A study of the relationship between plane of nutrition during lactation and certain production characteristics in autumn-calving suckler cows

1983 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. H. Somerville ◽  
B. G. Lowman ◽  
R. A. Edwards ◽  
G. Jolly

ABSTRACTHereford ♂ × British Friesian ♀ cows that had calved in September/October and were suckling mainly Charolais ♂ × calves were offered individually one of three planes of nutrition based on their estimated maintenance requirement during their first 150 days of lactation.The mean daily intakes of metabolizable energy were 95·8, 71·5 and 52·1 MJ for the high, medium and low planes of nutrition respectively. Data were collected from 122 lactations. The mean 150-day cumulative milk yields of the cows were 1 355, 1 258 and 1 187 kg for the high, medium and low planes of nutrition respectively (P < 0·001). A i-kg increase in calf birth weight was associated with an increase in 150-day cumulative milk yield of 14·7 ± 2·17 kg (P < 0·001). Losses in live weight and condition score were significantly greater for cows given the low plane of nutrition during lactation (P < 0001).Although there was a significant (P < 0·01) positive correlation between the growth rate of the calves and their dams' nutritional level during the winter there was evidence of compensatory growth at grass, since by the time of weaning in August, the plane of nutrition of the dam during the winter had no significant effect on the weight of the calves.The experiment demonstrates that energy-deficient beef cows will attempt to maintain milk production at the expense of body reserves and that when supplementary solid food is made available to the suckled calves, their weaning weights are unaffected by the plane of nutrition of the dam during the winter.

1979 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. F. Suttle

1. The minced carcases of twenty-seven lambs, ranging from 18 to 69 kg in live weight, and twenty-five calves (30–90 kg) were analysed for copper, iron, manganese and zinc. The lambs were weaned whereas the calves were reared exclusively on milk.2. Mean concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn for groups of lamb carcases fell within the ranges 52.6–75.1, 0.7–1.2 and 20.8–25.6 mg/kg fresh carcase weight respectively. The concentrations of Fe and Mn decreased while that of Zn increased slightly with age at slaughter. The concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn in calves were close to thosein lambs.3. For both species, the concentration of Cu in the carcase varied erratically: variation in hepatic Cu storage was implicated. In an additional study of ten full-term foetuses from Cu-depleted or Cu-supplemented ewes, a dietary Cu supplement (10 mg/kg dry matter (DM)) increased foetal Cu status 10-fold, due largely to an increase in foetal liver Cu.4. The mean retentions of trace elements in the lamb carcases (%intake) were approximately: Cu 2.0, Fe 1.3, Mn 0.08, Zn 4.0. The corresponding values for the milk-fed calves were all probably much higher (Cu 23, Fe 43.7, Mn 4.9, Zn 34.0) but Cu intake was not accurately measured.5. After allowing for tissue storage of Fe and Mn, values of 55, 0.85 and 24 mg/kg carcase gain were taken to represent the approximate net growth requirements of lambs for Fe, Mn and Zn respectively: the corresponding value for Cu was probably < 1.0 mg/kg. Values for calves were similar to those for lambs.6. It was concluded that the total net requirements of ruminants for Fe and Zn shouldbe considered in terms of daily intakes of the metans rather than dietary concentrationsbecause of the relatively large and constant contribution of the growth component to thetotal requirement.


1970 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Jackson ◽  
T. J. Forbes

SUMMARYHerbage from the same timothy/meadow fescue/white clover sward was ensiled at four different dry matter contents. The resulting silages had dry matter contents of 19·0, 27·3, 32·3 and 43·2%, the dry matter content increasing with the length of the wilting period. An experiment was carried out to determine the voluntary intake of the silages. Each silage was given to 7 animals individually, the mean live weight of these being 334 kg.Although the silages made from wilted herbage were lower in digestibility than that made from unwilted herbage, wilting increased dry matter intake and metabolizable energy (ME) intake. The mean daily intakes of digestible organic matter were 53·0, 58·1, 59·6 and 59·6 g/kgW0·73, for silages of increasing dry matter content. The corresponding ME intakes, expressed as a multiple of the ME requirement for maintenance, were 1·17, 1·29, 1·30 and 1·28. The percentage of acetic acid in the silage dry matter was significantly (r= −0·56) and linearly related to voluntary intake. The relationship between lactic acid concentration and voluntary intake was significantly curvilinear (r= 0·48).


