Movement orders in spontaneous group movements in cattle: 6-year monitoring of a beef cow herd with changing composition

Understanding temperament is an important part of cattle production since undesirable temperament may cause serious problems associated with aggression, maternal care, and human safety. However, little is known about how farmers define or assess temperament, especially in autochthonous cattle breeds. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of farmers about the temperament of the Pyrenean cattle breed with special attention to beef cow-calf systems in Spain. The methodology used to obtain the information was focus group discussions (FGD). Farmers defined temperament as a behavioural response to challenging situations imposed by human handling. Specific terms used were related to active or passive reactions to fear (e.g., “strong”, “aggressive”, “nervous”, “fearful”). The speed of response to stimuli was also important. Female temperament was thought to become more docile with age while bull temperament was more variable. Maternal aggressiveness was highlighted as a potential human safety problem, but also desirable in an extensively bred animal who may need to defend calves against predators. Anatomical characteristics were seen as unreliable predictors of temperament, while behavioural indicators were more widely used, such as “alertness”, which was a general trait of the breed, and “gaze”, which, when associated with an alert expression, suggests a potential threat. Sensory acuity, such as sight and smell, were thought to be related with temperament in some FGDs but there was no overall agreement as to whether different behavioural responses were due to differences in sensory acuity. The results from the study could be useful during training programs or in the development of new genetic selection schemes and evaluation protocols involving cattle temperament.

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The spatial dynamics of White-browed Babbler groups in a fragmented agricultural landscape

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc030271 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 271 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Peter G. Cale

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Group Dynamics ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Local Population ◽

Breeding Site ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Effective Population ◽

Study Sites ◽

Group Movements

White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus groups occupying linear strips of vegetation had breeding territories that were smaller in area and had longer linear dimensions than those occupying patches. A group's non-breeding home range was larger than its breeding territory. Groups occupying linear/patch home ranges expanded the linear extent and area of their home ranges more than those within other home range configurations. Some groups moved during the non-breeding season and this was more likely to occur if the group occupied a remnant with a low abundance of invertebrates during summer. Some groups that moved returned prior to the next breeding season, but the majority were never seen again. New groups moved into the study sites and established in vacant home ranges. This suggests that those groups that left the study sites may have established new home ranges elsewhere. Breeding site fidelity was lower in groups that had failed in previous breeding attempts. Therefore, group movements were influenced by the feeding and breeding quality of the habitat. However, the configuration of the local population also influenced group movements with those groups on the edge of a local population being more likely to move than those in the interior. New groups were formed by two processes; group dispersal, where groups generally filled a vacant home range, and group budding, which involved the splitting of a large group. Group dispersal maintained group densities while group budding increased the density of groups in a local population. These two processes were common, producing localized fluctuations in the density of groups. Since babbler groups contain only one breeding pair, changes in group density represent changes in effective population size. Therefore, group dynamics may be important to the persistence of local populations of White-browed Babblers, especially in landscapes that have suffered from habitat loss and fragmentation.

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PSI-3 Effects of housing cow-calf pairs in drylots vs pasture during the summer on cow performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.398 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 228-228

Author(s):

Keiffer Sexton ◽

Megan Myerscough ◽

Wesley Chapple ◽

William T Meteer ◽

Keela Trennepohl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Binary Data ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Dried Distillers Grains ◽

Milk Urea ◽

Cow Performance

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effects of maintaining cows in drylots vs pasture on beef cow performance. Spring-calving, Simmental × Angus cows (n = 108; 84 ± 11 d postpartum) were stratified by age, BW, BCS, calving date, and sex of calves and allotted to 6 groups. Groups were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments for 110 d: drylot (DL) or pasture (PAST). Drylot cows were limit-fed a ration consisting of corn silage, dried distillers grains, hay, corn stalks, corn, and soybean hulls to meet protein and energy requirements. Cows on pasture were rotationally grazed and offered free-choice mineral. On d 0, cows were artificially inseminated (AI). On d 0, 53, and 110 (weaning), cow BW and BCS were measured. On d 54 milk production was estimated using the weigh-suckle-weigh technique. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. All binary data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. On d 0 and 53, cow BW did not differ (P ≥ 0.73) between DL and PAST. On d 110, DL cows had 74 kg greater (P < 0.01) BW than PAST cows. The BCS did not differ (P ≥ 0.66) between treatments. There was no difference in milk production (P = 0.93); however, drylot cows tended (P = 0.10) to have reduced milk fat percentage and had reduced (P < 0.01) milk urea nitrogen. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.34) in AI or overall pregnancy rates between treatments. There was no difference in foot angle or claw set (P ≥ 0.17) of cows at any time point. There was also no difference (P = 0.17) in foot treatments between DL (39%) and PAST (4%). Housing cows in drylots compared to pasture increased BW, but did not affect BCS, milk production, and pregnancy rates.

