scholarly journals Performance Efficiency of Pasture-raised Primiparous Beef Cows of Three Different Biotypes and Two Milk Production Levels

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Schneider Lemes ◽  
Marcelo Alves Pimentel ◽  
Ricardo Zambarda Vaz ◽  
Lucas Balinhas Farias ◽  
Cássio Cassal Brauner
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Production Group ◽  
Heavy Group

Background: Productivity and efficiency of beef production systems should be estimated based on cow size, calf growth rate and cow reproduction rate, which are critical factors for the evaluation of production characteristics of beef cattle of different biological types. One of the ways to measure beef cow productivity is based on the ratio of calf weaning weight to cow weight. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance and reproductive efficiency of primiparous beef cows of three different biotypes and two milk production levels, from calving to weaning, in pasture-raised beef systems. Materials, Methods & Results: Forty-two primiparous Angus cows were classified according to body weight at calving, as follows: Heavy (431 kg); Medium (388 kg); and Light (348 kg). Cow efficiency as a function of biotype was evaluated at two different moments: calving and weaning, based on the ratio of calf weight to cow weight*100 (in kilograms). Calf production efficiency was determined based on the ratio of calf weaning weight (CWW) to cow pregnancy rate (PR), resulting in the calf production index = kg of weaning calves per cow (CWW*PR/100).  The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial 3 x 2 x 2 design (three biotypes x two calf sexes x two milk production levels). The results were subjected to ANOVA and F-test. The Light and Medium cow groups produced more (P < 0.05) kilograms of calf per kilogram of cow (16.0 and 15.1 kg, respectively) than the Heavy group (14.0 kg). Light cows showed lower (P < 0.05) milk production and, as a result, lighter (P < 0.05) calves at weaning (151.9 ± 4.3 kg) than Medium and Heavy groups, 166.0 ± 3.7; 166.5 ± 4.0 kg, respectively. At beginning of the breeding season, cows of the Lower milk production group were on average 27.49 kg heavier than cows in the Higher milk production group. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) between total milk production and calf sex on characteristics of performance in calves and performance efficiencies of the system. Light and Medium cows showed 51 and 25 kg total weight gain from calving to weaning, corresponding to 14.7 and 6.4% of body weight, respectively. The Heavy group, however, showed a 3 kg loss (0.5% of body weight) during the same period. Discussion: A higher growth rate was observed in the pre-weaning period of the calves of heavy cows; as a result, these calves were heavier at weaning. To achieve this result, heavier cows may compensate this higher nutritional requirement using body reserves. This biological adjustment may not be economically efficient, since the subsequent reproduction of these cows could be impaired by increases in milk production. Therefore, the target cow in a pasture-raised beef system is one whose low nutritional requirements enable her to produce milk, resulting in heavier calves, and whose physiological conditions enable her to conceive again during the breed season. Light cows can be considered an efficient group, since their pregnancy rate enabled them to create a positive difference for the group, notwithstanding their lower milk production and lighter calves (P < 0.05) at weaning.  This tendency is expected, since increased growth rates are associated with a decrease in puberty and early finishing age. It is essential to select animals according to their efficiency in order to reduce the cow’s requirements, since this favors the increased productivity of cows of lower maintenance cost in relation to their body weight, leading to higher biological and economic efficiency in the beef production system. In conclusion, because of their lower nutritional requirements, cows of small and moderate biotypes and lower total milk production are more efficient than cows of larger biotypes and higher milk production in pasture-raised beef systems.

scholarly journals PSII-14 Influence of recent postpartum weight variation on milk production, cow and calf performance and reproductive efficiency of beef cows in Southern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 231-232
Author(s):  
Claudia Faccio Demarco ◽  
Marcelo Alves Pimentel ◽  
Cássio Cassal Brauner
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Weight Variation ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Peak Lactation

