scholarly journals Effects of supplementing lactating camels with Acacia tortilis pods and ‘Chalbi salt’ on milk yield and calf growth in the peri-urban area of Marsabit town, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-122
Author(s):  
JI Sagala ◽  
CK Gachuiri ◽  
SG Kuria ◽  
MM Wanyoike
Keyword(s):  
Urban Area ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Acacia Tortilis ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Randomized Design

Camel milk production and marketing within the peri-urban areas within pastoral areas is emerging and has high potential due to sendentarization and urbanization of an increasing number of local inhabitants. Performance of grazing camels in these areas is poor due to inadequate feed resources, particularly during the dry season. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing lactating camels with milled Acacia tortilis pods and ‘Chalbi salt’ on milk yield, calf growth and its economic potential in the peri-urban area of Marsabit town, Kenya. Twenty Somali camels in early lactation (1-4 weeks post-partum) and parities 2 or 3 and their calves were recruited for the study. The dams and their calves were penned and fed individually with the supplements where applicable. The treatments were: browsing only (B), browsing and ‘Chalbi salt’ (BC), 2 kg/day milled Acacia tortilis pods, ‘Chalbi salt’ and browsing (BC2A) and 4 kg/day milled Acacia tortilis pods, ‘Chalbi salt’ and browsing (BC4A). Five camels were randomly allocated to each treatment based on initial live weight in a completely randomized design and data collection done for 90 days. During each milking, the two left or right quarters were alternately reserved for the calf, while the remaining two were milked by hand. Milk yields were recorded daily in the morning and evening for 90 days while the calves were weighed on weekly basis for the same period. The overall total mean milk yield during the experimental period ranged from 233.0 to 298.0 litres during the short rains and dry season, respectively. The mean calf weight gains over the study period were 15.2, 19.0, 32.2 and 39.0 kg for B, BC, BC2A and BC4A, respectively, with BC4A and BC2A being higher than B. Supplementing camels under treatment BC4A was profitable as it resulted in both higher milk yield and calf weight gain and hence positive net gain. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(1): 117-122, June 2021

PSVII-14 Feeding carbohydrases to grazing beef cattle under different nutritional strategies on dry season: Ruminal fermentation

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 449-450
Author(s):  
Anderson Acosta ◽  
Guilherme S Vasconcellos ◽  
Alexandre Perdigão ◽  
Victor Valério de Carvalho ◽  
Tiago S Acedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Beta Glucanase ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Nutritional Strategy ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Nutritional Strategies

Abstract The aim with this trial was to evaluate two nutritional plans with the addition of carbohydrases enzyme blend (CEB) on ruminal fermentation of grazing Nellore bulls in dry season. Five rumen cannulated Nellore steers (BW = 350 kg) were used. Animals were randomly assigned to a treatment sequence in a 5×5 Latin square experiment with 15 d-periods (10 d to diet adaptation and 5 d for data collection), following a completely randomized design, being the treatments: mineral-proteic supplementation (Fosbovi® Proteico 35; PS) offered at 0,1% BW (0 or 4.75 g/animal/day of CEB) or mineral-protein-energetic supplementation (Fosbovi® Proteico-Energético 25; PES) offered at 0.3% BW (0, 4.75 or 9.50 g/animal/day of CEB). The CEB was mainly composed by beta-glucanase and xylanase enzymes (Ronozyme® VP and Ronozyme® WX). Both enzymes and supplements were provided by DSM Nutritional Products Brasil S.A. Rumen fluid samples were collected on the last day of each experimental period before (0), and 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after supplements were offered. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Steers fed PSE had greater (P ≤ 0.041) rumen concentration of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, and lower (P = 0.028) acetate to propionate ratio in comparison with animals fed PS. Rumen acetate concentrations were 61.6 and 58.8 mmol/L and rumen propionate concentrations were 15.2 and 13.7 mmol/L for animals under the PSE and PS, respectively. A quadratic effect (P = 0.048) for carbohydrases enzyme blend was observed in NH3-N ruminal concentration of PES animals, where 4.75 g/day level presented the lower concentrations compared to control (24.13 vs. 32.20 mg/dL). Furthermore, rumen concentrations of acetate (P = 0.002) and propionate (P = 0.021) linearly increased with enzymes inclusion for PSE plan. PSE nutritional strategy positively influence ruminal fermentation of Nellore steers in dry season and its effects can be enhanced with CEB inclusion of 4.75 g/day.

