PSI-19 Influence of cattle breed and forage type on organic dairy heifer performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 279-280
Author(s):  
Sawyer Fonnesbeck ◽  
Kara J Thornton ◽  
Blair Waldron ◽  
Rusty Stott ◽  
Alexis Sweat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Cattle Breed ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Fecal Egg Count ◽  
Grazing System

Abstract Many breeds of dairy cattle exist, but questions remain about their relative performance within exclusively forage-based systems in the United States. This paucity of data is especially apparent in relation to heifer development, which is the second largest expense on most dairy farms. We evaluated the performance of prepubertal heifers from four different genetic backgrounds (“breeds”) within a rotational grazing system in the Intermountain West. For each of two 105-day grazing seasons, 24 dairy heifers from each of four different breeds [Holstein (HO), Jersey (JE), Holstein/Jersey crossbred (HJ), and Swedish Red/Holstein/Montbeliarde crossbred (SHM)] were randomly assigned to one of two pasture treatments that consisted of either grass only (MONO) or grass interseeded with the legume birdsfoot trefoil (BFT; MIX). Main effects of treatment and breed (and potential interactions) on heifer average daily gain (ADG), change in percent mature body weight (CPMBW), fecal egg count (FEC), rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA), and body condition scores (BCS) were evaluated. There was a significant effect of pasture treatment on ADG, with MIX heifers averaging 0.48 kg of gain/day, whereas MONO heifers averaged 0.29 kg/day (P < 0.0001). Change in BCS was significantly affected by treatment (P = 0.0012) and breed (P < 0.0001). Significant effects of treatment (P < 0.0001), breed (P = 0.0005), and treatment*breed (P = 0.0005) on CPMBW were also found. Treatment and breed had no effect on FEC or total rumen VFA content (P > 0.05). Overall, we found that Jerseys were able to gain a higher percentage of their mature body weight and lose less body condition while on pasture than heifers of other breeds. We also found that grazing BFT can have significant positive effects on ADG, BCS, and CPMBW. Further research is needed to more thoroughly evaluate the influence of heifer genetics (breed) on metrics of growth, health, reproductive performance, and production in pasture settings.

scholarly journals Nucleotide Supplementation to Whole Milk Has Beneficial Effects on Post-Weaning Holstein Calf Performance

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Yousef Abbaslou ◽  
Davood Zahmatkesh ◽  
Ehsan Mahjoubi ◽  
Mehdi Hossein Yazdi ◽  
Hamed Beiranvand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Whole Milk ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Fecal Score

The positive effects of nucleotide (NU) supplementation in milk replacer have been elucidated in infants and in dairy calves; however, NU addition to whole milk has not been evaluated previously. This study aimed to assess NU supplementation in the whole milk on calf growth and health. Thirty Holstein calves (body weight: 39.1 ± 1.0 kg; 3 d after birth) were randomly assigned to the following treatments: whole milk without any supplementation (NU0), whole milk + 0.5 g/d added a NU-containing supplement to whole milk (NUCS0.5), and whole milk + 1 g/d added a NU-containing supplement to whole milk (NUCS1). Calves were weaned at d 55 and stayed on study until d 75. Calves had free access to feed and water throughout the study. Dry matter intakes (DMI) were similar among treatments (p > 0.05) during the pre-weaning period; however, increasing NU resulted in a linear (p < 0.05) increase in DMI during the post weaning period (2158, 2432, and 2518 g/d for NU0, NUCS0.5, and NUCS1, respectively). Treatments did not affect body weight (BW) at the first and second month of study, but final BW linearly increased as NU was added (87.1, 90.6, and 95.4 kg for NU0, NUCS0.5, and NUCS1, respectively). Neither pre-weaning average daily gain nor post-weaning average daily gain was affected by treatments; accordingly, feed efficiency was similar among treatment groups. Days with loose fecal score were linearly decreased as NU was added to whole milk during the first month of life, while the fecal score did not differ among treatments until the end of the study. No difference was observed in the skeletal growth of calves in the current study. Therefore, it can be concluded that NU supplementation in the whole milk has some beneficial effects on calf performance in terms of final BW, post-weaning DMI, and less days with loose feces.