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the weight changes between calving to peak lactation of range beef cows on the cow and calf performance, milk production and pregnancy rate. Data were collected from 142 primiparous and multiparous beef cows, over a 5-year period. Cows and calves were raised in an extensive range system in Southern Brazil. Cows were divided into two groups according to calving performance and peak lactation. Cows that lost weight (L group, n = 59) and cows that gain weight (G group, n = 83). Milk yield evaluation (weigh-suckle-weigh technique), cow and calf performance were estimated from calving to 189 postpartum days, every 21 days. Cows were subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol and after that, breed by natural service for 45 days. Analysis of variance (ANOVA - GLM) was performed considering effects of the two groups, and pregnancy rates were compared using chi-square analysis. Calves from L cows had greater (P = 0.03) ADG between 21 and 42 days postpartum. However, there was no difference (P &gt; 0.05) in weaning weight. Total milk production was greater (P = 0.01) in L cows. The cows from group G showed a tendency (P = 0.08) to increase pregnancy rate by 15% compared to L cows. In conclusion, cows that gain weight between calving to peak lactation have lower total milk production without any influence in calf performance, and appear to have an increase in pregnancy rate.

scholarly journals Lactation curve, milk production of Pelibuey ewes and preweaning growth rate of the lambs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Andrés Rodríguez-Álvarez ◽  
José Alfonso Hinojosa-Cuéllar ◽  
Roberto González-Garduño ◽  
Jaime Gallegos-Sánchez ◽  
Moisés Rubio-Rubio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Gamma Function ◽  
Incomplete Gamma Function ◽  
Dairy Ewes ◽  
Lactation Curve ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Great Relevance

Objective: To estimate the lactation curve and milk production of Pelibuey ewes andthe relationship with preweaning growth rate of the lambs.Design/methodology/approach: Forty five Pelibuey ewes were milked during 70days in Montecillo, México, in 2018, to estimate daily and total milk production. Thelactation curve was fitted with the incomplete gamma function. In addition, the effectsof type of birth and ewe weight at milking on milk production were analyzed, andcorrelations were calculated between ewe milk production and growth rate of thelambs, per week and for the entire lactation Results: A “typical” lactation curve was found, average ewe milk production for theentire lactation, weighted for the number of lambs suckling, was 131±8 L, with444±24 g d -1 . Ewe weight at milking had an effect (p&lt;0.01) on milk production.Positive correlations were found (p&lt;0.05) between ewe milk production andpreweaning growth rate of the lambs.Limitations on study/implications: There is a strong dependency of the lambs forthe milk production of the Pelibuey ewe, a factor of great relevance so that lambs cangain body weight and survive during lactation.Findings/conclusions: Pelibuey ewes produce less milk than dairy ewes. Therefore,lambs should be weaned at a maximum of 10 weeks of lactation.

The production characteristics of the indigenous Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds in Turkey

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Yilmaz ◽  
M. Ozcan ◽  
B. Ekiz ◽  
A. Ceyhan ◽  
A. Altine
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Growth Characteristics ◽  
Marmara Region ◽  
Sheep Breeds ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Production Characteristics

SummaryThis study was carried out to investigate the fertility, milk production and body weight of ewes and the survival and growth characteristics of lambs of the indigenous Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds. The Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds are included among the genetic resources in the project for the conservation of the indigenous breeds in Turkey.Conception rates for Imroz and Kivircik ewes were 57.6% and 81.7% respectively, litter sizes were 1.2 and 1.2 respectively, milk yields were 89 kg and 62 kg respectively and average live weights (2–7 years of age) were 43 kg and 55 kg, respectively. Imroz and Kivircik lambs had survival rates at weaning (90th day) of 98% and 96%, birth weights of 3.3 kg and 4.1 kg and weaning weights of 19.8 kg and 28.0 kg, respectively.The results showed that the Kivircik sheep were heavier and the lambs had a better growth rate until weaning than the Imroz breed. However, the milk production of the Imroz ewes was higher than that of Kivircik. The lambs of both breeds had a satisfactory survival and growth rates until weaning and these results might be regarded as a desired adaptation of the Imroz and Kivircik lambs to the environmental conditions of the Marmara Region.

