Pre-partum supplementation increases first-lactation heifer re-conception rates in the Victoria River District, NT

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 180 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Schatz
Keyword(s):  
Reliable Method ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Feeding Period ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Late Start ◽  
On Farm

Previous studies have reported inconsistent results when attempting to use pre-partum supplementation to improve re-conception rates in first-lactation heifers in northern Australia. It has been speculated that where no improvement in re-conception rates was found that it may have been because supplementation was stopped before the wet season began, and the benefits from supplementation were lost when heifers lost weight between the end of supplementation and the start of the wet season. This study was conducted to determine whether re-conception rates in Brahman first-lactation heifers in the Victoria River District (VRD) could be reliably improved by pre-partum supplementation with high protein supplements (at a rate of 0.4% of liveweight per day). Re-conception rates were significantly higher in supplemented (SUP) heifers in each of the 3 years of this study (re-conception rates were an average of 42 % units higher in SUP heifers over the 3 years). It was concluded that feeding pre-partum protein supplements for a period of at least 100 days until green grass is available at the start of the wet season is a reliable method of increasing re-conception rates in first-lactation heifers in the VRD. However, even with large increases in re-conception rate, the profitability of supplementation strategies in northern Australia need to be carefully evaluated due to high on-farm costs of supplements. Profitability is also adversely affected when the feeding period is extended due to a late start to the wet season.

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.

35 FERTILITY AFTER FIXED-TIME AI OR INSEMINATION AT DETECTED ESTRUS FOLLOWING CIDR SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOLS IN FRENCH DAIRY AND BEEF CATTLE

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
C. Ponsart ◽  
J. Gatien ◽  
B. Besognet ◽  
P. Fanuel ◽  
P. Humblot
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Missing Values ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Group A ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Synchronization Protocol

The CIDR synchronization protocol was introduced in France since 2008, as a 7-day intravaginal progesterone treatment (1.38 g of progesterone) coupled with AI at detected estrus. The objective of this study was to compare the synchronization, ovulation, and conception rates following fixed-timed AI (FTAI) and AI on observed heat (HAI) following a CIDR synchronization program in dairy and beef cattle under on-farm conditions. A total of 466 females from Holstein, Limousin, and Charolais breeds were synchronized from October 2008 to March 2009, and inseminated by AI technicians from 4 French cooperatives (Amélis, CECNA, COOPELSO, Groupe Altitude) with the following inclusion criteria : heifers from 14 to 28 months old, cows with 1 to 5 calvings, interval from calving from 50 to 150 days, first breeding following calving without any complication. The CIDR device was left for a 7-day period and combined with a PGF2α injection 1 day before CIDR removal and an eCG injection at the time of CIDR removal. Cows within each herd were allocated to 2 insemination groups. In the FTAI group, a single insemination was performed 56 h after CIDR removal, whereas the females from the HAI group were inseminated once from 6 to 18 h after detected estrus. For each female, cyclicity was assessed before CIDR insertion with 2 progesterone measurements assayed 10 days apart. The CIDR device was lost in 25 females during treatment. In the remaining females, estrus synchronization was estimated from a progesterone measurement 56 h after CIDR removal. Ovulation rate following CIDR programs was determined by progesterone measurements 14 days after AI. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography on Day 35 after AI in 417 females (24 missing values). From results of cycling females prior to treatment (n = 369), synchronization rates averaged 95.6% and 94.3% in HAI and FTAI groups, respectively. Ovulation rate, calculated from 399 synchronized or noncycling females, averaged 93.4% and 91.6% in HAI and FTAI groups, respectively. Conception rate at first AI averaged 51.9% (HAI: 52.6% v. FTAI: 47.4%; P > 0.05), and conception rate following induced estrus (i.e. calculated from ovulated females only) averaged 55% (HAI: 55.3% v. FTAI: 52.2%; P > 0.05). Conception rate was mainly influenced by breed and parity, ranging from 34% in Holstein cows to 58.7% in Holstein heifers (Table 1). To conclude, fixed-time insemination can be coupled to CIDR synchronization protocols in beef and dairy cattle and can be used to as a substitute for heat detection under on-farm conditions. Table 1.Conception rates depending on breed and parity

Dry season protein and energy supplements for beef cattle on native pastures at Katherine, N.T

1963 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJT Norman
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Peanut Meal ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Sorghum Grain ◽  
Energy Supplements

Three experiments planned to gain information on the gross nutritive deficiencies of native pasture as a feed for beef cattle during the dry season were carried out at Katherine, N.T., between 1960 and 1962. Groups of local Shorthorn steers were grazed on native pasture from July to November and fed supplements of crushed sorghum grain and peanut meal at different levels of total digestible nutrients and digestible crude protein. The results suggest that up to the time of early storm rains, prior to the wet season proper, the dry standing native pasture is an adequate source of energy, which can be effectively utilized if cattle are given a small quantity of high-protein supplement. During the period of early rains, the pasture is not an adequate source of energy, and high-protein supplements do not prevent liveweight loss. High spring temperatures before the early rains did not appear to affect adversely the performance of supplemented cattle.

