Two-step weaning in beef calves: permanence of nose flaps for 7 or 21 days does not influence the behaviour response

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 866 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Alvez ◽  
G. Quintans ◽  
M. J. Hötzel ◽  
R. Ungerfeld
Keyword(s):  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Cow Calf

Two-step weaning with nose flaps is used to minimise the stress of weaning in beef calves. Farmers leave the nose flaps for 7–30 days, basing the period on practical considerations. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the behavioural response of 6-month-old beef calves fitted with nose flaps during 7 or 21 days before permanent separation from the dam, or abruptly weaned. Angus × Hereford cow-calf pairs were assigned to: (1) calves fitted with nose flaps on Day –7 and permanently separated from their mothers on Day 0 (NF7), (2) calves fitted with nose flaps on Day –21 and permanently separated from their mothers on Day 0 (NF21), and (3) calves abruptly weaned on Day 0 (CON). Behaviours (standing, lying, walking pacing, grazing, ruminating and vocalisations) were recorded during 3 days before and 5 days after permanent separation from the dam. On Days 1–3, standing and grazing behaviours decreased, whereas walking, pacing and vocalising increased in CON calves but not in NF7 or NF21 calves. Control calves differed from NF7 and NF21 calves for all these behaviours. The two nose flap treatments differed only on Day 1, when the changes in the frequency of walking, lying and standing were smaller in NF7 than NF21 calves. In conclusion, nose flaps can be used for periods from 7 to 21 days before permanent separation from the dam, diminishing the behavioural indicators of distress provoked by weaning.

Case-control study to determine herd-level risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in nursing beef calves on cow-calf operations

2018 ◽  
Vol 252 (8) ◽  
pp. 989-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia R. Woolums ◽  
Roy D. Berghaus ◽  
David R. Smith ◽  
Russell F. Daly ◽  
Gerald L. Stokka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Bovine Respiratory Disease ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Herd Level ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Control Study

scholarly journals Prevalence and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in weaned beef calves on cow-calf operations in the USA

2011 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 2033-2041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Santín ◽  
David Dargatz ◽  
Ronald Fayer
Keyword(s):  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Cow Calf

THE GROWTH AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF PRECONDITIONED CALVES AND THEIR DAMS ON THE FARM AND OF CALVES IN THE FEEDLOT

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. KARREN ◽  
J. A. BASARAB ◽  
T. L. CHURCH
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Treatment Rate ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Health Performance ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
The Cost ◽  
On Farm

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of preconditioning beef calves. In 1982, each of two producers allocated 100 cow-calf pairs to the study while in 1983, 130 cow-calf pairs were included on Farm 1 and 151 on Farm 2. In 1982, approximately even numbers of cow-calf pairs were randomly assigned to either a preconditioning (PC) or a regular (RG) program. These same groups were maintained in 1983. The length of the period from early weaning to shipment (preconditioning period) was 30 d (PC30) in 1982 and either 30 or 42 d (PC42) in 1983. At the end of the preconditioning period, calves from both farms were shipped to the same feedlot for 68- and 95-d tests in 1982 and 1983, respectively. PC calves gained faster than RG calves during the preconditioning period in five of the six farms by year by treatment situations. Preconditioning calves for 42 d rather than 30 d had no effect on either preconditioning gain or farm to feedlot weight loss. The cost of preconditioning ranged from $29.65 to $38.77 head−1 for PC30 calves and from $41.95 to $49.08 head−1 for PC42 calves. The price differential required by the cow-calf producer to break-even on PC calves ranged from + 5.0C kg−1 for PC30 calves to + 11.0C kg−1 for PC42 calves. Weaning treatment had no effect on either pregnancy rate the following year or on calving interval. In 1982 RG calves gained 0.13 kg d− more in the feedlot than PC30 calves. In 1983 PC30, PC42 and RG calves gained similarly. Treatment for illness of PC30 calves during the feedlot phase was 13.7% lower than RG calves in 1982. In 1983, treatment rate was reduced 42.0% for PC30 calves and 60.6% for PC42 calves. Preconditioning for 42 d rather than 30 d had no effect on feedlot growth or health performance. Cost of gain was 5.0C kg−1 less for PC calves than for RG calves in both 1982 and 1983. Key words: Calves (beef), weaning (early), preconditioning, farm, feedlot

scholarly journals Effect of Lignocaine and a Topical Vapocoolant Spray on Pain Response during Surgical Castration of Beef Calves

