Nutrition of beef breeder cows in the dry tropics. 1. Effects of nitrogen supplementation and weaning on breeder performance

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 515 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Dixon ◽  
C. Playford ◽  
D. B. Coates
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
The Body ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Body Reserves

The effects of two dry season management strategies consisting of timing of weaning and/or nitrogen (N) supplementation on the body reserves, nutritional status and reproductive performance were, commencing in the early dry season, examined in Bos indicus × Bos taurus breeder cows (n = 122) grazing native pasture in the seasonally dry tropics. Cows were early-weaned in April in the early dry season or late-weaned in September in the late dry season. The supplement consisted of loose mineral mix which provided on average 14 g N/day, principally as non-protein N. In the early dry season in April 1997 all of the cows had been lactating for 3–5 months, averaged 363 kg (s.d. = 28) conceptus-free liveweight (CF.LW) and 4.7 (s.d. = 0.6) body condition score (9-point scale), and 53% were pregnant. In addition, from April to June 1997 10/26 non-pregnant lactating cows, and 24/31 non-pregnant non-lactating (i.e. early-weaned) cows became pregnant so that 81% of cows were pregnant by June. Predictions of diet from near-infrared spectroscopy of faeces indicated that the forage diet selected during the dry season (April–November) by the cows contained on average 9% (s.d. = 2) non-grass dicotyledonous plants and 4.4% (s.d. = 0.38) crude protein (CP), while DM digestibility was 51.1% (s.d. = 1.3). The diet CP concentration, the ratio of CP to metabolisable energy (ME) in the diet (mean 5.7, s.d. = 0.53, g CP/MJ ME) and faecal N concentration (mean 1.05, s.d. = 0.097, % N) all indicated that unsupplemented cows were deficient in dietary N during the dry season. Microbial CP synthesis in unsupplemented non-lactating cows decreased from 360 to 107 g microbial CP/day, or from 6.5 to 2.4 g microbial CP/MJ ME intake, as the dry season progressed from May to September 1997. Net endogenous N transfer to the rumen of up to 2 g CP/MJ ME apparently occurred from May to August. Microbial CP synthesis was 25% higher (P < 0.001) in lactating than in non-lactating cows. From April to September cow CF.LW was improved by 0.35 kg/day (P < 0.001) by early weaning, and by 0.11 kg/day (P < 0.10) by N supplementation, but there was no interaction (P > 0.10) between these treatments. From April to June 1997 calf LW gain averaged 0.79 kg/day, but from June to September was only 0.10 kg/day in unsupplemented paddocks and 0.13 kg/day in N-supplemented paddocks. Pregnant cows calved from November 1997 to March 1998. During subsequent mating 96% of non-lactating cows, but only 17% of lactating cows became pregnant. During the 1997–98 wet season there was compensatory LW gain of lower CF.LW non-lactating cows but not of lactating cows. In conclusion, weaning early in the dry season had a much greater effect than a non-protein N-based supplement to conserve breeder cow body reserves, and the effects of the two management strategies were additive.

Nutrition of beef breeder cows in the dry tropics. 2. Effects of time of weaning and diet quality on breeder performance

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 529 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Dixon ◽  
C. Playford ◽  
D. B. Coates
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Near Infrared Reflectance ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Body Reserves ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
The Difference

