Effects of double suckling at pasture 2. Calf performance

1982 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Nicoll

ABSTRACTTwo experiments were conducted to compare the effects of single and double suckling on the performance of calves at pasture. In association with their own (status 1) calf, each double-suckled cow fostered a Friesian male (status 2) calf during the post-partum housing period. Calf live weights, milk intakes, and daylight grazing times and suckling activities were recorded.Single-suckled calves were significantly heavier at weaning (221 and 209 kg) than either status 1 (185 and 170 kg) or status 2 (180 and 175 kg) double-suckled calves in experiments 1 and 2 respectively. Daily gains of the single- and status 1 and 2 double-suckled calves were 0·87, 0·69 and 0·61 kg/day in experiment 1, and 0·94, 0·72 and 0·70 kg/day in experiment 2. Single-suckled calves consumed significantly more milk per day during three 28- day periods at pasture than did either status 1 or status 2 double-suckled calves (7·9, 5·2 and 50kg/day, and 90, 7·2 and 6·5 kg/day in experiments 1 and 2). Status effects in the double-suckled calves were not significant for live weights, weight gains or milk intakes.Double-suckled calves spent more time grazing and sucked their own or assigned foster dams less frequently than did single-suckled calves. Status 2 double-suckled calves spent more time grazing (experiment 1) and sucked for significantly shorter periods from more foreign dams than did their status 1 contemporaries.It was concluded that double suckling increased annual total weight of calf output per cow but that it was achieved at the expense of individual calf growth performance. Reduced milk intake appeared to be a major factor in limiting live-weight gains in the double-suckled calves.

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel

ABSTRACTGroups of 12 spring-calving cows and their calves were allocated to each of three continuous grazing treatments: cows and calves grazed a 4- to 5-cm sward (LI), cows grazed a 4- to 5-cm sward and their calves grazed an 8- to 10-cm sward (Lh) and cows and calves grazed an 8- to 10-cm sward (Hh). In each case cows and calves grazed separately. Sward height had a large effect on both cow and calf performance and intake. The short swards reduced cow herbage intake proportionately by 0·2 compared with that of the taller sward. Cow live-weight gains were −0·60, −0·59 and 0·42 (s.e.d. 0·103) kg/day on treatments LI, Lh and Hh respectively while calf live-weight gains were 0·80, 0·95 and 1·14 (s.e.d. 0·040) kg/day. Calf milk intakes were 7·05, 5·78 and 9·34 (s.e.d. 0·508) kg/day respectively while daily herbage intakes were 17·2, 22·0 and 19·8 (s.e.d. 1·35) g organic matter per kg live weight for treatments LI, Lh and Hh. There was a negative association between calf herbage and milk organic matter intakes in the treatments where the calves had access to a more generous sward height (treatments Lh and Hh), the regression coefficient being −0·89 (s.e. 0·381), indicating the calves' ability to increase herbage intake in response to a reduction in milk intake. On the LI treatment there was no significant relationship between milk and herbage intakes. The ability of grazing suckled calves to compensate for a reduction in milk intake is thus dependent on sward conditions, and may also depend on herbage digestibility. The increase in herbage intake cannot however compensate fully for a restriction in milk supply.


2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 47-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bartoň ◽  
D. Řehák ◽  
V. Teslík ◽  
D. Bureš ◽  
R. Zahrádková

Breed effects on live weight gain, slaughter characteristics and carcass composition were compared in Aberdeen Angus, Charolais, Hereford and Simmental bulls. The experiment extended over 2 years and involved totally 96 animals. The target slaughter live weights were determined 550 kg for earlier maturing breeds Aberdeen Angus and Hereford and 630 kg for later maturing breeds Charolais and Simmental. Charolais and Simmental gained more rapidly (P < 0.05) than Aberdeen Angus while Hereford were intermediate. Hereford had lower (P < 0.05) dressing percentage than the other breeds. Percentages of grade I meat were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Charolais and Simmental. The highest percentage of separable fat was recorded in Hereford (P < 0.05). Charolais and Simmental had lower (P < 0.05) thickness of subcutaneous fat over MLLT than Aberdeen Angus andHereford. The later maturing bulls generally tended to achieve higher live weight gains during the experiment, produced less fat and had higher percentage of meat from high priced joints in comparison with earlier maturing animals.  


