EFFECTS OF EARLY WEANING ON CALF GAIN AND COW PERFORMANCE AND INFLUENCE OF BREED, AGE OF DAM AND SEX OF CALF

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. BASARAB ◽  
F. S. NOVAK ◽  
D. B. KARREN
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Birth Date ◽  
Similar Amount ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Feeding Period ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Calving Intervals ◽  
Winter Feeding

A study was conducted to determine the effects of early weaning and preconditioning to feedlot on calf gain and the effects of early weaning on cow weight and reproductive performance. A total of 390 cow-calf pairs in 1982 and 460 in 1983, representing four breed, three age-of-dam groups and two-sex-of-calf groups, were randomly assigned to either an early weaned (EW) or a late weaned (LW) group. In the fall of each year, EW calves were weaned 1 mo before LW calves and fed grain (up to 4.8 kg head−1 d−1) and hay during this period. EW calves gained approximately 0.5 kg d−1 less over the 1 mo fall test period than LW calves in 1982 (0.16 vs. 0.75 kg d−1) and 1983 (0.05 vs. 0.58 kg d−1). EW cows gained 0.32 kg d−1 more during this same period than LW cows in 1982 (0.86 vs. 0.54 kg d−1) and lost 0.21 kg d−1 less in 1983 (−0.10 vs. −0.31 kg d−1). These differences in gain did not result in significant weight differences between EW and LW cows entering the winter feeding period in either year. EW and LW cows lost a similar amount of weight over the winter feeding period in 1982–1983 (−0.13 vs. −0.12 kg d−1) and had the same weight after calving in 1983. However, during the winter feeding period of 1983–1984, EW cows lost less weight than LW cows (−0.22 vs. −0.30 kg d−1) and, thus, weighed 27.3 kg more than LW cows after calving in 1984 (468.3 vs. 441.0 kg). Weaning treatment had no effect on pregnancy rate, calf crop percentage or calving interval. Weaning treatment also had no effect on cow weight and gain, calf birth date and weight, calving interval or calf preweaning gain the following year. Interactions between weaning treatment and breed, age of dam or sex of calf were absent for most weight and weight gain parameters and for calving intervals. Calf weights were affected by breed, age of dam and sex of calf while calf gains over the fall test were affected by age of dam. Cow weights were affected by breed and age, calf crop percentage by breed and calving interval by age. Breed, age of cow and sex of calf effects for all other parameters were not significant. Key words: Beef cattle, beef calves, early weaning, preconditioning

Effect of calving date on lifetime productivity of cows in a winter-calving Aberdeen Angus herd

1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Garcia Paloma ◽  
R. Alberio ◽  
M. C. Miquel ◽  
M. O. Grondona ◽  
J. Carrillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Productive Efficiency ◽  
The Other ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Calving Intervals

AbstractLifetime productivity of 408 Aberdeen Angus cows from the Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) of Balcarce, Argentina, was analysed during the 1972 to 1983 period according to their date of calving. Cows were allocated to two groups: one group of early first calving (Fl) when cows calved within the first 25 days of the calving period; the other, of late first calving (F2) when cows calved after that date. Independently using similar criteria, the effect of date of second calving on lifetime productivity was analysed in the same cows, groups SI and S2. Early first calving cows weaned more kg of calf when their first four calvings were considered than cows of late first calving (659 v. 628 kg). The same tendency was observed when cows were compared according to their second calving date (653 v. 634 kg). Differences in weaning weight between calves from early and late cows were only significant for the first calving (group Fl v. F2) and for first and second calving (group SI v. S2). This fact was a consequence of the shorter initial calving interval for late cows (F2 and S2) so that subsequent ages of their calves at weaning were similar to early cows (Fl and SI). Groups F2 and S2 cows had first and second calving intervals respectively of 351 and 356 days, while groups Fl and SI cows had intervals of 372 and 371 days. It is concluded that the date of the first calving and the high overall reproductive performance of the herd contributed to a high concentration of early calvings and a high productive efficiency.

