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

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

Growth performance and carcass composition in beef heifers undergoing catch-up (compensatory) growth

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Yambayamba ◽  
M. A. Price
Keyword(s):  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Feed Restriction ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Slaughter Weight ◽  
Permanent Effect ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

Fifty-three Hereford crossbred heifers (211 ± 28 (mean ± SD) kg; 197 ± 13 d of age at day 1) were used to study catch-up growth and its effects on carcass composition. Five heifers were slaughtered on day 1; the remaining 48 were randomly penned in groups of six and assigned to treatments as follows: three pens to ad libitum feeding (target gain > 1.0 kg d−1); three pens to 2 mo of feed restriction (target gain 0.5 kg d−1); followed by realimentation; and two pens to 4 mo of feed restriction (target gain: 2 mo at 0.5 kg d−1 and 2 mo at 0.0 kg d−1) followed by realimentation. Animals from one pen were slaughtered from each treatment after 2 mo, after 4 mo, and at a final slaughter weight of about 410 kg. During the final period (4 mo to slaughter), growth rate was greater (P < 0.05) in the 4-mo than in the 2-mo restricted–realimented animals or the ad-libitum-fed animals (1.91 vs. 1.18 vs. 1.02 kg d−1), respectively. Feed restriction for 2 mo had no significant effect on the composition of the three-rib cut, but 4 mo of feed restriction was associated with significantly lower and higher (P < 0.05) proportions of fat and bone, respectively, in the three-rib cut. Muscle proportion was not affected by treatment. At the final slaughter weight, no significant differences were found among treatments in the tissue proportions of the three-rib cut. It is concluded that 2 or 4 mo of feed restriction, starting at 6 mo of age, has no permanent effect on a heifer's live weight or body composition. Key words: Heifers, feed restriction, realimentation, compensatory growth, carcass composition

scholarly journals Effects on Synchronization and Reproductive Efficiency of Delaying the Removal of the Intravaginal Progesterone Device by 24 h in the 5d Co-synch Protocol in Heifers

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 849
Author(s):  
Aitor Fernandez-Novo ◽  
Sergio Santos-Lopez ◽  
Jose Luis Pesantez-Pacheco ◽  
Natividad Pérez-Villalobos ◽  
Ana Heras-Molina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Animal Management ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Beef Herds ◽  
Farm Economics

In beef herds, increasing animal welfare, improving reproductive performance and easing animal management are key goals in farm economics. We explored whether delaying the removal of the intravaginal progesterone device by 24 h in heifers synchronized with a 5d Co-synch 72-h protocol could improve reproductive efficiency of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). In experiment 1, we examined the total synchronization rate (TSR) in cycling Holstein heifers. Heifers (13.4 ± 0.69 mo.) were randomly assigned to the standard 5d Co-synch 56-h protocol (5dCo56; n = 10), 5d Co-synch 72-h (5dCo72; n = 17), or the modified 5d Co-synch 72-h protocol, in which removal of the progesterone device was delayed by 24 h (6dCo48; n = 19). In experiment 2, 309 cycling beef heifers on 18 commercial farms were subjected to the 5d Co-synch 72-h or 6-d Co-synch 48-h protocol and conception rate (CR) studied. In experiment 1, the three protocols led no differences on TSRs of 80.0% (5dCo56), 88.2% (5dCo72), and 89.5% (6dCo48). In experiment 2, the CR from the beef heifers, observed during two consecutive reproductive seasons did not differ: 59.7% for 5dCo72 and 62.0% for 6dCo48 (p = 0.907). Therefore, delaying removal by 24 h provides satisfactory results without reducing reproductive efficiency of heifers.

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

The influence of zeranol implantation on growth and reproduction of beef heifers

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1249-1252 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
R. D. H. Cohen ◽  
B. D. King ◽  
P. A. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Growth Enhancement ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Pelvic Area ◽  
Effect Of Treatment ◽  
Growth And Reproduction

Crossbred beef heifers received a 36-mg implant of zeranol at 60 d of age (R1; n = 35) or at both 60 and 197 d (weaning; R2; n = 32) or received no implants (C; n = 35). R2 heifers were heavier and had greater pelvic areas (P < 0.05 for both) at breeding compared with controls. There was no effect of treatment on the calving rates (78.1 vs. 80.0 vs. 74.3%) or on mean pelvic area at the time of calving (261.1 vs. 260.4 vs. 257.6 cm2) for R2, R1 and C heifers, respectively. We conclude that zeranol can be successfully used for growth enhancement from 60 d of age without detriment to subsequent reproductive performance. Key words: Zeranol, heifers, pregnancy rate, pelvic area

Effect of norgestomet or norgestomet and gonadotropin-releasing hormone on attainment of puberty in beef heifers

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Henderson ◽  
H. L. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Subsequent Pregnancy ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Releasing Hormone

An experiment was conducted using 133 crossbred beef heifers randomly assigned to three treatments. All heifers were bled weekly to monitor concentration of progesterone. Norgestomet-treated heifers were 26.2 d younger (P < 0.01) and 21.6 kg lighter (P < 0.05) than controls at puberty. Norgestomet plus GnRH-treated heifers were 30.9 d younger (P < 0.01) and 18.8 kg lighter (P < 0.05) than controls at puberty. The effects of hormonal treatment on subsequent pregnancy and calving rates were variable. Key words: Beef heifers, puberty, norgestomet, GnRH, reproductive performance

