scholarly journals 157 Impact of weaning strategy on heifer performance and reproductive development

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 153-153
Author(s):  
Grace C Ott ◽  
Rebecca K Poole ◽  
Matt H Poore ◽  
Carrie L Pickworth

Abstract Weaning is recognized as one of the most stressful times of a beef calf’s post-natal life. The objective of this study was to determine if weaning strategy impacts heifer development and reproduction. At 7 months of age, 96 predominantly Angus heifers at 2 locations were assigned to 1 of 3 weaning treatments: abrupt relocation of the calf on d0 (Abrupt, n = 32), fenceline contact starting on d0 prior to relocation of the calf on d7 (Fence, n = 33), and abrupt relocation of the calf on d84 (Late, n = 31). Calf weights, hip heights, and body condition scores (BCS) were collected to evaluate post-weaning performance. Reproductive tract scores (RTS; 0–5 scale, 5=most mature) were assigned every 54 days from d56 to d218. Heifers were synchronized using a 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR® protocol and artificially inseminated (AI) on d246. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Statistical significance was determined at P ≤ 0.05. Late heifers were heavier at d28 and d56 than Abrupt and Fence (P < 0.05), but BW was similar across treatments starting at d84. Average daily gain (ADG) was greater for Late than Abrupt (0.39 and -0.03 kg/day respectively; P < 0.01) and tended to be greater than Fence (0.16 kg/day; P = 0.07) to d28; however, Late had lower ADG than Abrupt and Fence from d28-84 (0.66, 0.83, and 0.81 kg/day respectively; P < 0.05). No treatment differences were observed in BCS or hip height. Late tended to have greater RTS than Abrupt and Fence (2.54, 2.20, and 2.16 respectively; P ≤ 0.10) on d56, but there was no difference on or after d164. Fence tended to have greater AI conception rates than Abrupt and Late (66%, 44%, and 42% respectively; P ≤ 0.08). This data indicates there were initial performance differences based on weaning strategy, but this had minimal impact on heifer development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 144-145
Author(s):  
Susan K Duckett ◽  
Jacob Cathcart ◽  
Austin Cathcart ◽  
Zach Dantzler ◽  
Hunter Dove ◽  
...  

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate use of the Super SmartFeeder (SSF; C-Lock, Inc.) for individual versus group supplementation of heifers grazing stockpiled, novel tall fescue. In experiment 1, Angus heifers (n = 64; 267 + 31.7 kg) had access to the SSF and were allowed 3.6 kg/d of grower supplement. Individual intake was recorded daily and analyzed to determine adoption. Twenty-four percent of the heifers did not adopt to individual SSF supplementation (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, heifers (n = 64; BW= 275 + 31.3 kg) were allotted, based on adoption to SSF, to supplementation system of group feeding (n = 2 reps/level; GRP) or SSF precision feeding (n =16/level; PRE) at two levels (0.5% or 1% of BW) for 127-d in a 2 x 2 factorial. Data were analyzed using Mixed procedure. The interaction between supplementation level and feeding system tended to be significant (P = 0.10) for overall ADG. Average daily gain was greater for 1% BW than 0.5% BW (0.81 vs. 0.47 kg/d) for PRE but did not differ for GRP (0.69 kg/d). Daily supplement dry matter intake differed (P < 0.05) by supplementation level and total BW gain was greater (P < 0.05) by 24.3 kg for 1% versus 0.5% supplementation level. Ultrasound ribeye area and fat thickness measures were greater (P < 0.05) for 1% BW supplement compared to 0.5% BW at the end of the 127d study. When PRE was analyzed independently, heifer BW differed (P < 0.05) on d 91, 117 and 127 between supplement levels. The correlation between individual heifer daily supplement intake and overall ADG for PRE was 0.68 (P < 0.0001). The use of technology to precisely control intake in a grazing system created greater divergence in growth by supplementation level compared to group feeding systems.



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 ◽  
...  

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.



