Stocking method and monensin supplementation effects on cow and calf performance and pasture productivity

The primary aim of the calf rearer is to ensure a successful transition from non ruminant to ruminant status while achieving rapid growth and an early intake of solid food. Newbold, Blake and Hagges (1991), found that increasing the concentration of ME in either the starter or milk replacer will not promote more rapid growth, but will simply reduce the rate of starter consumption. This present study investigated the extent to which the energy density of a calf starter ration affected starter intake and liveweight gain in calves receiving a fixed allowance of a high energy milk replacer with ad libitum access to solid calf starter rations.

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

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.070 ◽

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

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.042 ◽

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 < 0.01) BW at d 55 and 110. There was treatment by time interactions (P < 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 < 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 < 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 < 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.

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Nucleotide Supplementation to Whole Milk Has Beneficial Effects on Post-Weaning Holstein Calf Performance

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010218 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 218

Author(s):

Yousef Abbaslou ◽

Davood Zahmatkesh ◽

Ehsan Mahjoubi ◽

Mehdi Hossein Yazdi ◽

Hamed Beiranvand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Free Access ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Whole Milk ◽

Calf Performance ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Fecal Score

The positive effects of nucleotide (NU) supplementation in milk replacer have been elucidated in infants and in dairy calves; however, NU addition to whole milk has not been evaluated previously. This study aimed to assess NU supplementation in the whole milk on calf growth and health. Thirty Holstein calves (body weight: 39.1 ± 1.0 kg; 3 d after birth) were randomly assigned to the following treatments: whole milk without any supplementation (NU0), whole milk + 0.5 g/d added a NU-containing supplement to whole milk (NUCS0.5), and whole milk + 1 g/d added a NU-containing supplement to whole milk (NUCS1). Calves were weaned at d 55 and stayed on study until d 75. Calves had free access to feed and water throughout the study. Dry matter intakes (DMI) were similar among treatments (p > 0.05) during the pre-weaning period; however, increasing NU resulted in a linear (p < 0.05) increase in DMI during the post weaning period (2158, 2432, and 2518 g/d for NU0, NUCS0.5, and NUCS1, respectively). Treatments did not affect body weight (BW) at the first and second month of study, but final BW linearly increased as NU was added (87.1, 90.6, and 95.4 kg for NU0, NUCS0.5, and NUCS1, respectively). Neither pre-weaning average daily gain nor post-weaning average daily gain was affected by treatments; accordingly, feed efficiency was similar among treatment groups. Days with loose fecal score were linearly decreased as NU was added to whole milk during the first month of life, while the fecal score did not differ among treatments until the end of the study. No difference was observed in the skeletal growth of calves in the current study. Therefore, it can be concluded that NU supplementation in the whole milk has some beneficial effects on calf performance in terms of final BW, post-weaning DMI, and less days with loose feces.

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Effects of management system on beef heifer growth and reproductive performance

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txaa209 ◽

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 < 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.

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Pre-Weaned Calf Rearing on Northern Irish Dairy Farms: Part 1. A Description of Calf Management and Housing Design

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11071954 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1954

Author(s):

Aaron J Brown ◽

Gillian Scoley ◽

Niamh O’Connell ◽

Jamie Robertson ◽

Amanda Browne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Key Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Animal Health ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Healthcare Management ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Housing Design ◽

Hygiene Management ◽

Calf Performance ◽

And Performance

The first few months of life are of great importance to the longevity and lifetime performance of dairy cows. The nutrition, environment and healthcare management of heifer calves must be sufficient to minimise exposure to stress and disease and enable them to perform to their genetic potential. Lack of reporting of farm management practices in Northern Ireland (NI) makes it difficult to understand where issues impacting health, welfare and performance may occur in the rearing process. The objective of this study was to investigate housing design and management practices of calves on 66 dairy farms across NI over a 3-month period and also identify areas that may cause high risk of poor health and performance in dairy calves. An initial survey was used to detail housing and management practices, with two subsequent visits to each farm used to collect animal and housing-based measurements linked to hygiene management, animal health and performance. Large variations in key elements such as weaning criteria and method, calf grouping method used, nutritional feed plane, and routine hygiene management were identified. The specification of housing, in particular ventilation and stocking density, was highlighted as a potential limiting factor for calf health and performance. Lack of measurement of nutritional inputs, hygiene management practices and calf performance was observed. This poses a risk to farmers’ ability to ensure the effectiveness of key management strategies and recognise poor calf performance and health.

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

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.527 ◽

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.

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The design and interpretation of experiments to study animal production from grazed pasture

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600014830 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 71 (3) ◽

pp. 327-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

J. B. Owen ◽

W. J. Ridgman

Keyword(s):

Simple Model ◽

Unit Area ◽

Personal Communication ◽

Animal Production ◽

Stocking Rate ◽

Grazed Pasture ◽

Stocking Rates ◽

Pasture Productivity

SUMMARYExperiments designed to assess differences between treatments in pasture productivity as measured by the production of animals are complicated by the stocking rates chosen. The paper attempts toderive a simple model relating production per animal and production per unit area to stocking rate for meat animals, based on biological considerations.A method is proposed which would allow meaningful grazing experiments to be carried out employing only one stocking rate, thus considerably reducing the expense of this type of experimentation.The model is applied to some recent data obtained by Hodgson (1966) and Appleton (1967, personal communication).

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