1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Peart ◽  
J. M. Doney ◽  
A. J. MacDonald

SUMMARYThe milk intakes of single-born Texel x Blackface and of pure-bred Blackface lambs suckling Blackface ewes was measured using a lamb-suckling technique. The shapes of the lactation curves were similar but the mean milk intake of the Texel x Blackface lambs was substantially greater than that of the pure-bred lambs at all points on the lactation curve. The Texel x Blackface lambs attained a mean maximum daily milk intake of 2418 g and the pure-breds 2075 g; mean total milk intakes during an 84-day period were 157 and 128 kg, respectively. Mean birth weights were 5·08 and 4·98 kg and the subsequent mean daily live-weight gains were 364 and 344 g, respectively, for the Texel x Blackface and pure-bred lambs. It is concluded that lamb genotype had a substantial and significant influence on the milk production of the ewes.


1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Butcher ◽  
M. J. Bryant ◽  
E. Owen ◽  
I. Leach ◽  
D. H. Machin

ABSTRACTTwenty-five Californian does were mated and given pelleted diets of either 8(LE) or 10(HE) MJ/kg dry matter (ruminant metabolizable energy values) throughout gestation and lactation. Litter sizes were adjusted to six offspring per doe. Milk yield was estimated from the weight differences of the litters before and after suckling, when the opportunity for nursing was confined to once daily. The young rabbits were allowed access to either the LE or HE diets from 18 days of age. Weaning took place at 32 days of age when four rabbits from each doe grouP × pre-weaning diet were slaughtered. Diet had no effect on litter size or birth weight, but does on the LE diet had lower live weights post partum (P < 0·05). Dry-matter consumption by the does on the LE diet was greater than for the HE diet (P < 0·05) both during gestation and lactation, but calculated metabolizable energy intakes were lower during lactation. There were no statistically significant differences between treatments for milk yield or live-weight gain to weaning and dry-matter intakes of the young at weaning, but daily live-weight gain from fostering to 18 days of age was greater for litters of does fed the HE rather than the LE diet (P < 0·05). There were no statistically significant differences between diets for carcass traits at weaning.After weaning, 32 rabbits were given either the LE or HE diet until 2 kg live weight when they were slaughtered. A post-weaning × pre-weaning diet interaction (P < 0·05) occurred for live weights of the rabbits at the start of the post-weaning trial (i.e. after a 10-day adaptation period) with LE: LE rabbits being lighter than other rabbits as a results of poor live-weight gains during the adaptation period. Live-weight gains to slaughter were greater for the pre-weaning LE diet (P < 0·05) and the post-weaning HE diet (P < 0·01), although dry-matter intakes of the HE diet were less (P < 0·05). Rabbits on the LE diet had greater empty gut weights (P < 0·05) and lighter livers (P < 0·05) at slaughter.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 59-59
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Palmer ◽  
Marcelo Vedovatto ◽  
Juliana Ranches ◽  
Vinicius Gouvea ◽  
Rhaiza Oliveira ◽  
...  

