Sire Effects on Birth Weight, Gestation Length, and Pre-Weaning Growth of Beef-Cross-Dairy Calves: A Case Study in New Zealand

Production of beef-cross-dairy calves from dairy cows increases the value of non-replacement calves born to the dairy herd. The use of beef-breed sires may impact on calf birth weight, gestation length and pre-weaning growth rate of calves, which in turn influences the profitability of the dairy farm. The aim of this case study was to compare the birth weight, gestation length, and pre-weaning growth of progeny born to mixed-aged dairy cows on a single farm which were artificially bred to a selection of Angus and Hereford bulls, typical of those used over dairy herds in New Zealand. The birth weight, gestation length and pre-weaning growth of 980 calves sired by 65 sires were compared. Mean progeny birth weight (range 33.3–41.4 kg), gestation length (range 276.1–288.6 days), age at weaning (range 70.3–88.3 days) and pre-weaning ADG (range 0.63–0.76 kg/d) differed among sires (p < 0.001). There was a negative genetic correlation (−0.31) and positive phenotypic correlation (0.36) between gestation length and birth weight. Age at weaning was negatively correlated with birth weight (genetic: −0.56, phenotypic: −0.57). Bulls used in this study, and other bulls with similar genetic merit for birth weight and gestation length would be suitable for mating mixed-aged dairy cows in New Zealand.

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Influence of gestation length, seasonality, and calf sex on birth weight and placental retention in crossbred dairy cows

Ciência Animal Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1809-6891v21e-52881 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Estevão Vieira Rezende ◽

Igor José Reis ◽

Carla Cristian Campos ◽

Ricarda Maria Santos

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Dairy Farm ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Retained Placenta ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Placental Membranes ◽

The Mean

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of gestation length, season at calving (autumn-winter vs. spring-summer) and calf sex on birth weight and incidence of retained placenta (RP) in crossbred lactating dairy cows. A total of 187 parturitions were evaluated in a commercial dairy farm at Alto Paranaiba region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cows that did not release the placental membranes within the first 12 hours after calf expulsion were diagnosed with RP. At birth, calf sex was registered, and birth weight was estimated by using a weighing tape. The incidence of RP was 36.89% (69/187). The mean birth weight of the calves (41.73 kg) did not differ among the calf sexes and seasons of the year at birth (P > 0.05), but the cows with below-average gestation lengths (274.4 days) calved lighter calves. Furthermore, the season of the year at calving and calf sex had no influence on RP incidence (P > 0.05), although a higher incidence of RP was observed in cows that had shorter gestation lengths (49.44%) and calves below-average birth weights (51.76%). In conclusion, cows with shorter gestation lengths produce lighter offspring and have a high predisposition to RP.

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Estimated Breeding Values of Beef Sires Can Predict Performance of Beef-Cross-Dairy Progeny

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2021.712715 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Natalia Martín ◽

Lucy Coleman ◽

Nicolás López-Villalobos ◽

Nicola Schreurs ◽

Stephen Morris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Similar Amount ◽

Progeny Testing ◽

Eye Muscle ◽

Beef Breed

On average, half of the animal’s estimated breeding value (EBV) is passed on to their progeny. However, it is not known how the performance of beef-cross-dairy cattle relates to the EBV of their beef sire. Such information is required to determine the genetic potential of beef sires selected based on existing EBV to be used on dairy cows in New Zealand. This study evaluated the relationship between the EBV of 30 Angus and 34 Hereford sires and the performance of their progeny for birth, growth, and carcass traits, via progeny testing of 975 beef-cross-dairy offspring born to dairy cows and grown on hill country pasture. Overall, BREEDPLAN EBV did predict progeny performance of the beef-cross-dairy cattle from this study. Gestation length and birthweight increased with increasing sire EBV (mean 0.37–0.62days and 0.52–0.64kg, respectively, p<0.05). Age at weaning decreased with increasing sire EBV for liveweight at 200days (0.17–0.21days per extra kilo of sire EBV, p<0.05) but sire EBV for liveweight at 200days had no effect on the liveweight of the progeny at 200days for either breed (p>0.05). Liveweight increased with sire EBV for liveweight at 400, 600, and 800days, by a similar amount for both breeds (between 0.23 and 0.42kg increase in progeny liveweight per extra kilo of sire EBV, p<0.05). The relationships were more inconsistent for carcass traits. For Hereford, carcass weight and eye muscle area increased with increasing sire EBV (0.27kg and 0.70cm2, respectively, p<0.05). For Angus, marble score increased by 0.10 with 1% extra in sire EBV for intramuscular fat (p<0.05). Rib fat depth tended to increase with sire EBV for both breeds (p<0.1). EBV derived from beef-breed data work in dairy-beef systems but maybe slightly less than the expected 0.5units of performance per unit of EBV. New Zealand farmers should consider BREEDPLAN EBV when selecting sires to mate dairy cows or when buying beef-cross-dairy calves for beef production, to ensure the resulting calves are born safely and on time and then grow well to produce carcasses of suitable meat and fat composition.

