The effect of pre- and post-partum energy and protein supply on the performance of single- and twin-suckling beef cows and their calves

1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Sinclair ◽  
P. J. Broadbent ◽  
J. S. M. Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Trial Period ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Daily Milk ◽  
Body Condition Scores

AbstractChanges in live weight, body condition, milk production and composition were monitored for single- and twinsuckling cows in two experiments. In experiment 1, all cows were managed for 3 months before calving to achieve condition scores at calving 2·1 (low) and 3·1 (moderate). Subsequently, these animals were placed on a fixed level of energy intake (80 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day) for 16 weeks. Post-partum diets contained differing amounts of digestible undegradable protein (DUP), but similar amounts of effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP). In experiment 2, single- and twin-suckling cows were fed to achieve a condition score at calving of around 2·75. These animals were subsequently placed on two levels of energy intake (80 MJ and 130 MJ ME per day) during the first 16 weeks of lactation. The diets providing these energy intakes also contained differing amounts of DUP. Neither the level of DUP in the diet nor the level of feeding significantly altered the digestibility of the dry matter or organic matter in the dry matter of the experimental diets.Body condition at calving had little effect on daily milk yield (9·5 kg) and composition (33·5 g/kg fat; 30-0 g/kg protein) in experiment 1. Cows with higher body condition scores at calving lost 13·5 kg more live weight and 0·26 units more body condition (P < 0·05) during the 1st month post partum but remained in better condition throughout the trial period than cows with lower body condition scores. Cows on 130 MJ ME per day produced higher (P < 0·001) daily yields of milk, milk fat and protein (+2·0 kg; +151 g; +85 g) and lost 57 kg less live weight and 0·52 units less body condition (P < 0·001) than cows on 80 MJ ME per day. Elevated dietary levels of DUP promoted (P < 0·05) daily milk yields (by 1·25 kg) and reduced live-weight and body condition-score loss during the 1st month post partum in both experiments. Twin-suckling cows produced the highest average daily yields of milk throughout the 16-week trial period in both experiments but yields were not significantly higher after early lactation in experiment 1. Cow body condition score at calving and the level of DUP in the post-partum diet of cows had no effect on the post-partum performance of calves. Twin calves had slower growth rates (P < 0·001) than single calves (0·65 and 1·07 kg/day respectively) in experiment 1. However, twin calves sucking cows on 130 MJ ME per day in experiment 2 grew similarly to single sucking calves from week 8 of lactation (0·8 kg/day).

Annual energy intake and the metabolic and reproductive performance of beef cows differing in body size and milk potential

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 657-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Sinclair ◽  
S. Yildiz ◽  
G. Quintans ◽  
F. E. Gebbie ◽  
P. J. Broadbent
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum Period

AbstractThe metabolic status and reproductive performance of four pure breeds of beef cow (small size and low milk potential, Aberdeen Angus; small size and high milk potential, Welsh Black; large size and low milk potential, Charolais; and large size and high milk potential, Simmental) were monitored during their first two parities. Heifers from each breed were allocated to one of two levels of annual energy intake relative to metabolic body weight (M075) (mean daily intakes equivalent to 705 and 820 kj/kg M0·75) in a factorial design. In the 1st year 64 heifers (eight per treatment) which had calved as a consequence of first or second service were selected for the experiment. In the 2nd year 40 of these animals (five per treatment) which held to first or second service remained on experiment. Animals were housed all year round and given diets designed to represent energy intakes while grazing during the summer and conserved feeding during the winter. Pregnancy was established in late July of each year using a combination of oestrous synchronization and artificial insemination. Blood samples were collected at monthly intervals from weaning in November until calving in May; three times weekly from calving until oestrous synchronization (11 weeks later); and fortnightly thereafter until weaning.For the annual levels of dietary energy intake offered, two breeds (Welsh Black and Charolais) exhibited relatively high growth rates and had the longest post-partum anovulatory periods; and Charolais cows also had the poorest conception rates of all breeds. Relatively lean cows at calving (body condition score < 2·5 units) were sensitive, in terms of the duration of the anovulatory period, to live-weight loss during the early post-partum period, particularly when blood glucose levels were low, whereas relatively fat cows at calving (body condition score > 2·5 units) were not. The data suggest: (i) that mechanisms controlling the anabolic processes governing maternal growth are antagonistic towards those that control reproduction; and (ii) the catabolism of lean tissue rather than fat tissue during the early post-partum period is also antagonistic towards the mechanisms that govern reproductive function in cows.

