scholarly journals FACTORS INFLUENCING MILK YIELD OF BEEF CATTLE

1971 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B. JEFFERY ◽  
R. T. BERG ◽  
R. T. HARDIN

The joint and separate effects of several cow-calf variables on milk yield were studied with 176 and 201 beef cows from the University of Alberta beef breeding herd for 1966 and 1967, respectively. The dams consisted of Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Galloway and hybrid breeding. Independent variables considered were: breed, post-calving weight, winter weight loss, summer weight gain and age of dam, and weaning age, sex and birth weight of calf. Total variance of milk yield explained by all variables together was only 40 and 52% for 1966 and 1967, respectively. Breed and age differences of dam accounted for 82 and 87% of explained variance in milk yield respectively for 1966 and 1967. Holding cow age constant, post-calving weight of cow explained 0.0 and 8.5% additional variance in milk yield for 1966 and 1967, respectively. Summer weight gain of cow was negatively associated with milk yield. Winter weight loss of cow had little influence on milk yield. There appeared to be a negative relationship between early parturition and milk yield. The effect of calf sex on milk yield of dam was inconsistent; cows suckling male calves vs. female calves yielded more milk in 1966 but less in 1967. Birth weight of calf had a small positive influence on milk yield of dam. Association between milk yield of dam and preweaning performance of progeny was high. It appeared that the quickest way to improve milk yield in beef cattle would be the introduction of breeds noted for high milk yield and by indirect selection, through selection of dams with progeny that have high average daily gain to weaning.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agung Prabowo ◽  
Subiharta Subiharta ◽  
Pita Sudrajad ◽  
Iswanto Iswanto ◽  
Sularno Sularno ◽  
...  

This study aims to determine the effect of supplementary feeding on the reproductive performance of beef cattle and calf birth weight. Additional feed is given to cows who are pregnant (8-9 months) and after giving birth for 3 months. Additional feed provided is a complete feed prepared from local feed ingredients. The objectives of this supplementary feeding are: maintaining the condition of the mother's body, maintaining normal embryo growth, and accelerating postpartum estrus, as has been done in Megal Village, Pamotan District, Rembang Regency. Provision of additional feed to old pregnant beef cattle (8-9 months) and after giving birth for 3 months in Megal Village, Pamotan District, Rembang Regency. The conclusion of this study is that the provision of additional feed 5 kg / head / day to old pregnant beef cattle and after giving birth for 3 months can reduce the weight loss of beef cattle broods when the availability of feed is limited, increase birth weight of calves and accelerate postpartum estrus. estrus for the first time after childbirth). Provision of additional feed to late pregnant beef cattle and after giving birth is highly recommended, especially in areas where the availability of feed fluctuates.Key words: supplementary feed, reproduction, beef cattle


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 58-58
Author(s):  
Megan A Gross ◽  
Claire Andresen ◽  
Amanda Holder ◽  
Alexi Moehlenpah ◽  
Carla Goad ◽  
...  

Abstract In 1996, the NASEM beef cattle committee developed and published an equation to estimate cow feed intake using results from studies conducted or published between 1979 and 1993 (Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle). The same equation was recommended for use in the most recent version of this publication (2016). The equation is sensitive to cow weight, diet digestibility and milk yield. Our objective was to validate the accuracy of this equation using more recent published and unpublished data. Criteria for inclusion in the validation data set included projects conducted or published within the last ten years, direct measurement of forage intake, adequate protein supply, and pen feeding (no tie stall or metabolism crate data). The validation data set included 29 treatment means for gestating cows and 26 treatment means for lactating cows. Means for the gestating cow data set was 11.4 ± 1.9 kg DMI, 599 ± 77 kg BW, 1.24 ± 0.14 Mcal/kg NEm per kg of feed and lactating cow data set was 14.5 ± 2.0 kg DMI, 532 ± 116.3 kg BW, and 1.26 ± 0.24 Mcal NEm per kg feed, respectively. Non intercept models were used to determine equation accuracy in predicting validation data set DMI. The slope for linear bias in the NASEM gestation equation did not differ from 1 (P = 0.07) with a 3.5% positive bias. However, when the NASEM equation was used to predict DMI in lactating cows, the slope for linear bias significantly differed from 1 (P < 0.001) with a downward bias of 13.7%. Therefore, a new multiple regression equation was developed from the validation data set: DMI= (-4.336 + (0.086427 (BW^.75) + 0.3 (Milk yield)+6.005785(NEm)), (R-squared=0.84). The NASEM equation for gestating beef cows was reasonably accurate while the lactation equation underestimated feed intake.


