EFFECTS OF FEED LEVEL AND YEAR-ROUND ENCLOSED, SEMI-ENCLOSED, OR OUTSIDE CONFINEMENT ON BEEF COW–CALF PERFORMANCE IN NORTHERN ONTARIO

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. JORDAN ◽  
E. E. LISTER ◽  
J. M. WAUTHY ◽  
J. E. COMEAU ◽  
B. K. THOMPSON ◽  
...  

Shorthorn cows were confined year-round using three types of shelter (an enclosed barn, IN; a barn with free access to an outside yard, IN-OUT; and outside pens with only windbreak fences for shelter, OUT) and two types of feed (hay and grass silage) provided at three levels (ad libitum, L1 or 75%, L2 or 50%, L3, of ad libitum) until late pregnancy, after which all were fed their respective roughage ad libitum until late August weaning. No interactions were found among years, degree of shelter and feed levels. The average daily intake for hay and the corresponding average daily gain were greater (all differences cited were significant, P < 0.05) than those for silage. The daily intake and weight loss of the OUT cows were greater than those of the IN and IN-OUT cows. All differences among feed levels for daily intake and weight change were significant. Calves of dams fed hay were heavier at birth and grew more quickly. OUT calves were heavier than IN calves at birth, but their daily gain to weaning was considerably less than either IN or IN-OUT calves. Feed levels did not influence calf birth weight, but L1 calves gained more to weaning than L2 and L3 calves. Pregnancy percentages for IN cows were 91.7 (L1), 91.7 (L2) and 75.0 (L3); IN-OUT 88.9, 88.9 and 86.1 and OUT 88.9, 80.6 and 58.3. The general condition of OUT cows, especially those on L3 diet, was poor.

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Yousef Abbaslou ◽  
Davood Zahmatkesh ◽  
Ehsan Mahjoubi ◽  
Mehdi Hossein Yazdi ◽  
Hamed Beiranvand ◽  
...  

The positive effects of nucleotide (NU) supplementation in milk replacer have been elucidated in infants and in dairy calves; however, NU addition to whole milk has not been evaluated previously. This study aimed to assess NU supplementation in the whole milk on calf growth and health. Thirty Holstein calves (body weight: 39.1 ± 1.0 kg; 3 d after birth) were randomly assigned to the following treatments: whole milk without any supplementation (NU0), whole milk + 0.5 g/d added a NU-containing supplement to whole milk (NUCS0.5), and whole milk + 1 g/d added a NU-containing supplement to whole milk (NUCS1). Calves were weaned at d 55 and stayed on study until d 75. Calves had free access to feed and water throughout the study. Dry matter intakes (DMI) were similar among treatments (p > 0.05) during the pre-weaning period; however, increasing NU resulted in a linear (p < 0.05) increase in DMI during the post weaning period (2158, 2432, and 2518 g/d for NU0, NUCS0.5, and NUCS1, respectively). Treatments did not affect body weight (BW) at the first and second month of study, but final BW linearly increased as NU was added (87.1, 90.6, and 95.4 kg for NU0, NUCS0.5, and NUCS1, respectively). Neither pre-weaning average daily gain nor post-weaning average daily gain was affected by treatments; accordingly, feed efficiency was similar among treatment groups. Days with loose fecal score were linearly decreased as NU was added to whole milk during the first month of life, while the fecal score did not differ among treatments until the end of the study. No difference was observed in the skeletal growth of calves in the current study. Therefore, it can be concluded that NU supplementation in the whole milk has some beneficial effects on calf performance in terms of final BW, post-weaning DMI, and less days with loose feces.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Joslyn K Beard ◽  
Jacki A Musgrave ◽  
Rick N Funston ◽  
J Travis Mulliniks