The effect of interval between harvests and wilting on silage for milk production

1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Blood Analysis ◽  
Dry Matter Content

ABSTRACTSeventy-two British Friesian cows, with a mean calving date of 21 January, were used in a 3 × 2 factorial design experiment to assess the effects of the interval between harvest and wilting on the value of grass silage for milk production. Three regrowth intervals of 5, 7 and 9 weeks were used with each material ensiled both unwilted and after wilting to a dry-matter content of approximately 450g/kg. The six silages were offered ad libitum in addition to 7·6 kg concentrates per day, from day 8 of lactation until 13 April, with a mean experimental period of 67·5 days. The mean intakes of silage dry matter were 11·2, 9·8 and 8·7 kg/day for the 5-, 7 and 9-week regrowth intervals respectively and 9·6 and 10·2kg/day for the unwilted and wilted silages respectively. Regrowth interval significantly affected milk yield with mean yields of 24·7, 24·2 and 22·5 (s.e. 047) kg/day being obtained for the 5-, 7- and 9-week intervals respectively. Wilting significantly depressed milk yield with mean yields of 24·8 and 227 (s.e. 0·39) kg/day being recorded with the unwilted and wilted materials respectively. Live weight at the end of the experiment was not significantly affected by any of the treatments but the rate of live-weight loss, calculated by linear regression over the experiment, and loss in body condition score both significantly increased with increasing regrowth interval. Wilting had no effect on live weight or body condition. Increasing the regrowth interval also significantly reduced the solids-not-fat and protein contents of the milk produced during the final week of the experiment but no other significant effects were recorded on milk composition.Blood analysis data are presented: blood urea was the only component affected by the treatments and decreased significantly as regrowth interval increased.

Detection of cobalt deficiency in lactating heifers and their calves

1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Quirk ◽  
B. W. Norton
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Reliable Indicator ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Lower Growth ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Cobalt Deficiency

SummaryResponses in live weight, milk production and calf growth to cobalt supplementation of groups of three and four pregnant heifers were measured to assess the value of serum vitamin B12 concentrations and the urinary concentrations of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) for the detection of cobalt deficiency in cattle.The administration of cobalt bullets to pregnant heifers, grazing pastures containing between 0·03 and 0·05 mg/kg cobalt, had no effect on either their live-weight change or milk production, or on the birth weight of their calves. MMA and FIGLU concentrations in the urine of unsupplemented heifers were low for the majority of the experimental period, although the concentrations of vitamin B12 in their serum (< 100 pg/ml) were in the range usually considered indicative of cobalt deficiency.Calves from unsupplemented heifers had lower growth rates during the first 3 months of life and this was associated with intakes of 0·24–0·46 μg/day of vitamin B12 from milk, only 1–3% of those received by calves from supplemented heifers. Poor growth was associated with high urinary FIGLU concentrations, which increased from 500 to 2000 μmol/l between 1 and 3 months of age but decreased to less than 100 μmol/l between 3 and 4·5 months of age. Urinary FIGLU was a more reliable indicator of vitamin B12 deficiency in suckled calves than was urinary MMA, elevated levels of which were observed only at 3 months of age. The concentration of vitamin B12 in the serum of calves from unsupplemented heifers was consistently less than 100 pg/ml, but was not a reliable indicator of their functional vitamin B12 status, as judged by urinary concentrations of FIGLU and/or MMA.

Effects of nutrition pre-partum and post partum on subsequent productivity and health of N’Dama cows infected with Trypanosoma congolense

1999 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 819-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Bennison ◽  
O. O. Akinbamijo ◽  
J. Jaitner ◽  
L. Dempfle ◽  
C. R. C. Hendy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Group A ◽  
Time Of Infection ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

