Effects of weaning and supplementation on performance of Brahman cross cows and their progeny

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Holroyd ◽  
GWJ Mason ◽  
ID Loxton ◽  
PT Knights ◽  
PK O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Monoammonium Phosphate ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Native Pastures

In a 3-year study in the dry tropics, 2 management practices of dry season supplementation of cows and early weaning of calves were concurrently examined as possible techniques for improving reproductive, liveweight and survival performance of Brahman cross cows (phenotypically 1/2 - 3/4 Bos indicus) grazing native pastures. Cows were either supplemented with a drylick mixture of salt, urea and sulfur (DL) commencing in July for 4-6 months; supplemented with a crisis mixture of salt, urea, grain, molasses, meatmeal and monoammonium phosphate (CM) in the latter part of the dry season; or were not supplemented (C). Mating commenced in January, and calves were either early weaned (EW) at the end of mating in April (mean age of 5 months) or late weaned (LW) in July (mean age of 8 months). Supplements and weaning treatments had little effect on cow liveweight, except between early weaning and late weaning when EW cows gained more or lost less weight (mean advantage of 30.8 kg) than LW cows and were heavier (mean advantage of 44.8 kg) than LW cows at late weaning time. Across all years, 1.4, 2.1 and 4.2% of cows in DL, CM and C groups respectively died from malnutrition or required survival feeding; whereas, in the second and third years, mortality rates due to malnutrition were 0.7 and 2.1% in EW and LW groups respectively. Neither supplement nor weaning treatments had any significant effect on lactating cow pregnancy rates, although data pooled across treatments showed that liveweights at various stages pre-mating were correlated with pregnancy rate. Supplementation or weaning treatments did not influence calving date or birth weight, but LW calves grew significantly faster (mean advantage of 0.52 kg/day) between early weaning and late weaning and were significantly heavier (mean advantage of 57.4 kg) at late weaning than EW calves.

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.

Lamb mortality in a flock of East African Blackheaded sheep

1966 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. M. Trail ◽  
G. D. Sacker
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
East African ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Overall Mortality

1. The effects of birth weight, sex, twinning, parity of dam and dry season on mortality rates of lambs were studied between birth and weaning at 20 weeks in a flock of East African Blackheaded sheep.2. The mean birth weights of non-surviving lambs were lower than those of surviving lambs. Singles from gimmers and twins from ewes were 0.5 and 1.0 lb., respectively, lighter at birth, and had higher mortality rates than singles from ewes. The overall mortality rate of singles from ewes was 16%, singles from gimmers 20% and twins from ewes 28%. Male and female lambs born alive had similar mortality rates (18%).

Comparative drought resistance of Bos indicus and Bos taurus crossbred herds in central Queensland. 2. Relative mortality rates, calf birth weights, and weights and weight changes of breeding cows

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (61) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
JE Frisch
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Method Of Least Squares ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mature Weight

The mortality rates, weight changes and associated effects of a. draught in 1969 were observed in a herd of Shorthorn x Hereford (SH), Brahman x SH (BX) and Africander x SH (AX) crossbred cows and small herds of purebred Brahman and Africander cows at 'Belmont', Queensland. About half of the cows calved over a two month period from mid-October 1969. All the cows were weighed in February 1968, February and October 1969 and in January 1970 and the data from the crossbreds analysed by the method of least squares. The weights and weight changes of both the calving and non-calving groups followed a similar pattern though the weight changes of the non-calving group were of greater magnitude. The weights showed that the three crossbreds reached the same mature weight but at different rates. The SH cows reached mature weight least rapidly, had the highest mean weight loss during the drought and had the lowest mean gains after the season broke. Weight changes both during and after the drought were however dependent on lactational status in February 1969. The mean weight loss of cows that weaned a calf in 1969 (wet) was similar for all breeds. However, the mean loss of the dry SH cows was significantly greater than that of the dry BX and AX cows. Previously wet cows exhibited compensatory gains after calving but the gain of the wet SH cows was the lowest of the crossbred means. The mean birth weight of the SH calves was reduced below the long term mean by about 4 kg but birthweights of BX and AX calves were similar to those in other years. During the drought the purebred Brahmans lost the least and the purebred Africanders lost the most weight of all breeds. However, the nature of the data precludes any strict comparisons from being drawn. Mortality rates of breeding cows were recorded from 1960 to 1969. Rates were generally highest for the SH, particularly in the drought years of 1965 and 1969. Some reasons are advanced which may explain the differences in performance of the breed types.