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Service Sire Effects on Body Condition Score, Milk Production, and Rebreeding of Mixed-Aged Dairy Cows Bred to Angus and Hereford Bulls—A Case Study in New Zealand

Dairy ◽

10.3390/dairy2040049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 637-648

Author(s):

Lucy Coleman ◽

Penny Back ◽

Hugh Blair ◽

Nicolas López-Villalobos ◽

Rebecca Hickson

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Live Weight ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Beef Breed ◽

Condition Score ◽

Selection Of

Beef-breed bulls are used in dairy herds to produce a calf of greater value for finishing than calves sired by dairy bulls. There is limited research about which beef-breed bulls are most appropriate, and whether any negative impact on cow performance in terms of milk production and rebreeding should be considered. The aim of this case study was to compare the body condition score, milk production, and rebreeding performance of mixed-aged dairy cows bred to a selection of Angus and Hereford beef-breed bulls. Body condition score, post-calving live weight, milk production, rebreeding performance, and survival of 952 mixed-aged dairy cows artificially bred to 65 Angus and Hereford bulls were compared. There was no effect of service sire on post-calving live weight, days in milk, milk production, or inter-calving intervals of mixed-aged cows. Service sire had an effect on the calving day due to differences in gestation length (p < 0.001), although this did not translate into an effect on days in milk. A longer gestation length negatively influenced pregnancy rates, and greater birth weight of the calf negatively influenced survival to rebreeding (p < 0.05), indicating the potential for an effect of service sire. Selection of beef-breed service sires for dairy cows should include emphasis on lighter calves and shorter gestation lengths. The general absence of the service sire effect on the parameters measured in this study indicated that any of the service sires used in this experiment would be appropriate for use over dairy cows.

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The impact of maternal genetic merit and country of origin on ewe reproductive performance, lambing performance and ewe survival

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txab070 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

N Fetherstone ◽

N McHugh ◽

T M Boland ◽

F M McGovern

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Country Of Origin ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Genetic Merit ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the ewe’s maternal genetic merit and country of origin (New Zealand or Ireland) on ewe reproductive, lambing and productivity traits. The study was performed over a four year period (2016 to 2019) and consisted of three genetic groups: high maternal genetic merit New Zealand (NZ), high maternal genetic merit Irish (High Irish) and low maternal genetic merit Irish (Low Irish) ewes. Each group contained 30 Suffolk and 30 Texel ewes, selected based on the respective national maternal genetic indexes; i.e. either the New Zealand Maternal Worth (New Zealand group) or the €uro-star Replacement index (Irish groups). The impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as litter size; lambing traits such as gestation length, birth weight, lambing difficulty, mothering ability, and productivity traits such as the number of lambs born and weaned were analyzed using linear mixed models. For binary traits, the impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as conception to first AI service; lambing traits such as dystocia, perinatal lamb mortality and productivity traits such as ewe survival were analyzed using logistic regression. New Zealand ewes outperformed Low Irish ewes for conception to first AI (P<0.05) and litter size (P=0.05). Irish ewes were more likely to suffer from dystocia (6.84 (High Irish) and 8.25 (Low Irish) times) compared to NZ ewes (P<0.001); birth weight and perinatal mortality did not differ between groups (P>0.05). Lambs born from NZ ewes were 4.67 (95% CI: 1.89 to 11.55; P<0.001) and 6.54 (95% CI: 2.56 to 16.71; P<0.001) times more likely to stand up and suckle unassisted relative to lambs born from High or Low Irish ewes, respectively. New Zealand and High Irish ewes had a greater number of lambs born and weaned throughout the duration of the study compared to their Low Irish counterparts (P<0.001). New Zealand ewes tended to be more likely to survive from one year to the next compared to Low Irish ewes (P=0.07). Irish ewes of high maternal genetic merit outperformed their Low counterparts in total number of lambs born and weaned per ewe, but performance did not differ across other traits investigated. This highlights the importance of continuous development of the Irish maternal sheep index to ensure favourable improvements in reproductive, lambing and productivity traits at farm level. Overall, results demonstrate the suitability of NZ genetics in an Irish production system.

