Influence of a short-term prepartum supplementation on beef cows and calves’ performance in pastoral conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 1913 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Quintans ◽  
A. Scarsi ◽  
G. Roig ◽  
M. Carriquiry ◽  
G. Banchero
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Serum Progesterone ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Sorghum Grain

Multiparous Aberdeen Angus × Hereford crossbred cows were used to evaluate the effect of supplementation during the last month of gestation on milk production and composition and cow and calf performance. Cows were assigned randomly to supplement (SUP; n = 18) or Control (CON; n = 17) treatments. Supplemented cows were offered (1 kg/100 kg bodyweight) a mix of sorghum grain and protein concentrated (67 : 33 as-fed basis; 16% crude protein, 11% acid detergent fibre) from (mean ± s.e.m.) 33 ± 1.4 days prepartum until calving. Before, during, and after the supplementation period, cows grazed together a native pasture paddock with average forage mass available of 1345 kg/ha of dry matter (10.4% crude protein, 45.2% acid detergent fibre). Cows were blood sampled weekly from –42 to 112 days postpartum (DPP) for serum progesterone and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations. Maximum follicle diameter was measured by ovarian ultrasound examination at 60 DPP. The breeding period lasted 60 days and started at 60 ± 1.4 DPP. There was an interaction between treatment and time on BCS (P < 0.0005). Before calving there were no differences in BCS between cows in SUP and in CON, but at calving SUP cows tended (P = 0.10) to present greater BCS and from calving to 84 DPP BCS was greater (P < 0.05) in SUP with respect to CON cows. There was an interaction between treatment and time on plasma NEFA concentrations (P < 0.0005). During the last month of gestation NEFA concentrations were reduced in SUP cows but there were no differences between treatments during the postpartum period. Milk production decreased linearly from 30 to 150 DPP but there was no effect of treatment on it. Calf bodyweight at birth and at weaning did not differ between treatments (37.5 ± 2.4 and 175.6 ± 2.4 kg, respectively). The probability of cows presenting follicles with diameter ≥10 mm was greater (P < 0.05) in SUP than CON cows. The length of the postpartum period did not differ between treatments. The probability of cows cycling during the first 90 DPP and pregnancy rate tended (P = 0.08) to be greater in SUP than in CON cows. Supplementation in winter and for only 30 days in the last month of gestation of beef cows under grazing conditions, increased cows’ BCS without increasing BW of calves, and tended to improve reproductive performance.

scholarly journals Influence of post-calving supplemental protein on calf performance and reproductive efficiency for beef cows fed silage

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Charmley ◽  
J. A. Small ◽  
K. B. McRae
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Linear Effect ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Protein Milk

Protein supplementation for winter-calving beef cows between calving and turnout to pasture was studied in two trials. Changes in cow body weight (BW) and condition and calf BW gains were recorded from calving to weaning in the fall. Reproductive performance was monitored, and in trial 2, milk production was determined. In trial 1, multiparous silage-fed cows were allocated to one of five levels of corn gluten meal (CGM): 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 g d−1. In the second trial, cows were allocated to either restricted or ad libitum silage feeding in combination with three protein supplements: no protein, 400 g d−1 CGM or 475 g d−1 soybean meal (SBM). In trial 1, cows gained weight during supplementation, but on pasture they lost weight (linear effect, P = 0.10). Calf gains and weights at turnout and weaning showed a quadratic response to protein supplementation (P < 0.05). There was a trend toward a linear decline in days to first service with increasing levels of CGM (P < 0.10). In trial 2, cows on restricted silage feeding lost weight (P < 0.05) and body condition (P < 0.10), whereas those fed ad libitum silage gained weight and condition. On pasture, this pattern of weight change was reversed (P < 0.05). Protein supplementation did not influence BW change but tended to cause a lower body condition score at turnout (P = 0.10). Restricting silage intake to the cow did not affect calf performance, but protein supplementation increased gains both during supplementation and on pasture, thus increasing weaning weights (P < 0.05). When silage was fed ad libitum, SBM was more effective than CGM for increasing calf gain. However, when silage was restricted, CGM was more effective. Restricting silage intake did not impair milk production, but feeding CGM increased milk production (P < 0.05). For ad libitum-fed cows, protein supplementation increased pregnancy rate; restricting feed had the opposite effect. Our data suggest that protein supplementation to silage-fed beef cows in good body condition can increase calf performance; however, the level of supplementation is critical, and possible adverse effects on breeding have to be taken into account, particularly with cows in negative energy balance after calving. Key words: Beef cow, protein, milk production, calf gains, silage

scholarly journals High milk production decreases cow-calf productivity within a highly available feed resource environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Edwards ◽  
J. D. Hobbs ◽  
J. T. Mulliniks
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Southeastern Us ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Milk Cows ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Calf

