Perinatal nutrient supply can affect metabolism of mammals with effects that persist later in life. We hypothesized that pre-weaning calf milk replacer (CMR) supply can alter energy homeostasis in later growth phases. One hundred twenty male Holstein calves (20 ± 3.2 d old and 48.4 ± 2.2 kg BW) were assigned to a low (LP) or high (HP) plane of nutrition, in a randomized block design with 12 blocks of 2 pens. LP received 25 kg and HP 50 kg of the same CMR (18% fat, 23% protein) for 7 weeks before weaning. Throughout the 12 weeks of experiment, calves were offered ad libitum calf starter and straw. Body weight (BW) was recorded weekly. A glucose tolerance test (GTT) was conducted before (d 42, PW) and after (d 84, AW) weaning in 24 calves (1 calf randomly selected per pen). After a 12h fasting period, glucose was infused at 180 mg/kg of BW through a venous catheter. Blood was collected at −15, −5, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 60, and 90 min relative to glucose infusion. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. BW and average daily gain (ADG) were affected (P < 0.01) by treatment, week and treatment × week interactions. HP calves were heavier from wk 2 leading to a final BW of 131.3 ± 1.88 and 140.0 ± 1.88 for LP and HP at wk 12, respectively. ADG was greater for HP on wk 1 (P < 0.01), 2 (P < 0.01), 3 (P < 0.01), 10 (P = 0.05) and 12 (P = 0.04) although on wk 7, LP presented a higher (P = 0.01) ADG. Consequently, overall ADG was lower (P < 0.01) for LP (0.969 ± 0.029 vs. 1.089 ± 0.029 kg/d). Glucose responses PW or AW did not differ (P = 0.78 and P = 0.32, respectively) between the treatments. Serum insulin presented no treatment x time interactions (P = 0.24 and P = 0.06, for PW and AW, respectively). In the PW test, insulin did not differ (P = 0.89) between treatments. In the AW test, however, plasma insulin was greater (P < 0.01) in HP calves 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 35 and 45 min following glucose infusion. Nutrient supply to calves in early life affects post weaning insulin response, supporting the importance of perinatal nutritional stimuli for later life metabolism.