scholarly journals The effect of growth and development intensity in replacement heifers on economically important traits of Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 277-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bouška ◽  
M. Štípková ◽  
M. Krejčová ◽  
L. Bartoň

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of growth and development intensity in Holstein replacement heifers on economically important animal traits. The intensity of growth was assessed by the average live weight gain until 14 months of age. In addition, live weight and height at the sacrum at 14 months of age were analysed as indicators of growth and development when evaluating the length of productive life. The milk yield of first-calvers increased as the average daily live weight gain in the rearing period increased. An opposite tendency was recorded for cows in their second and third lactation and the total production also decreased with a higher growth rate of heifers. The analysis of the relationship between growth rate and the following reproduction traits revealed that the increased average daily live weight gain to 14 months was subsequently associated with reduced reproduction efficiency in cows. The differences between the groups with the lowest and the highest average live weight gains in the number of days open in the first and second calving interval were 26.78 and 17.47 days, respectively. This tendency was also confirmed in the other reproduction traits analysed. Productive life was significantly longer in animals with the lowest intensity of growth and development compared to the other groups (2.17 to 5.49 months, <i>P</i> < 0.01).

2002 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. R. Dawson ◽  
A. F. Carson ◽  
L. O. W. McClinton

AbstractAn experiment was undertaken to compare the productivity of crossbred ewes, produced by crossing Texel sires with Rouge de l’Ouest (Rouge) dams and Rouge sires with Texel dams, relative to purebred Texel and Rouge ewes. The purebred and crossbred ewes were crossed with Rouge and Texel sires. The proportion of productive ewes was similar in the purebred and crossbred ewes with an average figure of 0·92. Irrespective of crossing sire, Rouge ewes produced 0·48 more lambs per ewe lambed than Texel ewes (P < 0·001). The two crossbred ewe types (Texel ✕ Rouge and Rouge ✕ Texel) each produced similar numbers of lambs (on average 1·92 lambs per ewe lambed). Individual heterosis values for ewe fertility and prolificacy were small and not significant (–1·67 for the proportion of productive ewes and –3·14 for the number of lambs born per ewe lambed). Maternal heterosis values were also not significant but were of larger magnitude (6·26 for ewe fertility and 3·12 for prolificacy). Lamb mortality (number of lambs born dead per ewe lambed) at birth was similar for purebred Rouge (0·44) and Texel (0·30) ewes and was significantly reduced by crossbred matings and mating the crossbred ewes (individual heterosis –30·68, P < 0·10; maternal heterosis –80·23, P < 0·001). Individual and maternal heterosis values for lamb growth rate from birth to six weeks were 8 (P < 0·05) and 4 (P > 0·05) respectively. Lamb growth rate from birth to weaning was significantly lower in lambs from Texel ewes compared with those from the other genotypes (P < 0·05). Individual and maternal heterosis values for live-weight gain from birth to weaning were 5 (P < 0·10) and 5 (P < 0·01). The results of the current study demonstrate the superior performance of purebred Rouge ewes compared with purebred Texel ewes in terms of prolificacy and lamb growth rate from birth to weaning. However, both breeds had high lamb mortality at birth. Crossbreeding led to the production of hybrid ewes which had relatively high prolificacy with low levels of dystocia and lamb mortality.


1984 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Ebersohn ◽  
K. W. Moir

SummaryLive-weight gain of beef cattle grazing all-grass or grass-clover pastures, details of which have been reported previously, was significantly (P < 0·01) correlated with pasture growth rate, but not with pasture dry matter on offer (either total or green), or with dietary-energy concentration. From ideas generated from the relationship between live-weight gain and pasture growth rate, and using intake values measured from the number and size of prehension bites, it is shown how high live-weight gain for measured dietary-energy concentration could be explained by differential contribution to digestibility and voluntary intake from pasture new growth.


