EFFECTS OF TWIN-FOSTER CALF REARING AND OF AGE AT WEANING ON COW AND CALF PERFORMANCE

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 821-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. ROSECRANS ◽  
W. A. NIPPER ◽  
W. D. HOHENBOKEN ◽  
D. W. WEBER
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Supplemental Feed ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Feed Costs ◽  
Fall Calving ◽  
Calf Rearing

The effects of twin-foster calf rearing on calf weight at 200, 291 and 365 days postcalving, on calf weight produced per cow, and on reproductive performance of cows were evaluated using fall-born calves. Eleven Holstein × Angus or Holstein × Hereford 2- or 3-yr-old cows rearing 20 Holstein or Limousin crossbred calves were compared with cows of similar age and breeding rearing 13 single-suckled Limousin crossbred calves. Twin calves were significantly lighter than single calves, but calf production per cow at 200 days postcalving was increased 39% by twin fostering. At 291 and 365 days postcalving, production per cow from twin fostering was 50% and 55% greater than that from single-suckled cows whose calves were weaned at 291 days. Twin fostering did not depress reproductive performance of the cows. However, supplemental feed costs and labor required at fostering were considered to restrict applicability of this management practice. Weaning at 9 mo as opposed to 200 days of age increased calf production per single-suckled cow without a substantial increase in costs. Key words: Cow-calf, twin foster, single-suckled, fall calving

LIMITED NURSING EFFECTS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF PRIMIPAROUS AND MULTIPAROUS COWS AND PREWEANING CALF PERFORMANCE

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 615-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. HILL ◽  
R. A. GODKE
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Treatment Period ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Potential Improvement ◽  
Fall Calving

Effects of limited nursing and parity of the dam on cow reproductive and calf gain performance were determined in two experiments involving 97 beef cow-calf pairs. Fall-calving (exp. 1) and spring-calving (exp. 2) primiparous (P) and multiparous (M) cows were assigned to control (C) or limited nursing (L) treatments at 21–28 d postpartum. Cows and calves continued on nursing treatments until first estrus was detected, or until 42 d had elapsed. Nursing treatment and parity of the dam influenced estrous activity in exp. 1. Higher (P < 0.05) percentages of multiparous dams and of L treatment cows were observed in estrus during the treatment period. A 5.6-d reduction (P < 0.10) in postpartum interval to first estrus (PPI) was observed for L cows observed in estrus during treatment periods, and a 16.2-d reduction (P < 0.01) occurred for L cows when all cows observed in estrus during or after the nursing treatment periods were compared to control cows in exp. 1. In exp. 2, nursing treatment and parity of the dam did not significantly affect PPI. Nursing treatments did not affect pregnancy rates in exp. 1, but M cows had higher (P < 0.01) pregnancy rates than P cows. Average daily gains (ADG) were lower (P < 0.10, exp. 1; P < 0.01, exp. 2) for L calves compared with C calves during treatment periods. The L calves did not overcome ADG reductions suffered while on the L treatment by weaning time, and 205-d adjusted weights of L calves were 25 kg lower (P < 0.05) than C calves in exp. 1. Potential improvement in reproductive efficiency resulting from limited nursing must be evaluated with regard to reduced preweaning calf performance. Key words: Cattle (beef), postpartum interval, estrus, once-daily nursing, weaning weight, first estrus

74 Production Responses of an Alternative Beef Cow-calf System

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 116-116
Author(s):  
Zachary E Carlson ◽  
Levi J McPhillips ◽  
Galen E Erickson ◽  
Mary E Drewnoski ◽  
James C MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Corn Residue ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Fall Calving ◽  
Treatment Design

Abstract A two-yr study was conducted to measure reproductive responses of an alternative cow-calf production system. Multiparous, crossbred cows (n = 160; average age = 5.7 ± 2.8 yrs-old) were utilized, per yr, in a generalized randomized bock design and unstructured treatment design. In yr one, cows were blocked by origin source and age, randomly assigned to one of two production systems, each with four replicates (n = 20 cows/rep). Once allotted to treatment and replicate, cows remained in assigned treatment for the duration of their productive life. Treatments were: 1) traditional extensive spring calving system utilizing perennial pasture and corn residue grazing (TRAD); 2) alternative fall-calving system utilizing confinement, summer-planted oats, and corn residue grazing (ALT). Breeding body condition score (BCS) was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for TRAD compared to ALT (6.45 vs. 5.47 ± 0.159, respectively). There were no differences (P ≥ 0.24) in conception rates (93.86 vs. 94.14 ± 2.26 %), pregnancy loss (4.37 vs. 5.62 ± 1.86 %), calving rates (89.50 vs. 88.49 ± 3.06 %), and weaning rates (86.88 vs. 82.50 ± 3.08 %) for TRAD and ALT, respectively. There was no difference (P = 0.47) in calf body weight at birth (40 vs. 39 ± 1.0 kg) for TRAD and ALT, respectively. Weaning BCS was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for TRAD compared to ALT (5.71 vs. 5.27 ± 0.048). Calves in the TRAD system had greater (P &lt; 0.001) wean BW (237 vs. 185 ± 3.7 kg) compared to ALT calves. Cows from TRAD system had greater (P &lt; 0.001) kg weaned per cow exposed to bulls (208 vs. 151 ± 6.3 kg) compared to ALT cows. Results indicate no difference in reproductive performance among systems. The extensive spring-calving system produced heavier calves at weaning, leading to more kg of calf weaned per cow exposed.