Evaluation of intrauterine insemination of sheep with frozen semen: effects of time of insemination and semen dose on conception rates

1991 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. F. Findlater ◽  
W. Haresign ◽  
R. M. Curnock ◽  
N. F. G. Beck
Keyword(s):  
Intrauterine Insemination ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Laparoscopic Technique ◽  
Motile Sperm ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Serum Gonadotropin

ABSTRACTThe field application of a laparoscopic technique to permit intra-uterine insemination of ewes with frozen-thawed semen was examined in two trials, conducted over successive years, to (i) determine the optimum time of insemination relative to sponge removal/pregnant mares's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injection and (ii) establish the relationship between semen dose and conception rate. Pooled semen was used in both trials, and each involved > 900 ewes in a number of commercial flocks.Maximum conception rates were achieved when insemination was conducted between 54 h and 60 h after sponge removal/ PMSG injection. However, there was no significant difference in conception rate when motile sperm numbers were reduced from 52·2 × 106to 13·0 × 106 motile sperm per uterine horn.The overall conception rates (pooled over flocks and treatment groups) were 56% and 58% for the two trials, with a wide degree of variation between flocks in both cases (45% to 79% for trial 1 and 45% to 69% for trial 2). However, there was evidence for consistent differences in conception rates between the six flocks involved in both years of the trials.

Monitoring Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Inoculated and Naturally Colonized Feedlot Cattle and Their Environment

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. STANFORD ◽  
S. J. BACH ◽  
T. H. MARX ◽  
S. JONES ◽  
J. R. HANSEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Feeding Period ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Challenge Study ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Feed Samples

On-farm methods of monitoring Escherichia coli O157:H7 were assessed in 30 experimentally inoculated steers housed in four pens over a 12-week period and in 202,878 naturally colonized feedlot cattle housed in 1,160 pens on four commercial Alberta feedlots over a 1-year period. In the challenge study, yearling steers were experimentally inoculated with 1010 CFU of a four-strain mixture of nalidixic acid–resistant E. coli O157:H7. After inoculation, shedding of E. coli O157:H7 was monitored weekly by collecting rectal fecal samples (FEC), oral swabs (ORL), pooled fecal pats (PAT), manila ropes (ROP) orally accessed for 4 h, feed samples, water, and water bowl interface. Collection of FEC from all animals per pen provided superior isolation (P < 0.01) of E. coli O157:H7 compared with other methods, although labor and animal restraint requirements for fecal sample collection were high. When one sample was collected per pen of animals, E. coli O157:H7 was more likely to be detected from the ROP than from the FEC, PAT, or ORL (P < 0.001). In the commercial feedlot study, samples were limited to ROP and PAT, and E. coli O157:H7 was isolated in 18.8% of PAT and 6.8% of ROP samples. However, for animals that had been resident in the feedlot pen for at least 1 month, isolation of E. coli O157:H7 from ROP was not different from that from PAT (P = 0.35). Pens of animals on feed for <30 days were six times more likely to shed E. coli O157:H7 than were animals on feed for >30 days. However, change in diet did not affect shedding of the organism (P > 0.23) provided that animals had acclimated to the feedlot for 1 month or longer. Findings from this study indicate the importance of introduction of mitigation strategies early in the feeding period to reduce transference and the degree to which E. coli O157:H7 is shed into the environment.

scholarly journals The economics of phosphorus supplementation of beef cattle grazing northern Australian rangelands

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 683
Author(s):  
M. K. Bowen ◽  
F. Chudleigh ◽  
R. M. Dixon ◽  
M. T. Sullivan ◽  
T. Schatz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Cattle Herd ◽  
Annual Business ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
P Deficiency ◽  
Business Profit ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Land Types