1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 723-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. F. Russel ◽  
Janet Z. Foot ◽  
I. R. White ◽  
G. J. Davies

SUMMARYForty-eight approximately 18-month-old Scottish Blackface ewes were used to study the effects of two levels of nutrition during mid-pregnancy (30–98 days of gestation) on the birth weight of lambs from ewes varying in weight, size and condition at first mating. The mean live weight (42–4 kg), size index (31–9) and condition score (2–4) at mating of the 26 ewes from flock A were all less than those of the 22 ewes from flock B (54–5, 39–4 and 2–9 respectively). Mean intakes of the low and high nutritional treatment ewes during mid-pregnancy were 10–6 and 22–0 g/kg/day respectively of a pelleted diet supplying 8–81 MJ metabolizable energy and 125–5 g crude protein/kg. These intakes produced estimated changes in net maternal weight of approximately – 5 and 0 kg respectively.Mean lamb birth weights from ewes on the low and high nutritional treatments were:flock A, 3–32 and 3–83 kg; flock B, 4–96 and 4–23 kg respectively. Analyses showed intake during mid-pregnancy to have a positive effect on lamb birth weight in the flock A ewes, and a negative effect in flock B ewes. Mating weight accounted for 78% of the variance in birth weight in the low nutritional treatment ewes but had little effect in those on the higher level of feeding.The practical implications of the results are discussed in relation to levels of juvenile nutrition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 2161
Author(s):  
P. Yama ◽  
T. Moonmanee ◽  
M. Osathanunkul ◽  
J. Jitjumnong ◽  
W. Karaphuak

The present study aims to determine the impact of differences in the locational relationship between the previous corpus luteum (CL) and the further ovulatory follicle (OF) on follicular dynamics and progesterone (P4) concentrations in Thai indigenous beef cows (White Lamphun) exhibiting two follicular waves. Twenty-one cows, exhibiting the two-wave follicular pattern, were studied through interovulatory intervals (IOI), and classified according to the relationship between the previous CL and the further OF on the cattle model ovaries. Classifications were outlined as either an ipsilateral (same ovary) relationship (n = 12), or a contralateral (opposite ovaries) relationship (n = 9). Ultrasound monitoring, which evaluated the follicular diameter, and collection of blood for determining the P4 concentration were performed each day throughout the IOI. The IOI was longer (P &lt; 0.05) in the contralateral cows than in the ipsilateral cows (19.7 ± 0.33 days vs 18.5 ± 0.29 days). Cows with an ipsilateral relationship were found to have further OFs with greater (P &lt; 0.05) diameters than were cows with a contralateral relationship (13.9 ± 0.31 mm vs 12.1 ± 0.21 mm). The mean growth rate of the further OF was greater (P = 0.05) in the ipsilateral cows than in the contralateral cows (1.1 ± 0.11 mm/day vs 0.8 ± 0.04 mm/day). On Day 17 of the IOI, the ipsilateral cows demonstrated their lowest concentration of P4 (P &lt; 0.05). On Day 18 of the IOI, the concentrations of P4 tended to be lower (P = 0.09) in the ipsilateral cows than in the contralateral cows (0.6 ± 0.04 ng/mL vs 1.1 ± 0.12 ng/mL). The interval from the luteinisation until the end of the luteolysis was longer (P &lt; 0.05) in the contralateral group than in the ipsilateral group (18.5 ± 0.50 days vs 16.7 ± 0.33 days). Thus, we conclude that in Thai indigenous beef cows, the growth rate and diameter of the further OF during luteolysis increases more in the ipsilateral relationship than in the contralateral relationship.


1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel ◽  
E. A. Hunter

ABSTRACTForty-eight Hereford × Friesian and Blue Grey cows ranging in body condition score from 1·75 to 4·0, 12 weeks before calving, were fed to achieve three levels of body condition score at calving. Half the cows were fed on an increasing plane of nutrition as pregnancy advanced and half were fed on a flat-rate feeding system. The condition scores achieved by the three groups at calving were 2·28, 2·47 and 2·70 (s.e.d. 0·071; P < 0·001). Differences in cow body condition at calving were reflected in cow live weight and condition 6 weeks later, but there was no effect on calf performance. Hereford × Friesian cows lost more weight in early lactation, tended to produce more milk and their calves were heavier. Pattern of feeding had no effect on cow condition score or weight at calving or on subsequent performance.It was calculated that each unit of body condition-score loss in late pregnancy contributes the equivalent of 3200 MJ dietary metabolizable energy while 6600 MJ dietary metabolizable energy are required for 1 unit of condition-score gain.