Abstract The beef cattle industry tends to focus on selecting production traits with the purpose of maximizing cow-calf performance. One such trait is milking ability, which is considered the primary influence on weaning weight of the calf. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of actual milk yield on reproductive performance, circulating blood metabolites, and calf performance in beef cows in the Southeastern US. Over a 2 yr period, data were collected from 237, 3- to 9-yr-old Angus-sired beef cows on 3 research stations in Tennessee. On approximately d 58 and 129 postpartum, 24-hr milk production was measured with a modified weigh-suckle-weigh technique using a milking machine. Subsamples of milk were collected for analysis of milk components. Milk yield data were used to retrospectively classify cows on actual milk yield as High ( ≥ 10 kg/d), Mod (8 to 9 kg/d), or Low ( &lt; 8 kg/d). Cow body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were collected weekly at each location through breeding. Calf BW was recorded at birth, mid-weight at d 58, and weaning. At d 58 and 129 of postpartum, milk yields were different (P &lt; 0.001) among the treatment groups. Cow BW during the entire study were not different (P ≥ 0.22) with increasing milk yield. Timed-AI pregnancy rate were the lowest (P = 0.02) in the High milk producing cows with no difference (P &gt; 0.05) between Low and Mod milk cows. In addition, overall pregnancy rate continued to be the lowest (P = 0.04) in High milk producing cows with the greatest pregnancy rate in Mod milk cows. Calf mid-weight at ∼d 58 was increased (P &lt; 0.001) in calves from Mod and High milking cows. However, calf BW at weaning was not different (P = 0.22) among calves from different milk treatment groups. Results from this study suggest that even in management systems that modify the grazing environments with harvested feedstuffs, high milk production decreases reproductive efficiency. In addition, increasing milk production up to d 129 postpartum did not result in increased calf BW at weaning, indicating that the genetic potential for calf BW at weaning could not be improved with increased genetic potential for milk production.

scholarly journals PSII-14 Influence of recent postpartum weight variation on milk production, cow and calf performance and reproductive efficiency of beef cows in Southern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 231-232
Author(s):  
Claudia Faccio Demarco ◽  
Marcelo Alves Pimentel ◽  
Cássio Cassal Brauner
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Weight Variation ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Peak Lactation

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the weight changes between calving to peak lactation of range beef cows on the cow and calf performance, milk production and pregnancy rate. Data were collected from 142 primiparous and multiparous beef cows, over a 5-year period. Cows and calves were raised in an extensive range system in Southern Brazil. Cows were divided into two groups according to calving performance and peak lactation. Cows that lost weight (L group, n = 59) and cows that gain weight (G group, n = 83). Milk yield evaluation (weigh-suckle-weigh technique), cow and calf performance were estimated from calving to 189 postpartum days, every 21 days. Cows were subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol and after that, breed by natural service for 45 days. Analysis of variance (ANOVA - GLM) was performed considering effects of the two groups, and pregnancy rates were compared using chi-square analysis. Calves from L cows had greater (P = 0.03) ADG between 21 and 42 days postpartum. However, there was no difference (P &gt; 0.05) in weaning weight. Total milk production was greater (P = 0.01) in L cows. The cows from group G showed a tendency (P = 0.08) to increase pregnancy rate by 15% compared to L cows. In conclusion, cows that gain weight between calving to peak lactation have lower total milk production without any influence in calf performance, and appear to have an increase in pregnancy rate.