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Dominique Van der Saag ◽  
Sabrina Lomax ◽  
Peter Andrew Windsor ◽  
Evelyn Hall ◽  
Peter John White
Keyword(s):  
Spermatic Cord ◽  
Pain Reduction ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Pain Response ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Ocular Temperature

This study assessed the efficacy of pre-operative injected lignocaine and peri-operative topical vapocoolant spray, administered as most practical for incorporation into routine calf castration procedures. Calves were randomly allocated to: (1) sham castration (SHAM); (2) surgical castration (CAST); (3) surgical castration with lignocaine (LIG); and (4) surgical castration with vapocoolant spray (VAPO). Calf behavioural responses were scored at different stages of the sham castration or castration procedure. Maximum ocular temperatures were measured at three time-points relative to restraint and treatment. There were significant effects of treatment (p < 0.001) and stage of procedure (p < 0.001) on calf behavioural response. SHAM calves were more likely to display less severe responses compared to all other calves and LIG calves were more likely to display less severe responses compared to VAPO calves. Calves were more likely to display more severe responses to extrusion of the first spermatic cord compared to all other stages of castration, and to extrusion of the second spermatic cord compared to severing of the second spermatic cord. There was a significant effect of time (p < 0.001) on ocular temperature, with ocular temperature being greater following sham castration or castration. In this study, there was no evidence of pain reduction during castration of calves by either lignocaine or vapocoolant spray.

scholarly journals Effects of varying sources of Cu, Zn, and Mn on mineral status and preferential intake of salt-based supplements by beef cows and calves and rainfall-induced metal loss

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D Arthington ◽  
Maria L Silveira ◽  
Luana S Caramalac ◽  
Henrique J Fernandes ◽  
Jeff S Heldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cows ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Metal Loss ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Mineral Status ◽  
Mineral Supplements ◽  
Water Ph ◽  
Liver Biopsies ◽  
Cow Calf

Abstract Three studies were completed to evaluate the effects of Cu, Zn, and Mn source on preferential intake, trace mineral status and rainfall-induced metal loss of salt-based mineral supplements. Mineral supplements were formulated to contain 2,500, 5,500, and 4,000 mg/kg of Cu, Zn, and Mn, respectively. Supplements differed only by source of Cu, Zn, and Mn, which were hydroxychloride, organic, or sulfate sources. In Exp. 1, the 3 formulations were offered simultaneously for 18 wk to pre-weaned beef calves (4 pastures; 17 calves/pasture) within separate containers inside covered cow-exclusion areas. Consumption averaged 21 ± 2.4 g/calf daily (sum of all 3 sources), with a greater (P &lt; 0.001) percentage of the total intake coming from the hydroxychloride- vs. organic- or sulfate-sources of Cu, Zn, and Mn. In Exp. 2, the same sulfate and hydroxychloride formulations were randomly assigned to pastures (n = 4 pastures/treatment) containing 18 to 20 cow-calf pairs/pasture. Treatments were offered for 20 wk within covered areas designed to assess cow and calf intake separately. At weaning, liver biopsies were collected from 4 cow-calf pairs/pasture (n = 16 cows and calves/treatment). Source of Cu, Zn, and Mn had no effect on voluntary mineral intake among calves (P = 0.44) and cows (P = 0.14). Calves consuming mineral containing hydroxychloride-sources of Cu, Zn, and Mn tended (P = 0.06) to have greater ADG over the 20-wk period compared to calves consuming sulfate-sources of the same elements (1.09 vs. 1.06 kg/d; SEM = 0.013). Mineral status of cows and calves was not affected (P ≥ 0.17) by source of Cu, Zn, and Mn. In Exp. 3, each of the mineral formulations from Exp. 1, were exposed to a 10.2 cm precipitation event delivered in three equal 3.4 cm applications within a week. To accomplish this, 750 g of mineral was placed into Buchner funnels (177 cm 2) on 20 to 25 µm pore filter paper. Deionized water (pH adjusted to 5.6) was poured over the mineral. Total leaching losses of Cu, Zn, and Mn were less (P &lt; 0.001) for formulations containing hydroxychloride- vs. organic- and sulfate-sources. These results imply that, when offered a choice, calves preferentially consume mineral supplements formulated with hydroxychloride vs. sulfate or organic sources of Cu, Zn, and Mn. In addition, hydroxychloride sources of Cu, Zn, and Mn are less susceptible to rainfall-induced leaching losses compared to sulfate and organic sources.

scholarly journals 144 Monensin effects on beef calves receiving limited creep-feeding supplementation