2006 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donagh P Berry ◽  
Kevin A Macdonald ◽  
John W Penno ◽  
John R Roche

The objective was to quantify the strength of the relationship between body condition score (BCS) and live weight (LW) in pasture-based Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle, and to determine the kg LW per unit BCS. A total of 26021 test-day records with information on both BCS (1–10 scale, where 1 is emaciated and 10 is obese) and LW across 1110 lactations from one research farm were used in the analysis. Correlation and regression analyses were used to determine the degree of association between BCS and LW in different parities, stages of the inter-calving interval and years. Correlations between BCS and LW were relatively consistent, with the mean correlation between BCS and LW across all data of 0·55 implying that differences in BCS explain approximately 30% of the variation in LW. Significantly different regressions of LW on BCS were present within stage of inter-calving interval by parity subclasses. Excluding calving, LW per unit BCS varied from 17 kg (early to mid lactation in parity 1) to 36 kg (early lactation in parity 4 and 5). However, LW per unit BCS was greatest at calving varying from 44 kg in first parity animals to 62 kg in second parity animals. On average, 1 BCS unit equated to 31 kg LW across all data.


1968 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ridler ◽  
W. H. Broster

SummaryThe growth of 120 Friesian heifers born into one herd over a period of 12 years was studied for the period from 6 months of age to calving at about 30–35 months of age. Live weights were recorded weekly and rates of live-weight gain were calculated for each 3-month period for each animal. Δt 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age the heifers weighed 360, 590, 800 and 950 lb. The coefficients of variation of live weight did not vary with age and averaged ±10·0%. Coefficients of variation of live-weight gain increased from ± 20% at 6–9 months of age to ±60% at 24–27 months of age. Growth rate declined by 0·02 lb/day from 12 months to 30 months of age for animals under constant managerial conditions. Heifers wintered indoors grew faster than those wintered outdoors. The growth of younger animals was decreased more by outdoor wintering (a reduction of 0·6 lb/day at 15 months) than was the growth rate of older animals (a reduction of 0·3 lb/day at 21 months of age). When live-weight gain was low in winter there was marked compensatory growth at grass the following summer. Pregnant heifers grew 0·1 lb/day faster in early pregnancy and 0·6 lb/day faster in the last 4 months of pregnancy than did barren heifers.There was no appreciable difference between the live-weight gain of spring- and autumn-born heifers. With an autumn calving policy spring-born heifers were served and conceived 135 days earlier and weighed 106 lb less at calving than did autumn-born heifers. There was little difference in the milk yield of the two groups in 305 days of the first lactation.The regression equation of live weight (lb) on age (months) to 3rd calving was W = 1449 – 2027 e-0·042t. It was concluded that in the interests of economic rearing the dairy farmer could with advantage exercise greater control of the relationship between nutrition and growth during high cost winter periods and low cost summer periods.


2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 242-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Ledvinka ◽  
L. Zita ◽  
M. Hubený ◽  
E. Tůmová ◽  
M. Tyller ◽  
...  

