scholarly journals The Effect of Stress on Reproduction and Reproductive Technologies in Beef Cattle—A Review

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aitor Fernandez-Novo ◽  
Sonia S. Pérez-Garnelo ◽  
Arantxa Villagrá ◽  
Natividad Pérez-Villalobos ◽  
Susana Astiz
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Beef Herds ◽  
Major Factors

Researchers have contributed by increasing our understanding of the factors affecting reproduction in beef, mainly physical health and nutrition aspects, which have been main concerns during decades. Animal welfare is of outmost relevance in all animal production systems and it is strongly associated to stress. Stress responses involve endocrine, paracrine and neural systems and the consequences of this stress on the reproductive efficiency of specifically, beef cattle and bulls, need to be highlighted. We, therefore, describe the fundamentals of stress and its quantification, focusing in beef herds, reviewing the highly valuable pieces of research, already implemented in this field. We examine major factors (stressors) contributing to stress in beef cattle and their effects on the animals, their reproductive performance and the success of reproductive biotechnologies. We include terms such as acclimatization, acclimation or temperament, very relevant in beef systems. We examine specifically the management stress due to handling, social environment and hierarchy or weaning effects; nutritional stress; and thermal stress (not only heat stress) and also review the influence of these stressors on reproductive performance and effectiveness of reproductive biotechnologies in beef herds. A final message on the attention that should be devoted to these factors is highlighted.

A comparison of the frequency of lambing on the reproductive performance of finn dorset ewes

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 90-90
Author(s):  
C.M. Minter
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Major Factors

One of the major factors affecting the efficiency and profitability of sheep production is the number of lambs reared per ewe. In 1991 lambs reared per ewe accounted for 14% of the difference in gross margin per hectare between top third and average lowland spring lambing flocks (MLC, 1992). The hypothesis was developed that in managing the prolific ewe three possible management systems could be employed; frequent lambing (FL), early annual lambing (EAL), or late annual lambing (LAL). The choice of these lambing systems was based on minimising the problems of the prolific ewe. Of these systems FL (lambing on an eight month cycle), provided the best opportuity for achieving high numbers of lambs sold per ewe.

Productive and reproductive performance of crossbred and indigenous dairy cows at smallholdings in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Belay Duguma
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Jimma Zone ◽  
Improvement Programs

Context Evaluation of the performance of dairy cows kept in different production systems is essential for the development of appropriate breeding strategies. Aims To examine milk production and reproductive performance of crossbred (CB) and indigenous (I) dairy cows, farmers’ traits preference for CB and I breeding females, and factors affecting the performance of dairy cattle on smallholdings in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Methods In total, 52 smallholder dairy cattle farmers were randomly sampled and data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews by using structured questionnaires. The traits studied were daily milk yield (DMY), lactation milk yield (LMY), lactation length (LL), age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), and number of service per conception (NSC), all being factors affecting performance of dairy cattle and farmers’ preferred dairy traits. Results On average, CB cows had significantly (P < 0.05) higher DMY (6.0 ± 0.33 vs 1.8 ± 0.07 L/cow), LMY (1466.7 ± 1.13 vs 376.0 ± 21.02 L (L)), LL (8.1 ± 0.41 vs 6.9 ± 0.22 months), and lower AFS (2.69 ± 0.1 vs 3.3 ± 0.07 years), AFC (3.7 ± 0.13 vs 4.3 ± 0.07 years) and CI (21.2 ± 1.37 vs 29.8 ± 1.30 months) than did I cows. However, DO and NSC were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by genotype. In order of perceived importance, high milk yield (mean rank = 0.306), LL (0.292) and fertility (0.199) were farmers’ most preferred traits for CB breeding cows, and the corresponding preferred traits for I cows were high milk yield (0.253), adaptability (0.229) and LL (0.192). The most important factors perceived by farmers affecting the performance of dairy cattle were breed, nutrition, diseases, breeding and management practices Conclusions The findings of the study indicated that even though CB cows performed better, the performance of both breeds of dairy cows in the study area was found to be generally low due to delayed AFS, late AFC, long CI, shorter LL, low daily and LMY and high NSC. Implications The study highlighted that there is a potential for increasing the performance of dairy cows in the study area, through improved management strategies leading to shorter AFS, AFC, CI and lower NSC. Furthermore, future breed-improvement programs should take into consideration farmers’ trait preferences in design of sustainable improvement programs.

