B. K. Ojha

During the early liquid feeding period, growth of calves fed milk or milk replacer is directly proportional to the amount of liquid provided. In contrast, in restricted liquid feeding programs, growth rates are directly proportional to the amount of calf starter consumed. Since milk alone cannot fulfill the requirement of vitamins and trace minerals, it should be supplemented with diet. A number of vitamins and trace minerals are involved in the antioxidant defense system and a deficiency of any of these nutrients may depress immunity in calves. A number of trace minerals are required for functioning of enzymes involved in the antioxidant defense system. Certain trace minerals may also affect immune cells via mechanisms distinct from antioxidant properties. Micronutrients supplementation improves the performance of pre-ruminants calves. This book or monograph will be very useful to the scientists working in mineral nutrition, animal nutrition and veterinary medicine.