We assessed the influence of the particular genotype, age of layers, feather growth-rate gene, and their mutual interactions on selected indicators of eggshell quality in six groups of hens of the laying type Dominant. The following genotypes were examined in the experiment: Barred Plymouth Rock, Dominant BPR 951 (K) strain, slow-feathering; Barred Plymouth Rock, Dominant BPR 901 (k) strain, fast-feathering; Blue Plymouth Rock, Dominant BLPR 954 (K) strain, slow-feathering; Blue Plymouth Rock, Dominant BLPR 894 (k) strain, fast-feathering; crossbreds of the above strains in the F<sub>1</sub> generation Dominant D 107 blue (K), slow-feathering and Dominant D 107 blue (k), fast-feathering. The layers were fed a feed mixture NP1 (16.64 % CP) from the 20<sup>th</sup> week of age and a feed mixture NP2 (15.02% CP) from the 42<sup>nd</sup> week. Husbandry conditions met the regular requirements of laying hens. Egg production and live weight of hens were monitored for the duration of the experiment (12 months). Eggshell quality was examined at the layers' age of 27, 35 and 56 weeks. The average hen-day egg production for the duration of the experiment (12 months) was not significantly influenced by the particular genotype or the feather growth-rate gene. The varying representation of the feather growth-rate gene significantly (P &le; 0.001) influenced the live weight; similarly, the relationship between the genotype and the representation of K/k alleles was significant. The average egg weight was influenced statistically significantly (P &le; 0.001) by the age of hens, their genotype (P &le; 0.05), feather growth-rate gene (P &le; 0.001), and the relationship between the age and genotype (P &le; 0.001). The age of hens, genotype, and the interaction of these two factors affected the egg shape index, as did the incidence of the feather growth-rate gene within the population (with a statistical significance of P &le; 0.001). The age, genotype and the feather growth-rate gene incidence within the population also significantly affected the eggshell quality indicators. In the eggshell to egg ratio, eggshell thickness and strength, an interaction was determined between the age of hens and their particular genotype. The eggshell colour was also significantly (P &le; 0.001) affected by hens' age, genotype (P &le; 0.001), as well as by the feather growth-rate gene (P &le; 0.001). No significant interaction between the age and the genotype was found for this indicator.


1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-164
Author(s):  
D. Croston ◽  
J. L. Read ◽  
D. W. Jones ◽  
D. E. Steane ◽  
C. Smith

ABSTRACTThirteen pairs of Suffolk rams were selected on high and low 18-month adjusted live weight from six farms over 2 years, to establish the relationship between 18-month weight and early lamb growth. Progeny were first produced in recorded crossbred flocks (618 lambs) and then in an experimental flock of crossbred ewes (1083 lambs). Different results were obtained from the recorded and experimental flocks. The regressions of lamb 12- to 13-week weight on ram 18-month weight (within farm deviation) were 0·053 ± 0·022 kg and –0·004 ± 0·020 kg, respectively. These regressions for indirect selection correspond to ‘effective’ heritabilities for direct selection for lamb growth of 0·18 ± 0·07 and 0·02 ± 0·06 respectively. Improvement of early Iamb growth is discussed and it is concluded that selection for 18-month weight is unlikely to be a useful method.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 3-3
Author(s):  
Lindsey G Wichman ◽  
Colby A Redifer ◽  
Natalie B Duncan ◽  
Craig A Payne ◽  
Allison M Meyer

Abstract To determine effects of cow BCS and calving season on calf vigor and size and the relationship of calf size with vigor, 310 multiparous and primiparous beef cows (age: 4.6 ± 2.2 yr; BW: 663 ± 86 kg; BCS: 5.3 ± 0.6) from 3 spring (2015, 2016, 2017) and 4 fall (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019) calving seasons were observed during parturition. Time to stand (n = 191) was determined as minutes from birth to standing successfully for 5 sec. Within 24 h, calf BW (n = 187) and size [shoulder to tailhead length (STL), heart girth (HG), and abdominal girth (AG; n = 154)] were recorded. Data were analyzed using a mixed model containing effects of calving season (spring and fall), BCS category (&lt; 5, =5, ≥6), and their interaction. Correlations were determined between time to stand and calf measurements separately for spring (n = 79) versus fall (n = 111). Cows with BCS &lt; 5 gave birth to lighter (P = 0.02) calves that tended to have a faster (P ≤ 0.13) time to stand than =5 and ≥6. Calves from cows with BCS ≥6 tended to have greater (P ≤ 0.09) STL than =5 and &lt; 5. Calves from cows with BCS &lt; 5 had smaller (P = 0.13) HG than =5. Fall-born calves tended to have smaller (P ≤ 0.06) BW, HG, and AG than spring-born calves. Within fall calves, there tended to be a positive relationship (r = 0.16; P = 0.09) between time to stand and calf BW. Despite this, spring calves had a negative relationship (r = -0.26; P = 0.02) between time to stand and calf BW. In conclusion, cow BCS and calving season affect calf size and may affect calf vigor. These data suggest that calving season may dictate the relationship between calf vigor and size.


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