Litter size effects on intake at pasture and on plasma creatinine and urea concentrations in terminal sire breeds of sheep of similar mature size but different body composition

1992 ◽  
Vol 1992 ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
S. A. Vulich ◽  
J. P. Hanrahan
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Size Effects ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Mature Size

Litter size and body composition are two of the major factors affecting the efficiency of production systems under grazing conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate breed and litter size effects on herbage intake by ewes and lambs using breeds of similar mature size but different carcass composition (viz. Suffolk and Texel; Texel leaner than Suffolk). A secondary objective was to evaluate associated effects on blood metabolites proposed as indicators of carcass composition (viz. urea, creatinine).

Factors Affecting Reproductive Efficiency in Beef Cows

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 ◽  
pp. 136-136
Author(s):  
A.J.F. Russel ◽  
I.A. Wright ◽  
E.A. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Calving Intervals

Successful and timely rebreeding is of major importance to the economics of suckler cow enterprises. Research into the causes of reprodutive failure and extended calving intervals can be difficult, not least because of the need for experiments involving large numbers of animals if statistically significant treatment effects are to be demonstrated. Useful information however, can be obtained from the analysis of data derived from a number of relatively small-scale experiments, not necessarily on reproduction per se, but in which records of reproductive performance are available.This paper deals with the analysis of data on the reproductive performance of beef cows used in a number of experiments on the effects of nutrition during pregnancy and lactation on components of production such as milk yield and composition, calf birth weight and early calf growth rate. The objective of the analysis was to identify the major factors affecting calving interval and to quantify the magnitude of the effects of these factors.

scholarly journals Reproductive Performance of Beef Cattle Raised Under SPR Program in Tegal Regency

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aji Gunawan ◽  
Akhmad Sodiq ◽  
Krismiwati Muatip ◽  
Novie Andri Setianto
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Production System ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Nutrition Management ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Quantitative Design ◽  
Farmer Groups ◽  
Spss Software ◽  
Analyze Data

The purpose of this research was to assess the reproductive performance of beef cattle based on different production systems. Survey research was carried out in Margasari Subdistrict, Tegal Regency, Central Java Province, in 13 farmer groups (a total of 188 breeders and 557 beef cattle) who took shelter in the SPR Program The qualitative and quantitative design framework is used to obtain comprehensive data. The questionnaire was used to get data and respondents determined by census method. SPSS software is used to analyze data. The results showed that 38.46% of farmer groups implemented a crop-livestock-system (CLS), 30.77% of farmer groups implemented a livestock-forestry system (LFS), and 30.77% of farmer groups implemented a crop-livestock-forestry-system (CLFS) in producing beef cattle. The results of the present study were significantly (P<0.05) there were differences in each reproductive performance parameter (BCS, S / C, CR, CI, and CC), which was observed in each beef production system (CLFS, CLS, and LFS). The results of this study also provide an overview of the simultaneous effects on the application of the production system to the reproductive performance of beef cattle. Although there has been certain variation between the production systems, the reproductive performance of the observed beef cattle has not been satisfactory. Improving nutrition management in cattle is needed to realize successful reproductive performance.

Reproductive performance and survival of Chinese Holstein dairy cows in central China

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Wu ◽  
D. C. Wathes ◽  
J. S. Brickell ◽  
L. G. Yang ◽  
Z. Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Central China ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Chinese Holstein ◽  
Chinese Holstein Cows ◽  
Service Conception ◽  
Major Factors

Fertility and longevity, major factors affecting the economic performance of dairy herds, are influenced by management and genetics. This study determined the reproductive performance and survival of Chinese Holstein cows in a large, modern dairy farm in central China using two complementary datasets. In Dataset 1, fertility and culling records were obtained from 1430 cows calving in 2008; in Dataset 2, all calving episodes during 2005 and 2006 were recorded (n = 1540) and the subsequent survival and reasons for death or culling of all female calves born during this period were monitored. In Dataset 1, the mean ages at first breeding and first calving for heifers were 18.7 ± 2.6 and 29.3 ± 3.6 months, respectively. Cows (lactations 1–10) were first inseminated at 110 ± 49 days after calving (mean ± s.d.), conceived at 185 ± 103 days and required 2.3 ± 1.6 services per conception with a first service conception rate of 34%. Reproduction performance was lower in the first lactation, with the best fertility in autumn-calving cows. In Dataset 2, 601 live-born heifers were monitored from birth until first calving. Of these, 521 (87%) were inseminated at least once and 502 (84%) calved once, but only 68% of the starting population calved successfully for a second time. The main reasons for culling in both datasets were poor fertility, disease and lameness. Improved management strategies to avoid calving cows in the spring and so offset the adverse effects of summer heat stress together with increased emphasis on selection for good fertility and conformation traits would increase future profitability.

