The effect of winter feeding level and summer sward height on the performance of autumn calving beef cows and their calves

1988 ◽  
Vol 1988 ◽  
pp. 60-60
Author(s):  
I.A. Wright ◽  
T.K. Whyte ◽  
K. Osoro
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Friesian Cows ◽  
Winter Feeding

It has been demonstrated previously that sward height has a large effect on herbage intake and performance of spring calving cows and their calves (Wright and Russel, 1986) with maximum cow and calf live-weight gain occurring when sward height is maintained at 8 to 10 cm. No comparable information is available for autumn calving cows, and the aims of the present experiment were to examine the effect of sward height on cow and calf performance, in the pre- and post-weaning periods in cows that were turned out to pasture in late lactation at two levels of body condition.The experiment was a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial, with two levels of winter feeding, two sward heights from turn-out to weaning, and two sward heights from weaning to housing. During the summer grazing periods there were two replicates. Thirty-nine Hereford x Friesian cows (mean calving date 17 Sept, 1986) with Charolais-cross calves were used. The experiment started on 30 October 1986 when the cows and calves were housed in two groups. One group (L) was fed silage alone and the other group (H) was fed silage plus barley. Estimated daily metabolisable energy intakes were 63 MJ (L) and 92 MJ (H). Calves were fed 1 kg barley/day plus hay ad 1ibitum. The cows were mated to Charolais bulls for 8 weeks from 15 November 1986.

The herbage intake and performance of autumn-calving beef cows and their calves when grazing continuously at two sward heights

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
T. K. Whyte ◽  
K. Osoro
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Calving Difficulty

ABSTRACTThirty-nine Hereford × Friesian autumn-calving cows (mean calving date 17 September) and their Charolais-cross calves were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment to assess the effects of feeding level in winter and sward height in summer on intake and performance. Mean estimated metabolizable energy intakes during winter (30 October to 6 May) were 63 (L) or 92 (H) MJ/day. Two sward heights, 4·8 (SI) or 7·6 (Tl) cm, were imposed from turn-out to weaning on 3 July, and a further two sward heights, 4·7 (S2) or 8·0 (T2) cm, from weaning to housing on 1 October. At turn-out the H cows were 17 kg heavier (P > 0·05) than the L cows and their calves were 30 kg heavier (P < 0·01). Cow herbage intakes were significantly higher on the Tl and T2 treatments compared with the SI and S2 treatments as were live-weight changes: 0·94 v. –0·01 kg/day (P < 0·001) for Tl and SI treatments and 0·96 v. –0·18 kg/day (P < 0·001) for T2 and S2 treatments respectively. Calves on the Tl treatment had higher live-weight gains than those on the SI treatment (1·40 v. 0·63 kg/day; P < 0·001). After weaning the SI cows had significantly higher herbage organic matter intakes than the Tl cows (P < 0·05) and had significantly higher live-weight gains (0·51 v. 0·28 kg/day; P < 0·05). Calving difficulty and calf birth weight were not affected by any of the treatments. The results demonstrate that both previous and current level of nutrition have an effect on cow performance. When cows are turned out to pasture at body condition scores of 2·25 to 2·5, the sward heights recommended for spring-calving cows are equally appropriate for autumn-calving cows.

The effect of body condition and previous nutrition on the herbage intakes of ewes grazing autumn pastures at two sward heights

1994 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Sibbald ◽  
W. G. Kerr
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Day Treatment ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
High Body ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Grazing Period

AbstractTo examine the effects of body condition and previous nutrition on the herbage intake of ewes grazing swards of different heights in autumn, 96 Scottish Blackface X Border Leicester ewes with a wide range of body condition (score 1·75 to 3·50), were initially housed and given 50 g dry matter (DM) per kg metabolic live weight (M)0·75 per day (treatment L) or 95 g DM per kg M0·75 per day (treatment H) of a pelleted dried grass diet (11·6 MJ metabolizable energy per kg DM) for 6 weeks after weaning in July. The H ewes gained more live weight (9·0 v. 2·7 kg) and body condition score (0·39 v. 0·17) than the L ewes. Half the animals from each treatment were then allocated to each of two ryegrass pastures with a sward height of 5 cm (LS) or 10 cm (HS) for a further 6-week grazing period. During the grazing period there was no significant effect of indoor feeding level on herbage intake, but the L ewes gained more live weight (6·4 v. 5·0 kg) than the H ewes. On the HS, compared with the LS sward, mean herbage intakes were higher (70·0 v. 60·5 g DM per kg M0·75) as were gains in live weight and condition score (7·9 v. 3·4 kg; 0·18 v. 0·0). There were no interactions between the effects of sward height and previous feeding level on herbage intake. Ewes in low body condition (< 2·5) at the start of the grazing period ingested the same amount of herbage on both swards (70·3 g DM per kg M0·75) whereas ewes in high body condition (> 2·5) ingested more (67·0 v. 51·6 g DM per kg M0·75) on the HS compared with the LS sward. The responses of ewes in low and high body condition to different sward heights are discussed in relation to appetite drive and aspects of grazing behaviour.