AbstractThis experiment studied the effects of body condition, long- and short-term levels of nutrition and trypanosomosis infection on the productivity of N’Dama cows using a 2 x 2 × 2 factorial cross-over design. Pre-partum, 23 cows received supplements for 6 months (H), the other group of 20 for 2 months (L). Both groups grazed native pastures. Two days post partum, half the cows from each group were placed on a basal (B) or supplemented (S) plane of nutrition. The diet of concentrate, groundnut hay and andropogon hay was the same, only the quantities differed. Four weeks post partum half the animals in each group were inoculated with T. congolense organisms (I), the others acted as controls (C). The trial continued for a further 6 weeks.Pre-partum nutrition (H, L had no effect on dry-matter intake (DMI) but pre-partum feeding (H) improved post-partum productivity, evident by higher dam live weights (P < 0·05), body condition (P < 0·001), calf birth weight (P < 0·05) and calf live-weight gain (P < 0·01). Post-partum nutrition had no effect on productivity. Trypanosomosis infection caused a reduction (P < 0·05) in total DMI. The decline in groundnut hay and concentrate intake was proportionally (P < 0·001) greater in the S-I group than in the B-I group. A low plane of nutrition pre-partum depressed milk yield but increased fat concentration (P < 0·05). Infection significantly reduced milk offtake (P < 0·05). The reduction in milk offtake (P < 0·01) and calf live weight (P < 0·05) were proportionally larger in the B-I than in the S-I group. Infection caused a decline in milk protein concentration (P < 0·05) and protein yield (P < 0·01) which was independent of dietary effects. Infection reduced (P < 0·01) the packed-cell volume but there were no interactions with diet. None of the cows was pregnant 150 days post partum but seven were cycling, 3(5) in the H-S-I group, 2(7) in the H-B-I group, 1(5) in the L-B-I group and 1(5) in the L-S-C group. These results suggest that S-I cows attempted to maintain milk yield at the expense of live weight whereas the B-I cows had insufficient live-weight reserves that could be mobilized. This suggests the nutritional balance and changes in weight at the time of infection might be more important than historical planes of nutrition.

Experiments on the nutrition of the dairy heifer:IX. Food utilization in lactation

1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Broster ◽  
Valerie J. Broster ◽  
T. Smith ◽  
J. W. Siviter
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Food Utilization ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Additional Food

SUMMARYFood utilization by lactating dairy cows was studied in a randomized experiment covering the first 24 weeks of lactation, with further observations on performance over the remainder of the lactation under farm conditions. Over a 3-year period 90 firstcalf cows each took part in the experiment for one lactation, making six groups of 14–16 animals.For the experimental period a fixed basal diet was given of hay, concentrates, and wet brewer's grains. One group received only the basal ration. Four groups received in addition a fixed concentrates supplement for 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks from calving onwards respectively. The sixth group also had supplementary concentrates for 16 weeks but for weeks 5–12 inclusive the amount was doubled so that this group's diet simulated broadly ad libitum feeding in early lactation.Milk yield was increased by extra concentrates. The greater part of the effect was apparent in the first 2 weeks of different levels of intake, with a further build-up over the next 6–8 weeks. The size of the response fell as time from calving to initiation of different intakes increased. Additional food increased and delayed peak yield level. Persistency of milk yield was not affected by fixed differences in intake. Rate of liveweight change was improved by extra concentrates, less so in the third compared with the first month on treatment.A higher level of feeding in early lactation led to a greater partition of nutrients in mid-lactation to milk at the expense of gains in body reserves. This advantage to milk production extended to the end of lactation. In it the greatest response per unit concentrates was obtained from supplementation in the first 4 weeks of lactation but the total effect was increased by giving a double allowance of concentrates, and by extending the period of extra feeding to 8 weeks after calving.Solids-not-fat content and yield, and fat yield but not fat content, showed a similar response pattern to milk yield.Animal-to-animal variation in output on constant diets was characterized by negative regressions of live-weight change on milk yield. The regression coefficients were greater in early than in mid-lactation but they were constant in size at any one time for the various groups. A change in ration induced a change in output of the individual in which that production pathway favoured naturally by the animal was the more affected.