Abstract A 2-yr study evaluated the effects of molasses/urea supplementation during pre- and early postpartum, with or without methionine fortification, on growth and physiology of primiparous cows and their offspring. On d 0 of each yr, 36 cows were stratified by BW and BCS (396 ± 54 kg; 5.67 ± 0.66) and randomly assigned to 1 of 12 bahiagrass pastures (3 cows and 1.2 ha/pasture). Treatments were randomly assigned to pastures (4 pastures/treatment) and consisted of no supplementation (NOSUP), 1 kg/d of molasses/urea (MOL; DM basis), or 1 kg/d of MOL + 18 g/d of methionine hydroxy analog (MOLMET; Alimet, Novus, St. Charles, MO). Supplementation began 56 d before parturition (d 0) and ended when all cows within each pasture had calved (d 74). Calves were early weaned on d 147. On d 154, 24 calves (8 calves/treatment) were transferred to individual drylot pens, and offered ad libitum stargrass hay plus soybean hulls-based concentrate DM (75% TDN; 22% CP) at 3% of BW for 47 d. On d 160, calves were vaccinated against bovine viral diarrhea virus-1 (BVDV-1) and parainfluenza-3 (PI-3). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedures of SAS. Cow BCS at calving was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for MOL and MOLMET vs. NOSUP but the overall percentage of pregnant cows did not differ among treatments (P = 0.82). Calf ADG from birth to drylot exit did not differ (P = 0.83) between MOL and MOLMET but was least (P ≤ 0.04) for NOSUPP calves. Seroconversion to BVDV-1 and PI-3 viruses were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for MOL and MOLMET vs. NOSUP calves. Hence, cow supplementation of molasses/urea during pre- and early postpartum improved cow prepartum BCS, and calf growth and humoral immunity. Methionine fortification of supplements did not impact cow and calf performance.


1984 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Henderson ◽  
P. E. Hughes

ABSTRACTForty multiparous Large White × Landrace sows were randomly allocated to five treatment groups: (1) control (C) — no partial weaning, movement or boar contact, (2) partial weaning (PW) only — sow and litter separated for 12 h/day, (3) PW + boar contact (B) in the sow's pen (1 h/day), (4) PW + sow moved (M) to empty pen (1 h/day), (5) PW + sow moved to occupied boar pen (1 h/day). Treatments were imposed from day 10 post partum until weaning at day 35 (s.e. 1). All sows were generously fed throughout lactation (7 kg/day) and in the post-weaning period (3 kg/day). One sow (treatment 5) exhibited lactational oestrus and was mated on day 33 of lactation, while the remaining sows on treatments 2 to 5 had significantly reduced (P < 0·05) weaning to remating intervals relative to control sows (4·84 v. 6·63 days, respectively). Litter creep food intakes tended to be higher in PW litters than controls (512 v. 376 g/day; P > 0·05), whereas sow live-weight gains during lactation were significantly increased when PW was employed (+0·43 kg/day v. −0·13 kg/day for control sows; P < 0·001). Partial weaning significantly (P < 0·001) reduced litter weaning weights (74·8 v. 87·0 kg for controls). However, there were no significant treatment effects on individual piglet weaning weights, subsequent growth performance of the weaned litters, or the size of litter subsequently produced by the sows.


2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wassmuth ◽  
A. Löer ◽  
H.-J. Langholz