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80 Evaluation of extended release eprinomectin efficacy on multiparous beef cow performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.024 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 11-11

Author(s):

Laine Zammit ◽

Jermey G Powell ◽

Reagan N Cauble ◽

Toby D Lester ◽

Callan Lichtenwalter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extended Release ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Negative Control ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Body Weights ◽

Calving Season ◽

Cow Performance ◽

Fall Calving

Abstract Internal parasitism inevitability prompts economic loss in beef cattle production by decreasing growth performance and reproductive traits. Previous studies have conflicting results on the macrocyclic lactones (ML) efficacy against internal parasitism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of milbeymycin and avermectin sub groups of ML on cow performance. Multiparous fall calving, crossbred beef cows (n = 106) were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 anthelmintic treatments: 1) Negative control (CON), in which cows did not receive an anthelmintic, 2) Injectable moxidectin (MOX) and 3) Injectable extended release eprinomectin (ERE). Body weights (BW), body condition scores (BCS), and fecal egg counts (FEC) were taken throughout the duration of the calving season to weaning on d0, d80, d162, and d217, with weaning occurring on d217. Performance data were analyzed using the MIXED procedures of SAS, and pregnancy data were analyzed using the GENMOD procedures of SAS. Significance was fixed at P < 0.05 and tendencies were established from 0.05 ≤ P ≤ 0.10. There was no effect of anthelmintic treatment on cow BW (P ≥ 0.57) or cow BCS (P ≥ 0.22) during the 217 d study; however, CON cows tended to have lower BCS (P = 0.08) throughout the duration of the study. Cows treated with ERE had fewer FEC compared to MOX and CON groups (P ≤ 0.001) and tended to improve pregnancy rates (c2 = 0.0546). Calf weaning weight was similar among treatments averaging 216, 225, and 223 kg regarding CON, MOX, and ERE cow treatments, respectively.

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Collision avoidance during group evasive manoeuvres: a comparison of real versus simulated swarms with manipulated vision and surface wave detectors

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2014.0812 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 281 (1788) ◽

pp. 20140812 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

William L. Romey ◽

Magenta M. Miller ◽

Jose M. Vidal

Keyword(s):

Surface Wave ◽

Sensory Modality ◽

Simulation Models ◽

Emergent Properties ◽

Control Groups ◽

Group Attraction ◽

Group Motion ◽

Coordinate Group ◽

Group Movements ◽

Simulation Systems

Coordinated group motion has been studied extensively both in real systems (flocks, swarms and schools) and in simulations (self-propelled particle (SPP) models using attraction and repulsion rules). Rarely are attraction and repulsion rules manipulated, and the resulting emergent behaviours of real and simulation systems are compared. We compare swarms of sensory-deprived whirligig beetles with matching simulation models. Whirligigs live at the water's surface and coordinate their grouping using their eyes and antennae. We filmed groups of beetles in which antennae or eyes had been unilaterally obstructed and measured individual and group behaviours. We then developed and compared eight SPP simulation models. Eye-less beetles formed larger diameter resting groups than antenna-less or control groups. Antenna-less groups collided more often with each other during evasive group movements than did eye-less or control groups. Simulations of antenna-less individuals produced no difference from a control (or a slight decrease) in group diameter. Simulations of eye-less individuals produced an increase in group diameter. Our study is important in (i) differentiating between group attraction and repulsion rules, (ii) directly comparing emergent properties of real and simulated groups, and (iii) exploring a new sensory modality (surface wave detection) to coordinate group movement.

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Assessment of ergot (Claviceps purpurea) exposure in pregnant and postpartum beef cows

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2017-0098 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 98 (4) ◽

pp. 688-700 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

T. Grusie ◽

V. Cowan ◽

J. Singh ◽

J. McKinnon ◽

B. Blakley

Keyword(s):

Ergot Alkaloid ◽

Post Partum ◽

Ergot Alkaloids ◽

Maximum Size ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Plasma Prolactin ◽