Management practices and constraints of beef cattle productionin communal areas of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
SH Molefi ◽  
CA Mbajiorgu ◽  
MA Antwi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
Communal Areas

A survey study was conducted to determine the management practices and constraints faced by beef cattle producers in 200 households in communal areas of Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality in Mpumalanga province. In this context, the results indicated that while 91.5% of farmers practiced continuous breeding in heifers at younger than two years of age, a higher number approximately 68.5% of farmers relied upon neighbours for breeding bulls. Also, calving percentage was between 50% and 70% as reported by 43.5% of farmers whereas 54.5% of farmers reported 50% to 60% weaning percentage. However, 77.5% of the farmers weaned their calves at five to seven months. 100% of farmers freely grazed their beef cattle on the mountainside and over 93.5% of farmers used veld as a source of feed with 82% of farmers supplementing their beef cattle depending on the season. Overall, the main constraints reported by the respondents were disease (26%) and malnutrition (18%) during dry season. In conclusion, the study finds that regular and proper medication in addition to supplementing feeds can assist by reducing mortality rates and enhancing productivity.

Comparative mortality rates of Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle in central Queensland

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (61) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
JE Frisch
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Annual Mortality ◽  
Zebu Breed ◽  
Zebu Cows

A study was made over several years of lifetime mortality rates of both purebred Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds and of several generations of crosses between the breeds. Of 4,678 calves born during the period, 4.7 per cent died at or within one week of birth. A further 2.3 per cent of those remaining died before weaning and a further 1.1 per cent died from weaning to 15 months. Sixteen of 22 calves born as twins were perinatal mortalities. Perinatal losses were highest in purebred Zebus (Africander and Brahman) and in first generation Brahman crossbred (BX) calves. Africander crossbreds (AX) generally had the lowest mortality rates of all crossbreds at each stage of the life cycle. Perinatal mortalities were however high in both F1 AX and F1 BX calves born to primiparous purebred British (Hereford and Shorthorn) heifers. Over all crossbred generations, perinatal mortalities were highest in calves from 3-year-old heifers and decreased with age of dam. More males (4.7 per cent) than females (2.9 per cent) died at or near birth. Mortalities in F1 BX males (10.3 per cent) were the highest of all groups. Relatively high or low birth weight was associated with high perinatal mortalities in the crossbreeds. Losses of stock after weaning were generally higher in the British breed-types than in the Zebu breed-types with the greatest differences in adult mortality rates. Annual mortality rates of breeding cows of each breed were studied over a similar period. 9,537 cow years were involved in the study. Mortality rates of both purebred and crossbred British cows were higher than for purebred and crossbred Zebu cows. One contributing cause was the difference in numbers of cows of each breed that died while calving. In all, 1.4 per cent of British crossbred calvings resulted in the death of the cow compared with 0.6 and 0.3 per cent for comparable AX and BX cows. Losses were negligible in purebred Zebus. Mortality rates in adults generally increased slowly with age and were highest in 8 - 10-year-old cows.

