INTRODUCTION
There is limited information on the effects and requirements
of specific fatty acids for the calf. Although
calves consume high-fat milk or milk replacer-based diets
(≥20% fat, DM basis) initially, their diet is typically
very low in fat once weaned (NRC, 2001). No estimates
of requirements exist for specific fatty acids or groups of
fatty acids (NRC, 2001). Recently, it was demonstrated
that supplementing the milk replacer with sources of
C18:2 and C18:3 increased ADG and reduced days with
scours (Hill et al., 2007a,b). Additionally, supplementing
the starter with sources of C18:2 and C18:3 was shown
to increase ADG and feed efficiency in calves up to 4
mo old (Hill et al., 2007c).