In the seasonally dry tropics the effects of three times of weaning and three nutritional regimes on the changes in liveweight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) of grazing Bos indicus × Bos taurus breeder cows (n = 210) and their calves were examined through an annual cycle, commencing in the early dry season in April 1998. Most of the cows (n = 180) were lactating initially, and were weaned in April (W1), July (W2) or September (W3) to represent the expected early, mid and late dry season. In addition, cows that had not lactated for 11 months before the experiment commenced (NOCALF treatment; n = 30) were examined. The seasonal break occurred in late August, 3.5 months earlier than average for the site. The nutritional regimes consisted of a native pasture (LOW), another native pasture augmented with Stylosanthes spp. legumes (MEDIUM), or this latter pasture supplemented during the dry season with molasses-urea (HIGH). These nutritional regimes were imposed from the commencement of the experiment in April 1998 until February 1999, except that for the HIGH treatment the supplement was fed only during the dry season. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy of faeces (F.NIRS) was used to estimate the contents of non-grass, crude protein (CP) and DM digestibility of the diet selected, and also DM intake and metabolisable energy (ME) intake. Diet quality was in accord with the expected seasonal cycle, and was consistently lower (P < 0.05) for the LOW than for the MEDIUM treatment. Concentrations of CP and CP/MJ ME in the diet, and of N in faeces, indicated that the cows grazing the LOW treatment were deficient in rumen degradable protein during the dry season. There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between the nutritional regime and the time of weaning on changes in conceptus-free liveweight (CF.LW) or BCS during the dry season. Weaning increased breeder CF.LW, relative to lactating breeders, by 0.42 kg/day in the early dry season (April–July; the difference between the W1 and W2 treatments), and 0.18 kg/day in the usual mid dry season (July–September; the difference between the W2 and W3 treatments). The NOCALF treatment cows were initially 79 kg heavier than lactating cows, and lost more LW during the dry season. Microbial CP synthesis was 21 and 29% greater (P < 0.05) in lactating than in non-lactating cows in the late dry season and shortly after the seasonal break (August and September), respectively. Calf growth was not affected (P > 0.05) by nutritional regime during the early dry season (April–July), but was lower for the LOW nutritional regime during the usual mid dry season (July–September); this indicated that the LOW nutritional regime cows mobilised sufficient additional body reserves to maintain milk production during the former, but not the latter, interval. All cows that were lactating at the commencement of the experiment gained CF.LW rapidly from September 1998 following the seasonal break. In conclusion, although nutrition affected LW change of both cows and calves, there was a much larger effect of weaning than of the nutrition treatments examined on conservation of body reserves in breeder cows during the dry season. The observation that the effects of weaning on conservation of cow body reserves were similar across a wide range of nutrition is important for management to achieve appropriate targets for breeder cow body reserves.

Effect of pasture type and supplementary feeding on the reproductive performance of cattle in the dry tropics of north Queensland

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (85) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Holroyd ◽  
PJ Allan ◽  
PK O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Stylosanthes Humilis ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Townsville Stylo

A study was made over a four year period ( 1970-1 973) on the reproductive performance of cows grazing either native pasture stocked at 1 breeder 4.9 ha-1 or native pasture oversown with Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) and fertilized with superphosphate, stocked at 1 breeder 2.4 ha-1. Animals were supplemented on each pasture type with combinations of molasses, urea and phosphorus at various times of the year. Mating from September 1 to January 31 resulted in animals lactating during the dry season. At double the stocking rate, lactating cows on fertilized pastures had similar conception rates to those on native pasture. During a prolonged dry season, lactating cows on fertilized pasture had twice the conception rate and fewer required survival feeding. Urea compared with non-urea based supplements produced significant increases in conception rates of cows grazing native pasture especially during a dry year. Calves were born earlier, had shorter intercalving intervals and fewer cows had to be fed a survival ration when urea was available. On fertilized pasture, urea based supplements caused only a marginal increase in conception rate except in a dry year, when there was a significant increase. Over the four years, there was a diminishing response in the conception rate of lactating cows grazing native pasture and supplemented with phosphorus during the wet season compared with the control. On fertilized pasture, there was a variable but non-significant response. The addition of phosphorus either as a wet or dry season supplement to urea caused variable responses on each pasture type, but none differed significantly from that of urea.

The performance of Brahman-Shorthorn and Sahiwal-Shorthorn beef cattle in the dry tropics of northern Queensland. 2. Reproductive rates and liveweights of F2et seq. females

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 727 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Holroyd ◽  
TA James ◽  
VJ Doogan ◽  
G Fordyce ◽  
R Tyler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Percentage Unit ◽  
Reproductive Rates

