Effect of pre- and post- natal nutrition on the growth of beef cattle I. The effect of nutrition and parity of the dam on calf birth weight

1972 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
GD Tudor
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Rhodes Grass ◽  
Grass Hay ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Length Of Gestation

The influence of submaintenance (low plane) nutrition during the last trimester of pregnancy, and parity of the dam, on calf birth weight was studied in Hereford cows.The submaintenance ration (3.5 kg Rhodes grass hay per head per day) significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the mean calf birth weight by 6.8 kg to 24 1 kg, and the mean length of gestation by 5.4 days to 277.3 days, compared with an above-maintenance (high plane) ration (3.5 kg each of Rhodes grass hay and barley grain per head per day). Dam nutrition, however, did not influence the number of retained placentae, calf mortality, or the incidence of dystocias. Dam parity did not significantly influence calf birth weight or length of gestation, but significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the number of retained placentae of second parity cows. There were no significant differences between sexes in mean birth weight or mean gestation length. The regression of calf birth weight on dam weight just prior to calving was significant (P < 0.05) for high plane cows: y = 20.248 + 0.023x, r = 0.40. The regression of calf birth weight on length of gestation was significant for both high(P < 0.05) and low(P < 0.01) plane cows: y = –28.343 + 0.210x, r = 0.40, and y = -41.015 + 0.235x, r = 0.42 respectively.

Influence of shearing regime and grass silage quality on the performance of pregnant ewes

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 573-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather J. Black ◽  
D. M. B. Chestnut
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Silage Quality ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Carry Over Effect

ABSTRACTThe performance of housed ewes, shorn at various stages during pregnancy and offered silages ad libitum made from grass harvested at two contrasting stages of growth, was studied. The mean increase in silage dry matter (DM) intake due to shearing (0·11 kg/day; P > 0·05) was small in comparison with that resulting from offered earlier-cut silage (0·27 kg/day; P < 0·001). The mean increase in twin lamb birth weight from ewes shorn at least 6 weeks before lambing was almost 1 kg per lamb (P < 0·01) with no significant effect on ewe live-weight change. Greatest increase in lamb birth weight (1·11 kg; P < 0·01) was produced by shearing several times during pregnancy, with least response (0·23 kg; P < 0·05) from shearing once only, 4 weeks before lambing. The effect of silage quality on lamb birth weight was not significant, despite the large difference in DM intake of the two silages. This difference in intake was reflected by ewe live-weight change over pregnancy with those ewes offered early-cut silage gaining 5·57 kg while those offered late-cut silage lost 4·53 kg (P < 0·001). There was a marked fall in respiration rate and rectal temperature after each shearing and, compared with shorn ewes, unshorn ewes had a mean gestation length which was 2·04 days shorter (P < 0·01). In terms of lamb growth rates, ewe milk yields and milk composition, the performance on all treatments after turn-out to pasture was satisfactory and no significant carry-over effect of treatments applied during pregnancy were observed during the first 5 weeks of lactation.

Genetic analysis for gestation length, birth weight, weaning weight, and accumulated productivity in Nellore beef cattle

2014 ◽  
Vol 170 ◽  
pp. 16-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiane C.S. Chud ◽  
Sabrina L. Caetano ◽  
Marcos E. Buzanskas ◽  
Daniela A. Grossi ◽  
Diego G.F. Guidolin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Weaning Weight

CALVING EASE AND CALF MORTALITY IN FIRST-CROSS AND BACKCROSS COWS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54
Author(s):  
R. M. McKAY ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Range Management ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Extensive Range ◽  
Calf Mortality

Calving ease and calf mortality were evaluated for calves out of first-cross and backcross cows maintained under two contrasting environments. All calves were sired by Limousin bulls. The dam crosses at Brandon were HA, SN, CN, ACA, CCA, ASA, SSA, HCH, CCH, HSH, SSH, NCN, CCN, SSN, and NSN with H = Hereford, A = Angus, N = Shorthorn, C = Charolais, S = Simmental and a SSA cross was 3/4 Simmental-1/4 Angus. At Manyberries the dam crosses were HA, SN, ASA, SSA, HSH, SSH, NSN, and SSN. The calves were born between 1982 and 1986, inclusive, at Brandon, Manitoba (semi-intensive management) and Manyberries, Alberta (extensive range management). At Brandon, when calf birth weight was not a covariate, the significant dam cross contrasts for calving ease included less difficulty for SN cows than either the SSN or NSN cows, and for 3/4 A-1/4 European continental (E) cows than 1/4A–3/4E cows. When adjusted to a common calf birth weight the significant contrasts were HA cows had more difficulty than SN cows and the combination of SN and CN cows, SN cows had less difficulty than NSN cows, and 3/4A–1/4E cows had less difficulty than 1/4A–3/4E cows. At Manyberries, regardless of whether calf birth weight was excluded or included as a covariate, the SN cows had less difficulty than the SSN and the SSN cows had less difficulty than NSN cows. No significant dam cross comparisons were observed for calf mortality scores. Adjusting the calving ease scores to a constant calf birth weight did not significantly alter the magnitude of the contrasts but it did shift their probability levels. Location and sex of calf effects were not significant except for calving ease at Brandon where more difficulty was associated with male calves than female calves. Key words: Beef cattle, crossbreeding, backcrosses, calving, mortality

scholarly journals Influence of gestation length, seasonality, and calf sex on birth weight and placental retention in crossbred dairy cows