THE GROWTH AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF PRECONDITIONED CALVES AND THEIR DAMS ON THE FARM AND OF CALVES IN THE FEEDLOT

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. KARREN ◽  
J. A. BASARAB ◽  
T. L. CHURCH
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Treatment Rate ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Health Performance ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
The Cost ◽  
On Farm

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of preconditioning beef calves. In 1982, each of two producers allocated 100 cow-calf pairs to the study while in 1983, 130 cow-calf pairs were included on Farm 1 and 151 on Farm 2. In 1982, approximately even numbers of cow-calf pairs were randomly assigned to either a preconditioning (PC) or a regular (RG) program. These same groups were maintained in 1983. The length of the period from early weaning to shipment (preconditioning period) was 30 d (PC30) in 1982 and either 30 or 42 d (PC42) in 1983. At the end of the preconditioning period, calves from both farms were shipped to the same feedlot for 68- and 95-d tests in 1982 and 1983, respectively. PC calves gained faster than RG calves during the preconditioning period in five of the six farms by year by treatment situations. Preconditioning calves for 42 d rather than 30 d had no effect on either preconditioning gain or farm to feedlot weight loss. The cost of preconditioning ranged from $29.65 to $38.77 head−1 for PC30 calves and from $41.95 to $49.08 head−1 for PC42 calves. The price differential required by the cow-calf producer to break-even on PC calves ranged from + 5.0C kg−1 for PC30 calves to + 11.0C kg−1 for PC42 calves. Weaning treatment had no effect on either pregnancy rate the following year or on calving interval. In 1982 RG calves gained 0.13 kg d− more in the feedlot than PC30 calves. In 1983 PC30, PC42 and RG calves gained similarly. Treatment for illness of PC30 calves during the feedlot phase was 13.7% lower than RG calves in 1982. In 1983, treatment rate was reduced 42.0% for PC30 calves and 60.6% for PC42 calves. Preconditioning for 42 d rather than 30 d had no effect on feedlot growth or health performance. Cost of gain was 5.0C kg−1 less for PC calves than for RG calves in both 1982 and 1983. Key words: Calves (beef), weaning (early), preconditioning, farm, feedlot

scholarly journals Comparison of body weight and reproduction performance in cows of various beef breeds managed under equal conditions in West Pomerania

2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Pilarczyk ◽  
J. Wójcik
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
The Body ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Red Angus ◽  
Calving Difficulty ◽  
Calving Intervals

Abstract. The aim of the study was to compare the body weight and the parameters of reproductive performance in beef cows of various breeds following their import to Poland from 1995–1997. The analyses included cows of five beef breeds: Red Angus, Salers, Hereford, Limousin and Simmental. We have compared the body weights and calving intervals during the period from their arrival to Poland in 1995 until 2002, with subsequent calvings included in the analyses. Other aspects included calving difficulty, abortions, stillbirths and twin births. The analysis of the cows’ reproductive performance has revealed that the studied breeds differ in the calving interval. Best results were achieved by Simmental and Limousine cows, while Red Angus cows exhibited the poorest performance. The effect of subsequent calving on the calving interval was also confirmed. We have observed no differences among the mature cows with respect to the body weight and calving ease.

scholarly journals Effects of the weaning age of calves on somatic development and on reproductive performance of beef cows

2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 1058-1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Zambarda Vaz ◽  
José Fernando Piva Lobato
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Weaning Age

This study evaluated body development and reproductive performance of beef cows whose calves were submitted to early weaning (76 days of age), or conventional weaning (148 days of age). It was used 141 Braford cows that calved in 2004, 2005, and 2006 to evaluate weight at calving at 76 days, weight at calving at 148 days, weight at the beginning and end of the breeding season, variation of the average daily weight, body condition, pregnancy rate, and calving interval. Dams of calves weaned at 148 days of age showed daily weight gain higher body weight and better body condition at 148 days of age. The weights at the end of breeding season and average weight gain during the breeding season were higher in early weaning cows than in conventional cows. Pregnancy rate of early weaning cows (86.34%) was higher than those submitted to weaning at conventional age (55.45%). Pasture interval was similar among early weaning cows and conventional weaning cows. The best benefit on reducing weaning age in pregnancy rate was in primiparous cows. There was significant interaction between weaning age and the year for calving interval and milk production. The early weaning of calves carried out at 76 days of age allows cows to better weight recovery in the post-weaning and breeding periods, improving their body condition and consequently increasing pregnancy rate regarding to cows whose calves suckled until 148 days of age.

