The effects of pre- and early post-calving management on reproductive performance of beef cows

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinah Boadi ◽  
M. A. Price
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Feed Restriction ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
Calving Performance ◽  
Reproduction Condition

One hundred and thirty-four pregnant beef cows (liveweight = 544.3 kg ± 73 3 kg SD; condition score = 3.5 ± 0.3 SD), were randomly assigned in January to five management treatments (combinations of feed restriction and weaning time) to study the effects on calving and rebreeding performance. Twenty-seven were feed-restricted (54.7 MJ DE d−1) for the last 3 mo of pregnancy then realimented (3REST); their calves were weaned in October. Thirty were feed-restricted for the last 3 mo of pregnancy (54.7 MJ DE d−1) and the first 2 mo of lactation (99.6 MJ DE d−1), then their calves were weaned and turned out to graze in June (5REST). The remaining 77 cows (UNREST) were supplemented on range with 153.5 MJ DE d−1 from January until calving. Their calves were weaned in either August (one group of 26 calves directly into a feedlot, a second group of 26 onto unsupplemented range) or October (25 calves directly into a feedlot). All cows grazed together on the range from June onwards. After calving, the restricted (3REST and 5REST) cows were significantly lighter (464.4 and 469.5 kg vs. 506.9 kg) and thinner (condition scores 2.5 and 2.6 vs. 3.0) than the UNREST cows, but the percentage of cows calving calf mortality, assisted births calving dates, udder scores and mean birth weight of calves were not affected (P > 0.05) by pre-calving nutrition. Catch-up growth was evident in both the 3REST and 5REST cows once exposed to higher energy feeding. There were no significant effects (P > 0.05) of the management (nutrition and weaning) treatments on the following year s breeding and calving performance. It is concluded that the combinations of nutrition and weaning used in this study did not necessarily impair calving or rebreeding performance of beef cows, which calved in condition score 2.5 or above. Key words: Beef cows, feed restriction, reproduction, condition score, rebreeding, birthweight

The effects of catch-up (compensatory) growth on reproductive performance of beef heifers

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinah Boadi ◽  
M. A. Price
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Feed Restriction ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
Calving Performance

Fifty-four heifer calves were allocated to five feeding/weaning treatments at birth in April/May 1990: 1) VEW (n = 11) dams feed-restricted for 3 mo before and 2 mo after calving; calves weaned in June onto gram-supplemented pasture and then into a drylot in October; 2) EW1 (n = 10) dams not restricted; calves weaned in August (unsupplemented pasture) into drylot in October; 3) EW2 (n = 10) dams not feed-restricted; calves weaned directly into drylot in August; 4) LW1 (n = 12) dams feed restricted for 3 mo before, but not after calving; calves weaned directly into drylot in October, 5) LW2 (n = 11): dams not restricted; calves weaned directly into drylot in October. The very early (VEW) and early (EW1, EW2) weaned heifers grew significantly slower than the later-weaned ones (LW1, LW2) from birth to September, and were still significantly lighter at 12–13 mo of age (May 1991). Recovery of liveweight-for-age was achieved by EW2 heifers by 18 mo and VEW and EW1 by about 23 mo of age. Early weaning treatments delayed age but not weight at first estrus (P < 0.05) yet the number of heifers conceiving and calving, and all associated reproductive data, including rebreeding success were unaffected by treatment (P > 0.05). Despite a delay in first estrus, reproductive efficiency and calving performance were not impaired by early feed restriction in heifers conceiving at 15 mo of age. Key words: Beef heifers, feed restriction, fertility, reproduction, catch-up growth

A STUDY OF SOME OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING EASE OF CALVING IN RANGE BEEF HEIFERS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. MAKARECHIAN ◽  
R. T. BERG
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Threshold Effect ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Calving Performance