Effect of Yeast Type and Dose on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Growing Rabbits Fed Maize or Barley

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amr M.A. Elmasry ◽  
Luis A. Miranda ◽  
Germán Mendoza ◽  
Fernando X. Plata
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Yeast Concentration

Background: The effects of the probiotics vary with the doses and strains used for this reason, a study was conducted over 35 days to determine the effect of live yeast supplementation in the diet of growing rabbits on growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility.Methods: A total of 60 New Zealand and California rabbits (5 weeks old, average body weight 0.881±0.015 kg) were housed in 30 cages. They were fed with a control diet based on alfalfa and maize or barley grains and supplemented with Procreatin®7 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I 1077) or Biosaf® SC47 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC Sc47) at three doses, namely 0, 6.4, or 12.8 ×109 CFU per kg basal diet.Result: The higher yeast concentration had a positive effect (P less than 0.01) on final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and carcass weight (CW). However, there were no significant differences in dry matter intake. As a result of this, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased (P less than 0.01). Significant increases (P less than 0.05) in nutrient digestibility (DM, OM, NDF and ADF) were observed with both grains. The use of yeast in maize and barley-based diets of rabbits has positive effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility.

scholarly journals PSII-24 Performance, carcass and meat quality of castrated and intact Dorper lambs slaughtered at different body condition scores

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 170-171
Author(s):  
Edson Luis de A Ribeiro ◽  
Francisco Fernandes Jr ◽  
Camila Constantino ◽  
Fernando Augusto Grandis ◽  
Natália Albieri Koritiaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Body Condition Scores

Abstract This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the performance, carcass and meat characteristics of castrated and intact Dorper male lambs slaughtered at three different body condition scores. Thirty-five lambs, approximately 3 months old, 21.6 ± 4.0 kg of body weight and 3.1 ± 0.5 of body condition score (BCS), were used. The BCS scale used varied from 1.0 (very thin) to 5.0 (very fat). Four weeks prior to the experiment, 17 lambs were castrated. Lambs were further divided into three groups, according to the criteria for slaughter: BCS of 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5. All animals received the same diet. BCS were achieved after 27, 84 and 130 days in feedlot, respectively. There were no interactions (P > 0.05) between sexual conditions and slaughter criteria. Average daily gain of weight (ADG) was different (P < 0.05) for the three BCS (average of 0.263). However, final body weight (28.6 ± 1.7; 42.7 ± 1.8 and 56.8 ± 1.7 kg) and back fat thickness (0.5 ± 0.5; 4.2 ± 0.5 and 7.3 ± 0.5 mm) were different (P < 0.05) among BCS criteria, panelists found that meats from lambs slaughtered with greater fat content were less (P < 0.05) desirable. We can conclude by the performance and meat results that it is better to slaughter Dorper lambs with BCS with no more than 4.0, or 4.2 mm of back fat cover, and for the best acceptability of the meat the lambs should be castrated.

scholarly journals Productive performance of Nellore steers on rotational grazing on Marandu grass and Convert HD 364 grass

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1627
Author(s):  
André Felipe Borges Krinchev ◽  
Valter Harry Bumbieris Junior ◽  
José Renato Silva Gonçalves ◽  
Laísse Garcia Lima ◽  
Ana Maria Bridi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat Thickness ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Daily Gain

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Brachiaria spp. Cv. Mulato II (Convert) on performance, meat quality and carcass characteristics of castrated Nellore steers in the growing and finishing phases, in rotational grazing system, compared to Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, under the same conditions. The experimental area was divided into two treatments: Marandu and Convert with 20 hectares each, splited in four replications per treatment, composed of five paddocks of one hectare each. Animals were managed based on the availability of leaf blade dry matter (6.19% body weight) in rotational grazing with 7 days of occupation and 28 days of rest. Ten animals were used in each replicate (testers), as well as regulatory animals whenever necessary. Animals were managed based on the availability of leaf blade dry matter (6.19% body weight) in rotational grazing with 7 days of occupation and 28 days of rest. Ten animals were used in each replicate (testers), as well as regulatory animals whenever necessary. For performance analysis, 10 animals of each replicate were used, while for carcass and meat analyses, only six of each replicate. Production and chemial characteristics of the two grasses were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments and four replicates; data were tested by analysis of variance using the R software. Animals fed on Convert grass were superior than those fed on Marandu grass, with higher average daily gain (0.682 kg vs. 0.605 kg), slaughter weight (470.45 kg vs. 451.43 kg), hot carcass weight (239.93 kg vs. 232.36 kg). The study also showed the possibility of finishing castrated young steers (up to 30 months) and with subcutaneous fat thickness required by industry (3 mm) in both pastures.