Abstract Poor udder and teat confirmation decreases profitability due to decreased calf weaning weight, increased incidence of mastitis and labor, and decreased cow lifetime productivity. Therefore, the objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of beef cow udder score on cow performance and pre- and postweaning progeny performance. In a 5-yr study, crossbred cows at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, NE, were assigned an udder score each year at calving, from 1 to 5, using an udder and teat combination score. Cows were grouped by udder scores and classified as either low udder score (LUS, udder score 1 or 2; n = 223) or high udder score (HUS, udder score 3 or 4; n = 1,742). The udder score combines udder conformation and a teat scoring system. Low udder scores consisted of pendulous udders and large teats, whereas HUS consisted of tight udders and small, symmetrical teats. Mixed models were used to evaluate udder score on cow performance and calf pre- and postweaning performance. Cow body weight (BW) at prebreeding and weaning was greater (P &lt; 0.01) in LUS cows compared with HUS counterparts. Pregnancy rate was not different (P = 0.35) between udder classification groups. Calf BW at birth (P = 0.95), weaning (P = 0.40), and adjusted 205-d BW (P = 0.28) were not different between udder groups. Cow udder score did not influence feedlot entry (P = 0.41) and final BW (P = 0.30), dry matter intake (P = 0.53), average daily gain (P = 0.60), and gain:feed ratio (P = 0.85) of steer progeny. However, steers from HUS dams had greater hot carcass weight (HCW; P = 0.04) and backfat thickness (P = 0.02) compared with LUS counterparts. Results from this study suggest cows with less desirable udder structure may not have a negative impact on calf preweaning growth and performance; however, backfat thickness and HCW in the finishing phase were lower in steers from cows with a lower udder score.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1940
Author(s):  
G. B. Mezgebo ◽  
F. J. Monahan ◽  
M. McGee ◽  
E. G. O' Riordan ◽  
B. Picard ◽  
...  

The proximate composition, organoleptic quality, metabolic enzyme activity and fibre characteristics of longissimus thoracis muscle from suckler bulls assigned to three target indoor winter (from 9 to 13 months of age approximately) growth rates (average daily gain of 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 kg; n = 14/group) were investigated. The feeding regimes to achieve the target average daily gains were 2, 4 and 6 kg of concentrate respectively, plus grass silage ad libitum. The duration of the winter feeding period was 123 days, after which bulls were turned out to pasture and grazed for 99 days before re-housing and finishing on concentrates ad libitum plus grass silage until they reached a liveweight to yield a target carcass weight of 380 kg. The average daily gain during the grazing period was higher (P < 0.001) for the 0.6 than for the 1.0 and 1.5 average daily-gain groups, which did not differ. Proximate composition, collagen content, metabolic enzyme activity and fibre-type distribution of the longissimus thoracis muscle were similar (P > 0.05) between the 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 average daily-gain groups. Apart from tenderness, which was rated higher (P < 0.05) for the 0.6 group than for the 1.0 average daily-gain group, the sensory characteristics of the beef were not influenced by the different winter growth rates applied. Overall, restricting the growth rate during winter had little effect on subsequent beef appearance or eating quality.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousef Abbaslou ◽  
Davood Zahmatkesh ◽  
Ehsan Mahjoubi ◽  
Mehdi Hossein Yazdi ◽  
Hamed Beiranvand ◽  
...  

