scholarly journals Linear body measurements and productivity of subtropical Holstein–Friesian dairy calves

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
pp. 280-289
Author(s):  
A Hewitt ◽  
TWJ Olchowy ◽  
AS James ◽  
B Fraser ◽  
S Ranjbar ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 371-372
Author(s):  
Vanessa Rotondo ◽  
Vern R Osborne ◽  
Marlene Paibomesai ◽  
Katharine M Wood ◽  
Sophia Jantzi

Abstract The objective of this study was to explore how linear body measurements are related to body weight and can be used to predict calf body weight using linear and machine learning models. To meet these objectives, a total of 69 Holstein calves from a commercial dairy farm were enrolled in the study from wk 2 – 8 of age. Calves were weighed and linear measurements were collected weekly. Nineteen linear measurements were obtained each week, including: poll to nose, width across the eyes, width across the right ear, neck length (NL), wither height (WH), heart girth (HG), midpiece height (MH), midpiece circumference (MC), midpiece width (MW), midpiece depth (MD), midpiece width across the 13th rib (MW13), hook height, hook width, pin height, top of pin bones width (PW), nose to tail body length, the length between the withers and pins (WPL), forearm to hoof, cannon bone to hoof. These measurements were taken using a commercial soft tape measure and calipers. Using a machine learning approach, models were generated to predict BW from calf linear measurements using Weka software 3.8.5 (University of Waikato, New Zealand) using a 10-fold cross-validation method. Both linear regression (LR) and random forest (RF) models were evaluated. Across all weeks the LR model derived 12 of the 19 traits to fit the BW model (r2 = 0.93). These included: PN, NL, WH, HG, MC, MW, MD, HW, PW, MW13, WPL. The RF model slightly reduced BW predictions (r2= 0.92). The results of this study suggest that linear models built on linear measurements can accurately estimate body weight in dairy calves. These data and models generated are important to further the development of visualized weighing systems for young dairy calves and may be used to accurately predict BW without a scale.


1985 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtiss M. Bailey ◽  
T. Liboriussen ◽  
B. Bech Andersen

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 332
Author(s):  
Jackeline Thais Silva ◽  
Evangelina Miqueo ◽  
Thaís Manzoni Torrezan ◽  
Nathalia Brito Rocha ◽  
Giovana Simão Slanzon ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the performance and metabolic changes in dairy calves supplemented with lysine and methionine in milk replacer (MR) or starter concentrate (SC). Male Holstein calves (n = 45) were blocked and distributed in Control without supplementation (1) and; Lysine and Methionine supplementation to achieve an intake of 17 and 5.3 g/d in the SC (2) and to achieve of 17 and 5.3 g/d in the MR (3). MR was fed (6 L/d) until the 8th week of life when weaning occurred. Calves were followed until the 10th week of age. Feed intake was measured daily. Weight and body measurements were registered weekly. Blood samples were collected biweekly to evaluate the intermediate metabolism. The AA supplementation resulted in lower body weight at weaning and week 10. Calves fed SC Lys:Met had lower SC intake and lower total feed intake at weaning when compared to control. Calves fed control had higher heart girth, hip-width, and plasma glucose concentration. The supplementation with Lys and Met did not benefit dairy calves’ performance nor metabolism in this study. Supplementation through the MR was more efficient than SC to result in adequate daily intakes of AA. Further studies are needed to understand the negative effects of AA on calf starter intake.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 347
Author(s):  
Emma Strous ◽  
Arne Vanhoudt ◽  
Anja Smolenaars ◽  
Gerdien van Schaik ◽  
Matthijs Schouten ◽  
...  

Platelet and leukocyte count reference intervals (RIs) for cattle differ by age and while adult RIs are known, RIs for calves are studied less. The aims of this observational study are to evaluate variation of platelet counts of Holstein Friesian calves over the first 14 days of life and to propose RIs for platelet and leukocyte counts of Holstein Friesian calves aged 0–60 days. In a longitudinal study, 19 calves were blood sampled 17 times, in the first 14 days of their lives. Blood was collected in a citrate blood tube and platelet counts were determined. We assessed the course of platelet counts. In a field study, 457 healthy calves were blood sampled once. Blood was collected in an EDTA blood tube and platelet and leukocyte counts were determined. The RIs were calculated by the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. Platelet counts started to increase 24 h after birth (mean platelet count 381 × 109/L ± 138 × 109/L) and stabilized after five days (mean platelet count 642 × 109/L ± 265 × 109/L). In calves up to six days of age, platelet counts were lower than in calves older than five days. In conclusion, the RIs of platelet and leukocyte counts in calves were wider in range than the RIs for adult cattle, therefore, calf specific RIs for platelet and leukocyte counts should be used. From 6 until 60 days of age, we propose an RI for platelet counts of 287–1372 × 109/L and for the first 60 days of life an RI for leukocyte counts of 4.0–18.9 × 109/L.


1958 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Bell

The results of feeding experiments, involving a total of 117 Holstein-Friesian calves, were reported. No whole milk nor fresh skimmilk was fed to the calves after their second day of age. Milk substitutes containing 40 to 50 per cent dried skimmilk, 5 to 10 per cent emulsified, stabilized lard and at least 30 p.p.m. of Aureomycin (chlortetracycline) or Terramycin (oxytetracycline) in the dry matter permitted weight gains equal to, or exceeding, the Beltsville standards during the milk feeding period. Supplementary lecithin had no effect on performance of the calves. Weaning calves from milk substitutes at weights of 145 to 150 lb. was considered preferable to weaning at specified ages because of apparent differences in physiological development that exist among calves for the first few months of life.


1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. B. SHRESTHA ◽  
D. P. HEANEY ◽  
P. S. FISER ◽  
G. A. LANGFORD

Heart girth (HG), body length (BL), leg length (LL), metacarpal circumference (MC), withers height (WH) and hook width (HW) of 233 growing rams of three synthetic strains, Suffolk and Finnsheep breeds were measured at 6, 8 and 10 mo of age. Thereafter, subsequent measurements were taken at 11–13 mo, 18–21 mo and 23–25 mo of age. Breed, birth period (hysterectomy derived birth date), age of ram and body weight (BW) had important effects (P < 0.05) on linear body measurements, whereas age of dam did not (P > 0.05). Significant effects of litter size on HG and BL were observed at 6 and 8 mo of age, respectively. All linear body measurements increased from 6 to 21 mo of age, whereas BL, WH and HW continued to increase to 25 mo. Rams of Strain 1, developed as a synthetic sire strain, with a large proportion of Suffolk background were generally similar to the Suffolk rams in all body measurements except for HG which was significantly larger than in Suffolk rams. The Finnsheep rams had smaller HG, BL, MC and HW than the synthetic strains and Suffolk rams, whereas LL and WH of the Finnsheep and Suffolk rams were similar. Rams of Strains 2 and 3, developed as synthetic dam strains with 50 percent Finnsheep background, were similar in body measurements. The synthetic dam strains did not differ from Strain 1 and/or Suffolk with respect to HG, BL, WH and HW. However, Suffolk rams had larger MC and shorter LL compared to those of the Strain 2 and 3 rams. Birth period had a significant effect on HG, BL, LL and MC, but no consistent trend with age of ram was apparent. Linear body measurements were positively correlated with each other and with body weight; however, the relationship varied as rams progressed in age. The importance of breed, birth date, age of ram and body weight on body measurements and the requirements for appropriate adjustments is emphasized. Key words: Sheep, body measurements, breed, birth date, age of ram


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