The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of preweaning and postweaning nutrition on calf performance, blood metabolites, and rumen fermentation. Holstein calves (43.5 ± 5.1 kg BW at birth; 39 heifers and 18 bulls) were assigned at 1 d of age to 1 of 4 treatments in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Preweaning milk replacer (MR) treatments were a 22% CP, 20% fat (as-fed basis) MR (C) or 28% CP, 20% fat MR (H), with weaning based on starter intake. Postweaning treatments were low NFC (27% NFC on DM basis; LC) or high NFC (42% NFC; HC) grower diets fed individually for ad libitum intake from 12 to 28 wk of age. Weights, skeletal measurements, and blood were taken every 2 wk during the preweaning period. Postweaning, BW were taken every 2 wk and skeletal measurements, blood, and rumen fluid were collected monthly. Pre- and postweaning periods were analyzed separately and overall from birth to 28 wk. Calves fed H were 15 d older, 18.0 kg heavier, and consumed 58% more DM through weaning compared with C (P < 0.01); however, feed efficiency (FE) was similar between H and C from birth to weaning (P = 0.24). From weaning to 11 wk, DMI was 53% greater for C (P < 0.01); however, ADG from weaning to 11 wk was similar, resulting in greater ADG from birth to 11 wk for H (P < 0.01). Hip height, hip width, and heart girth increased 2.7, 3.6, and 3.7%, respectively, for H over C at 8 wk (P < 0.01). Postweaning, ADG was improved for HC (P = 0.01), resulting in an 8.7 kg advantage in BW at 28 wk (P = 0.04). Total DMI was similar between postweaning treatments, and FE was significantly improved for HC from 12 to 28 wk (P < 0.01). Rumen fermentation and blood profiles were altered in favor of decreased acetate (P = 0.09), increased butyrate (P = 0.01), and reduced rumen NH₃ and plasma urea N (P < 0.01) for HC. Overall, calves fed H⁺HC were 12.4 kg heavier at 28 wk compared with calves fed H⁺LC, but similar in BW to calves fed C+HC. These results suggest calves fed a high plane of nutrition preweaning should continue to receive high planes of nutrition postweaning to maintain growth advantages.