Abstract The positive effects of nucleotides (NU) supplementation in milk replacer has been elucidated in infants and in dairy calves; however, NU addition to whole milk has not been evaluated previously. This study aimed to assess NU supplementation in the whole milk on calf growth and health. Thirty Holstein calves (body weight: 39.1 ± 1.0 kg; 3 d after birth) were randomly assigned to following treatments: whole milk without any supplementation (NU0), whole milk + 0.5 g/d added NU to whole milk (NU0.5), and whole milk + 1 g/d added NU to whole milk (NU1). Calves were weaned at d 55 and stayed on study until d 75. Calves had free access to feed and water throughout the study. Calves fed all treatments were similar (P > 0.05) in dry matter intake (DMI) during the pre-weaning period, however increasing NU supplementation resulted in a linear (P < 0.05) increase in DMI during the post weaning period. Treatments did not affect body weight (BW) at the first and second month of study but final BW linearly increased as NU was added. Neither pre-weaning average daily gain nor post-weaning average daily gain were affected by treatments; accordingly, feed efficiency was similar among treatment groups. Days with loose fecal score were linearly decreased as NU was added to whole milk during the first month of life, while the fecal score did not differ among treatments until the end of the study. No difference was observed in the skeletal growth of calves in the current study. Therefore, it can be concluded that NU supplementation in the whole milk has some beneficial effects on calf performance in terms of final BW, post-weaning DMI, and less days with loose feces.


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firdus Firdus

The effect of forage formulation (elephant grass, kaliandra, and gamal leaves) on the growth and carcass of sheepABSTRACT. Feed is one of most important factors to increase animal production. Feeding animal with only one kind of grass such as elephant grass on ruminant animals including sheep is not able to increase the productivity of the animals. Kaliandra and gamal leaves contain high level of protein and can be formulated to ruminant nutrition. The purpose of this experiment is to evaluate the effect of forage namely elephant grass (Penisetum sp.), kaliandra (Caliandra calothyrsus), and gamal (Gliricidia sepium) on the growth and carcass of sheep. Forty nine sheep with the starting weight of 15,42 kg (SD 2,68) were used in this experiment and fed fresh elephant grass (RGS), fresh kaliandra (KS), dried kaliandra (KKR) and steamed kaliandra (KKS). Treatment A: 70 % RGS + 30 % KS, B: 70 % RGS + 30 % GS, C: 70 % RGS + 15 % KS + 15 % GS, D: 70 % RGS + 15 % KKR + 15 % GS, E: 70 % RGS + 15 % KKS + 15 % GS. Animals were fed for 70 days and given free access of water (ad libitum). Data collection was the growth of animals (average daily gain) and the weight of carcass. All data was analyzed by ANOVA. The results of the experiment show that forage formulation (fresh elephant grass, fresh, dried and steamed kaliandra and fresh gamal leaves) were not significantly effect on the growth and carcass of sheep.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 399-399
Author(s):  
Ibukun M Ogunade

Abstract This study applied a chemical isotope labeling/liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based metabolomics technique to determine differences in plasma metabolites containing amine/phenol and carbonyl chemical groups in beef steers with divergent average daily gain (ADG). Thirty-eight Angus crossbred beef steers (21 d post-weaning; 210 ± 12 kg of BW) from a single source were housed in individual slatted floor pens and were fed the same total mixed ration (CP = 14.5% and NEg = 1.10 Mcal/kg) ad libitum for 42 d with free access to water. After 42 days of feeding, the steers were divided into two groups of lowest ADG (LF: n = 8) and highest (HF: n = 8) ADG. Blood samples were taken from both LF and HF steers and were immediately centrifuged to harvest the plasma. The average daily DM intake of the steers in LF and HF were 6.08 kg ± 0.57 and 6.04 kg ± 0.42, respectively, and was similar between the two groups (P = 0.72). The ADG of LF (0.99 kg ± 0.23) was lower (P = 0.01) than that of HF (1.63 kg ± 0.20). A total number of 42 carbonyl-containing metabolites and 229 amine/phenol-containing metabolites were identified in the plasma samples of both groups. No alteration in carbonyl-metabolome was detected. Ten metabolites including 4,6-dihydroxyquinoline, prolyl-valine, prolyl-leucine, prolyl-isoleucine, L-formylkynurenine, pyrocatechol, and histidine were greater in HF steers whereas 8 metabolites including arginine, phenylalanine, guanidoacetic acid, and aspartyl-threonine were greater in LF steers. This study demonstrated that beef steers with divergent ADG had altered plasma amine/phenol metabolome. Notably, plasma concentrations of dipeptides containing branched chain amino acid residues (prolyl-valine, prolyl-leucine, prolyl-isoleucine) and metabolites with anti-inflammatory and reactive oxygen-scavenging properties (4,6-dihydroxyquinoline and L-formylkynurenine) were greater in steers with high ADG.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 94-95
Author(s):  
Kelsie Webb ◽  
Ronald J Trotta ◽  
Phillip Bridges ◽  
James Matthews