EVALUATION OF BULL AND COW FERTILITY AT PASTURE IN SINGLE-SIRE MATING

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 799-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. MAKARECHIAN ◽  
A. FARID ◽  
R. T. BERG
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Semen Volume ◽  
Calving Season ◽  
Daily Gain

Pregnancy rates and calving dates of beef cows in 27 single-sire breeding herds mated to yearling or 2-yr old bulls were used in this study. The breed groups of bulls were Hereford and Beef Synthetic and cow herds were Hereford, Hereford cross and Beef Synthetic, respectively. A week before the start of the breeding season the bulls were scored for libido, their scrotal circumferences were measured and semen samples were collected. Semen volume, sperm motility and percent normal cells were evaluated. The average bull to cow ratio was 1:20. Pregnancy rate increased as age and body weight of cows increased, but it was independent of the previous calving date. Calving date was not related to body weight or age of cow, but it was influenced by the previous calving date. Each day delay in calving after the first 5 wk of calving season resulted in a 0.7-day delay in the date of calving during the next calving season. The Beef Synthetic-sired herds had higher pregnancy rates (P < 0.05) than the Hereford-sired herds, but the average calving dates of the two groups were similar. Cows mated to 2-yr-old bulls had 5% higher (P = 0.12) pregnancy rate than those mated to yearling bulls. Five of the herds showed low fertility and late calving, probably due to low fertility of the bulls. Yearling weight and feedlot average daily gain were positively (P < 0.05) related to bull fertility. The number of services performed by a bull during a 10 min libido test and total libido score were also found to be useful in assessing bull fertility, but scrotal circumference or semen traits were not related to fertility of bulls when used in single-sire mating at pasture. Key words: Beef cattle, bull fertility, single-sire mating

scholarly journals High milk production decreases cow-calf productivity within a highly available feed resource environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Edwards ◽  
J. D. Hobbs ◽  
J. T. Mulliniks
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Southeastern Us ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Milk Cows ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Calf

Abstract The beef cattle industry tends to focus on selecting production traits with the purpose of maximizing cow-calf performance. One such trait is milking ability, which is considered the primary influence on weaning weight of the calf. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of actual milk yield on reproductive performance, circulating blood metabolites, and calf performance in beef cows in the Southeastern US. Over a 2 yr period, data were collected from 237, 3- to 9-yr-old Angus-sired beef cows on 3 research stations in Tennessee. On approximately d 58 and 129 postpartum, 24-hr milk production was measured with a modified weigh-suckle-weigh technique using a milking machine. Subsamples of milk were collected for analysis of milk components. Milk yield data were used to retrospectively classify cows on actual milk yield as High ( ≥ 10 kg/d), Mod (8 to 9 kg/d), or Low ( &lt; 8 kg/d). Cow body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were collected weekly at each location through breeding. Calf BW was recorded at birth, mid-weight at d 58, and weaning. At d 58 and 129 of postpartum, milk yields were different (P &lt; 0.001) among the treatment groups. Cow BW during the entire study were not different (P ≥ 0.22) with increasing milk yield. Timed-AI pregnancy rate were the lowest (P = 0.02) in the High milk producing cows with no difference (P &gt; 0.05) between Low and Mod milk cows. In addition, overall pregnancy rate continued to be the lowest (P = 0.04) in High milk producing cows with the greatest pregnancy rate in Mod milk cows. Calf mid-weight at ∼d 58 was increased (P &lt; 0.001) in calves from Mod and High milking cows. However, calf BW at weaning was not different (P = 0.22) among calves from different milk treatment groups. Results from this study suggest that even in management systems that modify the grazing environments with harvested feedstuffs, high milk production decreases reproductive efficiency. In addition, increasing milk production up to d 129 postpartum did not result in increased calf BW at weaning, indicating that the genetic potential for calf BW at weaning could not be improved with increased genetic potential for milk production.