1968 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Jordan ◽  
E. E. Lister ◽  
G. J. Rowlands

For 4 consecutive years, calf production was compared for Shorthorn cows fed at four levels during winter pregnancy and barn-nursing: (I) ad libitum corn silage plus 1.0 kg mixed hay/100 kg initial body weight daily; (II), (III) and (IV) approximately 80, 60 and 40%, respectively, of level-I intake. Half of the cows on each level received 0.45 kg linseed oilmeal (LOM) per head, daily, and half of both the LOM and no-LOM cows received supplemental vitamin A (84,000 IU per head, weekly).Neither the 4-year average birth weight (32.8, 32.3, 34.8, 32.4 kg for levels I to IV, respectively) nor the 4-year average daily gain to weaning (0.85, 0.89, 0.89, 0.89 kg for levels I to IV, respectively) were significantly different (P > 0.05). The 4-year average wither height and body depth at birth were similarly not different for the four levels. Supplementing the dam’s ration with LOM and/or vitamin A had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on either weight and body measurements at birth or gain to weaning. It was only during year 3, when level-IV cows’ (non-LOM-supplemented) daily intake was 0.033 kg digestible protein and 0.36 kg total digestible nutrients per 100 kg initial weight, that protein supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased birth weight and body measurements of their calves. There was little difference in survival of calves from cows fed at different levels or fed LOM versus no LOM. Contrary to expectations, vitamin A-supplemented cows appeared to produce calves with poorer survival.


1957 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 387-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Owen

1. A method is described suitable for the estimation of the milk yield of sheep under natural grazing conditions.2. The yields obtained from Welsh Mountain sheep in two environments are shown.3. A close but diminishing relationship is shown to exist between the milk yield of the ewe and the growth of the lamb. Evidence is given of the effect of milk yield at later stages.4. The estimation of the ewe's milk yield from the weight of the young lamb is discussed. These estimates are used in conjunction with actual milk records in the present study.5. The ewe's milk yield is shown to be significantly related to nutrition, body weight, udder size and the lamb's birth weight.6. The relation of milk yield to weight gain during lactation, fleece weight and fleece type were mainly non-significant.7. From the limited data available, it seems that milk yield has a fairly high repeatability and heritability.


1979 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. Lowman ◽  
R. A. Edwards ◽  
S. H. Somerville ◽  
G. M. Jolly

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.


2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Kopp ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg ◽  
W. P. McCaughey