The effect of winter feeding level on subsequent grazing behaviour and herbage intake of Charolais heifers

1995 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Ferrer Cazcarra ◽  
M. Petit
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Compensatory Gain ◽  
Winter Diets ◽  
Effect Of Feeding ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

AbstractTwo groups of eight Charolais heifers were used to examine the effect of feeding level during the post-weaning winter on the grazing behaviour and herbage intake over three periods during the first 2 months of grazing. The winter diets (L and H) were given to achieve a mean difference of 50 kg between groups at turn-out. The heifers were set-stocked together on a hill pasture where sward height was maintained at 12 cm.The winter live-weight gains were 0·31 and 0·70 (s.e. 0·032) kg/day for L and H heifers respectively, and spring gains 1·94 and 1·66 (s.e. 0·082) kg/day respectively. Intakes increased throughout the spring grazing for both groups. Absolute intakes were lower for L than for H heifers only during the first period (P < 0·05). Intake per kg live weight was higher in L than in H heifers (23·0 v. 21·1 (s.e. 0·54) g organic matter (OM) per kg live weight). Bite weights of H heifers were constant throughout (434, (s.e. 12·9) mg OM), while bite weights ofL heifers only reached those of H heifers in the last period. Bite weight was linearly related to live weight. Bite rates were not different between groups, but L heifers compensated for lower bite weight by grazing longer and they increased their grazing time after turn-out faster than H heifers. Grazing time was mainly responsible for higher relative intakes in L heifers, and thus, partly, for compensatory gain observed.

The effect of sward height on beef cow performance and on the relationship between calf milk and herbage intakes

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Intake ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Performance

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.

Milk-fed calves: 3. The milk intake, herbage intake and performance of suckled calves

1976 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. L. P. Le Du ◽  
R. D. Baker ◽  
J. M. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Intake ◽  
Milk Consumption ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Consequent Effect ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Friesian Cows

SUMMARYTwo trials were conducted to measure the herbage intake of South Devon cross calves suckling Hereford × Friesian cows and to test the validity of applying the relationships established between milk and herbage intake and milk intake and live-weight gain for artificially fed calves to suckled calves. In Expt 1 the milk and herbage intakes of eight calves were monitored. Their average milk consumption was 2250 kg and their growth rate was 1·14 kg/day. Both milk consumption and growth rate were higher than those recorded in other studies with artificially-reared calves. Nevertheless, it was possible to predict the herbage intake and growth rate of the calves from the relationship previously established for artificially reared calves. The nutrition of cows in Expt 2 was manipulated to induce changes in milk production and the consequent effect on the herbage intake of their calves assessed. Milk consumption was at a lower level and herbage intakes fell within the expected range. Herbage intake also responded to changes in the milk production of the cows. The observed herbage intakes and live-weight gains were similar to those predicted from previously established relationships with artificially fed calves.

Effects of pre-calving nutrition on the performance of twin bearing cows and their calves

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
J.H. Topps ◽  
Md Nurul Islam ◽  
P.J. Broadbent ◽  
G.F.M. Paterson
Keyword(s):  
Total Protein ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Carryover Effect ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Friesian Cows

With the advent of twinning in beef cows there is a need to obtain information on the nutritional requirements of these animals during the last three months of pregnancy and to assess the effects of pre-calving nutrition on cow and calf performance in the subsequent lactation. Three experiments have been carried out With 10, 9 and 14 multiple bearing Hereford x British Friesian cows. In each experiment a comparison was made With single bearing cows but the results from these animals are not considered in this paper. The cows were given different energy intakes in a factorial arrangement with low or high levels of UDP over the last three months of pregnancy. After calving all cows were given 125 MJ ME/d for the first 12 Weeks of lactation and performance monitored to assess any carryover effect of pregnancy nutrition.Similar diets were fed during the last three months of pregnancy in all three experiments. The diet containing a low level of UDP (0.19 of total protein) consisted of barley straw, barley grain, molassed meal and urea. While that With a high UDP content (0.33 of total protein) contained barley straw, barley grain, malt distillers dark grains and special propietary cubes.

The effect of weaning date on the performance of autumn-calving, single-suckled cows

1982 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. B. Chestnutt
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
High Input ◽  
Feeding Regimes ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Friesian Cows ◽  
Winter Feeding

ABSTRACTIn each of 4 years, 24 autumn-calving, single-suckling Aberdeen Angus × Friesian cows with Charolais cross calves were subjected to different winter feeding regimes and to a range of weaning dates, and the effect on cow and calf food intake and performance was measured. Giving 257 kg concentrate dry matter to cows on an ad libitum silage diet over winter increased calf and cow weights in the following September by 17·8 and 11·7 kg respectively. Weaning after 4 months of lactation resulted in a net saving in winter forage requirements when compared with weaning in March/April but a high input of concentrate was necessary to achieve satisfactory calf performance. Weaning in July increased calf weights in August/September by 22·1 kg and reduced cow weights by 22·3 kg compared with weaning in March/April. Later weaning at pasture might be preferable, producing heavier calves, provided that cow weights can be restored at pasture.