This study was performed in two parts. In the first part, 349 calving records of 2-yr-old heifers in 1979, 1980 and 1981 were analyzed by least-squares to assess the effects of lowering sire birth weight on calf birth weight and ease of calving. The study demonstrated that using sires with lower birth weight in 1981 compared to 1979 and 1980 (31.12 vs. 40.12 and 40.17 kg, respectively), reduced the average calf birth weight (32.65 vs. 36.04 and 34.62 kg, respectively) which in turn improved calving performance of the heifers in 1981 compared to the previous years. In the second part, 128 calving records of 2-yr-old heifers in 1981 were analyzed to study the relative importance of hip height, area of pelvic opening, condition score and weight at calving on calving performance. The results indicated that heifer weight at calving had a significant influence of calving performance (P < 0.01). Calving performance improved with increases in heifer weight at calving. Height at hip was phenotypically correlated with weight at calving, area of pelvic opening and calf birth weight. Phenotypic correlation between weight at calving and area of pelvic opening was also highly significant. The area of pelvic opening might exert a threshold effect on calving performance in 2-yr-old heifers. Key words: Cattle, dystocia, range beef heifers

Reproductive performance and growth of Shorthorn purebred and crossbred cows

1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Fahmy ◽  
G. Lalande ◽  
M. Hidiroglou
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
First Time ◽  
Maximum Body

SUMMARYData were obtained from 27 pure Shorthorn, 22 Angus × Shorthorn, 31 Charolais × Shorthorn and 27 Hereford × Shorthorn cows, during 10 years. Angus × Shorthorn cows required the least number of services per conception (1·17), had the shortest average gestation lengths (280·6 days), and had a calving percentage of 88·2% and birth weight of calf of 29·8 kg. The respective figures for Charolais × Shorthorn were 1·21 services, 281·6 days, 88·3% (the highest) and 32·9 kg (the heaviest), for Hereford × Shorthorn 1·23 services, 283·6 days, 84·4% and 31·6 kg, and for pure Shorthorn 1·20 services, 282·2 days, 82·7% and 29·6 kg. Average calf weight at birth increased with the advance in age of cow up to 5 years, then showed little change. Seventy-two per cent of the crossbred cows calved for the first time at 2 years old compared with 65% of the Shorthorns. On the other hand, Shorthorn cows had the highest twinning percentage (2·9%) and the lowest single calf mortality at birth (1·4%). The maximum body weights of Angus, Charolais, and Hereford crossbreds and Shorthorn cows were 576·8, 655·8, 6254 and 553·8 kg respectively at 7–8 years of age.

Effects of supplementation and stocking rate on body condition and production parameters of multiparous beef cows

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Renquist ◽  
J. W. Oltjen ◽  
R. D. Sainz ◽  
J. M. Connor ◽  
C. C. Calvert
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Production Parameters ◽  
Condition Score

AbstractFall-calving multiparous Angus × Hereford cows 3 to 10 years of age were stratified by age in a three by two factorial treatment arrangement to evaluate the efficacy of modifying stocking rate and supplementation strategy to manage cow body condition and production parameters over a 5-year study. Efficacy was evaluated quarterly in association with calving, breeding, weaning, and mid way between weaning and calving (i.e. in August). Three protein supplementation strategies (none, standard, strategic) were imposed across both a moderate (0·3 cows per ha) and a high (0·4 cows per ha) stocking rate. In the strategically supplemented group, protein supplement was provided to cows with a body condition score <5·5 at the quarterly evaluations. There was an effect of supplementation on pregnancy rate, which in combination with previously established culling practices resulted in different age profiles amongst supplementation strategies in years 2 to 5 (P < 0·01). Two statistical analyses were therefore conducted to dissociate the confounding effects of supplementation strategy and age. One model included the effect of stocking rate, supplementation strategy, production year, and all interactions; the second included the addition of age and its interactive effects. Stocking rate and supplementation strategy affected pregnancy rate in each of the models (P = 0·003 and P = 0·10, respectively). Standard, non-supplemented and strategically supplemented animals had estimated pregnancy rates of 0·83, 0·76, and 0·79, respectively (P = 0·10). The effects of nutrition on both calving interval and birth weight were independent of the model employed. Animals that were not supplemented had extended calving intervals (P = 0·06), but there was no effect of stocking rate (P > 0·10). Birth weight was not affected by supplementation strategy or stocking rate (P > 0·10). The lower 205-day weights of calves on a heavy compared with moderate stocking rate was independent of age (P = 0·02). However, the increased 205-day weight of calves born to strategically supplemented cows compared with those born to unsupplemented cows was only evident when data were not corrected for differences in age among groups (P = 0·03). Likewise, analyses of cow condition parameters using models without and with age resulted in different interpretations. These results suggest that strategic and standard supplementation result in similar animal performance and that the improvement in herd productivity associated with altering stocking rate and supplementation may partially be due to altered herd age dynamics.