On-farm performance of Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle 2. Growth, reproductive performance, milk offtake and mortality

1993 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. O. Rege ◽  
R. R. von Kaufmann ◽  
W. N. M. Mwenya ◽  
E. O. Otchere ◽  
R. I. Mani
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Age At First Calving ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Daily Milk

AbstractAn on-farm study was conducted over a 12-year period (1979 through 1990) at four locations in the subhumid zone of Nigeria to estimate levels of performance of Bunaji cattle and to examine factors affecting productivity in these production systems. Average weight at birth, at 9 months and at 12 months were 19·6 kg, 76·2 kg and 93·1 kg, respectively. Average daily gain between birth and 9 months was 211 g/day. The corresponding figure between 9 months and 12 months was 176 g/day. Cumulative calf mortality at 9 months and at 12 months were proportionately 0·14 and 0·15, respectively. Mean age at first calving was 62·5 months while interval between consecutive calvings averaged 22·5 months. Mean daily milk offtake was 510 ml. Mean length of offtake period varied substantially between locations ranging from 339 days in Kurmin Biri to 425 days in Madauchi. Lactation milk offtake was estimated at between 200 and 260 I. Peri-urban Madauchi had the highest daily milk offtake, the longest milk extraction period but the poorest calf growth and survival rates. Locations with low milk offtake had superior calf performance both in terms of growth and survival. Calves born in late wet and early dry seasons had superior growth and survival rates. Most calvings occurred in the dry season mainly because of the effect of season on conception rates. There was a tendency towards improved productivity on a per-animal basis over the years. This ivas so for age at first calving, calving interval, calf survival and milk offtake. Improved reproductive performance provided opportunity for higher offtakes. However, growth between 9 months and 12 months and weight at 12 months declined during the study period.

scholarly journals Epidemiology and Management of BVDV in Rangeland Beef Breeding Herds in Northern Australia

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael McGowan ◽  
Kieren McCosker ◽  
Geoff Fordyce ◽  
Peter Kirkland
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Routine Testing ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Persistently Infected ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
The World ◽  
Intensively Managed

Approximately 60% of Australia’s beef cattle are located in the vast rangelands of northern Australia. Despite the often low stocking densities and extensive management practices of the observed herd, animal prevalence of BVDV infection and typical rates of transmission are similar to those observed in intensively managed herds in southern Australia and elsewhere in the world. A recent large three- to four-year study of factors affecting the reproductive performance of breeding herds in this region found that where there was evidence of widespread and/or recent BVDV infection, the percentage of lactating cows that became pregnant within four months of calving was reduced by 23%, and calf wastage was increased by 9%. BVDV is now considered the second most important endemic disease affecting beef cattle in northern Australia, costing the industry an estimated AUD 50.9 million annually. Although an effective killed vaccine was released in Australia in 2003, the adoption of routine whole herd vaccination by commercial beef farmers has been slow. However, routine testing to identify persistently infected replacement breeding bulls and heifers has been more widely adopted.

Genetic and environmental influences on beef cattle production in Zambia 1. Factors affecting weaner production from Angoni, Barotse and Boran dams

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Thorpe ◽  
D. K. R. Cruickshank ◽  
R. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Beef Cattle Production ◽  
Calving Rate

ABSTRACTFactors influencing reproductive performance and calf and dam live weights were examined for two indigenous breeds, Angoni and Barotse, and an introduced breed, Boran, under ranching conditions in Zambia.Over 5 years, 675 Angoni, 731 Barotse and 815 Boran records gave calving percentages of 82·5, 78·1 and 75·4 respectively. Year was an important influence on calving and weaning percentages in all breeds; age of dam had little effect and status at mating was only important in the Angoni breed, in which lactating dams produced more calves than dry dams.Mean calf weaning weights were 147·3, 167·0 and 169·5 kg for the Angoni, Barotse and Boran dam breeds respectively. Hereford, Friesian and Boran bulls sired heavier progeny than Angoni and Barotse. Dam age and status did not influence calf weights, which were positively correlated with dam weights and negatively correlated with dam weight change during lactation.Dam live weights at the beginning of the breeding season were 313, 357 and 348 kg for the Angoni, Barotse and Boran breeds respectively. Angoni and Boran dams reached maximum live weight at 7 years and Barotses at 9 years. Subsequent calving rate was not influenced by live weight at the beginning of the breeding season nor, in lactating dams, by live-weight change between the autumn peak and mid breeding season.

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