The effect of winter food level on compensatory growth of weaned, suckled calves grazed at two sward heights

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel ◽  
E. A. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Food Level ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Winter Food ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Winter Feeding

ABSTRACTTwo experiments were conducted with weaned, suckled calves to investigate the effect of feeding level during the post-weaning winter on their subsequent performance when continuously grazed on pasture maintained at two sward heights. Low, medium and high levels of winter feeding resulted in winter live-weight gains of 0·31, 0·58 and 0·79 (s.e. 0·027) kg/day (P < 0·001) during the 152-day winter in experiment 1 and 0·44, 0·69 and 0·84 (s.e. 0·029) kg/day (P < 0·001) for 189 days in experiment 2. During summer (93 days in experiment 1 and 87 days in experiment 2) there was a significant effect of winter food level on performance when live-weight gains were 1·10, 1·02, 0·87 and 1·35, 1·23 and 1·19 (s.e. 0·060) kg/day for the low, medium and high winter food levels on the short and tall swards respectively in experiment 1 (P < 0·01) and 0·86, 0·66, 0·51 and 1·26, 1·18 and 0·91 (s.e. 0090) kg/day in experiment 2 (P < 0·001). The cattle showing compensatory growth had higher herbage intakes and it is postulated that this occurred because of a negative association between body fat and herbage intake. Sward height had a large positive effect on herbage intake and live-weight gain and it is concluded that for maximum intake on ryegrass swards, herbage height should be at least 8 cm. Lower levels of winter live-weight gain delayed the time to slaughter, but allowed cattle to achieve heavier carcass weights at a fixed level of fatness.It is concluded that there is no single optimum winter food level for weaned, suckled calves but that the choice will depend upon several factors, including availability of winter and summer food resources, the length of the winter feeding period, the desired date of slaughter and type of carcass to be produced.

Annual variation in the balance between winter fodder production and requirements in beef cow systems

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 49-49
Author(s):  
I.A. Wright ◽  
T.J. Maxwell ◽  
A.J.F. Russel ◽  
A.R. Sibbald
Keyword(s):  
Annual Variation ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Fodder Production ◽  
Operational Management ◽  
Grazing Area ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Stocking Rates

Herbage intake by beef cows is highly correlated with sward height and therefore intake can be managed in a predictable manner by controlling sward height. For beef cows this requires adjustment of the grazing area and conservation of herbage which is not grazed, with the silage aftermath subsequently grazed later in the summer. Year-to-year variation in herbage growth rate will result in variation in the amounts of silage produced. Most grazing experiments do not consider this year-to-year variation, but it constitutes one of the major features which has to be accommodated in the operational management of beef cow systems which are based on pastoral resources.During three consecutive summers, 40 spring-calving Hereford x Friesian beef cows and their Charolais-cross calves grazed perennial ryegrass-dominated swards receiving 200 kg N/ha at one of two annual stocking rates (2.0 or 2.5 cows/ha) at one of two sward heights (4 to 5 (short) or 7 to 8 cm (tall)) in a 2x2 factorial experiment, replicated twice.

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

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Sinclair ◽  
S. Yildiz ◽  
G. Quintans ◽  
P. J. Broadbent
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Calf Performance

AbstractThe accumulative effects of different levels of annual energy intake over the first two parities on four 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 assessed for various production traits and calf performance. Heifers were allocated to each of two levels of annual energy intake relative to metabolic body weight (M0·75) (mean daily intakes equivalent to 705 and 820 kj M0·75) and for the next 2 years these animals (10 per breed) were continuously housed and given diets designed to represent energy intakes while grazing during the summer and conserved forage feeding during the winter. Changes in live weight and body composition were measured throughout both years and milk yield, milk composition and calf performance during both lactations.Animals from each of the four breeds gained weight but lost body condition during their first two parities in a manner that was dependent on their annual level of dietary energy intake. Welsh Black cows grew more than Aberdeen Angus cows and Charolais cows more than Simmental cows so that, by weaning during the second parity, the rank order of live weights between breeds was Charolais > Simmental > Welsh Black > Aberdeen Angus. Welsh Black and Simmental cows produced higher yields of milk (7·9 and 8·7 kg respectively) than Aberdeen Angus and Charolais cows (6·5 and 5·7 kg respectively; P < 0·001). Calves from the two large breeds grew more quickly than those from the two small breeds (1·13 v. 0·99 kg/day; P < 0·01) and calf performance was influenced by milk consumption. Biological efficiency, defined as weight of calf at weaning per GJ metabolizable energy (ME) on an annual basis, increased as annual energy intake decreased and tended to be higher for large breeds on 33 GJ ME per year than for small breeds on the same level of annual energy intake (7·19 v. 6·75). The complex means by which the different breed types interacted with their nutritional environment is discussed.

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