The effect of early weaning of Brahman cross calves on calf growth and reproductive performance of the dam

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (75) ◽  
pp. 456 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Schottler ◽  
WT Williams
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Tropical Lowlands

It is shown, for a herd of Brahman cross cattle in the humid tropical lowlands of Papua New Guinea, that reducing the age of weaning from seven to four months advances the date of subsequent calving by ca 39 days. The calving interval is nevertheless always considerably shorter than that recorded from similar equatorial climates elsewhere. The 4-month calves showed an unexpected sensitivity to pasture quality, the nature of which requires further investigation.

Early Weaning of Fall-Born Beef Calves: I. Preweaning Calf and Cow Performance

jpa ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 464-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Grimes ◽  
Thomas B. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Early Weaning ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Cow Performance

Comparative reproductive performance of Brahman and Santa Gertrudis cattle in a hot humid environment 2. Factors affecting calving interval

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Wilson ◽  
M. B. Willis
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Average Life ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Humid Environment ◽  
Calving Intervals

SUMMARYOver a 15-year period 1011 calving intervals from 187 Brahman (B) cows and 687 calving intervals from 146 Santa Gertrudis (SG) were examined. Year of calving significantly affected intervals in both breeds. Season of calving and parity of dam were both important in SG. Longer intervals were seen in B than SG (437 v. 406 days). Repeatability of calving interval was low (< 0·02). The average life-time calving interval was significantly related to total calf production in that cows with shorter mean intervals had more calves in their lifetime.

scholarly journals 38 Effects of combining nose flap weaning with short-term creep feeding of beef calves on cow and calf performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 39-40
Author(s):  
Kendi Tjardes ◽  
Katy Lippolis
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Term Creep ◽  
Viral Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Short Term Creep

Abstract One hundred four Angus calves were ranked by gender, BW, age, and dam parity, and assigned to 1 of 4 pre-weaning treatments: 1) nose flaps for 7-d prior to weaning (NF), 2) traditional weaning (TRAD), 3) traditional weaning and creep feed for 3-wk prior to weaning (TRADC), or 4) nose flaps for 7-d prior to weaning and creep feed for 3-wk prior to weaning (NFC). Cow-calf pairs were housed in dry lot pens on d -28. From d -21 to 0, calves in creep treatments were provided free choice access to creep feed. Nose flaps were placed on d -7, and calves were weaned on d 0. Calves were vaccinated and dewormed on d -21 and 0. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.97) in calf BW on d -28 or -21. During the 7-d period that nose flaps were placed, NFC calves had greater (P ≤ 0.0001) ADG than NF and TRAD calves, and tended to have greater (P ≤ 0.10) ADG than TRADC calves. At weaning on d 0, TRADC and NFC calves tended to have greater BW (P = 0.07) and had greater overall change in BW (P &lt; 0.0001) during the pre-weaning period than TRAD and NF calves. Additionally, there was a greater (P ≤ 0.001) increase in BW of NFC and TRADC cows during the pre-weaning period compared to NF and TRAD cows. From d -21 to 0 there was no differences (P &gt; 0.41) in plasma concentrations for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVD). By d 14, the TRADC calves had the greatest plasma concentrations for BVD (P &lt; 0.04). Therefore, providing short-term creep feed prior to placing nose flaps can improve pre-weaning calf and cow performance compared to traditional and nose flap weaning without creep feed supplementation, however, did not improve response to vaccination.

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