Effects of dietary silicate levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microflora, odorous gas emissions, blood characteristics, and foot and mouth disease antibodies in weaning to finishing pigs

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 640-649
Author(s):  
Ji Hwan Lee ◽  
Won Yun ◽  
Han Jin Oh ◽  
Ji Seon An ◽  
Young Gwang Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
White Blood Cell ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Foot And Mouth

The goal of this study was to investigate effects of different levels of silicate supplementation in weaning to finishing pigs. A total of 96 piglets [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with initial body weight of 11.30 ± 0.02 kg were used for 16 wk (six replicate pens with four pigs per pen). Dietary treatment consisted of 0% (CON), 0.1% (T1), 0.5% (T2), and 1.0% (T3) silicate in the basal diet. Inclusion of 0.1% dietary silicate increased (P < 0.05) body weight, average daily gain, and gain-to-feed ratio in 0–16 wk. In addition, inclusion of 0.1% dietary silicate increased (P < 0.05) crude protein digestibility in 8 and 16 wk, whereas it decreased (P < 0.05) Escherichia coli count and ammonia emissions throughout the study period. Additionally, inclusion of dietary silicate increased (linear, P < 0.05) white blood cell in 4 wk, whereas it increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) white blood cell counts in 8 and 16 wk. Blood urea nitrogen decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05), and lymphocyte and foot and mouth antibodies increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) when silicate level increased. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.1% silicate in the diet showed positive effects in weaning to finishing pigs.

Effect of frequency of feed delivery on the feeding behaviour, growth, and rumen temperature of limit-fed dairy heifers

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
A. M. Greter ◽  
O. Alzahal ◽  
T. F. Duffield ◽  
B. W. McBride ◽  
T. M. Widowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Rumen Temperature ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Time Spent Feeding ◽  
Daily Gain

Greter, A. M., AlZahal, O., Duffield, T. F., McBride, W. B., Widowski, T. M. and DeVries, T. J. 2014. Effect of frequency of feed delivery on the feeding behaviour, growth, and rumen temperature of limit-fed dairy heifers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 11–20. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect that frequency of provision of feed, provided in a restricted amount, had on feeding and lying behaviour, growth, and rumen temperature of growing dairy heifers. Twenty-four Holstein heifers (178.2±9.3 d of age; mean±SD), divided into six groups of four, were assigned to each of three treatments using a 3×3 Latin square design with 28-d periods (21-d adaptation, 7-d data collection). Treatments were delivery of daily allotment of total mixed ration (fed at 2.0% of body weight): (1) once per day (1×; 0800), (2) twice per day (2×; 0800 and 1600), and (3) four times per day (4×; 0800, 1200, 1600, and 2000). Average daily gain (ADG) was similar across treatments (0.8 kg d−1). There was a tendency for within-pen variation of ADG (average, per pen, of the absolute difference between individual heifer ADG and pen mean ADG) to be greater with 4× (0.3 kg d−1) and 2× (0.3 kg d−1) compared with 1× (0.2 kg d−1). Both feeding (63.1 vs. 44.2 vs. 51.5 min d−1) and unrewarded (presence at the feed bunk when no feed was present; 49.5 vs. 27.7 vs. 33.1 min d−1) time at the feed bunk decreased with increasing frequency of feed delivery (1×, 2×, and 4×, respectively). Frequency of displacements (3.1 displacements d−1) and number of displacements per unit of feeding time (0.06 displacements min−1) were similar between treatments. Lying time was similar between treatments (802.5 min d−1), while there was an increase in the amount of time spent standing without eating as frequency of feed delivery increased (558.9 vs. 590.0 vs. 604.7 min d−1 for 1×, 2×, and 4×, respectively). Thus, feeding 1× d−1 may prove beneficial for limit-fed heifers as it increases the time spent feeding, and decreases time spent standing without eating and within-pen variation in ADG.