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 Effects of feeding treatment on growth rate and performance of primiparous Holstein dairy heifers

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannick Le Cozler ◽  
Julien Jurquet ◽  
Nicolas. Bedere
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Catch Up

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate effects of feeding-rearing programs that aim for first calving at 20-27 months (mo) of age on growth, reproduction and production performance of Holstein cows at nulliparous and primiparous stages. We hypothesised that, in a seasonal autumn-calving strategy, heifers born late in the season could catch up to the growth of heifers born earlier and be inseminated during the same period, at a body weight (BW) of at least 370 kg. This approach would result in first calving age at 21-22 mo of age without impairing their later performance. To test this hypothesis, we studied 217 heifers over 3 years. They were split into three treatment groups: control feeding (SD), an intensive-plane diet (ID1) from birth to 6 mo of age or an intensive-plane diet from birth to one year of age. Heifers in groups SD and ID1 were born from September until the end of November, while those in ID2 were born later. The present study showed that late-born heifers (ID2) could catch up with the growth of the others due to the feeding treatment, although they were still 42 kg lighter than the SD and ID1 heifers at first calving. No difference in reproductive performance was observed among groups. Once primiparous, the cows reared with the ID2 treatment tended to produce less milk than SD and ID1 cows (ca. 400 kg less on a 305 d basis throughout lactation), and no differences in milk composition, feed intake, body condition score or BW were observed among groups. Age at first service (AFS) was classified a posteriori into three classes: 12.5 (AFS12.5), 14.0 (AFS14.0) and 15.5 mo (AFS15.5) of age. Heifers in AFS12.5 grew faster than those in AFS14.0 and AFS15.5. Once primiparous, the AFS12.5 cows tended to produce less milk at peak than AFS14.0 and AFS15.5 cows (ca. 1.5 kg/d less) although no difference in total milk yield during lactation was observed. No differences in milk composition, feed intake, body condition score or BW were observed among groups. These results support the conclusion that the feeding treatment can enable late-born heifers to catch up to the growth of heifers born earlier in the season. This strategy results in an earlier first calving that does not impair their reproductive performance but does decrease milk yield slightly during first lactation. Future studies should investigate long-term effects of this strategy.

scholarly journals The Effect of Supplementary Feeding on the Reproductive Performance of Beef Cows in Supporting the Siwab Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agung Prabowo ◽  
Subiharta Subiharta ◽  
Pita Sudrajad ◽  
Iswanto Iswanto ◽  
Sularno Sularno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Normal Embryo ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Postpartum Estrus ◽  
First Time