A 4-yr experiment was conducted to determine the effects of fertilization, incorporation of a legume and use of the Rumensin®-controlled release capsules (CRC) on productivity of cow-calf pairs grazing meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.). Four pasture treatments (T), alfalfa-grass fertilized (AF), alfalfa-grass unfertilized (AU), grass-only fertilized (GF) and grass-only unfertilized (GU), each replicated twice were compared. The eight 3.7-ha pastures were split into five equally sized paddocks and rotationally stocked with first-calf cows in 1995 and 1998, and with mature cows in 1996 and 1997. Half of the cows on each pasture received a Rumensin® CRC 1 wk prior to the start of the pasture season. Cow DMI was not influenced by fertilization or incorporation of a legume. However, cows treated with monensin consumed less (2.3% BW) compared to the control cows (2.5% BW, P < 0.05). Incorporation of alfalfa and fertilization improved pasture quality and resulted in higher CP and lower NDF content in forage selected by the animals. Monensin improved (P < 0.05) cow average daily gain (ADG, kg d-1) when grazing unfertilized grass and alfalfa-grass pastures, but did not influence gains of cows on fertilized pastures. Fertilizer application, legume incorporation and monensin administration did not affect milk yield or milk composition. Despite differences in diet quality, calf ADG for AU, AF, and GF were similar. However, calf ADG was lower for GU pastures (P < 0.05), probably as a result of the high fibre and low protein content of this pasture treatment. Both incorporation of alfalfa and fertilization increased total calf gain (kg ha-1); the greatest improvement was associated with fertilization. There were, however, economic advantages to legume incorporation, as the cost of the additional gain for GF and AF pastures averaged $1.08 and $0.79 kg-1 ha-1, and no extra costs were incurred for AU. Key words: Beef cows, calves, milk yield, pasture productivity, alfalfa, meadow bromegrass


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 3431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lívia Vieira de Barros ◽  
Mário Fonseca Paulino ◽  
David Steban Conteras Marquez ◽  
Carla Heloisa Avelino Cabral ◽  
Felipe Gomes da Silva ◽  
...  

<p>This study was conducted to evaluate the productive and nutritional performance of suckling calves fed only a mineral mix (MM) or different levels of multiple supplement and the milk yield and nutritional parameters of beef cows on <em>Uruchloa decumbens </em>pastures. Thirty-two suckling calves, with an average age of 3 months and average initial weight of 109.3 ± 0.84 kg, and their respective mothers, with an average initial weight of 447.2 ± 47.1 kg, were used. The experimental design was completely randomized. The supplement contained approximately 25% crude protein (CP), and treatments consisted of the supply of different of multiple supplement levels for the calves. The levels of supply of the supplements were 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% of the body weight for treatments N0.2, N0.4, and N0.6, respectively. The animals from the control treatment (MM) received only an MM <em>ad libitum</em>. The average daily gain (ADG) of the calves was 731.2, 810.6, 822.7, and 895.2 grams for treatments MM, N0.2, N0.4, and N0.6, respectively. Supplemented calves showed greater weight gain. The multiple supplement levels offered to the calves had a positive linear effect (P&lt;0.10) on their ADG. The intakes in kg/ day of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), digestible DM, digestible neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were higher (P&lt;0.10) for animals that received multiple supplements compared with those fed only an MM. The levels of supply of multiple supplements had an increasing linear effect on ether extract (EE) intake, and a quadratic effect was found on DM intake, forage DM, OM, forage OM, CP, NFC, digestible DM, and TDN. The total apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, NDF, NFC, and TDN were higher (P&lt;0.10) for the animals that received multiple supplements. With the levels of supply of multiple supplements, an increasing linear effect was observed on EE digestibility. Calf supplementation did not affect the performance, milk yield, or nutritional parameters of the cows (P&gt;0.10).</p>


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 805-821
Author(s):  
D. R. C. Bailey ◽  
T. Entz ◽  
G. W. Rahnefeld ◽  
R. M. McKay ◽  
H. T. Fredeen ◽  
...  