2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Hatungimana ◽  
Tess C Stahl ◽  
Peter S Erickson

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth performance and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility of Holstein heifers limit-fed diets containing different amounts of wet brewer’s grains (WBG). A 12-wk randomized complete block study was conducted using 30 yearling Holstein heifers [378 ± 27 d of age, and body weight (BW) of 357.8 ± 27.6 kg (mean ± SD)]. Treatments were 0%, 10% and 20% of WBG on a dry matter (DM) basis and diets were formulated to be limit-fed for dry matter intake (DMI) at 2.35% of BW and provided 15% crude protein (CP) and 2.27 Mcal metabolizable energy/kg of DM. Dry matter intake was recorded daily, while BW and skeletal measurements were measured every 2 wk. During week 12, fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum over four consecutive days and composited by heifer to determine apparent total tract nutrient digestibility using acid detergent insoluble ash as a marker. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Dry matter intakes, BW, and average daily gain were not different among treatments (P = 0.2, P = 0.4, and P = 0.6, respectively). Dry matter intakes ranged from 8.6 to 9.0 kg/d. Average BW were 404.4, 411.5, and 409.3 kg for heifers fed the 0%, 10%, and 20% WBG diets, respectively. Average daily gains were 1.03, 1.04, and 0.96 kg/d for heifers fed the 0%, 10%, and 20% WBG diets respectively. Skeletal measurements and body condition scores (BCS) were not different among treatments except for the change in heart girth (P &lt; 0.01) and initial BCS (P &lt; 0.01). Apparent total tract digestibilities of DM, organic matter, CP, fat, and hemicellulose were greater or tended to be greater in heifers fed 0% and 20% WBG treatments than heifers fed 10 % WBG (P = 0.04, P = 0.04, P = 0.06, P = 0.06, and P = 0.01, respectively). Neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and fat digestibilities were similar among treatments (P = 0.2, P = 0.3, and P = 0.3, respectively). During the digestibility phase, DMI tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for the 10% WBG treatment. These results demonstrate that limit-feeding heifers with diets containing up to 20% WBG could replace soybean- and corn-based concentrates in diets without adverse consequences to the heifer growth performance.



2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-348
Author(s):  
M. Lazarevic ◽  
D. Niksic ◽  
V. Pantelic ◽  
N. Stanisic ◽  
N. Delic ◽  
...  

To test the variability of traits of Simmental bulls in performance test, data of the Livestock - Veterinary Centres for Reproduction and Artificial Insemination of Velika Plana and Krnjaca were used. In the analysis, data on 113 performance tested bulls born from 2008 to 2009 were used. The analysis included two sets of characteristics: body development traits and growth traits. The average body mass of calves entering the test was 195.75 kg, while the body mass at the end of the test was 476.50 kg, average daily gain in the test was 1138.69 g. Average values of body development traits measured at the end of the test, with 12 months of age were: height at withers 127.13 cm, chest circumference 179.42 cm, the chest depth 61.19 cm and body length 151.34 cm. The influence of their sires, the year and the Centre on the variability of traits was studied. The effect of age is present at a high level of statistical significance (p<0.01) for all traits that are registered at the end of the test, while the effect of the Centre was present in the variability of body mass at the end of the test, the daily gain in the test and the length of the body. The bulls-sires' influence was demonstrated (p<0.05) on the variability in body mass of calves entering the test.



2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 458-459
Author(s):  
Lairana A Sardinha ◽  
Daniel M Polizel ◽  
Alexandre A Miszura ◽  
Arnaldo C Limede ◽  
José P R Barroso ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to determinate the effects of forage levels and narasin inclusion on the performance of feedlot lambs. Forty-four lambs were allotted in a randomized complete block design, defined by initial body weight (BW), in a 2x2 factorial arrangement. The first factor was forage (coastcross hay) inclusion (10 or 20%, DM basis) and the second factor was narasin (0 or 13 ppm). The experimental diets were isonitrogenous (17.4%, DM basis). The experiment lasted 112 days, divided into two periods of 56 d each. The lambs were weighed after a fasting period of 14 hours on days 0, 56, and 112. Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed efficiency (FE) were determined in each period. Data were analyzed as repeated measures over time using the MIXED procedure of SAS and the LSMEANS option was used to obtain the means. The effects were considered significant when P &lt; 0.05. There was no interaction between forage levels and narasin inclusion. Narasin did not affect the DMI, ADG, and FE. There was hay levels and period interaction for DMI and ADG. Increase levels of hay did not affect the DMI during the first period; however, 20% of hay inclusion increased DMI in the second period (1.16 vs 1.30 kg/d; P = 0.01). The inclusion of 10% of hay increased the ADG in the first period (0.28 vs 0.24 kg/d; P &lt; 0.01), however, there was no effect in the second period. Consequently, 10% of forage inclusion increased the FE (0.23 vs 0.21; P = 0.01). In summary, diets containing 10% of forage improves the FE, and narasin inclusion did not affect the lamb’s performance.