The effect of level of nutrition prior to mating on the reproductive performance of ewes of two welsh breeds in different levels of body condition

1991 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Gunn ◽  
T. J. Maxwell ◽  
D. A. Sim ◽  
J. R. Jones ◽  
M. E. James
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Body Condition Scores

ABSTRACTThe effects of high-low (HL) and low-high (LH) patterns of nutrition during the 5 weeks prior to a synchronized mating were studied on the reproductive performance of 115 Welsh Mountain and 114 Brecknock Cheviot ewes in a range of body condition at the start of treatment. For 2 months prior to treatment imposition, ewes were grazed in a systematic way at different stocking rates on different sward heights to obtain a range of body condition scores. Target score groupings were 2·00 to 2·25, 2·50 to 2·75 and 3·00 to 3·25 and although scores of 1·50 to 3·25 were obtained, most lay in the 2·00 to 2·75 range. Two treatment groups, balanced for live weight and body condition score, received high and low levels of nutrition for 16 days from mid October, achieved, respectively, by a low stocking rate on a sward with a high surface height plus ad libitum concentrate and a high stocking rate on a sward with a low surface height plus 200 g hay per head per day. Treatments were then reversed for the 17 days prior to mating. Live-weight and body condition-score changes were recorded and reproductive performance at first mating was measured from counts of corpora lutea and viable embryos at slaughter either at return to service or at 4 weeks after first mating. There were no differences due to nutritional pattern in live weight or body condition score at mating. The LH treatment significantly increased the rates of ovulation, conception, multiple ova survival and potential lambing per ewe pregnant and per ewe mated in the Welsh Mountain breed but significantly increased only the rates of ovulation and potential lambing per ewe pregnant in the Brecknock Cheviot breed compared with the HL treatment. The relatively poorer response in the latter breed was partially due to a lower ovulation rate potential coupled with non-significantly lower rates of conception and survival of single-shed ova associated with the LH treatment. Much of this relatively poorer reproductive performance in the Brecknock Cheviot breed was in ewes with body condition scores 3= 2·75. Reproductive performance increased with increasing body condition at the start of treatment over the range of scores =≤ 2·25 to 2·50 in both breeds and, while continuing to improve in scores above 2·50 in the Welsh Mountain breed, in the Brecknock Cheviot breed it started to decline. Ewes with a body condition score of 2·50 in both breeds showed the greatest response in potential lambing rate to the LH treatment.

Effect of body condition and pasture type on herbage intake, performance during lactation and subsequent ovulation rate in Scottish Blackface ewes

1981 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Doney ◽  
R. G. Gunn ◽  
J. N. Peart ◽  
W. F. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

ABSTRACTScottish Blackface ewes in uniform, good, body condition at mating were differentially fed during pregnancy, such that two groups lost 0·15 to 0·20 (groups A and B) and one group gained 0·05 (group C) of maternal live weight by lambing time. The treatments had little effect on the number of lambs born per ewe lambing (1·39, 1·46 and 148 respectively).Prior to parturition, group A was transferred to a poor hill pasture, and groups B and C to an improved upland reseeded pasture. Herbage intake by six single- and six twin-suckling ewes from each group was estimated in the 3rd, 6th and 8th week after parturition, and mean daily milk production was estimated on 1 day following each intake measurement period. Herbage intake by six dry ewes in each of groups A and B was also estimated.There were significant differences amongst groups A, B and C, respectively, in mean organic matter digestibility of the herbage consumed (0·701, 0·771 and 0·773), mean daily digestible organic-matter intake (1·06, 1·46 and 1·46kg), mean live-weight change over the period ( –2·9, +5·4 and +l·3kg) and mean daily milk yield (0·64, 1·93 and 1·95 kg).By the following mating time, after grazing the same pasture from weaning, there was still a difference in body condition score according to pasture type during lactation (2·08, 2·36 and 2·29, respectively). Ovulation rate measured after mating was consistent with the direct effect of body condition (1·34, 1·56 and 1·52, respectively).