The composition of body-weight changes in underfed lactating beef cows

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. N. Chigaru ◽  
J. H. Topps
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Deuterium Oxide ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Body Weight Loss ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
Unit Body Weight

ABSTRACTThe effects of reducing the feed intake of 12 winter-calving (Hereford male × British Friesian female) cows to the maintenance level for 6 weeks from week 10 of lactation were investigated during two consecutive lactation periods. Initially, six cows were in their first and six in their third lactation. In each year the period of ‘underfeeding’ was preceded by a period of ‘adequate feeding’ (maintenance plus milk production requirements) and succeeded by a period of ‘refeeding’ (2 × maintenance). Changes in body water, estimated by the dilution of tritiated water and deuterium oxide at the end of each feeding period, were used to calculate changes in body tissue. Milk yield during the period of ‘adequate feeding’ indicated that individual cows differed markedly in milk production potential. During ‘underfeeding’ milk yield was related to lactation potential. Cows of higher potential tended to maintain higher yields than those of lower potential but in doing so they incurred higher body-weight losses. The ‘refeeding’ period did not result in significant increases in milk yield. The weight losses during ‘underfeeding’ consisted mainly of fat but some cows apparently mobilized relatively large amounts of protein. More fat per unit body weight loss was mobilized by the heifers than by the cows, which, on the other hand appeared to mobilize relatively more protein. On ‘refeeding’, only a few cows were able to achieve complete tissue repletion.

361 Effect of increasing protein and fat inclusion in the diet of beef cows during gestation and lactation on performance, milk production, pregnancy rate, and pre-weaning progeny growth

2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (suppl_2) ◽  
pp. 169-169
Author(s):  
A. J. C. Nuòez ◽  
R. P. Lemenager ◽  
K. R. Stewart ◽  
E. G. Taylor ◽  
J. P. Schoonmaker
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Beef Cows

scholarly journals 241 Metoclopramide induces low-level hyperprolactinemia to increase milk production in sows

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 179-180
Author(s):  
Alice T Mathews ◽  
Carmen M Banks ◽  
Josephine F Trott ◽  
Roberto D Sainz ◽  
Chantal Farmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Deuterium Oxide ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Milk Intake ◽  
Dopamine Antagonist ◽  
Piglet Growth

Abstract Inadequate milk production by sows often limits the growth rate of piglets. A successful lactation requires prolactin (PRL)-induced differentiation of the alveolar epithelium within the mammary glands of sows between gestation days 90–110 (G90-110). We hypothesized that late gestational hyperprolactinemia in primiparous sows induced by feeding the dopamine antagonist metoclopramide (MET) would enhance mammary epithelial differentiation, milk yield, and piglet growth rate, and that these effects would carry over into a subsequent lactation. Twenty-six gilts were randomly assigned to receive either MET (n = 13, 0.8mg/kg) or vehicle (CON, n = 13) twice daily from G90-110. On G90, circulating PRL levels peaked 45 min after MET dosing (P &lt; 0.001) then returned to baseline 3 h later. This response occurred daily out to G104 (P &lt; 0.05). Treated gilts had increased alveolar lumen diameter on G110 (P &lt; 0.05), though feed intake, body weight, and carcass fat percent were not different during pregnancy or lactation. Piglets born to treated sows had increased body weight and average daily gain on lactation days 14 and 21 (P &lt; 0.05). Piglet milk intake was estimated from deuterium oxide dilution. While milk intake by piglets nursing MET sows was not statistically different from those nursing CON sows on day 21 of lactation (P = 0.18), there was a greater increase in milk consumption by piglets born to MET-treated sows between days 9 and 21 of lactation than for those in CON litters (P &lt; 0.001). In one group of second parity sows, milk yield was increased during their second lactation with no additional treatment (P &lt; 0.05) and their carcass fat dropped by 14% (P &lt; 0.05). These findings demonstrate that MET-induced hyperprolactinemia in pigs during late pregnancy can increase milk yield and piglet growth rate, and this response can be sustained into a second lactation in some sows.