Abstract To test the hypothesis that average daily gain (ADG) and clinical parameters of steers grazing novel non-toxic (NTE) or toxic KY-31 (TE) endophyte-infected tall fescue would be improved by ad libitum intake of vitamin-mineral mixes (V-M) that contain 27 ppm Se as a 1:1 blend of SELPLEX:sodium selenite (MIX) vs sodium selenite (ISe), 32 TE-naïve beef steers depleted of Se were randomly assigned to ad libitum consumption ISe vs MIX for 35 d and fed enough of a NTE/alfalfa/grain diet to achieve 0.57 kg BW gain/d. Within Se-form treatments, 2 steers were randomly assigned to each of 4, 2-acre NTE (ISe = 316 ± 31 kg, MIX = 315 ± 22 kg) or TE (ISe = 316 ± 37 kg, MIX = 314 ± 39 kg) paddocks for 84 d and had ad libitum access to their respective V-M. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to assess effects of day, Se-form (ISe, MIX) and endophyte (NTE, TE) treatments, and their interactions. Whole blood Se decreased (P &lt; 0.01) 31% from d 0 to 84 and was 6.2% greater (P &lt; 0.01) for MIX steers. Serum prolactin decreased (P &lt; 0.01) 18% for NTE and 48% for TE steers from d 0 to 84 and was 17% greater (P = 0.01) for MIX vs. ISe TE steers. Alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) decreased (P &lt; 0.02) 27% from d 0 to 84 and was 15% greater (P &lt; 0.02) for MIX steers. Serum urea nitrogen increased (P &lt; 0.02) 8.2% from d 0 to 84 for TE but not NTE steers. Average daily gain (kg/d) was less (P &lt; 0.01) in TE (-0.18) vs NTE (0.09) steers. We conclude that the ad libitum intake of MIX ameliorated the negative effects of consuming TE on serum prolactin and AP but not ADG.


Author(s):  
Megan E Myerscough ◽  
Lucas T Neira ◽  
Keifer H Sexton ◽  
Lucas S Hofer ◽  
Keela M Trennepohl ◽  
...  

Abstract The objectives were to analyze the effects of housing cow-calf pairs in drylots (DL) or pasture (PAST) on cow performance and reproduction as well as calf performance and behavior through feedlot receiving. Simmental × Angus (2 yr; 108/yr; 81 ± 15.3 d postpartum) spring-calving cows were stratified by age, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and calf sex and allotted to 6 groups/yr. Groups were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: DL or PAST. Cows in DL were limit-fed at maintenance and calves had ad libitum access to the cow diet in an adjacent pen. Pairs on PAST were rotationally grazed and calves received creep ad libitum three weeks prior to weaning. On d 110 calves were fence-line weaned and behavior was observed on d 111 and 112. On d 116 calves were transported 272 kilometers to a feedlot for a 42-d receiving period. Behavior was evaluated again on d 117 and 118. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS except reproductive data which was analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure. Cows on DL had greater (P ≤ 0.01) BW and BCS at weaning. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.42) detected in reproductive data. Cows on DL had greater (P = 0.02) milk production. Calves on DL had greater BW (P ≤ 0.01) on d 55 and at weaning and greater preweaning average daily gain (ADG). There were treatment × time effects (P = 0.01) for lying and eating on d 111 and 112. More DL calves were eating in the morning and lying in the evening. More (P &lt; 0.01) PAST calves were walking on d 111. Pasture calves vocalized more (P ≤ 0.01) on d 112. On d 117, more (P ≤ 0.05) pasture calves were lying and eating, and DL vocalized more. On d 118, treatment × time and treatment effects were detected (P ≤ 0.02) for lying and walking. More PAST calves were lying and more DL calves were walking. Drylot calves had greater (P ≤ 0.02) BW at the beginning and end of the receiving phase. Pasture calves had greater (P &lt; 0.01) ADG and tended (P = 0.10) to have greater gain efficiency during feedlot receiving phase. In conclusion, housing cow-calf pairs in drylots improved BW, BCS, and milk production of cows but did not affect reproductive performance. Drylot calves had increased BW and ADG during the preweaning phase. Calf behavior at weaning and receiving was influenced by preweaning housing. Pasture calves had improved receiving phase ADG and feed efficiency but were still lighter than drylot calves after 42 d receiving phase.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 977
Author(s):  
João Vinícius Barbosa Roberto ◽  
Bonifácio Benicio de Souza ◽  
Gabriel Jorge Carneiro de Oliveira  ◽  
Jaime Miguel de Araujo Filho ◽  
Thaiz Lamy Alves Ribeiro ◽  
...  