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estevão Vieira Rezende ◽  
Igor José Reis ◽  
Carla Cristian Campos ◽  
Ricarda Maria Santos
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Retained Placenta ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Placental Membranes ◽  
The Mean

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of gestation length, season at calving (autumn-winter vs. spring-summer) and calf sex on birth weight and incidence of retained placenta (RP) in crossbred lactating dairy cows. A total of 187 parturitions were evaluated in a commercial dairy farm at Alto Paranaiba region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cows that did not release the placental membranes within the first 12 hours after calf expulsion were diagnosed with RP. At birth, calf sex was registered, and birth weight was estimated by using a weighing tape. The incidence of RP was 36.89% (69/187). The mean birth weight of the calves (41.73 kg) did not differ among the calf sexes and seasons of the year at birth (P > 0.05), but the cows with below-average gestation lengths (274.4 days) calved lighter calves. Furthermore, the season of the year at calving and calf sex had no influence on RP incidence (P > 0.05), although a higher incidence of RP was observed in cows that had shorter gestation lengths (49.44%) and calves below-average birth weights (51.76%). In conclusion, cows with shorter gestation lengths produce lighter offspring and have a high predisposition to RP.

Mortality, weight and body measurements at birth of Dairy Shorthorn calves

1949 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Braude ◽  
D. M. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Total Loss ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Average Increase ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Length Of Gestation

1. Records of mortality of Dairy Shorthorn heifer calves in the N.I.R.D. herd from 1924 to 1946 were analysed and show a total loss of 16·3%. Losses due to abortions amounted to 5·1%, to stillbirths 6·3%, and post-natal losses in calves up to 6 months of age, 4·8%.2. The mean adjusted length of gestation period for 230 Dairy Shorthorn cows was 285·6 days.3. Calves carried longer were heavier at birth, the average increase in weight amounting to 0·91 lb. per day of gestation.4. The adjusted mean birth weight of the calves was 81·68 lb. Bull calves are carried longer than heifer calves by about 1·68 days and they are heavier at birth by about 3·29 lb.5. The birth weight of 111 heifer calves born between 1940 and 1947 was 79·9 lb. as compared with the value obtained before the war of 87·0 lb. for 285 heifer calves.Some factors affecting the weight of the calf at birth were studied; including the effect of artificial mating.

Data of twins born in Italy 1936-51

1954 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Karn
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Smooth Curve ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Gestation Time ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mother’S Age ◽  
University Of Rome ◽  
The University ◽  
Chief Characteristic ◽  
Length Of Gestation

SummaryData of 986 twins from the records of the Clinica Ostetrica of the University of Rome have been analysed as regards the distributions, means and standard deviations of mother's age, order of birth, birth weight and length of gestation time in groups of like and unlike sex.The chief characteristic of these data compared with similar data from English hospitals is the inclusion of cases of low birth weight and short gestation time. In the English data there are 9 cases out of 1137 of the group of weight under 680 g; in the present data there are 57 out of 1942 which fall into the lowest group under 500 g.Similarly in length of gestation the English data have only 2 cases out of 926 under 170 days compared with 33 of the Italian out of 945.The correlations between twin weights are respectively .8030 for like sex and .7604 for unlike sex; for weight and gestation period they are .3814 (like sex) and .3606 (unlike sex).The regression of weight on length of gestation runs as a smooth curve in accordance with previous findings. The mean weights for given gestation times are about the same as, or a little higher than, those for the English data.I am greatly indebted to Dr. Norma McArthur for giving me a copy of these data.

scholarly journals Heritabilities for the puppy weight at birth in Labrador retrievers

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Schelling ◽  
Claude Gaillard ◽  
Jane Russenberger ◽  
Lou Moseley ◽  
Gaudenz Dolf
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Multiple Trait ◽  
Adult Weight ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Inbreeding Coefficients ◽  
Estimate Variance ◽  
Labrador Retrievers ◽  
Length Of Gestation

