Behavioural changes at weaning in 6-month-old beef calves reared by cows of high or low milk yield

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 637 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Ungerfeld ◽  
G. Quintans ◽  
D. H. Enríquez ◽  
M. J. Hrötzel
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Growth Stage ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Behavioural Changes ◽  
Developmental Growth ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Instantaneous Sampling ◽  
Daily Gain

The objective of this experiment was to determine the differences in behavioural changes observed in 6-month-old beef calves at weaning in relation to milk yield availability from their dams. Eighteen Hereford or Hereford × Angus crossbred primiparous cows from a single herd remained with their calves suckling until the beginning of the experiment (194.1 ± 1.9 days after calving). On day 0, calves were moved to a 100-m2 corral far from their mothers, which were taken to a field more than 1000 m away, and returned to the original paddock on day 1. Milk production was determined monthly during the lactation period in 14 of the 18 cows. Calves’ behaviour was recorded using instantaneous sampling of individual animals in each group every 10 min from 0800 to 0950, 1200 to 1350, and 1600 to 1750 hours. Recordings were performed from day –3 to day 5, except on day 0. The calves from the five cows with higher milk yield (HMY) and the calves from the five cows with lower milk yield (LMY) were considered for data analysis. Milk yield was greater in HMY than LMY cows throughout all the lactation. HMY calves tended to suckle more frequently than LMY calves. There were no differences in average daily gain after weaning between HMY and LMY calves. However, HMY calves were heavier at weaning than LMY calves. The frequency of grazing, ruminating, walking and standing differed between HMY and LMY calves, and was affected by weaning. For example, calves from HMY cows spent less time grazing before and after weaning than calves from LMY cows. There were also interactions between group and time on the frequency of these behaviours. Overall, we conclude that the behaviour of 6-month-old beef calves at weaning differed according to their mothers’ milk yield, and their developmental growth stage.

scholarly journals MILK PRODUCTION IN RANGE BEEF COWS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO CALF GAINS

1968 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Gleddie ◽  
R. T. Berg
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Total Solids ◽  
Milk Solid ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Daily Gain

Milk yield in lactating range beef cows was estimated by milking 42 cows four times at approximately monthly intervals during the lactation. Milking was by machine after oxytocin injection. Weights of calves, before and after suckling, over a 24-hour period were used to estimate calf consumption. Breed-age group averages for 24-hour milk yield varied from 3.7 to 8.4 kg, with an overall average of 6.4 kg. Breed of cow accounted for 82.5% of the variance in milk yield in these data. Milk yield declined on the average by 0.02 kg per day of lactation. The correlation between calf consumption and milk yield was 0.58. Butterfat was 3.9% on the average, protein 3.5%, solids-not-fat 9.1% and total solids 13.0%. Breed-age group or month of test did not significantly influence milk constituent percentages, although butterfat and total solids tended to rise as lactation progressed.A good estimate of milk yield was obtained by one test milking. Milk composition based on one test milking was not reliable. Milk yield as estimated in any month was highly related to calf average daily gain from birth to weaning. Use of two test milkings improved the relationship only slightly. Milk solid component percentages showed little relationship to calf gains.

MILK PRODUCTION IN CATTALO COWS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON CALF GAINS

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. KELLER
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
F Protein ◽  
Percent Increase ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Daily Gain

Milk yield in 91 lactations from cattalo cows averaging about 14% bison–86% Hereford was estimated by five milkings during 185-day intervals in each of the years 1961–1963 at the Agriculture Canada Experimental Farm, Manyberries, Alberta. Estimated 24-h milk yield was highest in June (6.36 ± 0.17 kg) and lowest near the termination of lactation in October (3.16 ± 0.08 kg). Total estimated milk yield (TMY) from parturition to the end of the 185-day lactation period was 938 ± 22 kg. Age of dam was a major source of variation in TMY and TMY decreased by 10.8 ± 5.3 kg for each percent increase in bison percentage of dam (B % dam). Gain from birth to 185 days of age (TGAIN) of cattalo calves was highly correlated with TMY (r = 0.79) and periodic milk yields throughout the lactation period (r = 0.59–0.76), with TGAIN being greatest in calves from older dams (5–9 yr). Correlations of mean percent fat (%F), protein (%P), and solids-not-fat (%SNF) in the milk from cattalo dams with calf TGAIN were generally low and inconclusive due to small sampling numbers. Although milk yield decreased through the lactation period, %F, %P, and %SNF in the milk increased proportionally. B-% dam did not influence average daily gain between milkings or TGAIN of calves to any appreciable extent. TMY accounted for 75% of the known variation in TGAIN and calves were found to be 0.057 ± 0.005 kg heavier at 185 days of age for each 1-kg increase in TMY.