1968 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ridler ◽  
W. H. Broster

SummaryThe growth of 120 Friesian heifers born into one herd over a period of 12 years was studied for the period from 6 months of age to calving at about 30–35 months of age. Live weights were recorded weekly and rates of live-weight gain were calculated for each 3-month period for each animal. Δt 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age the heifers weighed 360, 590, 800 and 950 lb. The coefficients of variation of live weight did not vary with age and averaged ±10·0%. Coefficients of variation of live-weight gain increased from ± 20% at 6–9 months of age to ±60% at 24–27 months of age. Growth rate declined by 0·02 lb/day from 12 months to 30 months of age for animals under constant managerial conditions. Heifers wintered indoors grew faster than those wintered outdoors. The growth of younger animals was decreased more by outdoor wintering (a reduction of 0·6 lb/day at 15 months) than was the growth rate of older animals (a reduction of 0·3 lb/day at 21 months of age). When live-weight gain was low in winter there was marked compensatory growth at grass the following summer. Pregnant heifers grew 0·1 lb/day faster in early pregnancy and 0·6 lb/day faster in the last 4 months of pregnancy than did barren heifers.There was no appreciable difference between the live-weight gain of spring- and autumn-born heifers. With an autumn calving policy spring-born heifers were served and conceived 135 days earlier and weighed 106 lb less at calving than did autumn-born heifers. There was little difference in the milk yield of the two groups in 305 days of the first lactation.The regression equation of live weight (lb) on age (months) to 3rd calving was W = 1449 – 2027 e-0·042t. It was concluded that in the interests of economic rearing the dairy farmer could with advantage exercise greater control of the relationship between nutrition and growth during high cost winter periods and low cost summer periods.


1963 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. W. H. Elsley

1. Twenty blocks of four litter-mates were individually fed under standard conditions from 56 days of age to 200 lb. Each block consisted of three early-weaned pigs reared to 50, 40 and 30 lb. live weight, respectively, at 56 days of age and a suckled pig reared to 50 lb. live weight at 56 days of age.2. There was no difference in the growth rate and feed conversion from 56 days of age to 200 lb. of the early-weaned and suckled pigs reared to 50 lb. at 56 days of age.The age at 200 lb. of the 30, 40 and 50 lb. early-weaned pigs were 169·8, 176·8 and 182·7 days and the lb. of meal per lb. live-weight gain 3·3, 3·2 and 3·1 lb., respectively. A reduction in 56-day weight led to an increase in growth rate and feed conversion from 50 to 200 lb. live weight.3. The conformation and composition of the bacon carcasses of the 50 lb. early-weaned pigs were not significantly different from the carcasses of the suckled pigs which also weighed 50 lb. at 56 days of age.An extensive examination of the carcasses of early-weaned pigs showed that an increase in 56-day weight from 30 to 50 lb. live weight signifieantly reduced the weight of muscle present and significantly increased the amount of subcutaneous fat. The conformation of the carcasses was not affected.


1960 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofia Osińska ◽  
J. Kielanowski

Data from Danish Progeny Testing Stations were used to investigate the relationship between the colour of meat and feed efficiency in pigs. For groups slaughtered during the summer there was a highly significant correlation. As the amount of feed consumed per unit live-weight gain declined so the meat became paler. For groups slaughtered in winter and for data pooled over the whole year, there was no significant correlation. Possible explanations of these findings are discussed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 47-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bartoň ◽  
D. Řehák ◽  
V. Teslík ◽  
D. Bureš ◽  
R. Zahrádková

Breed effects on live weight gain, slaughter characteristics and carcass composition were compared in Aberdeen Angus, Charolais, Hereford and Simmental bulls. The experiment extended over 2 years and involved totally 96 animals. The target slaughter live weights were determined 550 kg for earlier maturing breeds Aberdeen Angus and Hereford and 630 kg for later maturing breeds Charolais and Simmental. Charolais and Simmental gained more rapidly (P &lt; 0.05) than Aberdeen Angus while Hereford were intermediate. Hereford had lower (P &lt; 0.05) dressing percentage than the other breeds. Percentages of grade I meat were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) in Charolais and Simmental. The highest percentage of separable fat was recorded in Hereford (P &lt; 0.05). Charolais and Simmental had lower (P &lt; 0.05) thickness of subcutaneous fat over MLLT than Aberdeen Angus andHereford. The later maturing bulls generally tended to achieve higher live weight gains during the experiment, produced less fat and had higher percentage of meat from high priced joints in comparison with earlier maturing animals. &nbsp;


