The effect of body condition, feed level and temporary calf separation on the post-partum anoestrous period and LH and FSH levels in beef cows

1997 ◽  
Vol 1987 ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
I.A. Wright ◽  
A.J.F. Russel ◽  
T.K. Whyte ◽  
A.J. McBean
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Deleterious Effect ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Farm Livestock

Compared with other species of farm livestock the reproductive performance of beef cows is poor. Mating and calving periods are frequently extended to avoid having a large proportion of barren Cows. vs. For example the ‘average’ MLC recorded herd has a calving period of over 4months. This makes management of beef cow herds difficult and has a deleterious effect on biological efficiency and profitability.One of the major limitations to improvement of reproductive efficiency in beef cattle is the extended post-partum anoestrus. Beef cows have longer post-partum anoestrous periods than dairy cows. In one study of three different herds (Peters and Riley, 1982) the mean length of the anovulatory period ranged from 24 to 88 days.

Breed effects and heterosis for productivity traits at first calving of Angus, Holstein Friesian, Jersey and crossbred beef cows

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Hickson ◽  
N. Lopez-Villalobos ◽  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
S. T. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Milk Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Positive Heterosis

Feed requirements for maintenance contribute a large proportion of the feed requirements of a beef cow so lighter cows may be more efficient producers of weaned calves, provided that such cows do not result in a comparative reduction in calf weaning weight. Beef-cross-dairy cows have increased milk yield compared with straight-bred beef cows and have the potential to wean heavier calves. Crossbred cows may also offer potential increases in production through heterosis. This experiment examined the performance of straight-bred Angus (AA), Holstein Friesian (FF) and Jersey (JJ) cows and of Angus-sired F1 crossbreds with Holstein Friesian (AF), Jersey (AJ) and Holstein Friesian-cross-Jersey (Kiwicross; AK) cows to identify breed and heterosis effects on milk intake and liveweight of calves and liveweight, reproductive performance and fatness of cows in their first lactation. Days to calving and weaning rate from first joining were similar among genotypes, but only 50% of FF cows conceived to second joining, compared with 90–98% for the other genotypes (P < 0.05). Estimated milk intake of calves was least (P < 0.05) for calves born to AA cows, and was generally similar (P > 0.05) among calves born to crossbred cows. There were positive heterosis effects between Angus and Jersey and between Angus and Holstein Friesian on milk intake of the calf. Straight-bred FF cows weaned the heaviest calves (least-squares mean + s.e.: 241 ± 5 kg; P < 0.05). Calves born to AF and AK cows were weaned at similar liveweight (229 ± 3 kg and 226 ± 4 kg, respectively; P > 0.05), and were heavier (P < 0.05) than calves born to JJ and AJ cows, which were similar (208 ± 5 kg and 215 ± 3 kg, respectively; P > 0.05). Calves born to AA cows were lightest at weaning (196 ± 3 kg; P < 0.05). Estimates of heterosis for weaning weight were 11 ± 4 kg (P < 0.01) between Angus and Holstein Friesian, and 14 ± 4 kg (P < 0.001) between Angus and Jersey. Angus-cross-dairy cows offered production advantages over straight-bred AA cows as dam lines in a terminal cross. These advantages were partially due to heterosis.

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

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 688-700 ◽  
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.

Effect of different diet supplements in the pre- and post-partum period on reproductive performance in the dairy cow

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. H. Gardner ◽  
C. K. Reynolds ◽  
R.H. Phipps ◽  
A.K. Jones ◽  
D.E. Beever
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Diet Supplements ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ration Group ◽  
Group 1

AbstractThe study compared the impact of feeding different energy supplements (barley, molassed sugar beet and fat) prior to calving and the effects of feeding supplemental fat post-partum, on subsequent production and reproductive efficiency of dairy cows. Forty-eight multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were assigned to one of two groups, six weeks prior to expected calving date and fed a grass based total mixed ration according to ME requirements for late gestation. Group 1 was supplemented with barley (B) or molassed sugar beet feed (SB) prior to calving and was then given a high starch lactation ration. Group 2 was supplemented with either fat (F) or no supplement (C) pre partum, and was then given a similar lactation ration as Group 1 but supplemented with fat. Lactation rations were fed through to week-20 post partum and the cows were monitored during this period. Milk yield (P<0.002) and milkfat (P<0.02) production were higher and milk protein concentration (P<0.001) was lower in Group 2. The number of days to first rise in progesterone following parturition was greater (P<0.01) in Group 2. Due to the design of the study, effects of prepartum supplementation were only evaluated within each lactation ration group. Conception rate to first service was higher (P<0.001) for B than SB supplemented cows in Group 1 and higher (P<0.02) for F than C supplemented cows in Group 2. Services per conception were lower (P=0.06) for B than SB supplemented cows in Group 1 and lower (P<0.05) for F than C supplemented cows in Group 2. Overall pregnancy rates and days open were not significantly different between the groups. The data shows that pre-partum nutrition had an important role in determining subsequent fertility. Despite having negative effects early post partum, supplementing with fat did not affect overall reproductive performance but it did improve milk production.