Behavioural responses of 6-month-old beef calves prevented from suckling: influence of dam's milk yield

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 909 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Hötzel ◽  
R. Ungerfeld ◽  
G. Quintans
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Instantaneous Sampling ◽  
High Yields

The objective of the present experiment was to compare the behavioural response of calves reared by cows of different milk yields to the prevention of suckling with the aid of nose-flaps that allowed the maintenance of social contact with the dam. Twenty Hereford or Hereford × Angus crossbred primiparous cows from a single herd remained with their calves suckling until the beginning of the experiment, in late summer–early autumn. Milk production was determined monthly during the lactation period and the pairs were selected according to the cows’ milk production, for higher or lower milk yield (HMY and LMY, respectively). On Day 0, suckling was prevented by placing a nose-flap anti-suckling device on each calf for 11 days. Calf behaviour was recorded from Day –3 to Day 5, using instantaneous sampling of individual animals in each group, and the calves were weighed monthly since birth, and on Days –8 and 11. Bodyweight profiles for HMY and LMY calves were similar until Day –8; from then on, up to Day 11, HMY calves lost weigh, whereas LMY calves gained weight. Suckling frequency before nose-flaps were fitted was similar for HMY and LMY calves. There was no relationship between the cow’s milk yield and the changes observed in behaviour. Apart from playing, all behaviours were affected by prevention of suckling. The distance between the calves and the dam, and the frequency of grazing and rumination, decreased after nose-flaps were placed, whereas vocalisations, suckling attempts, walking and standing increased. In conclusion, the behavioural responses to prevention of suckling did not differ between the 6-month-old calves reared by cows with high yields and those with low milk yields. The behavioural response of calves that were prevented from suckling but were kept with the dams indicates that the cessation of suckling contributes to the weaning distress of 6-month-old beef calves.

Additional nutritional considerations for preconditioning beef calves.

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipe Moriel
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Supplemental Feed ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Protein Supply ◽  
Daily Gain

Calves can be preconditioned using a wide variety of supplemental feed ingredients. However, feed ingredient selection is not the only factor to consider during a preconditioning process. Increasing the protein supply to stressed, preconditioning beef steers led to greater growth performance, and increased immune response to vaccination during a 42-day preconditioning period. Producers should not reduce the frequency of concentrate supplementation during the entire preconditioning period as it might lead to poorer vaccine response and average daily gain (consequently, less calf value at sale). However, a gradual reduction of frequency of supplementation is a supplementation strategy that can overcome these negative effects on growth and immunity, and allows producers to save on feeding and labor costs without producing lighter calves that have weaker immune responses.  

Studies on feed intake and feed utilization by sheep. II. The utilization of feed by ewes

1966 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Hadjipieris ◽  
J. G. W. Jones ◽  
R. H. Wimble ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Utilization ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean

1. The yield and composition of milk from twenty Border Leicester x Cheviot ewes offered dried grass cubes, dried grass cubes and hay, hay or grazing was determined over a lactation period lasting 10 weeks. Milk yield was estimated by weighing the lambs before and after each suckling on one day each week. Samples of milk for analysis were obtained at fortnightly intervals by hand milking the left side of each udder before the mid-day suckling by the lambs.2. Ewes receiving dried grass cubes and suckling twins and those receiving dried grass cubes and hay reached mean peak milk yields of 3470 and 2680 g./day, respectively, at 2-3 weeks after parturition, whilst the yields of the remaining ewes declined continuously from the beginning of lactation. The mean milk yield over the lactation of ewes receiving dried grass cubes and suckling twins was 2785 g./day, of those receiving dried grass cubes and suckling singles 1821 g./day, of those receiving dried grass cubes and hay 2119 g./day and of those receiving hay 1177 g./day. The yield of milk energy was highest for all ewes during the first week after parturition.