AbstractThe aim of the present investigation was, to examine whether outdoor wintering of lambing ewes is a successful and animal friendly production system. The welfare and growth performance of winterborn lambs in outdoor husbandry were assessed in two winter periods (1995/96, 1996/97) when a total of 353 lambs were born into three different husbandry systems. System 1 consisted of 75 lambs from 26 (winter 1) and 29 (winter 2) ewes and was wintered outdoors with access to a lambing shelter with a straw bedded floor. System 2 included 120 lambs from 52 (winter 1) and 54 (winter 2) ewes which were born in an uninsulated barn with access to an outdoor yard. System 3 was kept in an uninsulated barn with no access to the outside and consisted of 158 lambs from 52 (winter 1) and 54 (winter 2) ewes. The lambs were of five different genetic origins which were equally distributed over the three husbandry systems. The genetic groups included purebreds from the hardy ‘Rhönschaf’ (RHO) and from the ‘German Blackface’ (GBF) mutton breed and the reciprocal crosses of these breeds (GBF ✕ RHO, RHO ✕ GBF). The fifth group were crossbreds between rams of the small-framed French mutton breed ‘Charmoise’ (CHA) and Rhönschaf-ewes (CHA ✕ RHO). The time period between parturition and first standing (‘time to stand’) and the time period from birth to first sucking (‘time to suck’) were considered as vigour traits. Vigour was visually assessed and scored. The rectal temperature was measured 3 h post partum. Live-weight gains were estimated from birth to 25 and 42 days of life. No differences between the different husbandry systems were observed in the measured traits. Outdoor-born lambs showed the same vigour and were able to maintain homeothermy as well as those born indoors. Ewes sought the shelter prior to lambing which might have favoured the early vigour of lambs and thus, their ability to maintain homeothermy. The visually assessed vigour score was in good accordance with the vigour traits time to stand and time to suck. The breed of the ewe had a significant effect on lamb vigour, lambs from hardy RHO ewes showing a better vigour than lambs from GBF ewes. Hybrid vigour estimates of time to stand and time to suck were 0·17 and 0·20, respectively, but were not statistically significant.Crossbred lambs between GBF and CHA mutton rams and hardy RHO ewes had a good vitality and growth performance. Outdoor wintering with a lambing shelter did not adversely influence survival of newborn lambs or their subsequent growth performance.


Author(s):  
JI Sagala ◽  
CK Gachuiri ◽  
SG Kuria ◽  
MM Wanyoike

Camel milk production and marketing within the peri-urban areas within pastoral areas is emerging and has high potential due to sendentarization and urbanization of an increasing number of local inhabitants. Performance of grazing camels in these areas is poor due to inadequate feed resources, particularly during the dry season. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing lactating camels with milled Acacia tortilis pods and ‘Chalbi salt’ on milk yield, calf growth and its economic potential in the peri-urban area of Marsabit town, Kenya. Twenty Somali camels in early lactation (1-4 weeks post-partum) and parities 2 or 3 and their calves were recruited for the study. The dams and their calves were penned and fed individually with the supplements where applicable. The treatments were: browsing only (B), browsing and ‘Chalbi salt’ (BC), 2 kg/day milled Acacia tortilis pods, ‘Chalbi salt’ and browsing (BC2A) and 4 kg/day milled Acacia tortilis pods, ‘Chalbi salt’ and browsing (BC4A). Five camels were randomly allocated to each treatment based on initial live weight in a completely randomized design and data collection done for 90 days. During each milking, the two left or right quarters were alternately reserved for the calf, while the remaining two were milked by hand. Milk yields were recorded daily in the morning and evening for 90 days while the calves were weighed on weekly basis for the same period. The overall total mean milk yield during the experimental period ranged from 233.0 to 298.0 litres during the short rains and dry season, respectively. The mean calf weight gains over the study period were 15.2, 19.0, 32.2 and 39.0 kg for B, BC, BC2A and BC4A, respectively, with BC4A and BC2A being higher than B. Supplementing camels under treatment BC4A was profitable as it resulted in both higher milk yield and calf weight gain and hence positive net gain. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(1): 117-122, June 2021


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 58-58
Author(s):  
Marcelo Vedovatto ◽  
Elizabeth Palmer ◽  
Juliana Ranches ◽  
Miguel Miranda ◽  
Vinícius Gouvêa ◽  
...  

