~43和65~73日龄进行两期消化试验,采集样品,测定表观消化率。结果显示,试验前期不同糖源对各试验组犊牛影响明显,30~45日龄时C组平均日增重显著低于A、B组（P< 0.05）,并极显著低于对照组（P< 0.01）,A组日增重显著低于对照组和B组（P< 0.05）;C组DM表观消化率显著低于A、B组（P< 0.05）;CP表观消化率显著低于A组（P< 0.05）,极显著低于B组（P< 0.01）;犊牛腹泻率在这一时期也偏高。45日龄后这种影响逐渐减小,A、B组犊牛日增重开始增加,与对照组差异不显著（P> 0.05）,C组犊牛生长速度也快速增加,到75日龄时平均日增重与A组差异不显著（P> 0.05）;第二期消化试验中各试验组犊牛营养物质的表观消化率均明显提高,犊牛腹泻率也开始降低,试验后期降至为0。而在整个试验期不同糖源对各组的体尺及体尺指数影响不大。综上,在试验中乳糖效果最好,葡萄糖次之,熟化玉米粉则在前期效果不佳,但随着犊牛日龄的增加效果逐渐改善。     

Effect of protein : energy ratio in milk replacers on growth performance of goat kids

Two separate experiments were carried out to establish the effects of the protein:energy ratio in milk replacers on growth performance, plasma lipid concentrations and fatty acid composition in adipose tissue of male goat kids. In the first experiment there were 211 3-day- old goat kids and in the second experiment there were 121 kids aged 3-7 days. The animals were fed ad libitum for a period of 4 weeks on milk replacers containing either 11.5 or 9.5 g crude protein/MJ metabolizable energy. In essence, protein was exchanged with fat on a weight basis. Milk concentrations were increased from 160 to 190 g/l in experiment 1, from 150 to 180 g/l in experiment 2. There were significant increases in body weight and feed intake when the milk replacer with high protein : energy ratio was fed. Group mean average daily weight gain was 168 and 203 g for the groups with low and high dietary protein:energy ratio in experiment 1; for experiment 2 the values were 139 and 160 g. Average dry matter intake was 18 and 14% higher for the diet with high protein:energy ratio in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. There was no change in either feed conversion (feed:gain ratio) or energy conversion (weight gain:energy intake ratio). There were no consistent diet effects on plasma lipid concentrations. Dietary fatty acid composition was reflected by that of adipose tissue. The milk replacer with high protein:energy ratio produced a small increase in the contents of myristic and palmitic acid in adipose tissue.     

不同处理大豆蛋白粉对犊牛消化酶活性及小肠发育的影响

本试验旨在研究饲喂含有不同加工处理大豆蛋白的代乳粉对犊牛消化道结构和消化酶活性的影响。试验选用新生公犊牛18只,随机分为3组,每组6只,分别饲喂含有全脂大豆粉(A组)、脱脂大豆粉(B组)或膨化大豆粉(C组)的代乳粉, 预饲期7 d, 试验期42 d。结果表明,代乳粉中不同加工处理的大豆蛋白对犊牛肠道消化酶活性和小肠形态结构具有显著的影响。与膨化大豆粉组和全脂大豆粉犊牛相比,B组犊牛小肠食糜中胰蛋白酶活性和糜蛋白酶活性最低。各组绒毛高度在空肠近端无显著差异,在小肠其它各段,A组和C组都显著高于B组(P<0.05)。各组犊牛十二指肠和空肠近端隐窝深度无显著差异(P>0.05)。A组和C组的小肠绒毛高度与隐窝深度比值均显著高于B组(P<0.05)。十二指肠和空肠近端、中部的黏膜厚度接近(P>0.05),但在空肠远端A组与C组无显著差异(P>0.05),显著高于B组(P<0.05)。综上所述,加热全脂大豆蛋白粉和膨化大豆蛋白粉能够作为蛋白质来源在代乳粉中添加。     

High intake of calcium formiate depresses macronutrient digestibility in veal calves fed milk replacers containing either dairy proteins or whey protein plus soya protein concentrate

A study to determine whether calcium intake and the type of dietary protein would show an interaction with regard to macronutrient digestibility in veal calves was carried out. Eighty four male calves, about 8 weeks of age, were fed four experimental milk replacers in a 2  2 factorial design. The diets contained either dairy protein as a sole source of protein or whey protein (76% of total protein) plus soya protein concentrate (24% of total protein) and either a low or high concentration of calcium. Calcium was added to the high-calcium diets in the form of calcium formiate. The concentration of calcium was on average 0.64% of air-dry matter in the low-calcium rations and 1.25% in the calcium-rich rations. After the experimental diets had been fed for 10 weeks, body-weight gain was significantly lower (on average 5.5 kg) in the calves that had been fed on the diets containing soya protein concentrate and whey protein. Calcium intake did not significantly influence weight gain. In the calves that were fed soya proteins, digestibility of protein and carbohydrates was significantly lower than in those fed dairy protein only, but fat digestion was unaffected. High calcium intake significantly reduced the digestibility of protein, fat and carbohydrates. With regard to carbohydrate digestibility there was an interaction between the amount of calcium and type of protein in the diet such that the effect of calcium was greater when the diet contained 24% of protein in the form of soya protein instead of dairy protein only.     

Energy concentration and phosphorus digestibility in whey powder, whey permeate, and low-ash whey permeate fed to weanling pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine DE and ME, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P, and the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in whey powder (3,646 kcal/kg), whey permeate (3,426 kcal/kg), and low-ash whey permeate (3,657 kcal/kg) fed to weanling pigs. The DE and ME in the 3 whey products were determined using 32 barrows (9.2 ± 0.4 kg of BW). A basal diet based on corn, soybean meal, and fish meal and 3 diets containing 70% of the basal diet and 30% of each whey product were prepared. Each diet was fed to 8 pigs that were housed individually in metabolism cages. The total collection method was used for fecal and urine collections with 5-d adaptation and 5-d collection periods, and the difference procedure was used to calculate DE and ME in the 3 whey products. The concentrations of DE in whey powder and low-ash whey permeate were greater (P < 0.001) than in whey permeate (3,646 and 3,683 vs. 3,253 kcal/kg of DM). The concentrations of ME in whey powder and low-ash whey permeate were also greater (P < 0.001) than in whey permeate (3,462 and 3,593 vs. 3,081 kcal/kg of DM). The ATTD and STTD of P in the 3 whey products were determined using 32 barrows (11.0 ± 0.81 kg of BW). Three cornstarch-sucrose-based diets containing 30% of each whey product as the sole source of P were prepared. A P-free diet that was used to estimate the basal endogenous losses of P was also formulated. The ATTD of P in whey powder and in whey permeate was greater (P < 0.001) than in low-ash whey permeate (84.3 and 86.1 vs. 55.9%), but the STTD values for P were not different among the 3 ingredients (91.2, 93.1, and 91.8% in whey powder, whey permeate, and low-ash whey permeate, respectively). In conclusion, whey permeate contains less GE, DE, and ME than whey powder and low-ash whey permeate, but all 3 ingredients have an excellent digestibility of P.