Comparison of Corn Coproducts and Corn Residue Bales with Alfalfa Mixed Hay on Beef Cow-Calf Performance, Lactation, and Feed Costs

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.J. Braungardt ◽  
D.W. Shike ◽  
D.B. Faulkner ◽  
K. Karges ◽  
M. Gibson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cow ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Corn Residue ◽  
Corn Coproducts ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Feed Costs

22 Effects of Housing Cow-calf Pairs on Drylots vs Pasture on Calf Performance and Behavior Through Weaning

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 24-24
Author(s):  
Megan Myerscough ◽  
Wes Chapple ◽  
William T Meteer ◽  
Daniel W Shike
Keyword(s):  
Corn Silage ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Distillers Grain ◽  
Dried Distillers Grain ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Fence Line

Abstract The objectives were to analyze the effects of housing cow-calf pairs in drylots or pasture on calf performance and behavior through weaning. Simmental × Angus (2 yr; 108/yr; 81 ± 15.3 d postpartum) spring-calving cows were stratified by age, BW, BCS, and calf sex and allotted to six groups/yr. Groups were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 treatments: drylot (DL) or pasture (PAST). Calves in the drylot had ad libitum access to a diet consisting of corn silage, dried distillers grain, corn stalks, dry rolled corn, and soybean hulls. Calves on PAST received creep feed three weeks prior to weaning. Calf BW was measured on d 0, 55, and 110. Calves were fence-line weaned on d 110. Behavior was observed for two days after weaning. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Drylot calves had greater (P &lt; 0.01) BW at d 55 and 110. There was treatment by time interactions (P &lt; 0.01) for lying and eating on d 111. More PAST calves were lying at h 2 and 3 and eating at h 11 and 12. More DL calves were lying at h 9, 10, 11, and 12. More DL calves were eating at h 2 and tended to at h 3. There was also a treatment by time interaction (P &lt; 0.01) for vocalizations on d 111. More PAST calves vocalized at h 1, however, DL calves vocalized more at h 4 and tended to at h 5. There was treatment by time interactions (P &lt; 0.01) for eating and walking on d 112. More DL calves were eating at h 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9. More PAST calves were walking at h 1 and 2. There was also a treatment by time interaction (P &lt; 0.01) for vocalizations on d 112. More PAST calves vocalized at h 1 and 10. In conclusion, housing cow-calf pairs in drylots improved preweaning performance and altered postweaning behavior.

scholarly journals Effects of management system on beef heifer growth and reproductive performance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parker A Henley ◽  
Frank A Ireland ◽  
Igor F Canisso ◽  
J Lannett Edwards ◽  
Daniel W Shike
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Soybean Hulls ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Calf Performance

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of heifer development system on body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), fescue toxicosis symptoms, reproductive performance, and subsequent calf growth of fall-calving beef heifers. Angus × Simmental heifers [n = 399; 240 ± 20.0 kg initial BW; age = 252 ± 20 d] were stratified by BW and BCS and assigned to 1 of 12 groups in each of the 2 production years. The study utilized a stratified randomized design. Pens were randomly assigned to 4 treatments: drylot (DL) development (fed ad-libitum diet consisting of 90% hay and 10% DDGS on a dry matter basis), grazing endophyte-infected fescue supplemented daily (2.3 kg as-fed/heifer/d; 50:50 mix of soybean hulls and DDGS; E+/S), grazing endophyte-infected fescue and supplemented from the midpoint of treatment period until breeding (4.5 kg as-fed/heifer/d; 50:50 mix of soybean hulls and DDGS; E+/LS), and grazing novel endophyte-infected fescue with no supplement (NE+/NS). Treatments ceased on d 168 [time of artificial insemination (AI)] and heifers were commingled and managed as a group through second breeding season. Heifers in DL had greatest (P ≤ 0.05) BW and BCS from d 28 until d 254. Furthermore, E+/S heifers had greater (P ≤ 0.05) BW and BCS than both E+/LS and NE+/NS from d 28 until d 168. On d 56 and 84, E+/LS heifers had lower (P ≤ 0.05) BW and BCS compared to NE+/NS, but on d 148 treatments reranked and E+/LS remained at a greater (P ≤ 0.05) BW and BCS compared to NE+/NS through the first breeding season. Drylot heifers had greatest (P ≤ 0.05) percentage cycling and percentage of mature BW at AI (66.6%) and had greater (P ≤ 0.05) AI and overall pregnancy rates compared to E+/LS and NE+/NS. The E+/S (55%) and E+/LS (53.7%) heifers were developed to a greater (P &lt; 0.01) percentage of mature BW than NE+/NS (49.3%). A greater (P ≤ 0.02) percentage of DL and E+/S heifers were pregnant at the end of the first breeding season (89.3 and 85.1%; respectively) compared to NE+/NS (61.5%). In summary, DL heifers had the greatest BW and BCS at AI, percentage cycling, and AI pregnancy rate. However, this strategy did not result in differing overall pregnancy rates between DL, E+/S, and E+/LS and there were no differences in milk production, rebreeding reproductive performance, and calf performance between all treatments. Finally, the poorest AI and overall pregnancy rates of the NE+/NS heifers suggests this is not a viable development strategy for fall-born heifers.