This study aims to determine the effect of supplementary feeding on the reproductive performance of beef cattle and calf birth weight. Additional feed is given to cows who are pregnant (8-9 months) and after giving birth for 3 months. Additional feed provided is a complete feed prepared from local feed ingredients. The objectives of this supplementary feeding are: maintaining the condition of the mother's body, maintaining normal embryo growth, and accelerating postpartum estrus, as has been done in Megal Village, Pamotan District, Rembang Regency. Provision of additional feed to old pregnant beef cattle (8-9 months) and after giving birth for 3 months in Megal Village, Pamotan District, Rembang Regency. The conclusion of this study is that the provision of additional feed 5 kg / head / day to old pregnant beef cattle and after giving birth for 3 months can reduce the weight loss of beef cattle broods when the availability of feed is limited, increase birth weight of calves and accelerate postpartum estrus. estrus for the first time after childbirth). Provision of additional feed to late pregnant beef cattle and after giving birth is highly recommended, especially in areas where the availability of feed fluctuates.Key words: supplementary feed, reproduction, beef cattle

scholarly journals Effects of body condition on the reproductive performance of Red Sokoto goats.

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
B. B. A. Taiwo ◽  
V. Buvanendran ◽  
I. F. Adu
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Red Sokoto Goat

Effects of the body condition on the litter size, birth weight and kids survival of Red Sokoto goat were examined using seventy eight does aged 1-3 years. The does were flushed by grazing on cultivated pastures in the morning, and when indoor, they were served 500gm of concentrate ration per head per day. Their body conditions were assessed. All does used in this study fell within the body condition 1 with a mean body weight of 20.7kg and the body condition 2 with a mean weight of 24.1kg on a condition scale where 1 is poor and 2 is fair. They were randomly assigned to six sire groups and making lasted ten weeks. All does were reared as a group before and after parturition until the kids were weaned at 12 weeks. Does on condition score 2 significantly higher litter size (1.74) reared more kids to weaning (0.68) and were superior to does on condition score 1in overall productivity measured as number of kids weaned (89.21 vs 45.85%) or weight of kids weaned per doe kidding (4.92 vs 2.40kg). Does on the condition score 2 were twice condition score 1. The large difference in productivity would seem to justify investments in nutrition to breeding does prior to mating

scholarly journals 93 Feeding behavior as predictive traits of fertility and lifetime productivity in replacement beef heifers

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 77-78
Author(s):  
Cameron A Olson ◽  
Lisa McKeown ◽  
Hushton Block ◽  
Changxi Li ◽  
John Basarab
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Mating Opportunities ◽  
Positive Correlations

Abstract Fertility and longevity traits in beef cows are difficult and expensive to measure. The use of other traits to predict fertility and longevity traits in beef cows will enable selection for efficient reproduction earlier in an animal’s life. The objective of this study is to identify feeding behaviours with predictive relationships to fertility, longevity, and lifetime productivity in beef cows. This study used 421 Bos taurus commercial replacement heifers born from 2004 to 2014 and followed over 1050 mating opportunities, 11 production cycles and 5 parities. Heifers were weaned at 6–7 mo of age and developed on a 90% barley silage, 10% rolled barley diet in pens equipped with 16 electronic feed bunks to monitor feed intake and feeding behaviors. Feed intake (FI), feeding frequency (FREQ), duration (DUR), head-down time (HD) and time-to-bunk (TTB) were collected over the course of the feeding trial. Phenotypic correlations indicate that as FI increased during the heifer development stage, so did subsequent cow pre-breeding and pre-calving body condition score (BCS; r = 0.43, 0.36 respectively) and total lifetime productivity (r = 0.40). As FREQ increased, pre-breeding and pre-calving BCS decreased (r = -0.16 and -0.20, respectively), as did calf birth weight (r = -0.15). As DUR increased, weak positive correlations were observed with days in herd (r = 0.10), age at first calving (r = 0.17) and calf birth weight (0.13). Increased HD would lead to increased pre-breeding and pre-calving BCS (r = 0.16, 0.23 respectively), and greater lifetime productivity (r = 0.16). Time-to-bunk was positively correlated with days in the herd (r = 0.15), and with decreased calf birth weight (r = -0.23) and pre-calving cow weight (r = -0.33). These feeding behaviour traits, collected early in life, are worthy of further investigation into multi trait regression, genetic correlations and genomic selection.

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