INFLUENCE OF COW SIZE AND OTHER FACTORS ON WEIGHT GAIN OF BEEF CALVES TO 365 DAYS OF AGE

1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B. JEFFERY ◽  
R. T. BERG
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Breed Difference ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
The University ◽  
Daily Gain

A study involving three sets of data from the University of Alberta beef breeding herd (1966–67, 176 cows; 1967–68, 167 cows; 1968–70, 285 cows) was conducted to determine the influence of birth weight of calf (BW), postcalving weight of dam (PCW), and breed effect on calf performance to 365 days of age. The influence of preweaning on postweaning performance was also considered. Calves heavier at birth tended to excel in both preweaning and postweaning growth rate. A 1-kg increase in BW resulted in an increase of 2.86–4.42 kg in calf weight at 365 days of age. For male calves, PCW was negatively associated with calf weight at both 180 and 365 days of age for 1966–67 data; however, for 1967–68 and 1968–70 data, a 10-kg increase in PCW resulted in 0.70- and 0.92-kg increases, respectively, in calf weight at 180 days, and 1.96- and 2.12-kg increases in calf weight at 365 days, respectively. For female calves, a 10-kg increase in PCW resulted in 1.40-, 0.88-, and 0.29-kg increases in calf weight at 180 days of age, and 0.68-, 1.31-, and 0.31-kg increases in calf weight at 365 days of age, respectively, for the three sets of data. Breed difference explained from 22 to 43% of the variance in average daily gain of calf to weaning (ADG) but only 0.2–13.8% of the variance in postweaning average daily gain (PWADG). Male calves with higher ADG to weaning or heavier weaning weights tended to have slightly higher PWADG. A 10-kg advantage in weaning weight for male calves resulted in a 12–14-kg advantage in weight at 365 days of age.

scholarly journals THE PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY AND FEEDLOT CATTLE FED SULFUR DIOXIDE-TREATED HIGH-MOISTURE BARLEY

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 471-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. GIBSON ◽  
J. J. KENNELLY ◽  
G. W. MATHISON
Keyword(s):  
Sulfur Dioxide ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
High Moisture ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Daily Gain

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of feeding sulfur dioxide (SO2)-treated high-moisture barley (HMB) on the performance of lactating dairy cows and feedlot cattle. High-moisture barley was ensiled or treated with 1% (wt/wt) liquid SO2. In exp. 1, 36 lactating Holstein cows were assigned to three treatments for a 6-wk trial. Diets contained 35% rolled barley on a dry matter (DM) basis and differed only in the type of barley fed: dry barley, ensiled HMB or SO2-treated HMB. While no differences (P > 0.05) were observed in DM intake, milk yield, milk composition, milk taste or odour, cows fed SO2-treated HMB tended to have lower milk yield (21.7 kg d−1) than those fed ensiled (22.6 kg d−1) or dry barley (24.6 kg d−1). In experiment 2, 64 steers were allotted to four dietary treatments: (1) dry barley, (2) ensiled HMB, (3) SO2-treated HMB, and (4) SO2-treated HMB plus sodium bicarbonate. All diets contained 85% barley (DM) and were supplemented with thiamin (5.5 mg kg−1 DM). The results of the feedlot trial were confounded by the feeding of spoiled SO2-treated HMB, primarily between days 29 and 57 of the 96-d trial, at approximately 40% of the diet DM. During the period that spoiled SO2-treated grain was being fed, four steers (two from each treatment) developed polioencephalomalacia. Steers fed SO2-treated HMB (diets 3 and 4), had 10.1% lower DM intake (P < 0.01), 31% lower average daily gain and required 32% more DM per kilogram of gain than steers fed diets 1 or 2 (P < 0.001). Feeding SO2-treated HMB to either dairy or feedlot cattle cannot be recommended at the present time. Key words: Sulfur dioxide, preservative, barley, cattle (dairy, beef)

The effect of suckling regime on growth rate and lactation performance of the Cyprus Fat-tailed and Chios sheep

1972 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avraam Louca
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
Lactation Length ◽  
Chios Sheep ◽  
Daily Gain