1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Bryant ◽  
P. Rowlinson ◽  
H. A. M. Van der Steen

ABSTRACTNursing frequency, suckling duration and teat order were recorded in 12 ‘hybrid’ sows and their litters from parturition to weaning at day 42 post partum. Sows and their litters were moved from the farrowing quarters at day 20; half were housed as a group (G) and fed ad libitum with a boar present and the other half were housed individually (S) with no boar present and ration-fed to scale.Some differences occurred in behaviour from day 20. A significantly greater number of false nursing periods, significant synchronization of nursing periods, and a tendency for more long and short nursing intervals occurred in G than S sows and litters. The duration of the preliminary nosing phase and the total nursing period were significantly longer in S than G litters. Teat order scores, indicating consistency of piglet suckling position on the sow, tended to be greater in S than G litters, and there was a fall in the score for G litters in the weeks following grouping. This was associated with a check in live-weight gain.All G sows showed oestrus during lactation, on average 15 days after grouping. There was no incidence of lactational oestrus in the S sows which showed oestrus 5 days after weaning.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-278
Author(s):  
Masum Billah ◽  
Md Humayun Kabir ◽  
Md Hafizur Rahman ◽  
Md Abdul Hamid

The present study was carried out to assess the effect of concentrate on growth performances of both male and female lamb. For this purpose twenty four (12 male and 12 female) lamb aged about 5-6 months were selected and divided into three groups (Treatment group T1, T2 and control group T0). In each group having 4 males and 4 females lamb, all lambs were supplied green roughages ad-libitum, control group T0 was allowed no concentrate and treatment group T1 & T2 were supplied 100 gm & 200 gm concentrate mixture respectively for 90 days experimental period. Animals were weighed at 15 days interval. Significant differences of live weight gain among these three groups were found. Allowing 100 gm (T1) concentrate mixture along with green grass improved growth rate in both male and female lamb. Increasing of concentrate supplementation improved live weight gain (found in T2 group). Total live weight gain (kg) and average daily live weight gain (g/d) were 4.25±0.52 kg and 47.20±5.75 g, 5.38±0.83 kg and 59.73+9.17 g and 7.00±0.54 kg and 77.78±6.00 g in male lambs and 2.25±0.21 kg and 25.00±2.34 g, 3.18±0.32 kg and 35.39±3.63 g and 3.81±0.24 kg and 42.33±2.77 g in female lambs for the To, T1 and T2 groups respectively. Live weight was significantly (P<0.05) higher in male than female lambs. The results showed that 100 g concentrate supplementation with green roughages improved growth rate in lambs (male and female) under stall feeding condition. Increase of supplementation might improve nutrients supply to promote higher live weight gain.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 274-278


1972 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Leaver ◽  
N. H. Yarrow

SUMMARYWhole milk was given once daily to three groups each of 18 Friesian heifer calves and concentrates and hay were also available. Calves in one group received 2·4 kg milk/day and in a second 3·0 kg milk/day and in both of these groups individual calves were weaned when their daily intake of concentrates reached 400 g. In the third group the calves received 3·0 kg milk/day and were weaned after 28 days. Concentrate and hay intakes were not significantly affected by the treatments. Mean growth rate over 56 days increased with increasing quantity of whole milk offered but the differences between treatments were not significant. The performance of calves given whole milk was compared with the performance achieved in previous experiments where milk substitute was given. It was estimated that 1 kg whole milk gave the same live-weight gain as 170 g milk-substitute powder. From this estimate price/cost relationships were determined to indicate when whole milk or milk substitute should be fed to calves.


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