Effects of prepartal body condition score and peripartal energy supply of dairy cows on postpartal lipolysis, energy balance and ketogenesis: an animal model to investigate subclinical ketosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Schulz ◽  
Jana Frahm ◽  
Ulrich Meyer ◽  
Susanne Kersten ◽  
Dania Reiche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Subclinical Ketosis ◽  
Energy Group ◽  
Condition Score

Subclinical ketosis is a metabolic disorder which often goes undiagnosed and leads to constricted performance and an impairment of general condition. In the current study subclinical ketosis was characterised by a β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration of >1·2 mmol/l in blood serum. To generate this metabolic situation, an animal model was created. The model, based on group-specific interaction of dietary energy supply and body condition, is appropriate for testing the medical effectiveness of treating this kind of ketosis and its concomitants. During the trial, 18 dairy cows (primiparous and pluriparous) were assigned, according to their body condition score (BCS) 6 weeks before expected parturition, to a normal [6·78 MJ net energy for lactation (NEL)/kg dry matter; 20% concentrate] or to a high-energy feeding group (7·71 MJ NEL/kg dry matter; 60% concentrate). Therefore cows with the highest BCS were allocated to the high-energy group to enhance the contrast with the control group. Statistical analysis was done using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Effects were declared significant when P-values were ⩽0·05. Owing to the higher energy concentration and dry matter intake, the energy intake and balance was significantly higher in the high-energy feeding group, with strong effects on lipid metabolism and health in blood and liver post partum. Within the first 2 weeks after calving, 8 out of 9 cows (89%) of the high-energy group had BHB values indicative of subclinical ketosis. These cows also had significantly higher values of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), aspartate transaminase (AST) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) post partum, as well as a raised total lipid content of the liver. RQUICKI, a calculated parameter which is based on serum concentrations of glucose, insulin and NEFA to assess the insulin sensitivity, was not affected by treatment. Therefore, RQUICKI does not seem to be the right parameter for diagnosing decreased insulin sensitivity in cows affected by subclinical ketosis. The milk fat and the fat:protein ratio of the high-energy group was also higher, even though there was no decrease in milk yield for cows with subclinical BHB values.

The performance of ewes offered diets containing different proportions of perennial ryegrass and white clover silage in late pregnancy

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Orr ◽  
T. T. Treacher
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Forage Intake ◽  
In Pregnancy

ABSTRACTFinn Dorset ewes were offered forage ad libitum from week 16 of pregnancy until lambing and were either unsupplemented (U) or given 600 g/day of concentrates (S). Grass silage and white clover silage, ensiled separately and having similar dry matter concentrations, were offered in four mixtures with white clover proportions of 0, 0·20, 0·40 and 0·60 on a fresh basis. Forage intake was significantly higher for mixtures containing higher proportions of clover (9·1, 10·5, 12·3 and 13·6 g organic matter (OM) per kg live weight) and the ewes gained more weight (33, 65, 178 and 174 g/day) and had smaller losses in body condition score (–0·59, –0·49, –0·39 and –0·17). Higher proportions of clover in the diet in late pregnancy also resulted in significantly higher growth rates of lambs during lactation, when a common diet was offered.The number of foetuses carried in pregnancy had significant effects on intake and some aspects of performance. For ewes carrying singles, twins and multiples respectively, mean daily forage intakes were 12·2, 11·9 and 10·4 g OM per kg live weight and losses in body condition score were –0·05, –0·40 and –0·62.Offering the supplement reduced forage intake and for treatments U and S respectively, mean daily values were 12·6 and 10·2 g OM per kg live weight. Whilst the supplemented ewes had smaller losses in body condition score in late pregnancy (–0·54 v. –0·28), lamb birth weights and growth rates were significantly increased only for ewes which had carried three or more foetuses in pregnancy and reared their two heaviest lambs.