Effect of body condition and suckling restriction with and without presence of the calf on cow and calf performance

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 931 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Quintans ◽  
G. Banchero ◽  
M. Carriquiry ◽  
C. López-Mazz ◽  
F. Baldi
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Calf Performance

Nutrition and suckling are largely recognised as the most important factors affecting the postpartum period and consequently the reproductive efficiency of beef cattle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of body condition score (BCS) and suckling restriction with and without the presence of the calf on milk production, reproductive efficiency and calf performance. Sixty-three crossbred (Angus × Hereford) multiparous cows were managed to maintain different BCS at calving and thereafter (low vs moderate; L, n = 31 and M, n = 32). Within each group of BCS (L and M) at week 9 postpartum (66 ± 0.88 days postpartum) cows were assigned to three suckling treatments (ST): (i) suckling ad libitum (S, n = 20); (ii) calves fitted with nose plates during 14 days remaining with their dams (NP, n = 22); and (iii) calves were completely removed from their dams for 14 days, and thereafter returned (CR, n = 21). Milk production was assessed by milking procedure at Day 65 (the day before onset of ST) and every 20–22 days until the end of the experiment. Cows were bled via jugular venipuncture every 28 days from Day –98 (Day 0 = calving) until Day 66. From Day 66 cows were bled every 7 days until the end of the mating period (Day 128). Concentrations of progesterone, non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate acid and insulin were measured. Presence of corpus luteum (CL) was recorded and maximum follicle diameter was measured in all cows from the onset of the ST (Day 66) and during the following 4 weeks (until Day 94) in a weekly frequency. At Day 94, more cows (P < 0.001) in NP and in CR had CL compared with S cows (68, 57 and 21% for NP, CR and S, respectively). At that time, more cows in M-BCS presented CL than cows in L-BCS (77 vs 25; P < 0.0001). Within M-BCS, there were no differences in milk production between ST groups, while L-BCS cows with NP or CR produced less milk than S cows. Calf liveweight at weaning was 159.3 ± 3.1, 150.1 ± 2.9 and 147.0 ± 3.1 kg for S, NP and CR, respectively (P < 0.001). Suckling restriction with and without the presence of the calf had similar effects on reproductive performance, milk production and calf growth, while BCS interacted with ST to influence milk production. These results indicate that temporary suckling restriction could be an excellent management tool to increase reproductive performance of cows in moderate condition.

Adding bentonite to sorghum grain-based supplements has no effect on cow milk production

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 505 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. K. Ehrlich ◽  
T. M. Davison
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Meat And Bone Meal ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Sorghum Grain ◽  
Friesian Cows

Summary. Twenty-four Holstein–Friesian cows were used in an experiment comparing milk production from cows offered rolled sorghum grain either alone at 8 or 10 kg/head. day of air-dried grain or with 4% sodium bentonite. The design was a 4 × 4 latin square with a 1 week adjustment period and a 3 week treatment period. This design was used to highlight the effects of high levels of grain feeding and changing that level of grain or grain–bentonite every 4 weeks. Cows grazed either ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum cv. Tetila) or oats (Avena sativa cv. Cluan) during the day and a mixed ration based on maize silage, lucerne hay, and meat and bone meal at night. There was no significant effect of treatments on milk yield or composition. Cows fed bentonite had a higher (P<0.05) rumen pH, tended to eat less grain sorghum and have lower concentrations of rumen ammonia and faecal starch. Faecal crude protein tended to increase with the use of bentonite indicating cows may have substituted pasture or mixed ration for grain and maintained a more stable rumen fermentation.

The effect of amount of protein in the concentrates on hay intake and rate of passage, diet digestibility and milk production in British Saanen goats

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Badamana ◽  
J. D. Sutton ◽  
J. D. Oldham ◽  
A. Mowlem
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Linear Response ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Lactating Goats ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Ad Libitum

ABSTRACTDuring the first 2 weeks after kidding, 27 multiparous British Saanen goats were offered 1·5 kg hay (98 g crude protein (CP) per kg dry matter (DM)) and from 0·45 increasing to 0·70 kg concentrates (152 g CP per kg DM) daily. Week 2 was used as a covariance period. At week 3 of lactation all the goats were allocated to one of three groups and were offered hay ad libitum and 1 kg concentrates containing 117 (LP), 152 (MP) or 185 (HP) g CP per kg DM daily to week 15. During weeks 4 to 15, hay intake and milk yield were highest in the HP group. With increasing protein in the concentrates, hay DM intake was 1·20, 1·19 and 1·37 (s.e. 0·060) kg/day respectively and milk yield was 3·04, 3·21 and 3·36 (s.e. 0·080) kg/day respectively (linear response P < 001). There was no significant effect on the concentration of solids-not-fat, fat, total nitrogen or casein in milk. The digestibility of dietary organic matter, acid-detergent fibre and total nitrogen measured after week 15 was significantly greater with HP than with LP (P < 0·05), with MP values being intermediate (linear response P < 005). The rate of passage of ytterbium-labelled hay was unaffected by the treatments. The results indicate that, with lactating goats given hay and concentrates, beneficial responses may be expected to increasing concentrate CP to at least 185 g CP per kg DM.