scholarly journals Multivariate Characterization of Biological Efficiency in Dairy Cows in Grazing Systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
P. R. Marini ◽  
R. Castro ◽  
E. Frana ◽  
R. J. Di Masso
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Retrospective Data ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Reproductive Life ◽  
Grazing Systems

Retrospective data was used corresponding to the lactation of 216 first and multi-pregnancy cows, American-Canadian Holstein with registers of their whole productive life, from their entrance to the system till their sale or death, registers were gathered from1992-2012 in the Argentinian Holstein farm located in Casilda, province of Santa –Argentina. During the mentioned time, all the cows were managed in the same dairy premises. The animals were divided into two categories: pure cows (VP,n=88) and cows with breeding registers (VRC,n = 128). The variables under use were: age at first calving, in days (EPP), first calving – conception interval in days (IPP), milk production adapted to 305 lactation days, in litres (PL), the amount of butyric fat produced, in kilograms (GB), the number of calvings registered throughout its reproductive life (NP), milk index in litres (IL) and the fat index in kilograms (IG). There were statistically significant differences as regards the productive characteristics PL and GB. N average, throughout the cycle under study, the VP produced 591 litres of milk and 161 kg of fat more. There were no significant differences when considering the age of first calving or the calving – conception interval. VP cows registered higher IL and IG than VRC cows, with significant differences which favoured the former, in both cases. The four components generated by the multivariate analysis explained important portions of the total variance which lead to consider all of them when interpreting the joint relations between productive performance indicators and reproductive achievement. It is concluded that even though the biotypes under study behave differently, both coincide at the point of stating that those cows which belong to quadrant IV were those which presented the best adaptation to the environment, being the ones who live longer and with an intermediate reproductive efficiency, regardless their biotype.

scholarly journals Effect of dietary-induced increases in circulating insulin concentrations during the early postpartum period on reproductive function in dairy cows

Reproduction ◽  
2002 ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
JG Gong ◽  
WJ Lee ◽  
PC Garnsworthy ◽  
R Webb
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Selection For

Although it has become increasingly clear that fertility in modern dairy cattle is declining in association with increased milk yields, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. The first ovulation post partum is delayed in dairy cows undergoing selection for genetic merit for milk yield in association with lower circulating insulin concentrations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether feeding a diet to increase circulating insulin concentrations can overcome this delay in the first ovulation post partum. The experiment was a 2 x 2 factorial design (n = 10 per group) involving diet and genetic merit for milk yield. The dietary treatment started on the day of calving and lasted for 50 days. Plasma samples were collected each day and ovarian ultra-sonography was performed three times a week during the experimental feeding period. Milk yield was recorded each day, and body weight and body condition score were determined each week. Milk samples were collected three times a week from day 50 to day 105 post partum, and reproductive performance data were recorded for all the cows as part of the routine farm practice. The dietary treatment induced significant differences in plasma insulin concentrations in both high and low genetic merit cows. Although high genetic merit cows produced more milk, lost more body weight and had lower body condition scores during the experiment, no significant effect of diet was observed on these measurements. The high insulin inducing diet increased the proportion of cows ovulating within 50 days of calving and reduced the intervals from calving to first ovulation, and tended to reduce the intervals from calving to first service and to conception. These fertility parameters were also more favourable in low than in high genetic merit cows, but no interaction between diet and genetic merit was observed for any of these parameters. Genetic merit, but not diet, also affected the number of services required per conception and the conception rate. In conclusion, these results have confirmed that genetic selection for high milk yield is associated with a decrease in reproductive performance in dairy cows. More importantly, this study has demonstrated that it is possible to alleviate this problem by nutritional manipulation.

Geographic determinants of copper and molybdenum concentrations in serum at the end of the grazing season and associations with reproductive performance in beef cows from western Canada

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Van De Weyer ◽  
Cheryl Waldner
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Important Determinant ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Soil Color ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Cu Deficiency ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Feed Samples

Van De Weyer, L. M. and Waldner, C. L. 2011. Geographic determinants of copper and molybdenum concentrations in serum at the end of the grazing season and associations with reproductive performance in beef cows from western Canada. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 423–431. Serum concentrations of Cu and Mo were measured at the end of the summer grazing season in an observational field study of 783 breeding females from 66 cow-calf herds located in western Canada. The mean Cu concentration was 0.82 ppm (S, 0.30 ppm) and the mean Mo concentration was 0.056 ppm (S, 0.055 ppm). Serum Cu concentration differed across ecoregions (P=0.013). Serum Mo concentrations varied by ecoregion (P =0.002), soil type (P =0.011), soil color (P=0.018), and total precipitation during the growing season (P =0.004). Copper and Mo serum concentrations at the end of the grazing season were not associated with reproductive outcomes. Herd location is an important determinant of the risk of primary and secondary Cu deficiency and can inform the need for trace mineral testing of feed samples as well as supplementation.