SUMMARYSeventy-two Cyprus Fat-tailed and Chios ewes with their lambs were used over a 2-year period to study the effects of three suckling regimes on the lactation performance of ewes and growth rate of lambs. The regimes studied were continuous or 24-hr a day suckling, 12-hr suckling and no suckling. The lambs were weaned at the age of 10 weeks. All the ewes, including those suckling, were handmilked throughout the trial twice daily.Highly significant differences in milk yield (milk sucked by lambs plus milk withdrawn by hand) and lactation length were found between the Fat-tailed and Chios ewes, the respective average milk yields being 159 and 265 kg and the corresponding lactation lengths, 158 and 209 days. There were no significant differences between breeds in the live weight or average daily gain of lambs up to the age of 20 weeks. Suckling for 12 rather than 24 hr a day had no adverse effects on the milk yield of ewes or the growth rate of lambs. The no-suckling regime, however, adversely affected milk yield and lactation length but the effects were less pronounced for the Chios breed.

scholarly journals Effect of supplementation of micronutrients of the performance of dairy cows

1970 ◽  
Vol 39 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 151-155
Author(s):  
MM Sharmin ◽  
MA Samad Khan ◽  
MN Islam ◽  
MA Islam
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Conventional Diet ◽  
Mineral Mixture ◽  
Group Control Group ◽  
Protein Milk ◽  
Daily Gain

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of micronutrients supplementation on body weight of cows, birth weight of calf, colostrums composition, milk yield and milk composition. Six animals were divided in to two groups viz. control and supplemented group. Control group was provided conventional diet and supplemented group was supplied conventional diet plus vitamin-mineral mixture (1g vitamix powder/1kg concentrate feed) respectively for two months before calving. In supplemented group the average daily gain of the cows was (49.17 g/d) higher (P<0.01) and the calves were 2 kg heavier in supplemented group compared to control group. Fat content and protein content of colostrum in supplemented group were also significantly higher (P<0.01 and 0.05). The milk yield, fat and protein values of milk were increased non-significantly by 1.03 kg/d/h, 2.8 g/kg and 0.3 g/kg respectively. Ca content of milk was more or less similar in both cases. Key words: Milk; Milk protein; Milk fat; Micronutrients; Supplementation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v39i1-2.9688 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2010, 39(1&2): 151-155

scholarly journals Effects of parity order on performance, metabolic, and hormonal parameters of grazing beef cows during pre-calving and lactation periods

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus Fellipe de Lana Ferreira ◽  
Luciana Navajas Rennó ◽  
Isabela Iria Rodrigues ◽  
Edenio Detmann ◽  
Mário Fonseca Paulino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Metabolic Profile ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Esterified Fatty Acids ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Background Metabolic profile evaluation is a tool widely used in ruminant nutrition as metabolic cues that relate nutrition to physiology. Metabolic and hormonal traits change during pre-partum and lactation according to parity in dairy cows, but studies of beef cows under grazing are scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate how metabolic and hormonal traits change over time, their relationship to performance, and determine if these factors differ according to the parity order of grazing beef cows. Thirty-six pregnant Nellore cows (12 nulliparous, 12 primiparous, and 12 multiparous) were used. The study started at 60 d prepartum until 203 d of lactation. Results The initial body weight (BW) and final BW were higher for multiparous cows (P > 0.05). An interaction occurred between parity and day (P < .0001) for body condition score. Nulliparous and primiparous body condition score were reduced from − 60 prepartum to 30 postpartum, then stabilized 60 postpartum (P < 0.05), while multiparous maintained body condition score from − 60 days until 60 days postpartum (P > 0.05). Calf BW, final BW, and average daily gain did not differ between parities (P > 0.05). Effect of day (P < 0.05) was detected for non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, progesterone, and insulin. An interaction was observed between parity and days for glucose, HDL, β-hydroxybutyrate, creatinine and IGF-1 (P < 0.05). Parity affected serum urea nitrogen, total proteins, albumin, and globulins (P < 0.05). Parity and day relative to calving did not impact total T3 and T4 (P > 0.05). Conclusions Hormonal and metabolic profile is strongly influenced by the stage of lactation. Time effects (pre-partum and lactation period) were more pronounced in nulliparous since they displayed more unbalanced metabolic and hormonal traits and lowered BCS pre- and postpartum.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document