Context Phosphorus (P) deficiency occurs in beef cattle grazing many rangeland regions with low-P soils, including in northern Australia, and may severely reduce cattle productivity in terms of growth, reproductive efficiency and mortality. However, adoption of effective P supplementation by cattle producers in northern Australia is low. This is likely to be due to lack of information and understanding of the profitability of P supplementation where cattle are P-deficient. Aims The profitability of P supplementation was evaluated for two dissimilar regions of northern Australia, namely (1) the Katherine region of the Northern Territory, and (2) the Fitzroy Natural Resource Management (NRM) region of central Queensland. Methods Property-level, regionally relevant herd models were used to determine whole-of-business productivity and profitability over 30 years. The estimated costs and benefits of P supplementation were obtained from collation of experimental data and expert opinion of persons with extensive experience of the industry. The economic consequences of P supplementation at the property level were assessed by comparison of base production without P supplementation with the expected production of P-supplemented herds, and included the implementation phase and changes over time in herd structure. In the Katherine region, it was assumed that the entire cattle herd (breeders and growing cattle) grazed acutely P-deficient land types and the consequences of (1) no P supplementation, or P supplementation during (2) the dry season, or (3) both the wet and dry seasons (i.e. 3 scenarios) were evaluated. In the Fitzroy NRM region, it was assumed that only the breeders grazed P-deficient land types with three categories of P deficiency (marginal, deficient and acutely deficient), each with either (1) no P supplementation, or P supplementation during (2) the wet season, (3) the dry season, or (4) both the wet and dry seasons (i.e. 12 scenarios). Key results In the Katherine region, year-round P supplementation of the entire cattle herd (7400 adult equivalents) grazing acutely P-deficient pasture resulted in a large increase in annual business profit (+AU$500000). Supplementing with P (and N) only in the dry season increased annual business profit by +AU$200000. In the Fitzroy NRM region, P supplementation during any season of the breeder herd grazing deficient or acutely P-deficient pastures increased profit by +AU$2400–AU$45000/annum (total cattle herd 1500 adult equivalents). Importantly, P supplementation during the wet season-only resulted in the greatest increases in profit within each category of P deficiency, comprising +AU$5600, AU$6300 and AU$45000 additional profit per annum for marginal, deficient and acutely P-deficient herds respectively. Conclusions The large economic benefits of P supplementation for northern beef enterprises estimated in the present study substantiate the current industry recommendation that effective P supplementation is highly profitable when cattle are grazing P-deficient land types. Implications The contradiction of large economic benefits of P supplementation and the generally low adoption rates by the cattle industry in northern Australia suggests a need for targeted research and extension to identify the specific constraints to adoption, including potential high initial capital costs.

limited data for the greater Townsville area (Kay et al.1996). Based on the prevalence of key vector species and their abundance and that of the viruses recovered, it was concluded that Big Bay, originally recommended as a prime site for recreational development by the Department of Local Government in 1985, actually presented lower risk than any other locality. Antill Creek also proved relatively safe in terms of mosquito-borne infections, whereas Toonpan during the wet season was a place to be avoided. Both Ross River and the environs of Townsville offered intermediate risk, the latter due to large numbers of saltmarsh mosquitoes breeding in intertidal wetlands. 9.5 Snails and swimmer’s itch Schistosome dermatitis, known as swimmer’s itch, is a common global problem for users of recreational swimming areas in water resource developments. The rash is caused by free living larvae called cercariae (Figure 9.4) of parasitic flukes which burrow into exposed parts of the body. Normally the life-cycle involves water birds such as ducks and pulmonate snails, so infection of humans is accidental. A large number of cercariae may penetrate the skin where they die but cause a localized allergic reaction in sensitized persons. In northern Australia, swimmer’s itch (Trichobilharzia) has been traditionally associated with Austropeplea (= Lymnaea) lessoni (= vinosa) although two planorbid snails, Amerianna carinata and Gyraulus stabilis, have also been identified as intermediate hosts in Lake Moondarra near Mt Isa, Queensland. Our recent data implicates Gyraulus gilberti at the Ross River dam. Snails are also commonly infected with other trematode cercariae, mainly echinostomes, strigeids/diplostomids and clinostomids.