The effect of plane of nutrition in early lactation on the performance of beef cows

1979 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. Lowman ◽  
R. A. Edwards ◽  
S. H. Somerville ◽  
G. M. Jolly
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Digestible Crude Protein

ABSTRACTTwenty-one mature autumn-calving Blue Grey cows were divided into three groups for a 3-year change-over experiment, and each group was allocated to one of three planes of nutrition for the first 150 days of lactation during each year. Milk yields were recorded by machine milking twice daily. The three planes of nutrition corresponded to 1·63, 1·21 and 0·89 of the cow's maintenance allowance 12 h post partum. Increasing the plane of nutrition significantly (P<0·05) increased 150-day cumulative milk yield, but had no significant effect on milk composition. The extent of live-weight loss decreased significantly (P<0·001) as plane of nutrition increased and was reflected in cows maintaining better condition, measured as condition score, through the experimental period.The small 150-day cumulative milk yield response (32·8 kg per additional 10 MJ metabolizable energy and 62 g digestible crude protein/day) demonstrated the limitation of feeding beef cows for increased milk production in comparison with feeding the calf directly. However, the possible relationship between plane of nutrition, live-weight loss and fertility suggests an important limitation of under-feeding cows during the mating period. Within the constraints imposed, the medium treatment (64 MJ metabolizable energy and 516 g digestible crude protein/day) resulted in levels of cow performance similar to those currently recorded in commercial units. One of the major constraints in the present investigation was the high level of body reserves available in the cows at the start of lactation.

scholarly journals Haematology and serum biochemistry of rabbits fed acha offal (Digitaria exilis) meal-based diets supplemented with Maxigrains® enzyme

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-113
Author(s):  
J. A. Azi ◽  
S. E. Alu ◽  
D. M. Ogah ◽  
M. K. Baba
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Serum Biochemistry ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Serum Biochemical

Food-feed competition between human and animals has necessitated farmers to turn to alternative feed resources such as Acha Offal. Forty eight rabbits of mixed breeds and similar live weight were utilized in an experiment to evaluate the effect of feeding acha offal meal- based diets supplemented with Maxigrain enzyme on their haematology and serum biochemistry. The experiment had two phases (weaner and grower) each lasting for 42 days. Six treatments diets namely T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 were compounded to be iso-caloric (2700kcal/kg) and iso-nitrogenous (18% crude protein) for the weaner phase while (15% crude protein) and isocaloric (2500kcal/kg) for the grower phase. The Acha Offal (AO) was included at 0, 15 and 30% while the enzyme was supplemented at 0 and 200ppm. The experiment was arranged in a 2x3 factorial fitted into a Completely Randomized Design. Each treatment was replicated 4 times having two rabbits per replicate. Feed and water were provided to the animals daily and all standard routine management practices were strictly observed throughout the experimental period. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected from each animal for blood analyses. The results show that there was no significant (P>0.05) variation on the haematological and biochemical parameters due to enzyme or AO effect. In the growing phase, main effect of AO was not significant (P>0.05) on the haematological parameters except on white blood cell (WBC) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Effect of enzymes on growing rabbit was not significantly different (P>0.05) except on WBC at 0ppm (5.75 x109/L) and 200ppm (6.60 x109/L) and on MCHC at 0ppm (33.27 x109/L) and 200ppm (33.20 x109/L). The Interactive effect of AO and enzyme showed that T2 had the highest WBC (8.80 x109/L) while T4 had the lowest MCHC (33.10 x109/L). Serum biochemical parameters were not affected by Acha offal except phosphorus where there was a significant (P<0.05) reduction in 30% AO (1.35g/dL). Enzymes effect showed that animals on 0ppm had significantly (P<0.05) higher phosphorus (1.83g/dl) than 200ppm (1.38g/dL). Acha offal supplemented with Maxigrain enzyme can be included in the diets of grower rabbits without adverse effect on haematological and serum biochemical indices.     La concurrence entre les humains et les animaux en matière d'aliments pour animaux a obligé les agriculteurs à se tourner vers d'autres ressources alimentaires comme 'acha'. Quarante-huit lapins de races mixtes et de poids réel similaire ont été utilisés dans une expérience pour évaluer l'effet de l'alimentation d'acha complétés par l'enzyme 'Maxigrain' sur leur hématologie et biochimie sérique. L'expérience a eu deux phases (sevreur et producteur) chacune durant 42 jours. Six régimes de traitements, à savoir T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 et T6, ont été composés pour être iso-caloriques (2700kcal/kg) et iso-azotés (18% de protéines brutes) pour la phase de sevrage tandis que (15% de protéines brutes) et isocaloriques (2500 kcal/kg) pour la phase de croissance. L'alimentation d'acha (AO) a été inclus à 0, 15 et 30% tandis que l'enzyme a été complétée à 0 et 200ppm. L'expérience a été organisée dans un factorial 2x3 intégré dans une conception complètement randomisée. Chaque traitement a été reproduit 4 fois ayant deux lapins par réplique. Des aliments et de l'eau ont été fournis quotidiennement aux animaux et toutes les pratiques de gestion de routine standard ont été strictement observées tout au long de la période expérimentale. À la fin de l'essai d'alimentation, des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés sur chaque animal pour des analyses sanguines. Les résultats montrent qu'il n'y avait aucune variation significative (P>0.05) sur les paramètres hématologiques et biochimiques dus à l'effet d'enzyme ou d' 'AO'. Dans la phase de croissance, l'effet principal de l' 'AO' n'était pas significatif (P>0,05) sur les paramètres hématologiques, sauf sur les globules blancs (le 'WBC') et la concentration moyenne d'hémoglobine cellulaire (le 'MCHC'). L'effet des enzymes sur la croissance du lapin n'était pas significativement différent (P>0,05) excepté sur WBC à 0ppm (5.75 x109/L) et 200ppm (6.0ppm 60 x109/L) et sur le 'MCHC' à 0ppm (33.27 x109/L) et 200ppm (33.20 x109/L). L'effet interactif de l'AO et de l'enzyme a montré que T2 avait le 'WBC' le plus élevé (8,80 x109/L) tandis que T4 avait le 'MCHC' le plus bas (33,10 x109/L). Les paramètres biochimiques du sérum n'ont pas été affectés par le phosphore d'alimentation d'acha sauf où il y avait une réduction significative (P<0.05) de 30%AO (1.35g/dL). L'effet d'enzymes a prouvé que les animaux sur 0ppm ont eu sensiblement (P<0.05) le phosphore plus élevé (1.83g/dl) que 200ppm (1.38g/dL). L'alimentation d'Acha complété avec l'enzyme 'Maxigrain' peut être inclus dans les régimes des lapins 'grower' sans effet défavorable sur les indices biochimiques hématologiques et sériques.