scholarly journals PSIII-34 Maternal disposition as related to calf weaning performance using chute scores

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 259-259
Author(s):  
Michael Sims ◽  
Paul A Beck ◽  
Cyril B Stewart ◽  
Reagan Cauble
Keyword(s):  
Performance Data ◽  
University Of Arkansas ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Fall Calving

Abstract Cow disposition has been reported to impact calf performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cow disposition at calving to calf weaning performance. Data were collected from four University of Arkansas research locations on both spring and fall calving herds between August 2017 and May 2018.Cow behavior was observed at calving and received a disposition score (CDS) taken on a 5-point scale where a score of 1 was highly aggressive, and a 5 was apathetic. Calf birthweight (BW), birthdate, and sex were also noted. At weaning, calf weight (WW) was recorded and used to calculate a 205-day adjusted weaning weight (AWW). Calf chute behavior (CS) was taken on a 5-point scale; a score of 1 was indicative of a calm exit, and a 5 was aggressive when exiting the chute. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. Cow Disposition Score had an effect on calf BW (P = 0.0037). Cows that received a disposition score of 2 or 3 had greater calf BW than those who had a disposition score of 4 (P = 0.0021) and (P = 0.0017), respectively. Cow Disposition Score had no effect on calf WW or AWW. Chute Score had an effect on WW (P ≤ 0.05). Calves with a CS of 1 had higher WW than those who had a CS of 2 or 3 (P = 0.028) and (P = 0.005), respectively. Chute Score had an effect on AWW (P = 0.003). Calves that received a CS of 1 had higher AWW than those who had a CS of 2 or 3 (P = 0.0023) and (P = 0.0002), respectively. This study indicates that cows with more aggressive dispositions at calving and calves who had calmer dispositions at weaning had higher performance.

THE ACCUMULATIVE EFFECT OF FINNSHEEP BREEDING IN CROSSBREEDING SCHEMES: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED H. FAHMY ◽  
JACQUES J. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Size At Birth

Reproductive performance and body weight were studied on 361 ewes, representing Finnsheep (F), DLS (a population of 1/2 Dorset, 1/4 Leicester, 1/4 Suffolk) and seven combinations ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 Finnsheep breeding. Conception rate in yearlings was 61.5% for DLS compared to 89.0% for F with the crosses being intermediate. Conception rate in older ewes was similar in the different genetic groups (avg. 94%). Ovulation rate and litter size at birth of DLS ewes were 1.72 and 1.44 lambs, which was less than half those of F ewes (3.51 and 2.86 lambs, respectively). Both traits increased progressively with an increase in F breeding in crosses and with advances in age. DLS ewes weaned 1.22 lambs compared to 2.03 lambs for F ewes and 1.84 lambs for 4/8 F ewes. The heaviest litters at weaning (31.7 kg) were raised by 4/8 F ewes, followed by 7/8 F (30.8 kg) while those raised by DLS ewes weighed 23.0 kg and F ewes 29.1 kg. Percentage of ova lost per ewe mated averaged 24% and ranged between 18% (DLS and 1/8 F) and 29% (6/8 F). About 3.6% of lambs were born dead and a further 13.8% died before weaning. Preweaning mortality rate was highest in F (22.9%) and lowest in 3/8 F (9.4%). Average kilograms of lambs weaned per ewe exposed was highest in 4/8 F (27.6 kg) followed by F (26.0 kg), whereas that of DLS was the lowest at 18.1 kg. The 4/8 F cross showed 25% heterosis in kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed and 52.5% increase over DLS. Significant positive linear regressions were calculated for ovulation rate, litter size and preweaning mortality rate on proportion of Finnsheep breeding in crosses. The relation was quadratic for percent ova lost and lamb mortality at weaning. Yearling DLS females weighted 36 kg compared to 44 kg for F yearlings. However, at 5 yr of age DLS ewes weighed 62 kg, 5 kg heavier than F ewes. The heaviest ewes at all ages were the 4/8 F (45 kg at 1 yr, 65 kg at 5 yr). Key words: Reproduction, DLS sheep, Finnsheep, crossbreeding, heterosis, repeatabilities

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