Use of Glycerol in Calf Milk Replacers
Glycerol (glycerin) is increasingly available from biodiesel manufacture and edible oil refining and has been used successfully in diets for chickens, pigs, and adult cattle; however, no information is available on its nutritional value in young calves. The objective of this study was to determine the effects on calf growth and health when glycerol replaced a portion of lactose in milk replacer. Holstein calves (six males, six females) were assigned to two treatments (control milk replacer or milk replacer supplemented with 15% glycerol). Milk replacers contained 28% protein (all from whey proteins), 2.6% lysine, and 15% fat. Control milk replacer contained 40% lactose; glycerol milk replacer contained 25% lactose. Both replacers were reconstituted to 15% solids. Starter feed was offered beginning on day 36; the milk replacer offered was reduced by half on day 43 and the calves were weaned at day 49. Measurements of BW and stature were made weekly through day 56. Calf body weight through day 35 did not differ significantly between treatments (0.68 vs. 0.64 kg/d for controls and glycerol, respectively). Stature measurements (withers height, body length, heart girth) and measures of health (fecal scores, medical treatments) did not differ between treatments. The researchers concluded that glycerol could be an acceptable replacement for at least 37.5% of the total lactose in milk replacers if economically favorable.

Ebert, R.A., G. M. Willis and J. K. Drackley. 2008. T198 Efficacy of glycerol as a replacement for lactose in calf milk replacer. J. Anim. Sci. 86:68/J. Dairy Sci. 91:68 (Abstract 198).

Comparing Soybean Meal and Full-fat Soybeans for Young Pigs
A trial was conducted to test the effect of finely grinding soybean meal and full-fat soybean on ileal digestibility of dietary components and digestive traits of young pigs. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments arranged factorial (two soybean products and two particle sizes) with six pigs per treatment. Diets formulated to contain 2,490 kcal NE/kg and 1.28% available lysine were fed from 23 to 45 days of age. The main difference among them was the mean particle size of the soybean products used (47 and 881 μm for the soybean meal and 41 and 778 μm for the full-fat soybean). In all cases the source tested supplied 5.5% of the dietary crude protein. The ideal digestion of dietary components, the pH of the gastrointestinal tract and the weight of digestive organs and spleen were measured at 45 days of age. Particle size did not affect any trait studied (P≥0.10). Type of soybean product had no effect on the ideal digestion of the crude protein or amino acids (P≥0.10). However, pigs fed the soybean meal diets had higher ideal digestion of organic matter (0.765 vs. 0.705) and gross energy (0.761 vs. 0.711) than pigs fed the full-fat soybean diets (P≤0.001). Pigs fed SBM had heavier pancreas (2.3 vs. 1.9 g/kg body weight; P≤0.05) and livers (35.9 vs. 32.7 g/kg body weight; P≤0.01) than pigs fed FFSB. The researchers concluded that pigs fed soybean meal had better digestibility of organic matter and gross energy than pigs fed full-fat soybean meal and that fine grinding of the two soy protein sources does not affect nutrient digestibility.

Valencia, D.G. and co-workers. 2008. Soybean meal and fullfat soybean on nutrient digestibility and digestive traits in young pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 86:448/J. Dairy Sci. 91:448 (Abstract138).