scholarly journals Effect of eCG applied to dairy cows in the postpartum period on ovarian activity and reproductive performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (03) ◽  
pp. 6364-2020
Author(s):  
KUDRET YENİLMEZ ◽  
NURULLAH ÖZDEMİR
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Serum Estradiol ◽  
Serum Progesterone ◽  
Ovarian Follicle Development ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) applied in postpartum (pp) period on ovarian follicle development, serum estradiol concentration, serum progesterone concentration, the calving-to-first oestrus (calving-to-first insemination) interval, and conception at first insemination. The material of this study consisted of 20 cows on day 14 pp. Cows included in this study were randomly divided into two groups. Cows in the first group, were treated with eCG (500 IU Folligon; Intervet, Holland) for 14 days. No treatment was applied to the second group, and it was left as a control group, Ovarian follicle diameters were measured by ultrasonographic examination on days 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 pp in all animals included in the study. Serum estradiol and progesterone were from blood samples taken on the same days. All animals included in the study were followed up until the first observable oestrus was detected, and they were inseminated 12 hours after the appearance of oestrus symptoms. A pregnancy examination was performed on the 45th day after insemination. In cows administered with eCG during postpartum period, an increase in ovarian follicle diameters compared to untreated cows and a decrease in the calving-to-first oestrus interval were determined. In contrast, serum estradiol and progesterone hormone levels did not differ between the two groups. Pregnancy rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group, but there was no statistical difference between them. As a result, it was concluded that eCG applied to dairy cows on day 14 pp did not affect serum estradiol and progesterone levels, but it affected the ovarian follicle diameter and the calving-to-first oestrus interval positively.

Diet attributes of lactating ewes at pasture using faecal NIRS and relationship to pasture characteristics and milk production

2010 ◽  
Vol 148 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. BOVAL ◽  
E. ORTEGA-JIMENEZ ◽  
A. FANCHONE ◽  
G. ALEXANDRE
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
The Other ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
The One ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

SUMMARYIn order to assess the diet of lactating ewes fed at pasture and the relationship of diet quality to pasture characteristics and milk production (MP), 12 lactating ewes were monitored during five lactation cycles (LCs). Individual faecal samples were collected three times per LC and scanned using a Foss NIRSystem 6500 monochromator. The organic matter digestibility (OMD), organic matter intake (OMI), digestible OMI (DOMI) and the chemical composition of the herbage ingested, i.e. the crude protein (CP) content of the herbage ingested (CPi) and the acid detergent fibre and lignin contents of the herbage ingested (ADFi and ADLi), were determined. The MP of the ewes and the pasture characteristics were measured and their relationships with diet quality were analysed.OMI and DOMI were higher during the first and the fourth LC (P<0·01). OMD and CPi were higher during the second and the fifth LC (P<0·01). MP varied with OMI (P<0·01) and with DOMI (MP=0·1362×DOMI0·53, R2=0·40, P<0·001), whereas it was negatively correlated with OMD (r=−0·46, P<0·001). OMD and CPi were both positively correlated with the CP content of the pasture (r=0·25, P<0·03; r=0·50, P<0·001), whereas the ADFi was negatively correlated with CP content (r=−0·48, P<0·01). The variation in OMI, DOMI and MP, on the one hand, and OMD and CPi, on the other, throughout the different LCs illustrates the importance of measuring several parameters when evaluating diets at pasture.