The female reproductive rates and liveweight performance of F2 et seq. generations of 1/2 Brahman (1/2 B), 1/2 Sahiwal (1/2 Sah), 3/4 Brahman (3/4 B) and 3/4 Sahiwal (3/4 Sah) were evaluated in the dry tropics of northern Queensland from 1978 to 1986. The balance of the breed composition was predominantly Shorthorn. A preliminary comparative analysis of F2 and F3 data showed no differences between the filial generations and data were subsequently pooled. Crossbreed differences between groups had a small effect on pregnancy rate and were not a major determinant of fertility compared with age and year effects. Any crossbreed differences were counteracted by inconsistent cross x year effects. For mature cows, 3/4 Sah had significantly (P<0.05) lower weaning rates than other crosses. The percentage unit difference between pregnancy rate and weaning rate was higher in Sahiwal cross than Brahman cross cows (19 v. 9%). In lactating cows, calving dates were an average 10 days later in 3/4 than 1/2 Bos indicus cows. Generally Brahman crosses were heavier than Sahiwal crosses. In the dry season, Brahman crosses were 16, 30, 36 and 43 kg heavier than Sahiwal crosses for 2-year-old heifers and 3-, 4- and 5-9-year-old cows, respectively. There was little difference between 1/2 and 3/4 B. indicus, except in mature cows, where 1/2 Sah were 27 kg heavier (P<0.05) than 3/4 Sah at start of mating. There were pronounced year effects on all of the reproductive and growth parameters of both heifers and lactating cows. Pregnancy rate and mating liveweight were negatively correlated with date of seasonal break of the dry season (r = -0.71 to -0.88, r = -0.84 to -0.98, respectively). Cross x year interactions for pregnancy rate, calving date and mating liveweight were attributed to factors other than the type of year.

Effects of different weaning strategies on postweaning growth rate, mortality and fertility of Bos indicus cross cattle

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Holroyd ◽  
PK O'Rourke ◽  
R Tyler ◽  
HP Stephenson ◽  
GWJ Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Subsequent Growth ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Lower Growth ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Native Pastures

Three drafts of Brahman cross calves (phenotypically half to three-quarters Bos indicus) were either early weaned (EW) in April (mean age 5 months) or late weaned (LW) in July (mean age of 8 months). Their postweaning performance on native pastures in the dry tropics of North Queensland was monitored through to 2.5 years of age for females and 3.5 years for males. At late weaning, LW calves of both sexes were significantly (P<0.01) heavier than EW calves. Mean liveweight differences over the 3 drafts were 53.8 kg for males and 54.4 kg for females. From late weaning until final liveweight, EW animals partially compensated in growth and were on average 13.6 kg lighter at 3.5 years for males and 20.3 kg lighter at 2.5 years for females than LW animals. In draft 2, pregnancy rate at 2.5 years favoured LW heifers (P<0.05) by 38% units. Mortalities occurred only in the first dry season postweaning with 0, 5 (11.1%) and 5 (8.9%) deaths from poverty in the EW group in drafts 1 to '3 respectively but none in the LW group. Pooled data across treatment groups showed that older calves at weaning had lower growth rates during the first dry season but still had heavier final liveweights. Age at weaning did not influence subsequent growth rate in the first wet season or males in year 2 or year 3 postweaning.

The effect of spraying for buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) on infestations, growth rate and lesion development on Bos indicus × B. taurus cattle in the dry tropics of north Queensland

1984 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 595 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Holroyd ◽  
DJ Hirst ◽  
AW Merrifield ◽  
MA Toleman
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Lesion Development ◽  
Haematobia Irritans ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
June July

The effect of spraying for buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) on infestations, growth rate and lesion development on Bos indicus x B. taurus steers (18 months old) and bullocks (30 months old) were studied in the dry tropics of North Queensland. There were four consecutive drafts commencing between July and September and terminating the following June-July. Half of the animals were sprayed with 200 g/l fenvalerate to control buffalo flies. Treated animals carried, at most, a few flies. The size of the fly populations on the untreated animals varied with the seasons, with the most flies being recorded during the wet season. Light coloured animals carried fewer flies than those with darker colours and bullocks carried more flies than steers. Except for steers in one dry season, repeatabilities of fly counts were significant (P < 0.01). In steers, treatment had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on growth over the four treatment periods, although there were significant effects of treatment on growth in some intermediate periods. Treatment significantly (P < 0.05) affected bullock growth in two of the four years. Significant (P < 0.05) positive correlations were found between fly counts and growth rate in two years. Few lesions were recorded on treated animals. Lesion prevalence and size on untreated animals were generally not associated with fly counts, coat colour or growth rate.

scholarly journals Seasonal changes in water quality and macrophytes and the impact of cattle on tropical floodplain waterholes