Growth patterns of first-cross (F1) and reciprocal backcross cows, 3–5 yr old, were evaluated under two contrasting environments: extensive range conditions at Manyberries, Alberta, and semi-intensive management at Brandon, Manitoba. Cows resulting from crossing Hereford (H) × Angus (A), Simmental (S) × Shorthorn (N), Charolais (C) × Shorthorn and reciprocal backcrosses from Charolais × Hereford (CH), Charolais × Angus (CA), Charolais × Shorthorn (CN), Simmental × Hereford (SH), Simmental × Angus (SA), and Simmental × Shorthorn (SN) were evaluated at Brandon. At Manyberries, HA, SN and reciprocal backcrosses of SH, SA and SN were evaluated. All cows were bred to Limousin (L) bulls. Cow weights and backfat estimates were recorded at breeding, calving and weaning. The HA cows were the lightest group for all weigh periods at both locations. At all weigh periods, the SSN (3/4 S 1/4 N) dam crosses at Manyberries and the CCN (3/4 C 1/4 N) and CCH (3/4 C 1/4 H) at Brandon were the heaviest. At Brandon, females gained weight during gestation and usually lost weight during summer nursing. Cows at Manyberries usually gained weight during nursing, with significant gestation weight loss. Nursing status of the cow had a significant effect on weight change, with barren status providing an opportunity for large compensatory gains. The CN dams were significantly heavier at all weigh periods than their 1/4 C back-crosses. At Brandon, the SN dam cross weights exceeded those of their reciprocal backcrosses at breeding, calving and weaning and at calving for the 1/4 S dams. At Manyberries, SN weights exceeded those of the 3/4 S crosses at weaning. Over the duration of study, average backfat estimates for cows at Brandon exceeded those at Manyberries (10.8 and 8.6 mm, respectively). Specific dam crosses performed differently at the two locations, and commercial cattlemen need to closely evaluate the F1 and backcross comparisons to determine the optimal level of performance under their particular management and environmental conditions. Key words: Beef cattle, growth, nursing status, crossbreeding, environment


1968 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Gleddie ◽  
R. T. Berg

Milk yield in lactating range beef cows was estimated by milking 42 cows four times at approximately monthly intervals during the lactation. Milking was by machine after oxytocin injection. Weights of calves, before and after suckling, over a 24-hour period were used to estimate calf consumption. Breed-age group averages for 24-hour milk yield varied from 3.7 to 8.4 kg, with an overall average of 6.4 kg. Breed of cow accounted for 82.5% of the variance in milk yield in these data. Milk yield declined on the average by 0.02 kg per day of lactation. The correlation between calf consumption and milk yield was 0.58. Butterfat was 3.9% on the average, protein 3.5%, solids-not-fat 9.1% and total solids 13.0%. Breed-age group or month of test did not significantly influence milk constituent percentages, although butterfat and total solids tended to rise as lactation progressed.A good estimate of milk yield was obtained by one test milking. Milk composition based on one test milking was not reliable. Milk yield as estimated in any month was highly related to calf average daily gain from birth to weaning. Use of two test milkings improved the relationship only slightly. Milk solid component percentages showed little relationship to calf gains.


1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
SARAH BUTSON ◽  
R.T. BERG ◽  
R.T. HARDIN

June and September measurements of lactation were made using 206 (1976) and 242 (1977) cows ranging from 2 to 10 yr of age from the University of Alberta beef herd representing four beef and dairy-beef breeds and lines. Influences on calf weaning weight investigated were age and breed of dam, sex of calf, and the continuous variables of calf age, calf birth weight, cow winter weight loss, cow post-calving average daily gain, milk yields and constituent yields of butterfat, protein and lactose. Milk and constituent yields had similar relationships to calf weaning weight (r = approximately 0.6). Stepwise regressions involving age and breed of dam accounted for 48 and 45% of the variance in weaning weight. When age and breed of dam were ignored, milk or constituent yields accounted for approximately 40% of weaning weight variance. After removing main effects, milk variables explained from 6.2 to 10.4% of the total variance. A unit increase of 1 kg in average daily milk yield was associated with 7.7 kg increase in weaning weight. Birth weight of calf and cow weight change during lactation had minor effects on calf weaning weight. No significant source of variation in weaning weight was explained by cow winter weight loss. As a significant proportion of the variation in weaning weight is accounted for by milk and constituent yields, selection for increased lactation performance and the introduction of dairy breeds into the breeding program of a beef herd can effect meaningful increases in calf weaning weights.


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