scholarly journals Effect of maternal intrinsic factors on productivity and efficiency at weaning in commercial flock of Pelibuey ewes in the tropic of Tabasco, Mexico

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Chay-Canul ◽  
Julio Ramon-Ugalde ◽  
Darwin N. Arcos-Álvarez ◽  
Roberto Zamora-Bustillos ◽  
Ricardo A. Garcia-Herrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Complex Trait ◽  
Productivity Index ◽  
Type I ◽  
Commercial Flock

Evaluation of ewe efficiency or productivity is a complex trait because of several factors that are related to produce heavy litters (lamb growth traits) per ewe. The objective of present study was to evaluate maternal intrinsic effects (body weight, body condition score, udder type, litter size, lamb sex) on litter growth traits (litter weight at lambing [LBW] and at weaning adjusted for 70 days [LWW70]) as a criteria of productivity and some indexes of efficiency in Pelibuey ewes. Data of body weight (BW), body condition scores (BCS), and udder types (UT) were taken at lambing, likewise at weaning BW (WBW), on 48 multiparous Pelibuey ewes. Additionally, litter size, sex, birth and weaning weight, were recorded for each offspring; this information was used to calculate LBW, LWW70, average daily gain (ADG), and the following indexes: Ewe efficiency (EEF) expressed as kg of lamb weaned per kg ewe BW at lambing, EEF0.75   expressed as kg of lamb weaned per kg ewe metabolic BW (BW0.75) at lambing, and EEF2 expressed as kg of lamb weaned ± ewe BW gained or lost at waning per kg ewe BW at lambing. For statistical analysis, ewes were classified according to BW (low, medium and high), BCS (low and high) and udder type (I, II, III and IV) at lambing. High BW ewes had greater (P? 0.01) LLW and LWW70 than low BW ewes. Ewe BW at lambing did not affect (P> 0.05) any productivity index. Also, BCS from lambed ewes did not alter (P> 0.05) the productivity parameters. The udder type affected only LWW70 and productivity indexes, being similar among ewes with type-I, II and III udders, but lower in ewes with type-IV udders. Likewise, double litters were heavier at birth and weaning than single litters, affecting EEF and EEF0.75, but not EEF. The Pelibuey ewe’s productivity in humid tropic depends on the maternal BW, udder type at lambing and prolificacy, being a better productivity when ewes have a high BW, double lambing and non-misshapen udders.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a commercial genetic test for fescue toxicosis in pregnant Angus beef cattle1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine M Galliou ◽  
Piush Khanal ◽  
Kyle Mayberry ◽  
Matt H Poore ◽  
Daniel H Poole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Genetic Test ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Phenotypic Trait

Abstract Most tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh] in the Southeastern United States contains an endophyte that causes fescue toxicosis (FT) in grazing animals, a serious disease that causes approximately $1 billion in economic losses to the animal industries in the United States. Recently, a genetic test called T-Snip (AgBotanica, LCC, Columbia, MO), was developed with the objective of identifying animals with genetic variation for FT tolerance. The aim of this study was to validate the use of this genetic test in mature, pregnant cows. Over 13 wk, weekly phenotypic data, including body weight, rectal temperatures, hair coat scores, hair shedding scores, and body condition scores, were collected on 148 pregnant purebred Angus cows at 2 locations in NC where infected fescue was the primary source of feed. Birth weights (cBW) and 205-d adjusted weaning weights (adjWW) from these cow’s calves were recorded. All cows were genotyped for T-Snip. At the end of the trial, each phenotypic trait was calculated as the slope of the linear regression of performance on weeks. The effect of T-Snip rating genotypes (4 levels) on slope traits was tested using a linear model also including the fixed-effects of location, parity, and the initial measurement for each trait (covariate). For cBW and adjWW, the model also included the sex of the calf and the month of birth as categorical effects. Associations of T-Snip genotypes were observed for body weight gain (aBWd) of pregnant cows (P = 0.15; interaction with location), change in body condition score (aBCSd; P = 0.13), and adjWW (P = 0.06; interaction with location). For aBWd and adjWW, associations were found just within one location (P = 0.017 and 0.047, respectively), which was the location with higher endophyte infection rate. For all associations, the direction of the T-Snip genotypes was the same and as expected: the greater the genotype score, the better performance. No associations were found for the other traits (P &gt; 0.10). These results indicate that the T-Snip test may be predictive of cow performance (aBWd, aBCSd, and adjWW) in an endophyte-infected tall fescue environment.