2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 200-200
Author(s):  
Danilo G Quadros ◽  
Travis R Whitney ◽  
Cassie Weishuhn ◽  
Wenwei Xu ◽  
Doug R Tolleson ◽  
...  

Abstract Hi-A™ corn is a unique type of lines and hybrids that were developed by the Texas A&M AgriLife Corn Breeding Program and have high anthocyanin and antioxidants. A completely randomized design trial was used to evaluated effects of Hi-A and low-A (regular) corn cobs and bermudagrass hay (BGH) in feedlot diets fed to female Rambouillet lambs (n = 10/treatment), with initial body weight (BW) of 30.7+1.2 kg, on dry matter intake (DMI), BW, average daily gain (ADG), and growth:feed ratio (G:F). After 14 days of adaptation, lambs were individually fed a total mixed ration with 80% concentrate and 20% of one of the roughages (Hi-A, low-A, or BGH) for 63 days. Hay was chopped, while cobs were ground using a hammermill with a 9.52-mm screen. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. The BW was not affected by the diet but increased (P &lt; 0.001) during the trial. Diet did not influence the ADG. However, the ADG was lower (P &lt; 0.001) in the d-42 (0.12 kg/d) than the rest of the trial (0.22 kg/d), after a period of constant high temperatures. The interaction diet vs. day affected (P &lt; 0.05) DMI. In general, lambs increased (P &lt; 0.05) DMI (g/d) and decreased (P &lt; 0.05) relative DMI (%BW) in the final part of the trial, when the animals were getting closer to the harvesting date. Lambs had lower (P &lt; 0.05) DMI of BGH diets than Hi-A diets from d-42 to d-63 and Low-A diets from d-49 to d-56. The G:F ratio was not affected by the diet but decreased (P &lt; 0.05) from the middle to the end of the trial. Corn cobs are valuable as alternative roughage for feedlot lambs, with intake and growth performance comparable to BGH.



2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 404-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wolfger ◽  
C. Quinn ◽  
G.W. Torres ◽  
M. Taylor ◽  
K. Orsel

The objective of this study was to compare feeding behavior between red and black Angus heifers during a 161-d finishing period as a potential explanation for performance differences. Sixty-eight single-sourced purebred red (n = 35) and black (n = 33) Angus heifers, leptin genotype TT, and average starting weight 360 kg (±19 kg) were used. Heifers were randomly and equally allocated into one of two feedlot pens, equipped with five feed bunks that recorded feeding behavior. Individual time spent at the feed bunk, interval between feeding events, feed intake, and meal frequency were recorded daily, and eating rate was calculated. Heifers were fed a barley-based diet (>75% concentrate). After 161 d, at the end of the feeding period, feedlot performance was calculated as average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed conversion rate. Additionally, carcass data were obtained from the abattoir. Overall, black Angus heifers ate more, spent more time at the feed bunk, and had more meals compared with red Angus (P < 0.001). Red Angus heifers had better gain to feed ratios (P < 0.02) and significantly more red heifers were assigned to Canadian yield category 1 (≥59% lean meat) compared with black heifers (P = 0.02), whereas black heifers had higher back fat thickness throughout the study (P ≤ 0.04). All other performance parameters (ADG and carcass weight) were not different.



2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-258
Author(s):  
Liangkang Lv ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Zhengya Liu ◽  
Long Lei ◽  
Zhi Feng ◽  
...  

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of selenium from different sources on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood immune indices of piglets orally challenged with Salmonella typhimurium (ST). In a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, 32 piglets (6.43 ± 0.54 kg of body mass) were assigned into four groups with or without dietary inclusion of sodium selenite (SS) or yeast selenium (YS) and with or without ST challenge (5 ml 1 × 109 cfu/ml ST or 5 ml saline) on d 13. In each period, YS increased average daily feed intake and average daily gain but did not reach statistical significance. During the challenged stage, piglets fed YS had higher digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, and YS reduced the amount of Escherichia coli in feces. Additionally, YS regulated the composition of T-lymphocyte subset and influenced the production of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, in this study selenium-enriched yeast was more effective in enhancing nutrient digestibility, and inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress by inducing the activity of the lymphocytes, expression of antioxidant enzymes and so on.