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 788 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. E. Pettit ◽  
T. D. Jardine ◽  
S. K. Hamilton ◽  
V. Sinnamon ◽  
D. Valdez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Aquatic Macrophyte ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
The Impact

The present study indicates the critical role of hydrologic connectivity in floodplain waterholes in the wet–dry tropics of northern Australia. These waterbodies provide dry-season refugia for plants and animals, are a hotspot of productivity, and are a critical part in the subsistence economy of many remote Aboriginal communities. We examined seasonal changes in water quality and aquatic plant cover of floodplain waterholes, and related changes to variation of waterhole depth and visitation by livestock. The waterholes showed declining water quality through the dry season, which was exacerbated by more frequent cattle usage as conditions became progressively drier, which also increased turbidity and nutrient concentrations. Aquatic macrophyte biomass was highest in the early dry season, and declined as the dry season progressed. Remaining macrophytes were flushed out by the first wet-season flows, although they quickly re-establish later during the wet season. Waterholes of greater depth were more resistant to the effects of cattle disturbance, and seasonal flushing of the waterholes with wet-season flooding homogenised the water quality and increased plant cover of previously disparate waterholes. Therefore, maintaining high levels of connectivity between the river and its floodplain is vital for the persistence of these waterholes.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors of mastitis in dairy cows

1970 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Rahman ◽  
MMU Bhuiyan ◽  
MM Kamal ◽  
M Shamsuddin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Clinical Mastitis ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
The Other ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
California Mastitis Test ◽  
Control Programmes

Identification of risk factors is important for the design of control programmes for mastitis in cows. Information about farms and management was collected at a farm visit. California Mastitis Test (CMT) was performed to assess sub-clinical mastitis, and cows, udder and milk were examined for clinical mastitis. A total of 347 lactating cows from 83 farms in the dry season (November - February) and 388 lactating cows from 89 farms in the wet season (June - October) were studied. The overall prevalence of mastitis was 19.9% and 44.8% in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The prevalence of mild mastitis was 17.3% and 40.7%, whereas that of moderate mastitis was 2.6% and 4.1% in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The prevalence of mastitis was higher (P<0.01) in wet than in dry season. On average, 18.7% quarters had mastitis during the wet season and 6.9% in the dry season. In the dry and wet seasons, respectively, 63.9% and 11.2% had completely dry floors, and the prevalence of mastitis was 22.6% and 30.0%. On the other hand, 88.8% and 36.1% of 83 farms had partly or completely wet and soiled floor and the prevalence of mastitis was 40.0% and 59.5% in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Udder cleanliness, milk yield and peri-parturient diseases significantly (P<0.01) increased the risk of mastitis. The prevalence of mastitis is regarded as quite high. Dry and clean floor to keep cow's udder and teat clean would help control mastitis in the dairy farms of Bangladesh. DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v26i2.4951 Bangl. vet. 2009. Vol. 26, No. 2, 54-60

Diet selection by cattle grazing Stylosanthes-grass pastures in the seasonally dry tropics: effect of year, season, stylo species and botanical composition

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 781 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Coates
Keyword(s):  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Diet Selection ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Dietary Preference ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Opportunity For Selection

The dietary preference of cattle grazing Stylosanthes-based pastures in the seasonally dry tropics of North Queensland was studied using faecal carbon ratios (S13C) to determine grass-legume proportions. Estimates were made at monthly intervals for several years in 1 experiment to determine the effect of year, season and botanical composition on dietary stylo proportions. In another experiment, the effect of stylo cultivars (Verano and Seca) on dietary preference was monitored for 17 months. Where pastures provided ample opportunity for selection, cattle showed a strong preference for grass in the early wet season and in the late dry season. The proportion of stylo in the diet increased during the wet season and reached peak proportions (as high as 80%) in the late wet season or early dry season. Dietary stylo proportions decreased as pastures dried off and as the stylo shed leaf or became more stemmy. The length of the wet season and the amount and distribution of rainfall had a major influence on the seasonal pattern of diet selection. Stylo rarely fell below 20% in the diet. On an annual basis, stylo accounted for about 45% of the diet which was appreciably higher than the proportion of stylo in the pasture. Dietary stylo proportions were higher on Seca-based pasture than on Verano-based pasture. The avoidance of stylo in the early wet season was less pronounced with Seca compared with Verano. Later in the season Seca was the dominant dietary component for a much longer period than Verano. The effect of botanical composition on dietary grass-legume proportions varied between and within years. Correlations between grass-legume proportions in the pasture and in the diet were highest in the late dry season and early wet season when preference for grass was strongest. At the end of the wet season when cattle preferred stylo, dietary stylo was not related to pasture stylo content except in a drought year. Averaged over the full year, dietary stylo content was significantly correlated with pasture stylo content in all years and the correlation was highest in a drought year when there was a high level of utilisation and less opportunity for selection. A simple model relating dietary stylo to pasture stylo was developed and is discussed.