MILK YIELD AND COMPOSITION IN BEEF COWS AND THEIR EFFECT ON COW AND CALF PERFORMANCE IN TWO ENVIRONMENTS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽  
G. M. WEISS ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Stage Of Lactation

Relationships of milk yield and composition of 10 specific F1 crosses of beef cows with preweaning growth of their calves and with changes in the weight and subcutaneous fatness of the cows during lactation were examined over 2 yr for a population of 120 cow-calf pairs each year at two climatically distinct locations. The crosses were represented by the Hereford × Angus (HA) and nine crosses produced by mating Charolais (C), Simmental (S), and Limousin (L) sires to cows of Hereford (H), Angus (A), and Shorthorn (N) breeding. Environmental differences were provided by two climatically distinct locations (Brandon, Manitoba; Manyberries, Alberta) with two treatments (drylot confinement, T1; pasture, T2) imposed at each location. Milk was measured at 8-wk intervals commencing 1 June and terminating 1 October (weaning). Cow weight and fat at calving were positively associated (P < 0.0001) at both locations. Weight of the cow at calving was positively associated with average milk yield and calf growth rate at Manyberries (P < 0.0001), but at Brandon the association was positive but not significant (P > 0.05). Weight of cow at calving was positively associated with calf birth weight at Manyberries (P < 0.02). Calf preweaning growth rate was directly related to birth weight (P < 0.009). Calf sex had the expected effect on calf growth rate throughout lactation (M > F) but milk yield of the cow was not influenced by the sex of calf reared. Percentages of the milk constituents (butterfat (BF), solids-not-fat (SNF), protein (PT), declined as milk yield increased but the reduction was significant only for PT (P < 0.0005). Changes in cow weight and subcutaneous fat cover during lactation were inversely related with milk yield, the reductions in weight being significant (P < 0.008) at both locations and the loss of subcutaneous fat cover significant (P < 0.0001) only at Manyberries. Calf growth rate increased as milk yield increased with the largest regression coefficients at each stage of lactation provided by the estimate of average milk production for the complete lactation; however, this difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The statistical model with the covariate average milk production accounted for approximately 58% of the variance for calf gain during the lactation period. The covariate alone contributed 36% of this total R2 value at Brandon and 48% at Manyberries. Simmental cross cows produced the fastest growing calves while HA and L cross cows produced the slowest growing calves at both locations. The highest milk yields were recorded for the S cross cows at both locations while HA cows were lowest at Brandon and LH the lowest at Manyberries. At both locations, the SN cows recorded the lowest values for % BF and % SNF, and the SA cows recorded the highest values for % PT. For % BF and % SNF, the HA cows were the highest at Brandon while at Manyberries, the LH cows recorded the highest values. Average milk yield (AMY) was the best milk production variable explaining variance associated with calf growth. The R2 values were higher at Manyberries than Brandon and the R2 values decreased as the lactation season progressed. The addition of any of the milk constituent variables added little to the R2 values for AMY. Key words: Milk yield, milk composition, calf growth, cow weight change, cow subcutaneous fat change

A note on correlations between milk production and milk composition of sows and the growth and haemoglobin of their pigs

1967 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Veum ◽  
W. G. Pond ◽  
L. D. Van Vleck
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Positive Correlations

Total milk yield of sows is positively correlated with litter size (Bonsma and Oosthuizen, 1935; Wells, Beeson and Brady, 1940; Smith, 1952; Allen and Lasley, 1960) even though the amount of milk obtained by each pig decreases with increasing litter size. Positive correlations between sow milk yield and the creep feed consumption of her litter and between weaning weight and milk production have been reported by Bonsma and Oosthuizen (1935), and by Allen and Lasley (1960). Braude (1964) has comprehensively reviewed the literature on the associations between litter size, birth weight and weaning weight. Ward, Rempel and Enfield (1964) reported a positive correlation between weaning weight and post-weaning growth rate in swine.

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