Abstract Background Weight at birth is an important predictor of neonatal mortality and morbidity in dogs. In addition, the birthweight of the puppies in a litter influences the decision to perform a cesarean section. The goal of the present study was to estimate heritabilities for the puppy birth weight in Labrador retrievers. Results Of the 1138 Labrador retriever litters whelped at the Guiding Eye for the Blind between September 2001 and February 2018, 1013 were included in the analyses after data editing. Puppy weight at birth was the target trait, measured on a continuous scale in pounds, and converted to grams. Linear mixed models were used to identify factors influencing puppy weight at birth. The analyses showed that the sex of the puppy, litter size, length of gestation, adult weight of the dam, parity, year of birth and inbreeding coefficient of the puppies and dams contributed to the variance of the puppy birth weight. Dam and litter effects were included as random effects. A multiple trait derivative free restricted maximum likelihood approach was used to estimate variance components and genetic parameters with two animal models, one without covariates (Model 1) and one with covariates (Model 2). Sex of the puppy and litter size had moderate effects, whereas gestation length, adult weight of the dam, parity, year of birth and inbreeding coefficients of the dam and the puppies had minor effects. Estimates for Model 1 and Model 2 were 0.21 and 0.17 for the direct heritabilities, 0.22 and 0.22 for the maternal additive genetic heritabilities, 0.07 and 0.07 for the maternal permanent environmental proportions, and 0.14 and 0.08 for the environmental proportion of the litter. Conclusions In order to estimate reliable breeding values for puppy weight at birth, sex of puppy, litter size, length of gestation and the adult weight of the dam should be included. Estimates could benefit from weighing the dams prior to each mating.

scholarly journals Calf birth weight, gestation length, calving ease, and neonatal calf mortality in Holstein, Jersey, and crossbred cows in a pasture system

2013 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 690-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Dhakal ◽  
C. Maltecca ◽  
J.P. Cassady ◽  
G. Baloche ◽  
C.M. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Neonatal Calf ◽  
Calf Mortality

Data of Twin Births occurring in 2 English metropolitan Hospitals

1953 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary N. Karn
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Dizygotic Twins ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Gestation Time ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mother’S Age ◽  
Weight Groups ◽  
Length Of Gestation

SUMMARYA sample of 583 twins, delivered in two English hospitals, and divided into groups of like sex and unlike sex, has been analysed as regards distributions, means and standard deviations of mother's age, order of birth, birth weight and length of gestation time.In birth weight the unlike sex have greater means than the like sex, from which it may be deduced that dizygotic twins are heavier at birth than monozygotic.The correlation of birth weight in twins is 0.727 for like and 0.676 for unlike sex.Length of gestation time has a correlation with birth weight of 0.345 for like and 0.403 for unlike sex.Neonatal mortality (including stillbirths) is high for twins, being 16.6% as compared with 4.5 % in single births. When these rates are sub-divided into groups of birthweight, it is found that the rates for the very low weight groups are a little better for twins than for single births, but those round the mean and above it are about 3 times those for single births of average or above average weight.The mortality rates are a little lower for twins of unlike sex.

scholarly journals Involuntary reduction in vigour of calves born from sexed semen

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radica Djedović ◽  
Vladan Bogdanović ◽  
Dragan Stanojević ◽  
Zsolt Nemes ◽  
András Gáspárdy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Stillbirth Rate ◽  
Sexed Semen ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fertility Traits

The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive traits of heifers and the development characteristics of their calves following artificial insemination (AI) with sexed and non-sexed semen. The analysed characteristics included conception rate, gestation length, calf birth weight, calf vigour, stillbirth rate, and twinning rate. Data of 530 calves produced with sexed and 1,163 calves produced with non-sexed semen were analysed. The General Linear Model (GLM) was applied to assess the influence of semen type, farm, season of insemination, the calf’s sex and the inseminating sire on gestation length and calf birth weight. With the exception of gestation length (P > 0.05), all other traits studied were significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by the type of semen. The conception rate was 55% for conventional and 44% for sexed semen, and the average gestation length was 274.6 and 274.9 days, respectively. The mean calf birth weight was 37.47 kg for non-sexed and 36.75 kg for sexed semen. The stillbirth rate was 6.19% for conventional and 7.54% for sexed semen, while the twinning rate was 3.78% for conventional and 1.13% for sexed semen. The calves produced with non-sexed and sexed semen differed significantly in viability (P < 0.001), the latter having a lower calf vigour score. The use of conventional semen did not affect the ratio of female and male calves (52.7:47.3%; P > 0.05); however, artificial insemination with X-sorted sexed semen significantly altered the sex ratio of calves (85.1:14.9%, P < 0.01). The results obtained in this investigation are in agreement with the majority of studies which compared the fertility traits, sex ratio and calf characteristics depending on the application of artificial insemination with sexed or conventional semen.

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