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 39-39
Author(s):  
Rhaiza Alves de Oliveira ◽  
João Vendramini ◽  
Philipe Moriel ◽  
John Arthington ◽  
Miguel Miranda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Creep Feeding ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Limited Creep

Abstract Monensin is a feed additive used to increase performance of beef cattle; however, the effects on cattle grazing warm-season perennial forages with limited levels of concentrate are inconsistent. The objective of this study was to test the effects of monensin on performance of beef calves receiving limited creep-feeding supplementation. The experiment was conducted in Ona, FL, from April to August (112 d) 2018. The creep-feeding supplementation level was 400 g of soybean meal/d. Calves were supplemented 3 days per week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, thus the daily supplementation level was multiplied by 7 d and divided by 3 feeding days. Treatments were monensin (20 g/kg of the expected DMI) or control (no monensin), distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Twenty four cow-calf pairs (415±29 and 162±35 kg, respectively) were randomly distributed in eight limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) pastures (experimental units; 1.0 ha/pasture; 3 cow-calf pairs/pasture). Pastures were grazed with a continuous and fixed stocking rate. There was no difference in herbage mass (mean = 2,250 kg/ha, P =0.52, SE = 120) and herbage allowance (HA, mean = 1.2 kg DM/kg LW, P = 0.52, SE = 0.04) between treatments. In addition, there was no effect of monensin on calf average daily gain (mean = 0.77 kg/d, P = 0.27, SE = 0.04), cow body condition score (BCS, mean = 5.1, P = 0.15, SE = 0.15), and calf coccidia infestation (mean = 0.18 log egg count, P = 0.98, SE = 0.08). Calves receiving monensin consumed a lesser (P < 0.01) proportion of the supplement than control in the first 13 h after supplementation (76 vs. 95%). Monensin was not effective to increase performance of beef calves receiving limited creep-feeding supplementation.

Behavioural responses of 6-month-old beef calves prevented from suckling: influence of dam's milk yield

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 909 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Hötzel ◽  
R. Ungerfeld ◽  
G. Quintans
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Instantaneous Sampling ◽  
High Yields

The objective of the present experiment was to compare the behavioural response of calves reared by cows of different milk yields to the prevention of suckling with the aid of nose-flaps that allowed the maintenance of social contact with the dam. Twenty Hereford or Hereford × Angus crossbred primiparous cows from a single herd remained with their calves suckling until the beginning of the experiment, in late summer–early autumn. Milk production was determined monthly during the lactation period and the pairs were selected according to the cows’ milk production, for higher or lower milk yield (HMY and LMY, respectively). On Day 0, suckling was prevented by placing a nose-flap anti-suckling device on each calf for 11 days. Calf behaviour was recorded from Day –3 to Day 5, using instantaneous sampling of individual animals in each group, and the calves were weighed monthly since birth, and on Days –8 and 11. Bodyweight profiles for HMY and LMY calves were similar until Day –8; from then on, up to Day 11, HMY calves lost weigh, whereas LMY calves gained weight. Suckling frequency before nose-flaps were fitted was similar for HMY and LMY calves. There was no relationship between the cow’s milk yield and the changes observed in behaviour. Apart from playing, all behaviours were affected by prevention of suckling. The distance between the calves and the dam, and the frequency of grazing and rumination, decreased after nose-flaps were placed, whereas vocalisations, suckling attempts, walking and standing increased. In conclusion, the behavioural responses to prevention of suckling did not differ between the 6-month-old calves reared by cows with high yields and those with low milk yields. The behavioural response of calves that were prevented from suckling but were kept with the dams indicates that the cessation of suckling contributes to the weaning distress of 6-month-old beef calves.

Additional nutritional considerations for preconditioning beef calves.

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipe Moriel
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Supplemental Feed ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Protein Supply ◽  
Daily Gain

Calves can be preconditioned using a wide variety of supplemental feed ingredients. However, feed ingredient selection is not the only factor to consider during a preconditioning process. Increasing the protein supply to stressed, preconditioning beef steers led to greater growth performance, and increased immune response to vaccination during a 42-day preconditioning period. Producers should not reduce the frequency of concentrate supplementation during the entire preconditioning period as it might lead to poorer vaccine response and average daily gain (consequently, less calf value at sale). However, a gradual reduction of frequency of supplementation is a supplementation strategy that can overcome these negative effects on growth and immunity, and allows producers to save on feeding and labor costs without producing lighter calves that have weaker immune responses.  

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