The effect of level of protein in the concentrates on hay intake and milk production by saanen goats

1986 ◽  
Vol 1986 ◽  
pp. 64-64
Author(s):  
M.S. Badamana ◽  
J.D. Sutton ◽  
A. Mowlem ◽  
J.D. Oldham
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dietary Changes ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Lactating Goats ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Forage Intake ◽  
Ad Libitum

Increasing the crude protein (CP) concentration of dairy concentrates in mixed diets has been found to increase milk yield and forage intake in lactating dairy cows. However relatively little is known about the response of lactating goats to such dietary changes. The purpose of the present experiment was to see if beneficial responses could be established in lactating goats given fixed amounts of concentrates with different protein concentrations and ad libitum hay.Twenty-seven Saanen goats in their second or later lactation were offered 1.5 kg hay (98 g CP, 393 g acid-detergent fibre, 609 g neutral detergent fibe/kg dry matter (DM), and from 0.15 increasing to 0.45 kg concentrates (152 g CP/kg DM) daily in the 6 weeks before kidding. During the first 2 weeks after kidding, the concentrates were increased to 0.7 kg/day. Results for milk production in week 2 were used for covariance in subsequent calculations. At week 3 of lactation all goats were allocated to one of three groups and were offered hay ad libitum and 1 kg concentrates containing 117 (LP), 152 (MP) or 185 (HP) g CP/kg DM daily to week 15.

Serum Metabolic Markers Pre and Postpartum in Holstein Cows According to the Mastitis Occurrence

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Schwegler ◽  
Augusto Schneider ◽  
Ana Rita Tavares Krause ◽  
Paula Montagner ◽  
Eduardo Schmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Clinical Mastitis ◽  
Serum Markers ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Extensive Management ◽  
Early Postpartum

 Background: Bovine mastitis causes major economic losses for milk producers by reducing the quantity and the quality of the milk or even leading to the complete loss of the mammary gland secretory capacity. During the transition period, dairy cows are susceptible to infectious diseases; therefore, markers that allow early identification of cows in higher risk of developing diseases are especially useful at this time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate serum markers in the pre and postpartum of multiparous dairy cows with clinical mastitis and with health condition in the postpartum period in a semi-extensive management system.Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty-Six Holstein cows were monitored daily during milking until 59 days postpartum and were categorized according to the pre-milking strip cup test into clinical mastitis (mastitis group (MG)) and absence of symptoms (control group (CG)) that were negative to the test, representing the health cows. All cows were reared as one group and maintained in a semi-extensive pasture-based system. Blood samples were collected weekly after morning milking via venipuncture of the coccinea vein into tubes without anticoagulant and grouped for prepartum (-21 to 0 days from calving), early postpartum (0 to 30 days from calving), and late postpartum (30 to 59 days from calving) periods. Milk production was recorded daily. The serum markers albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), phosphorus, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS®. The cases of clinical mastitis occurred on average at 37.2 ± 4.9 days postpartum. Health cows (CG) had higher milk production compared to the mastitis group (MG) only in the late postpartum period (P < 0.05). There was no difference among groups for albumin and NEFA concentrations in all periods evaluated (P > 0.05). In the early postpartum period the AST activity was higher in CG than in MG (P = 0.02). The GGT enzyme tended to be more concentrated in the CG than in the MG during the early (P = 0.06) and late (P = 0.08) postpartum periods. Late postpartum phosphorus concentration was lower for MG than CG (P = 0.04). In the prepartum and early postpartum periods, there was no difference among groups for phosphorus concentration (P > 0.05).Discussion: A decrease in milk production in MG compared to CG observed in late postpartum period was due to the inci­dence of mastitis observed around 37 days postpartum. Cows that presented clinical mastitis in the postpartum period did not differ in the blood concentration of NEFA in the prepartum period. In the late postpartum period higher concentration of phosphorus was observed in the CG than in MG, indicating that animals affected by mastitis may be in the weakest energy status. Regarding liver health, the concentration of AST was higher in the recent postpartum period for CG, in disagree­ment with previous studies that related AST to tissue injury caused by mastitis. The GGT enzyme tended to had higher concentrations in CG than MG during the whole postpartum period and may be related to increased hepatic metabolism due to higher production. There were no changes in albumin levels among healthy and mastitis cows, indicating that this marker can not be used to predict clinical mastitis. There were no metabolic alterations in the prepartum period related to the occurrence of postpartum mastitis in multiparous cows in a semi-extensive management system.Keywords: AST, dairy cows, NEFA.

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