The influence of herbage mass and supplementary feeding on nutrient flows and animal performance in grazing, lactating ewes

2012 ◽  
Vol 150 (5) ◽  
pp. 644-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. DOVE ◽  
J. A. MILNE ◽  
C. S. LAMB ◽  
A. M. SIBBALD ◽  
H. A. McCORMACK
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Mass Treatment ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Energy Supplement ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Soyabean Meal ◽  
Body Condition Scores

SUMMARYThe present paper examines the effect of the type of supplement given to grazing ewes in early lactation on the performance of ewes and lambs on temperate sown pastures. Lactating ewes grazed perennial ryegrass pastures at either low- or high-herbage masses, between days 8 and 96 of lactation. On the low-herbage mass treatments, ewes were either unsupplemented or received either an energy supplement (sugarbeet pulp) or a protein supplement (1:1 sugarbeet pulp:formaldehyde-treated soyabean meal) between days 8 and 50 of lactation. The provision of supplements or the higher herbage mass led to increases in live weight (LW) and body condition score of ewes during days 8–50 of lactation, while unsupplemented ewes on the low-herbage mass treatment lost LW and had lower body condition scores. After supplementation finished, previously supplemented ewes or those grazing the higher herbage mass lost LW and condition, while unsupplemented ewes grazing the low-herbage mass gained both LW and condition. Non-treatment factors such as ewe dentition score significantly affected ewe and lamb LW gains. Regression analyses indicated that lamb LW gains between days 8 and 50 of lactation were 40–60 g/d greater in lambs from supplemented ewes or ewes grazing the higher herbage mass cf. unsupplemented ewes. Overall, there was no difference in the response of ewes or lambs to the type of supplement. Milk yields were estimated in a subset of ewes (replicate 4). Ewes on the high-herbage mass treatment or those supplemented with protein had higher milk yields than those on the low-herbage mass treatment or those given the energy supplement. Supplemented ewes in this replicate had higher metabolizable energy intakes (MEIs). Measurements of digesta flow in a further subset of ewes indicated that both supplements resulted in greater ruminal and post-ruminal supplies of energy and protein than in the unsupplemented ewes at the lower herbage mass, but differences in ruminal and post-ruminal nutrient provision between the supplements were less than had been intended. It is suggested that this is the reason for there being no statistical difference in the performance of ewes and lambs in response to the type of supplement.

Circulating concentrations of LH and FSH and pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in intact and ovariectomized suckled beef cows in two levels of body condition

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
T. K. Whyte ◽  
A. J. Smith ◽  
S. R. McMillen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Physiological Dose

ABSTRACTThe effect of body condition on hypothalamic and pituitary function in post-partum suckled beef cows was studied. Thirty-eight Blue-Grey cows were calved at a body condition score of either 2·35 (L) or 2·80 (H), fed to maintain live weight and body condition thereafter and ovariectomized at either 5 or 9 weeks post partum. The H cows had higher LH pulse frequencies before ovariectomy (0·36 v. 0·28 pulses per h; P < 0·05) and 15 days after ovariectomy (0·86 v. 0·72 pulses per h; P < 0·01), indicating a direct effect of body condition on GnRH release from the hypothalamus. Body condition had no effect on the ability of the pituitary to release LH in response to a physiological dose (2·5 u.g) of GnRH in entire or ovariectomized cows at 5 or 9 weeks post partum. The magnitude of the increase in circulating levels of LH following GnRH injection was greater at 9 weeks compared with 5 weeks post partum (2·23 v. 1·73 u.g/1; P < 0·001) in entire cows, but there was no difference between 5 and 9 weeks in ovariectomized cows. Following ovariectomy there was a 2·5-fold increase in LH pulse frequency within 15 days and LH pulse frequency approached 1 pulse per h in all treatments groups. It is concluded that both the hypothalamus and the pituitary are capable of functioning normally by 5 weeks post partum in suckled beef cows, that the pulsatile release of GnRH from the hypothalamus is inhibited, possibly due to a very high sensitivity to oestradiol, and that the sensitivity of the pituitary to the negative feedback effect of oestradiol may decrease with time post partum.