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

REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND MEAT PRODUCTION OF GILTS BRED AT PUBERTY AND RESTRICTED IN FEED INTAKE

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 877-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. FRIEND ◽  
J. I. ELLIOT ◽  
A. FORTIN ◽  
E. LARMOND ◽  
M. S. WOLYNETZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Feed Restriction ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Total Percentage ◽  
Percentage Yield

Sixty-one gilts, bred at puberty, were fed 1.2 kg of diet daily until day 84 of pregnancy, 1.4 kg to day 99 then 1.6 kg to farrowing. Thirty of their litters were weaned at 21 days (21 W), the others within 12 h of birth (0 W); 28 of the gilts were marketed 12 ± 3 days postweaning, the others were re-bred. Twenty-two unbred gilts were treated similarly to the bred gilts and 13 additional gilts selected at 91 kg body weight were used as conventional, market weight pigs. Age at puberty averaged 164 days; bred gilts were heavier than unbred at 85 and 100 days gestation. Number of piglets born averaged 9.1 total and 8.5 alive. Carcasses of the weaned gilts were lighter in weight than those of the unbred controls and had less backfat thickness than the lighter market weight pigs; total percentage yield of trimmed, deboned meat was not affected significantly. There were no significant differences in flavor, juiciness and tenderness of loin (m. longissimus) and ham (m. semimembranosus) meat between the market weight carcasses and those of the other four groups. Weaning to breeding interval for the 21 W and 0 W gilts bred for a second time averaged 23 and 38 days and embryo mortality was 15 and 21%, respectively, at 30 ± 3 days gestation. Key words: Puberty, gilts, feed restriction, once-bred, meat quality

scholarly journals Relationships between backfat thickness and reproductive efficiency of sows: A two-year trial involving two commercial herds fixing backfat thickness at breeding

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
A A Houde ◽  
S. Méthot ◽  
B D Murphy ◽  
V. Bordignon ◽  
M F Palin
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Marked Decrease ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Fat Tissue ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Long Time

In this study, we established whether controlling backfat thickness at breeding over a long time period can result in optimized reproductive performance in sows. Two commercial herds were used: herd A (322 purebred Landrace sows) and herd B (337 cross-bred Yorkshire-Landrace sows). Backfat thickness at breeding and farrowing, along with reproductive data [live Born (LB), stillborn, mummified, piglets alive at 48 h (LB48) and the weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI)] were collected over nine parities. The herd B producer was more successful in maintaining a steady backfat thickness at breeding than was the herd A producer. At breeding, the backfat thickness of sows from herd A showed a marked decrease between parities 2 and 5. During their first parity, these sows gained the least backfat during gestation and lost the most backfat during lactation. Sows from herd B had more LB and LB48 than sows from herd A. In herd A, a longer WEI was found in first and second parity sows. Our results demonstrate that maintaining backfat thickness throughout the reproductive cycle is more important than fixing this parameter at breeding alone. This is particularly true for gilts, which are prone to mobilize fat tissue reserves, a condition associated with declining reproductive performance. Key words: Backfat thickness, reproductive performance, sow, weaning-to-estrus interval

scholarly journals Effect of Diet on Replacement Beef Heifer Growth and Reproductive Performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Janice G. P. Bowman ◽  
Bok F. Sowell
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Roller Mill ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Alfalfa Hay ◽  
Grass Hay ◽  
Beef Heifer ◽  
Daily Gain

One hundred-one crossbred beef heifers (average weight 256.1 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of diet during an 84-day period, on growth and reproductive performance. The four treatments were: 1) grass hay; 2) grass hay + 0.9 kg/day barley; 3) grass hay + 1.8 kg/day barley; and 4) alfalfa hay. Heifers were assigned randomly to 12 pens by weight (three pens/treatment). Prior to feeding, barley was cracked through a roller-mill. Heifers consuming alfalfa hay or grass hay + 1.8 kg barley gained 39% faster (0.68 and 0.74 kg/day, respectively; P = 0.01) than heifers consuming grass hay alone (0.51 kg/day). Heifers consuming grass hay + 0.9 kg barley were intermediate in average daily gain (ADG; 0.63 kg/day). Hay intake was 16% greater (P < 0.10) by heifers consuming alfalfa hay, grass hay, and grass hay + 0.9 kg barley compared with those consuming grass hay + 1.8 kg barley (average 8.1 vs 7.0 kg/day). Using costs (USD) of $0.066/kg, $0.099/kg, and $0.0935/kg for grass hay, alfalfa hay, and barley, respectively, feed cost/day was greatest (P < 0.01) for alfalfa hay ($0.81/day), intermediate for the grass hay + barley diets (average $0.63/day), and lowest for grass hay ($0.53/day). Cost/kg gain was less (P < 0.10) for grass hay + 1.8 kg barley compared with alfalfa hay. No diet differences (P > 0.70) were found in reproductive performance of the heifers. Feeding replacement heifers alfalfa hay resulted in performance equivalent to feeding grass hay + 1.8 kg barley, but the alfalfa hay diet had a higher cost.

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