Effects of cooked molasses licking block supplementation pre- and post-partum on feed intake, suckling lamb performance, milk yield and milk quality in dairy sheep. Part 1

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1838
Author(s):  
A. Cabiddu ◽  
E. Trevisi ◽  
G. Molle ◽  
G. Lovotti ◽  
C. Manca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Blood Cholesterol ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Parity Number ◽  
Ryegrass Hay

This study tested the nutritional benefit of a supplement offered freely to dairy sheep over a period from 60 days before lambing to 60 days after lambing, at stall and grazing. Thirty Sarda dairy sheep on Day 90 of gestation, homogeneous for age, parity number, bodyweight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), were allocated to one of two groups: control (Ctr) or treated (Cry). Over 120 days, both groups received ryegrass hay and concentrate indoors. After weaning, the ewes also had access to pasture for 6 h/day. Throughout the experimental period, the Cry group had ad libitum access to a cooked molasses licking block. No significant differences were observed between the groups in forage, concentrate and total DM intake. During the experiment, the reduction in BCS in early lactation tended to be slower in the Cry than in Ctr group (Ptrend < 0.09), whereas no significant effects were seen on BW. Lamb performance tended to be improved by Cry in terms of liveweight of litter size per sheep (9.65 vs 8.22 kg for Cry and Ctr, respectively; P < 0.07), whereas no significant effects were observed on milk yield and composition, except for a trend for increased fat content in the Cry versus Ctr group (6.15% vs 5.95%, respectively; P < 0.08). Cry ewes had higher blood cholesterol concentrations than did Ctr ewes (1.96 vs 1.63 mmol/L; P < 0.01). Because there were no differences between feed intake at stall and the estimated total DM intake at stall and during grazing between the two groups, the better performance of the Cry group could be explained by an increase of feed use efficiency at the digestive and/or metabolic level.