Rearing of dairy cattle. 7. Effect of level of nutrition and body condition on the fertility of heifers

1977 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Moderate Condition

SUMMARYOne-hundred-and-seventy British Friesian heifers were individually fed from 6 weeks before to 6 weeks after artificial insemination on a diet of 90% maize silage and 10% decorticated groundnut in the dry matter. Three levels of nutrition were compared: 48, 55 and 62 g/day of digestible organic matter/kg live weight0·73, which gave mean growth rates of 0·34, 0·50 and 0·68 kg/day respectively. Pregnancy rates to first service were not significantly different, averaging 67, 69 and 65%. Heifers were given a body condition score at the time of insemination, and pregnancy rates corrected for level of nutrition were 42,72, 70 and 63% for heifers in poor, moderate, good or very good condition. For heifers in poor/moderate condition increasing the level of nutrition increased pregnancy rates and for those in good/very good condition pregnancy rates declined, but these effects were not significant.

Feeding calcium soaps of fatty acids to lactating cows: effect on production, body condition and blood lipids

1989 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sklan ◽  
Eytan Bogin ◽  
Yaakov Avidar ◽  
Shai Gur-Arie
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Blood Lipids ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Production Body ◽  
Body Condition Scores

SummaryCa soaps of fatty acids (CSFA, 0·5 kg/d) were added to the diet of lactating cows for 170 d, and production, body condition score and blood lipids were examined.Production of fat-corrected milk was increased by 1·5 kg/d owing to increase in both milk and fat production. Over 250 d lactation, production of fat-corrected milk was enhanced by 1·3 kg/d. Body condition scores were lower in cows fed CSFA in early lactation, but tended to exceed those of control cows after 80 d lactation. Reproductive performance was improved in cows fed CSFA.Serum total lipids, phospholipids and cholesterol were increased in CSFA cows at 15 and 29 d but not at 59 d post partum. The cholesterol increase was mainly in the high density lipoprotein fraction.

scholarly journals Evaluation of offspring of dairy sheep given water supplemented with crude glycerin during pregnancy and lactation

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4Supl1) ◽  
pp. 2567
Author(s):  
Hemilly Cristina Menezes Sá ◽  
Iran Borges ◽  
Gilberto De Lima Macedo Junior ◽  
Felipe Santiago Santos ◽  
Luigi Francis Lima Cavalcanti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Crude Glycerin ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Body Condition Scores

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of crude glycerin (CG) supplementation of dairy ewes during pregnancy and early lactation on the body weight and measurements of offspring from birth to weaning. Twenty-four lambs from 24 Lacaune x East Friesian genotype ewes were evaluated. The sheep were distributed in four treatments that differed in crude glycerin supplementation of 0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5%, as well as the concomitant adjustment of dry matter and water intake. Body measurements of lambs were recorded every two weeks from birth until weaning. Body weight was recorded daily. Multiple regression analysis revealed that supplementation with CG explained 5.2% of the variation in the weight of lambs at birth (LW), accompanied by the body condition score of the ewe (12.3%), sex of lamb (19.2%), and live weight of the ewes (26.5%); r2 was 63%. According to the predictions of the model adjusted for simulated scenarios, the leanest lambs were derived from ewes weighing between 40 and 50 kg, with body condition scores from 4 to 5, and that did not receive CG at intermediate levels. Heavier lambs, with LW above 5.5 kg, were derived from ewes that weighed between 80 to 90 kg with low body condition scores of 3, and that received 1.5% CG. Supplementation with CG between 2% and 4% improves the weight of the lambs at birth. Body measurements of lambs were not influenced by dietary supplementation of ewes with CG.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document