OPTIMAL DEVELOPMENT
Soberon et al. (2017) revealed that the mammary glands of dairy calves are responsive to nutrient intake during the pre-weaning stage, especially the parenchyma tissue, which will develop into secretory cells in later life.
RESILIENCE TO DISEASE
Ballou et al. (2015) showed how calves that have been fed higher levels of nutrition, pre-weaning, have increased resistance when challenged with enteric pathogens one month after weaning, compared to those fed traditionally lower level.
LONGEVITY
Van Amburgh et al. (2013) indicated that, for every kilogram of pre-weaning Average Daily Gain (ADG), first lactation milk yield increased by 1,550kg.