Seasonal diet preferences of chital deer in the northern Queensland dry tropics, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 211
Author(s):  
Kurt Watter ◽  
Greg Baxter ◽  
Michael Brennan ◽  
Tony Pople ◽  
Peter Murray
Keyword(s):  
Dry Season ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Variable Environment ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Plant Groups ◽  
Axis Axis ◽  
Plant Group ◽  
Diet Preference ◽  
Dry Seasons

Chital deer (Axis axis) were introduced to the Burdekin dry tropics of north Queensland, Australia, in the late 1800s. Here rainfall and plant growth are highly seasonal and a nutritional bottleneck for grazing animals occurs annually before the wet season. This study describes the seasonal changes in diet and diet preference of chital in this seasonally-variable environment. Rumen samples were taken from 162 deer from two sites over the wet and dry seasons of two consecutive years and sorted macroscopically for identification. Relative seasonal availability of plant groups was estimated using step point sampling of areas grazed by chital. Chital alter their diet seasonally according to availability and plant phenology. Chital utilised 42 plant genera including grasses, forbs, subshrubs, shrubs, trees and litter. Grass consumption ranged from 53% of biomass intake during the dry season to 95% during the wet season. The predominance of grass in the wet season diet exceeded relative availability, indicating a strong preference. Although grass contributed more than half of the dry season diet it was the least preferred plant group, given availability, and the least actively growing. Shrubs were the preferred plant type in the dry season, and least subject to seasonal senescence. Composition and quantity of seasonal pastures vary markedly in north Queensland, and chital alter their diet by consuming those plants most actively growing. The increased dry season intake of non-grass forage appears to be a strategy to limit the detriment resulting from the progressive deterioration in the quality of grass.

Creep feeding and prepartum supplementation effects on growth and fertility of Brahman-cross cattle in the dry tropics

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Fordyce ◽  
NJ Cooper ◽  
IE Kendall ◽  
BM O'Leary ◽  
Jde Faveri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Partum ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Research Committee ◽  
Creep Feeding ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Short Period

Post-partum anoestrus is a primary contributor to low branding rates in Bos indicus cattle herds in the dry tropics of northern Australia [Entwistle, K. W. (1983). Australian Meat Research Committee Review No. 431. To increase branding rates, it was hypothesised that creep feeding for a short period in mid-late lactation during the latter half of the growing season may trigger an earlier onset of post-partum oestrus cycling, just as short-term, high-level, prepartum supplementation can achieve. Two experiments were conducted using Fn Brahman-cross cows (1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 crosses with Beef Shorthorn) which calved from late October to late Januarv. Cows were mated from mid-late Januarv to mid-April. Calves in one treatment in both experiments had ad libitum access to creep feed (calf pellets: 16% crude protein, 10 MJ ME/kg) for 4042 days from late February to early April. In experiment 2, the effects on cow growth and fertility due to supplementation with either cottonseed meal (1.5 kg/day) or molasses with 7.4% (w/w) urea for 49 days late in the dry season before calving ('spike' feeding) were also evaluated. Control cattle were unsupplemented. Creep feed was only consumed at 0.1 and 0.4 kg/day in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Short-term creep feeding had no consistent effects on cow liveweights, condition, or fertility, or on calf growth and temperaments under extensive grazing conditions during the tropical wet season. Spike feeding reduced weight loss by 0.2-0.4 kg/day (P<0.01). The effects on liveweights did not persist into the wet season. There were no effects on cow fertility in this year of extreme weather conditions, when 4 months of nutritional and climatic stress followed supplementation.

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