13 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EARLIER POSTPARTUM CYCLICITY AND SUBSEQUENT REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN DAIRY COWS: A FIELD TRIAL

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
I. H. Kim ◽  
H. C. Lee ◽  
H. G. Kang
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Logistic Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

Earlier postpartum cyclicity based on hormonal analysis was related to the subsequent fertility, although it has not been clarified under field conditions. This field study examined the relationship between the detection of corpus luteum (CL) at the first post partum month and subsequent reproductive performance in dairy cows. Holstein dairy cows underwent ultrasonography (Sonoace 600 with 7.5 MHz linear-array transducer; Medison Co. Ltd., Korea) at 30 (±7) days postpartum to determine the existence of CL in ovaries and then divided into 2 groups based on the existence of CL; the CL group (n = 156) or the non-CL group (n = 281). At the same time of ultrasonography, all cows were scored for body condition. Cows received the normal herd reproductive management program including oestrous detection or synchronization, or synchronization of ovulation in the breeding period. Pregnancy was determined per rectum 60 days after artificial insemination by both ultrasonography and palpation. Reproductive performance data were collected for a minimum of 210 days postpartum. Reproduction data between the CL and non-CL groups were evaluated by t-test, chi-square test, or logistic regression using an SAS program (Version 9.1: SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The proportion of cows with CL in ovaries at 30 (±7) days postpartum was 35.7% of all cows. The number of days to first insemination after calving was more delayed (P < 0.0001) in the non-CL group (100.1 ± 2.7 days) than in the CL group (80.9 ± 2.9 days), while the pregnancy rate to first insemination did not differ (P > 0.05) between the CL group (44.2%) and the non-CL group (45.9%). The CL group had higher pregnancy proportions (PP) within 60 (odds ratio, OR = 2.3; P = 0.0063), 90 (OR = 1.6; P = 0.04), and 120 days (OR = 1.5; P = 0.05) postpartum than the non-CL group; however, the PP within 150 or 210 days postpartum did not differ between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Besides, logistic analysis revealed that cows with body condition score (BCS) ≥3.00 were more likely to have CL (OR = 1.8; P = 0.015) compared with cows with BCS ≤ 2.75, while primiparous cows were less likely to have CL (OR = 0.6; P = 0.0085) compared with multiparous cows. In addition, cows that underwent ultrasonography later than 30 days postpartum were more likely to have CL (OR = 1.6; P = 0.0192) compared with cows that underwent ultrasonography earlier. In conclusion, the earlier cyclicity based on the detection of CL using ultrasonography at the first postpartum month, which might be in part due to a higher BCS, predicts an enhanced reproductive performance in dairy cows, particularly during the early and early-mid lactations. This work was supported by the research grant of the Chungbuk National University in 2010.

The effects of raising post-oestrus progesterone concentrations on luteal activity in post-partum dairy cows

1999 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. O. Darwash ◽  
G. L. Ward ◽  
G. E. Lamming ◽  
J. A. Woolliams
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
Phase Length ◽  
Friesian Cows

AbstractIn order to investigate the rationale of manipulating post-ovulation progesterone (P4) concentrations, luteal activity was measured in 10 Holstein-Friesian cows treated with a progesterone-releasing device (CIDR, 1·9 g P4) inserted on the morning of day 2 post-oestrus for a period of 7 days and compared with 10 untreated control animals. Milk samples were collected daily during afternoon milking from 7 days pre- to 24 days post-oestrus and P4 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). The milk P4 profiles were used to assess the effects of early post-oestrus P4 elevation on five intervals of the luteal phase. In the treated (T) and control (C) animals, the mean interval from oestrus to P4 rise (≥3 μg/l), was 2·38 (s.e. 0·18) and 4·90 (s.e. 0·28) days, respectively, (P < 0·01). The mean interval from oestrus to the attainment of peak P4 concentrations was not significantly different (P > 0·05) between the T (14·75 (s.e. 1-62) days) and С (14·30 (s.e. 0·70) days) animals, with cows in the T group showing a more variable (F7 9 = 4-30, P < 0·05) interval to the occurrence of the peak. The interval from peak P4 to corpus luteum (CL) regression (when P4 fell below ≥3 μg/l) was not significantly different between the T (4·13 (s.e. 1·30 days) and С (5·60 (s.e. 0·88) days) groups. Furthermore, CIDR insertion did not alter luteal phase length, number of days with P4 concentrations ≥3 μg/l (T = 16·50 (s.e. 0·80) v.C = 15·00 (s.e. 0·47) days) or the interval from oestrus to CL regression (T = 18·88 (s.e. 0·79) v.C = 19·90 (s.e. 0·41) days). We conclude that treatment with CIDR 2 days after oestrus successfully increased the availability of P4 to cows without significantly affecting luteal phase characteristics.

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