Abstract The present study evaluated the performance of calves born from primiparous cows offered pre- and post-partum supplementation of sugarcane molasses/urea added or not with DL-methionine hydroxyl analog. On d 0 (~56 d before calving), 36 Brangus heifers were stratified by BW and BCS (345 ± 4.7 kg; 2 yr of age), and randomly allocated into 1 of 12 bahiagrass pastures (3 heifers and 1.2 ha/pasture). Treatments were randomly assigned to pastures (4 pastures/ treatment) and consisted of no supplementation (NOSUP) or supplementation of molasses/urea (7.2 kg DM/heifer/ wk; 75% TDN, 20% CP; DM basis) with (MOL+) or without (MOL-) fortification with 105 g/heifer/wk of methionine (Alimet, Novus International Inc., Romance, AR) from d 0 until all heifers within each pasture calved. Total weekly amount of molasses/urea (and methionine for MOL+ heifers) was divided by 2 and offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. After all cows calved, all pairs were fed 12.7 kg/cow/wk of molasses/urea (DM basis) and grazed a single bahiagrass pasture until calf early-weaning (d 147). Calves received a soybean hull-based supplement at 3.5% of BW (DM basis) and ad libitum stargrass hay from d 154 to 201. Calving date and cow BCS on d 44 did not differ between MOL+ and MOL- (P ≥ 0.50), but both groups calved at greater BCS than NOSUP cows (P ≤ 0.008). However, cow BCS on d 147 and pregnancy percentage on d 288 did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.27). Calf birth BW did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.21), but ADG from birth to d 201 was greater for MOL+ and MOL- vs. NOSUP calves (P ≤ 0.05). Therefore, pre- and post-partum supplementation of sugarcane molasses/urea improved cow BCS at calving and calf postnatal growth compared with no supplementation. Supplemental methionine did not further enhance cow and calf growth performance


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 140-148
Author(s):  
F. T. Ushie ◽  
S. E. Alu ◽  
R. A. Oluwafemi

Sugarcane peels (SCP) is available in large quantities all year round especially in sugar industries where they are discarded as waste product. It contains high amount of carbohydrate and minerals which could be fed to animals especially when properly processed and supplemented with exogenous enzyme to aid the animal digest it. Fifty - four weaned 4-5 weeks old crosses of New Zealand white x Chinchilla male rabbits were utilized to evaluate the effect of feeding sugarcane peel meal-based diets supplemented with quantum blue® on the growth performance parameters (initial weight, final weight, weight gain, feed intake, FCR and feed cost per weight gain) and nutrient digestibility by weaner rabbits. Six diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous (18% crude protein) and isocaloric (2700kcal/kg, ME) with two levels of inclusion of sugarcane peel meal (SCPM) (low and high) and three levels of enzyme supplementation (0, 150 and 250 PPM) giving a 2x3 factorial arrangement fitted into Completely Randomized Design. The rabbits were weighed and allotted to the treatments at the rate of 3 rabbits per replicate and each treatment was replicated 3 times. Feeds were weighed and served to the animals individually and water was provided ad-libitum. Growth parameters and nutrient digestibility data were generated and evaluated. The results of the effect of enzyme on growth performance of weaner rabbits showed that average total weight gain significantly (P<0.05) improved as rabbits fed the 200PPM enzyme supplemented diets had the best value of 511.67g/rabbit. However, rabbits fed the 100PPM performed (410.83g/rabbit) the same as those fed the 200PPM. Similarly, rabbits fed the 200PPM enzyme supplemented diets gained more (P<0.05) daily weight of 10.40 g/rabbit/day followed by those fed the 100PPM (8.32 g/rabbit/day). The result of the effect of high SCPM showed that feed intake significantly (P<0.05) increased from 47.37 g/rabbit/day to 59.82 g/rabbit/day as the level of SCPM increased in the diets; rabbits fed the high SCPM had higher total weight gain of 484.44 g/rabbit as compared to those of low SCPM (362.78 g/rabbit). The interactive effects of SCPM and enzyme on growth performance of weaner rabbits showed that final live weight, feed intake and total weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) improved as the levels of SCPM and enzyme increased in the diets. In view of the findings, rabbit farmers can supplement 32% of SCPM in the diets of  weaner rabbit with 200PPM of quantum blue® without negatively affecting the growth rate and suppressing the digestibility of nutrients by weaner rabbits.


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