Effect of pre and post-natal nutrition on the performances of ewes and lambs under semi intensive rearing system

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 43-50
Author(s):  
S Ahmed ◽  
MRH Rakib ◽  
M Yesmin ◽  
M Ershaduzamman
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Concentrate Mixture ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

The study was conducted to know the effect of different levels of pre and post-natal nutrition on the performances of ewes and their lambs until 1 year of age and the profitable slaughter age of lambs under semi intensive system. Twenty eight (28) native Bengal ewes at 7 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to four groups (T0, T1, T2, T3) and supplemented with a concentrate mixture at 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0% of their body weight respectively. Ewes were allowed to graze 8 hours daily. Creep mixture (20 g/lamb/day) was provided to lambs from 2 weeks age with an increment of 10 g/lamb/week. After weaning, 20 growing male lambs were selected and reared 01 year of age with concentrate mixture at 1.5% of their body weight and 8 hours grazing irrespective of treatment groups. Parameters like, ewe’s litter size, daily milk yield, post-partum heat and lamb’s birth weight, weaning weight, live weight at 06, 09 and 12 months were recorded. The data were analyzed in an ANOVA with CRD by using SPSS v. 20. The mean differences were tested by DMRT at a probability level of P<0.05. After weaning, the lamb growths were analyzed considering age as fixed factor. Regression correlations among different parameters with different ages were also performed. Significantly higher daily milk yield (P<0.01), weaning weight (P<0.05) and daily weight gain of lamb until weaning (P<0.05) were observed in T2 group. Besides, lambs weight at 06, 09, and 12 months differ significantly (P<0.01) along with corresponding daily weight gain (P<0.05). Lambs daily weight gain did not differ significantly from weaning to 09 months of age but significantly reduced (P<0.05) from 09 to 12months age. Finally, it may be concluded that a concentrate diet containing 20% CP during late pregnancy to lactation should be supplied to obtain maximum performances of ewes and their lambs. Besides, native Bengal lamb would be slaughtered between 06 to 09 months of age to get maximum return. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 26 (1&2), 2019: P. 43-50

Prepartum supplementation effects on growth and fertility in Bos indicus-cross cows

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Fordyce ◽  
L. A. Fitzpatrick ◽  
T. J. Mullins ◽  
N. J. Cooper ◽  
D. J. Reid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Calving Season

Summary. Three experiments were conducted in the dry tropics of north Australia using Bos indicus-cross cows. Cows in mid–late pregnancy were either unsupplemented during the late dry season or offered ad libitum (2 kg/day) molasses with 7.4% urea (w/w) (M8U) or cottonseed meal (1 kg/day) for up to 54 days commencing 2 months before the start of the calving season. Supplementation reduced weight loss in experiments 1 and 2 (P<0.05), but had no significant effect on weight or body condition in experiment 3. Supplementation had no effect on subsequent calf growth or cow lactation yields. Following early wet season rains in experiment 1, 9 and 49% of cows were ovulating 40 and 80 days post-partum, respectively, with no effect of supplementation. In experiment 2, 10 and 100% of cows had ovulated by 60 and 200 days post-partum, respectively. At any time between 80 and 180 days post-partum, supplemented cows were more likely to be cycling (P<0.05), independent of supplementation effects on weight or body condition. The average post-partum interval to oestrus was 30 days less in cows supplemented for 42 days (P = 0.08). In experiment 3, pregnancy rates in 1/2 and 3/4 Brahmans supplemented with M8U for 54 days (MU54) or whose calves were weaned at 2–3 months of age (WEAN) were 14% higher in the latter 2 months of mating than in cows supplemented for less than 40 days. Good seasonal conditions resulted in high pregnancy rates in all mature 5/8 Brahmans; when not weaned early, their average calving to conception interval (CCI) was 54 days (s.e. = 8.5 days). Pregnancy rates of first-lactation 5/8 Brahmans (average CCI of 125 days) supplemented for 39 days or less and weaned when calves averaged 6 months of age were 14–32% lower between 2 and 9 months post-partum than in contemporaries in the MU54 or WEAN treatment groups. It was concluded that dry-season supplementation of mid- to late-pregnant Bos indicus-cross cows with an energy concentrate for 42–54 days (‘spike’ feeding) may reduce post-partum anoestrus intervals via a mechanism which is not dependent on the effects on weight or body condition.

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