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Key issues in dairy herd health management

Improving dairy herd health Improving - Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science ◽

10.19103/as.2020.0086.01 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 3-26

Author(s):

John Remnant ◽

◽

James Breen ◽

Peter Down ◽

Chris Hudson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Business Models ◽

Health Management ◽

Dairy Farm ◽

Dairy Herd ◽

Population Level ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

Herd Health ◽

Health Target ◽

Cow Health

Dairy herd health management benefits dairy farmers, the environment, dairy cows and citizens. It is an important part of modern dairy farm veterinary care. Dairy herd health management is assessing, monitoring and improving the health of dairy cows at a population level. Good herd health management takes a holistic approach and is ongoing and cyclical. All members of the dairy farm team and their advisors are involved, decisions are informed by data generated by the herd. These data may come from numerous sources. The data are processed and analysed to monitor cow health, target investigations and evaluate progress. To make lasting change on farms, advisors must communicate appropriately with farm managers to understand behaviour and motivate change. This chapter reviews these aspects of dairy herd health management, giving practical suggestions on how to get started, how to incorporate herd health management into business models and how to maintain momentum.

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The integration of a ewe flock with the dairy herd

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) ◽

10.1017/s0308229600010990 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 1989 ◽

pp. 108-108

Author(s):

E.G. O'Riordan

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Dairy Farm ◽

Dairy Herd ◽

First Year ◽

Mixed Species ◽

Distinct Unit ◽

Farm Efficiency ◽

Grazing Sheep

The benefits of mixed grazing sheep and cattle have been reviewed by Nolan and Connolly (1977). Sheep performance was improved in practically all comparisons and cattle perfomance in the majority of reports. As dairy producers manage their milk quota through various efficiency options, surplus land may become available for alternative use. Based on results from other sheep/dry stock studies the introduction of sheep onto the dairy farm, to utilise surplus/waste grass throughout the year, should lead to increased pasture utilisation and improved overall farm efficiency. The sheep enterprise may be established as a distinct unit and strategically used to exploit feed surpluses on the dairy unit throughtout the year. Alternatively, the full integration of a sheep enterprise with the dairy cows to exploit the benefits of mixed species grazing, may be considered. This latter approach is being evaluated and this report covers the first year of an on-going study.

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Risk factors associated with dystocia in a tie stall dairy herd

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2015-0104 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 96 (2) ◽

pp. 135-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

I. López Helguera ◽

A. Behrouzi ◽

J.P. Kastelic ◽

M.G. Colazo

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Dairy Herd ◽

Cold Season ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Twin Pregnancies

The aims of the study were to: (1) investigate factors affecting calf birth weight (CBW) and gestation length (GL); and (2) determine risk factors associated with dystocia in 1019 Holstein heifers and cows in a tie stall dairy herd. Calf sex (CS), sire, and GL were related to CBW in primiparous and multiparous cows, with no significant effect of season, age of primiparous cows (AGE) or days in milk (DIM) of multiparous cows at conception. Gestation length was affected by CS in primiparous, with a shorter GL for female versus male calves (275.7 ± 0.5 vs. 278.3 ± 0.4; P < 0.001). Also, GL was shorter in multiparous cows that calved during the cold season compared to those that calved in mild or warm seasons. Primiparous cows had a higher prevalence of dystocia compared to multiparous cows (32.1 vs. 8.5%; P < 0.001), but it was highly variable depending on sire (24.4%–60.0% for primiparous and 0%–21.1% for multiparous). In conclusion, CS, sire, and GL were related to CBW, whereas GL was affected by CS in primiparous and season in multiparous. The CBW was the major factor affecting dystocia in primiparous cows, whereas sire and twin pregnancies were factors related to dystocia in both primiparous and multiparous cows.

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The effects of dexamethasone TMA when used to synchronize parturition in monozygous twin dairy cows

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9750591 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 15 (76) ◽

pp. 591 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

GW Thomas

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Latent Period ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Intramuscular Injection ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Apparent Effect ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Monozygous Twin

Parturition was induced in one member from each of eight sets of monozygous twin dairy cows by intramuscular injection of 20 mg Dexamethasone trimethylacetate. The resulting gestation lengths were less (P < 0.01) than those of the untreated twin counterparts. The actual 'within' twin calving spread was reduced to nil to 32 days (mean � S.D. 9 � 12 days) from an expected range of 22 to 53 days (mean � S.D. 38 � 12 days). The drug had a variable latent period (time from injection to parturition) and had no apparent effect upon the ensuing lactation yield (P > 0.05) or the subsequent return to postpartum oestrus (P > 0.05). The induced calves had lighter birth weights (P <: 0.01) and a higher mortality (6/8) than calves-from untreated cows (no deaths). There was a significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation (r = 0.846) between gestation length and birth weight of the calf.

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