Table 6 Effects of corn processing method (steam-flaking vs. grinding) in starter diet and weaning age (50 vs. 75) on calf health status (n = 12 per treatment).

Items^a	SFC		GC		SEM	Contrast, P-value
Items^a	50	75	50	75	SEM	C	W	T	C × W	C × T	W × T	C × W × T
Fecal score	1.07	1.06	1.06	1.03	0.01	0.01	0.07	< 0.01	0.52	< 0.01	1.00	0.01
Days with fecal score ≥ 3	1.75	1.33	1.33	1.00	0.34	0.28	0.28		0.90
Respiratory score	1.18	1.14	1.09	1.21	0.02	0.71	0.02	< 0.01	< 0.01	0.36	1.00	0.63
Days with respiratory score ≥ 3	6.16	4.83	2.91	7.83	1.73	0.94	0.30		0.07
General appearance score	1.21	1.19	1.14	1.24	0.02	0.44	0.02	< 0.01	0.01	0.08	1.00	0.01
Days with general appearance score ≥ 3	6.08	4.58	4.50	7.66	1.73	0.66	0.63		0.18
Rectal temperature, ^oC	38.9	38.7	38.8	38.8	0.01	0.79	< 0.01	< 0.01	< 0.01	0.01	0.12	0.01
Days with rectal temperature ≥ 39.4 °C	9.25	4.08	3.41	7.33	1.53	0.40	0.68		0.01
Days medicated^b	1.50	1.50	1.41	1.58	0.44	1.00	0.85		0.85

SFC steam-flaked corn, GC ground corn, C corn processing method, W weaning age. C × W = interaction. P = measurement time.
^aCalf feces was scored on a 5-point scale as 1 = normal and 5 = watery, mucous, and bloody. General appearance was scored on a 5-point scale as 1 = normal and alert, and 5 = severely lethargic. Respiratory assessment was undertaken using a 5-point scale as 1 = normal and 5 = severe and chronic cough.
^bTotal days calves received veterinary medications.

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