2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 4171-4181
Author(s):  
Kelsey M Schubach ◽  
Reinaldo F Cooke ◽  
Alice P Brandão ◽  
Thiago F Schumaher ◽  
Ky G Pohler ◽  
...  

Abstract This experiment evaluated the effects of postweaning body weight (BW) gain of replacement beef heifers on their reproductive development and productivity as primiparous cows. Seventy-two Angus × Hereford heifers were ranked on day −6 of experiment (17 d after weaning) by age and BW (218 ± 1.6 d of age and 234 ± 3 kg of BW), and assigned to receive 1 of 3 supplementation programs from days 0 to 182: 1) no supplementation to maintain limited BW gain (LGAIN), 2) supplementation to promote moderate BW gain (MGAIN), or 3) supplementation to promote elevated BW gain (HGAIN). Heifers were maintained in 2 pastures (36 heifers/pasture, 12 heifers/treatment in each pasture) with free-choice alfalfa-grass hay, and supplements were offered individually 6 d per week. Heifer shrunk BW was recorded on days −6 and 183 for average daily gain (ADG) calculation. Blood samples were collected for puberty evaluation via plasma progesterone weekly from days 0 to 182. On day 183, heifers were combined into a single group and received the same nutritional management until the end of the experimental period (day 718). From days 183 to 253, heifers were assigned to a fixed-time artificial insemination program combined with natural service. Average daily gain from days 0 to 182 was greater (P < 0.01) in HGAIN vs. MGAIN and LGAIN (0.78, 0.60, and 0.37 kg/d, respectively; SEM = 0.02), and greater (P < 0.01) in MGAIN vs. LGAIN heifers. Puberty attainment by the beginning of the breeding season was also greater in HGAIN vs. MGAIN and LGAIN (87.5%, 62.5%, and 56.5%, respectively; SEM = 7.1) but similar (P = 0.68) between MGAIN vs. LGAIN heifers. A treatment × day interaction was detected (P < 0.01) for calving rate, as HGAIN heifers calved earlier compared with MGAIN and LGAIN heifers. Ten heifers per treatment were assessed for milk production via weigh-suckle-weigh at 56.8 ± 1.5 d postpartum, followed by milk sample collection 24 h later. No treatment differences were detected (P ≥ 0.16) for milk yield and composition. However, mRNA expression of GLUT1 in milk fat globules was less (P ≤ 0.02) in LGAIN vs. MGAIN and HGAIN heifers, and expression of GLUT8 mRNA was also less (P = 0.04) in LGAIN vs. HGAIN heifers. No treatment differences were detected (P ≥ 0.44) for offspring weaning BW. Collectively, results from this experiment indicate that HGAIN hastened the reproductive development of replacement heifers, without negatively affecting their milk productivity and offspring weaning weight as primiparous cows.



1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
B. SCHRADER

Breed of sire comparisons are made amongst calves born to commercial Hereford cows and sired by bulls of the South Devon (SD, 10 bulls used), Maine-Anjou (MA, two bulls used) and Simmental (SIM, eight bulls used) breeds. Numbers of observations ranged from 239 bulls and 224 heifers for "ease of birth" to 98 bulls for carcass traits. The feedlot test period was 91 days and three feedlot treatments were imposed. Slaughter criteria were subjective and "breed-of-sire" differences in slaughter age and carcass weight were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Differences amongst breed-of-sire means attained statistical significance for "birth weight" (MA > SIM > SD; P < 0.001), weaning weight of males (MA > SIM > SD; P < 0.001), "on-test" weight (MA > SIM > SD; P < 0.001), average daily gain on test (MA > SIM > SD; P < 0.001) average fat depth/100 kg carcass weight (SD > MA = SIM, P < 0.05), trimmed, de-boned, defatted primal cuts per day of age (MA > SIM > SD; P < 0.01), meat marbling score (SD more marbled than SIM more marbled than MA; P <.05). A significant interaction existed between breed of sire and feeding group for average daily gain on test (P < 0.01) and cutability (P < 0.025). Breed-of-sire differences did not attain statistical significance for weaning weight of female calves, loin area/100 kg carcass weight, cut-ability, or meat color score.



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