Claviceps Purpurea ◽

Ambient Temperatures ◽

Beef Cow ◽

The Impact

Cows were fed ration for 9 wk containing 5, 48, 201, and 822 μg kg−1 ergot alkaloids. The objective was to evaluate the impact of ergot consumption in beef cow–calf operations. Ergot alkaloids up to 822 μg kg−1 did not alter the weight of peripartum and postpartum beef cows (P = 0.93) or nursing calves (P = 0.08), rectal temperature (P = 0.16), or plasma prolactin concentrations (P = 0.30) at moderate ambient temperatures. Ergot did not influence the time (>1 ng mL−1; P = 0.79) or the progesterone concentration (P = 0.38) at the time of first postpartum rise or the size of the first (14 ± 0.6 mm; P = 0.40) and second (13 ± 0.5 mm; P = 0.41) follicles to ovulate. The maximum size of the first postpartum corpus luteum (CL) was 4 mm larger in the 822 μg kg−1 ergot group compared with the control (P = 0.03) for the first ovulation post partum, but not for the second (P = 0.11). There was no effect of ergot exposure on the number of days until the appearance of the first (43 ± 4 d; P = 0.95) or second (52 ± 4 d; P = 0.98) CL post partum. Ergot alkaloid concentrations up to 822 μg kg−1 did not affect pregnancy rates (X2 = 0.36). In conclusion, ergot alkaloid exposure for 9 wk to concentrations as high as 822 μg kg−1 did not alter performance in pregnant and postpartum beef cattle at moderate ambient temperatures.

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Frequencies of Injection-Site Lesions in Muscles From Rounds of Dairy and Beef Cow Carcasses

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(02)74105-2 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 85 (3) ◽

pp. 532-536 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

D.L. Roeber ◽

R.C. Cannell ◽

W.R. Wailes ◽

K.E. Belk ◽

J.A. Scanga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Injection Site ◽

Beef Cow

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Ultrasonographic findings in a beef cow with pulmonary haematoma

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.155.3.92 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 155 (3) ◽

pp. 92-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

U. Braun ◽

W. Jehle ◽

M. Bart

Keyword(s):

Beef Cow

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Effects of supplementing methionine hydroxy analog on beef cow performance, milk production, reproduction, and preweaning calf performance1

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas2017.1828 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 (12) ◽

pp. 5597-5605 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

A. R. Clements ◽

F. A. Ireland ◽

T. Freitas ◽

H. Tucker ◽

D. W. Shike

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Cow Performance

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528 Late-Breaking: Late Gestation Metabolizable Energy Intake Increases Colostrum Yield and Alters Colostrum Composition in Beef Cattle

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.275 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 150-150

Author(s):

Koryn S Hare ◽

Emily Croft ◽

Katharine M Wood ◽

Michael A Steele

Keyword(s):

Fixed Effects ◽

Block Design ◽

Compositional Analysis ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Milking Machine ◽

Beta Hydroxybutyrate

Abstract The objective was to determine how late gestation metabolizable energy (ME) intake impacts beef cow colostrogenesis. Angus-Simmental primiparous (n = 47) and multiparous (n = 109) cattle were blocked by expected calving date and randomly assigned to receive diets that supplied 80% (LME; n = 53), 100% (CME; n = 52), or 120% (HME; n = 51) of the ME requirement. Treatments were balanced by initial BW and fed for 53 d prior to calving. Cow body weight was recorded d -53, -39, -25, -10, and -3 relative to calving and retrospectively conceptus-corrected. Calves were weighed and measured prior to suckling. Colostrum was hand-stripped from all cows for compositional analysis and a subset (n = 16/treatment) was fully milked using a milking machine. Data were analyzed (PROC GLIMMIX) as a randomized block design, including the fixed effects of treatment, parity, and treatment×parity and the random effects of block and cow(block). Day and its interactions were included for repeated measurements. Treatment did not affect (P ≥ 0.73) cow BW or conceptus-corrected BW. Calf chest circumference was lesser (treatment×parity: P = 0.023) for primiparous vs. multiparous calves if their dams consumed LME or CME, but not if their dams consumed HME. Feeding HME rather than LME increased (P = 0.006) colostrum yield. The LME diet increased (P = 0.004) colostrum IgG concentration over HME; however, HME colostrum yielded more (P = 0.005) total IgG. Crude protein and urea-N were elevated (P < 0.001) in LME colostrum, whereas HME colostrum contained more (P = 0.026) lactose. Low ME colostrum fat was greater (P = 0.013) than CME and beta-hydroxybutyrate was increased (P < 0.001) in LME vs. CME and HME colostrum. These data provide insight regarding nutrient partitioning during late gestation and demonstrate that beef cow colostrogenesis is responsive to prepartum ME intake.

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