Neonatal Holstein calves may have limited liver bile production and secretion, which could limit fat digestion and absorption. Eighty 2- to 5-d old Holstein bull calves were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments using a randomized complete block design. Treatments were: 1) BS0: Control, no biosalt added to milk replacer; 2) BW1/2: BS fed at 0.175 g/d; 3) BS1: BS fed at 0.35 g/d; and 4) BS2: BS fed at 0.70 g/d. Calves were fed 2x/d at 0630 and 1800 h along with free choice water and a 22% CP mini-pelleted calf starter. The MR was fed at 0.567 kg/d for d 1-14, then increased to 0.85 kg/d for d 15-35, and feeding reduced to 1x/d for d 36-42 with weaning after d 42 for the 56 d experimental period. Linear, quadratic and cubic responses were found to be nonsignificant (P > 0.10) body weight (BW), BW gains, average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI). Body weight (59.2, 56.6 58.0 and 58.0 kg for BS0, BS1/2, BS1, and BS2, respectively), BW gains (36.5, 33.1, 33.9, and 34.8 kg), ADG (663.6, 602.0, 616.8, and 633,5 g/d) and DMI (1.25, 1.21, 1.23, and 1.23 kg/d) were similar (P > 0.10) for calves fed all treatments. The number of days (37.4, 38,7, 37.9 and 37.5 d) for calves to achieve 0.90 kg/d CS consumption for 3 consecutive d were similar (P > 0.10) among calves fed all treatments. Feed conversion demonstrated a quadratic response (P < 0.05) with calves fed BS0 demonstrating greater (P < 0.05) feed conversions (0.52, 0.45, 0.49 and 0.50 kg BW gain/kg DMI) compared with calves fed BS1/2 with calves fed BS1 and BS2 being intermediate and similar (P > 0.10). Bile salt supplementation to neonatal Holstein calves fed MR did not enhance growth performance.
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