Supplementation of apple pomace with nonprotein nitrogen for gestating beef cows. II. Skeletal abnormalities of calves.

Skeletal abnormalities consisting of shortened long bones, enlarged joints and splayed front feet in newborn calves were associated with cows fed apple pomace supplemented with nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) during late gestation. Measurements of x-ray films of the metacarpus and lumber vertebrae from 86 calves in three trials showed that calves from dams fed apple pomace and NPN had longer, thicker knee joints and delayed ossification, and had birth weights 5 to 10 kg less than did calves from dams fed apple pomace supplemented with cottonseed meal. These differences did not exist when the same supplements were fed in combination with corn silage. (