Factors affecting mature size and dry-season weight loss in Bos indicus cross cows in northern Queensland

1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Fordyce ◽  
S Saithanoo ◽  
ME Goddard
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Adult Height ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Weight Growth ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Mature Size

Mature size and dry season weight loss affect the feed requirements, mortality rate and fertility of cows in the dry tropics. The aim of the work reported here was to study the effects of genotype and selection for growth rate on these parameters. The data consisted of: growth rate to 18 months; weight, height and condition score of cows over 5 years old; the change in these parameters during the dry season; and the past fertility of these cows. The cows were + or + bred Brahman of Sahiwal crosses. The Brahman crosses had the same growth rate but a higher mature weight than the Sahiwal crosses. The +-breds lost less weight during the dry season than the +-breds, implying a lower maintenance requirement. Growth rate to 18 monthswas correlated with adult height (r = 0.54) and weight (r = 0.58-0.68). Growth rate was correlated with dry season weight loss (r = 0.36), but only because weight loss was correlated with weight at the start of the dry season. After correcting for this starting weight, growth rate was not correlated with weight loss, and in fact growth rate was positively correlated with condition score late in the dry season (r = 0.17). Adult height was weekly correlated with dry season weight loss (r = 0.13). Past fertility was correlated with current fertility and with ability to maintain condition during the dry season.

The relationships between liveweight, growth from weaning to mating and conception rate of Bos indicus cross heifers in the dry tropics of north Queensland

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
VJ Doogan ◽  
G Fordyce ◽  
RK Shepherd ◽  
TA James ◽  
RG Holroyd
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Cohort Effect ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Conception Rates

Factors influencing the conception rates of 1332 Bos indicus cross maiden heifers in the dry tropics of North Queensland were studied between 1973 and 1986. The heifers, which were 112 and 314 Bos indicus (Brahman or Sahiwal) crosses with Bos taurus, were mated at 24-27 months of age over a 3-month period commencing in mid to late January. The effects of liveweights and growth rates on conception rate were initially assessed in separate models which always included cohort (year of branding group) as an additional factor. Cohort and liveweight at weaning, 18 months of age or the start of mating significantly (P<0.05) affected conception rate in maiden heifers. Response to liveweight was curvilinear, being marked for liveweights up to 125-150 kg at weaning, 200-225 kg at 18 months of age and 225-250 kg at the start of mating, with reduced response for greater liveweights. Liveweights of about 270 kg were indicated as targets at the start of mating in a typical year to achieve an 80% conception rate. Average daily gains during the post-weaning dry season and the dry season prior to mating did not influence conception rates after adjusting for cohort. Further analyses using models incorporating both liveweight and growth rate with and without the cohort effect gave indications that the significant cohort effect on conception rate was partly related to post-weaning dry season growth rate. F2 et seq. maiden heifers with low liveweights at either 18 months of age or mating had appreciably higher conception rates if they had gained weight in the post-weaning dry season, rather than losing weight.

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.

A comparison of once- and twice-yearly weaning of an extensive herd in northern Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Sullivan ◽  
P. K. O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Reproductive Rates ◽  
Poor Nutrition

Summary. In northern Australia, many cows conceive only after their calves are weaned. The subsequent calves are born in the late wet or early dry season. Where producers wean once a year these late calves stay with the cows with resultant increased risk of cow mortality. A second weaning may reduce this risk. From June 1985 to June 1990 we recorded cow liveweights, mortalities and reproductive rates from a herd of 500 Bos indicus-Bos taurus-cross cows at Kidman Springs, Northern Territory. The herd grazed native pastures, and was continuously mated and unsupplemented. Calves were weaned if they weighed 100 kg or more at muster in June (W1) or in either of June and October (W2). In both groups (W1 and W2), 75% of calves were weaned at the June muster, and a further 14% were weaned at the October muster (W2 group). There was no difference in liveweight change, mortality or branding rates between the 2 groups. Overall productivity was low, probably due to poor nutrition during both dry and wet seasons. For example, average branding and mortality rates were 51.8 and 11.8%. Forty-seven percent of all cows were pregnant at the June muster but a quarter of these failed to rear a calf. The low proportion of calves suitable for weaning in October indicated that the weaning times were too close together, and did not allow enough late calves to reach the target liveweight for weaning. Consequently, the benefit of the second weaning was reduced. Weaning times for continuously mated herds should be determined by the time taken for calves born late in the wet season to reach target liveweights for weaning at the second weaning round. Effectively, this means the first weaning should be earlier, perhaps in April, since high temperatures and the increased likelihood of rain make mustering after October difficult.

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