PSV-7 Sire fecal egg count EBV are predictive of offspring response to an artificial gastrointestinal nematode infection in Rambouillet sheep

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 303-303
Author(s):  
Jacob W Thorne ◽  
Scott A Bowdridge ◽  
Brenda M Murdoch ◽  
Reid Redden
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematode ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Fecal Egg Count ◽  
Feedlot Lambs

Abstract Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) pose a significant risk to the health and productivity of Rambouillet sheep, a noted wool and meat producing breed, in the United States. Capturing phenotypic measurements of Rambouillet while infected with GIN is essential for the calculation of estimated breeding values (EBV) as a selection tool to improve host resistance to GIN. Weaned (age= ~120 d.) Rambouillet lambs (n = 75) were each inoculated with 10,000 Haemonchus contortus L3 larvae and placed in a feedlot. Lambs were offspring of two representative sires, A (n = 26) and B (n = 49), with post-weaning fecal egg count EBV (PFEC) from LAMBPLAN, of -9.94 and +9.20%, respectively. Lamb fecal egg count (FEC), packed-cell volume (PCV) and body weight (BWT) measurements were captured at 7-day intervals for 6 subsequent weeks. Actual FEC were loge transformed (lnFEC) to meet normality and then backtransformed least squares means (LSM) are reported. lnFEC, PCV and BWT were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures including fixed effects of sex, sire and average daily gain (ADG) classification (for lnFEC and PCV), and sex and sire (for BWT). Significant differences (P = 0.0216) in average lnFEC were observed between offspring from sires A [2242 eggs per gram (epg)] and B (2914 epg). Weekly lnFEC differed (P &lt; 0.0001) and a trend identified between sexes (females = 3414 epg vs males = 2712 epg, P = 0.0909). Interestingly, females exhibited a higher average PCV than males, (34.93% v. 31.15%, P &lt; 0.0001), suggesting potential pathological differences by sex in response to GIN infection. Artificial GIN infections offer a more controlled test than under natural conditions and are a viable option to aid in identifying Rambouillet sheep more resistant to GIN. These results indicate EBV calculated with FEC from a natural GIN infection are predictive of the response of Rambouillet lambs to an artificial infection of H. contortus.

PSII-13 Supplemental Effects of Unrefined Fish Oil, Powdered/Coated Docosahexaenoic Acid on the Growth Performance in Weaner Pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 164-166
Author(s):  
Santi Devi Upadhaya ◽  
Hyun Ju Park ◽  
Inho Kim ◽  
Hong Ik Jung ◽  
Yanjiao Li
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Body Weight Loss ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Average Body ◽  
Fecal Score

Abstract A total of 18 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with an average body weight of (within 24 h after farrowing) were used for a 5- week experiment to determine the effects of varying dietary Valine, Lysine (V:L) ratios on performance and fecal score in lactating sows and litters. Sows were raised in individual pens, and assigned to one of three experimental diets consisting different concentration of Valine, Lysine ratios (0.83%, 0.85% and 0.88%). sows body weight was significantly improved by 0.85% valine and lysine ratio compared to 0.85% and 0.88%. However, no significant difference were observed on sows body weight loss, back fat thickness, average daily feed intake and days to return to estrus of sows during the three experiment period. In addition, growth performance of piglet weaning weight were significantly improved by 0.85% valine and lysine ratio compared to 0.85% and 0.88%. Morever, piglet average daily gain was significantly increased 0.88% valine and lysine ratio compared to 0.83% and 0.85%. The three dietary treatments had a significant differences (P&gt;0.05) on fecal score of sows, farrowing and 14 d old age piglets were significantly observed by valine and lisiune ratio. In conclusion, Valine, Lysine had no positive effects on the fecal score of sows and litter during lactation and also no positive effect on gut and its microflora.

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