Letter to the Editor: A call for more complete reporting and evaluation of experimental methods, physical forms of starters, and results in calf research

摘要

A 5-yr review of published calf and heifer studies (Kertz and Chester-Jones, 2004) found basic information not being provided, too few animals being studied per treatment, and even failure to report sex of the calves. Calf and heifer experimental reporting guidelines were recommended in that review. Unfortunately, many calf studies still do not report basic information about the feeding program and resulting performance. Some basic information not reported includes level of milk replacer solids mixed, composition of milk or milk replacers fed, feeding times, physical form and CP level of calf starter fed, and season of year (ambient temperature would be even better). On the other hand, a good example of rather complete protocol information is found in a recent study by Hill et al. (2015).