1998 ◽  
pp. 148-148
Keyword(s):  
Lower Risk ◽  
The Body ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Swimmer’S Itch ◽  
Intertidal Wetlands ◽  
Water Birds ◽  
Swimmer's Itch

Effect of irrigation on leaf gas exchange and yield of cashew in northern Australia

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 861 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Schaper ◽  
EK Chacko ◽  
SJ Blaikie
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Chlorophyll Content ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Leaf Gas Exchange ◽  
Water Status ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Leaf Water Status ◽  
Continuous Irrigation ◽  
Tropical Regions

Gas exchange, leaf water status, soil water use and nut yield of cashew trees were monitored during the reproductive phase in 2 consecutive years (1988 and 1989). Treatment 1 comprised continuous irrigation from the end of the wet season in April until harvest in October; T2, irrigation between flowering (mid June) and harvest; and T3, no irrigation. Irrigation was applied by under-tree sprinkler at 43 mm/week in 1988 and 64 mm/week in 1989. Measurement of leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll content and nut production showed that trees in T2 were as productive as those in T1 (>1.3 kg kernel/tree). In T3, water deficit caused a 4-fold reduction in leaf photosynthesis and reduced leaf chlorophyll content from about 600 to 400 mg/m2 during fruit development. There was no effect on the number of hermaphrodite flowers produced (both ranging from 0 to 15 hermaphrodite flowers/panicle) but the water deficit was associated with a lower kernel yield (1.16 kg kernel/tree). Commercial yields (kg kernel/tree) in irrigated treatments were 20% greater than in the non-irrigated treatment and the kernels from irrigated trees were of a higher grade (kernel recovery >32% in T1 and T2 compared with 27.4% in T3). These results suggest that irrigation of established cashew plantations in the tropical regions of northern Australia can be restricted to the period between flowering and harvest without reducing yield.

Prediction of conception rate in extensive beef herds in north-western Australia. 2. Continuous mating and minimal management

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
PK O'Rourke ◽  
VJ Doogan ◽  
DJ Robertson ◽  
D Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Beef Herds ◽  
Survival Risk

Data from a continuously mated, unweaned and unsupplemented herd of 400 Bos indicus cross cows at 'Kidman Springs', from 1981-85, were used to develop statistical models for conception rate and pattern. At the annual muster in June, an average of 49% of cows were rearing a calf; 15% of these and 75% of those not rearing a calf were pregnant; and 54% conceived within the next 12 months. Cows non-pregnant in June had higher conception rates than pregnant ones (75 v. 33%), and among pregnant cows, those which had reared a calf had higher conception rates than those which had not (40 v. 26%). Cows that had not reared a calf were much heavier and in better condition in June than those that had, while pregnant cows were slightly heavier and better conditioned than non-pregnant ones. The effect of liveweight or condition score in June on subsequent conception rate was consistent across years, reproductive classes and cow ages. Conception rates responded linearly to increases in liveweight, in the range 250-400 kg, by 11 percentage points up to October and by 24 points up to June. Similar linear responses to condition score in the range poor-good condition were 8 points by October and 15 points by June. Reproductive wastage was high, with 20% of cows diagnosed pregnant in June failing to rear their calf to branding. Low-cost management options to improve reproductive efficiency should be aimed at reducing nutritional stress and improving seasonal nutrition. To improve on the norm of a calf every second year in this environment, the class of cows not rearing a calf but pregnant and expected to calve by December has the greatest potential to conceive in consecutive years and should be segregated for preferential management. Conversely, aged cows not rearing a calf have comparatively low fertility and non-pregnant younger cows not rearing a calf are likely to be a survival risk following an out-ofseason conception. Both groups should be culled.

The effects of different cultivars of subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.) on sheep reproduction in the South-west of Western Australia

1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
HL Davies ◽  
RC Rossiter ◽  
R Maller
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Uterine Prolapse ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
The South ◽  
Progressive Decline ◽  
South West ◽  
Conception Rates

The cultivars Dwalganup, Geraldton, Yarloop, Woogenellup, and Mt. Barker were each grazed continuously by Merino and Merino x Border Leicester ewes from April 1963 to November 1967. There was a progressive decline in the proportion of Merino ewes conceiving on the three high oestrogen cultivars Dwalganup, Geraldton, and Yarloop; crossbred ewes showed a decline on Dwalganup and Yarloop. For neither breed of sheep was the decline in conception rate significant on the two low oestrogen cultivars Woogenellup and Mt. Barker. The incidence of uterine prolapse was higher on the high oestrogen cultivars. The percentage lambs marked in 1967 was only 50% for the high oestrogen cultivars (excluding the crossbred ewes on Geraldton), compared with 93% for the low group. Conception rates were significantly related to the concentration of the isoflavone formononetin in the clover leaves.

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