This study evaluated food intake and productive performance of crossbred (½ Santa Inês x ½ dorper) lambs supplemented with different levels of faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl) fodder salt. Thirty male sheep fed tifton grass hay, water, and faveleira fodder salt were randomly allocated into five treatments with six replicates each. The treatments consisted of diets with different inclusion levels of faveleira hay in the fodder salt composition: Treatment 1 (1% mineral salt + 99% faveleira hay), Treatment 2 (3% mineral salt + 97% faveleira hay), Treatment 3 (5% mineral salt + 95% faveleira hay), Treatment 4 (7% mineral salt + 93% faveleira hay), and Treatment 5 (Control - 100% mineral salt). Intake of dry matter, tifton hay and water, average daily gain, feed conversion, and feed efficiency were not affected by fodder salt supplementation (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in fodder salt intake between Treatments 4 and 5, and daily intake was higher in animals submitted to Treatment 4 (61.0 g day-1). Mineral salt intake increased significantly with increasing mineral salt levels in the diet. However, no significant difference was observed in average daily gain across treatments, indicating that faveleira hay, even in small quantities, and tifton hay were able to meet the nutritional requirements of animals to support a good average daily gain. The inclusion of up to 99% faveleira hay in fodder salt formulations did not affect voluntary intake of forage, water and dry matter, average daily gain, feed conversion, and feed efficiency. Lambs supplemented with faveleira fodder salt had average daily gains within the optimal range for slaughter and high feed conversion and feed efficiency values. Faveleira was shown to be an effective supplementary feed alternative in sheep.


2002 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Maris Bittar Nussio ◽  
John Tal Huber ◽  
Luiz Gustavo Nussio

The large utilization of coccidiostats in dairy herds has raised the question regards the best product to use, based on better animal performance. Sixty-four Holstein calves were randomly assigned to four treatments at 10 (±4) d of age to evaluate calf performance when fed approved coccidiostats available on the market in Arizona, USA. Calves received a dry calf starter without (control) or with one of the following coccidiostats: lasalocid, 30 mg kg-1; decoquinate, 19 mg kg-1; and monensin, 30 mg kg-1. Calves received 3.6 kg d-1 of a commercial 22% CP:20% fat milk replacer until 6 wk of age. Calves were offered starter "ad libitum" up to 2 kg d-1, and calves had free access to water throughout the trial. Alfalfa hay was offered "ad libitum" after weaning. Performance and dry matter intake (DMI) were monitored for 20 weeks and broken down in different periods of measurement (0-6, 7-12 and 13-20 weeks, respectively). Despite the lower dry matter intake and weight gain for females on monensin treatment during the whole period, differences among coccidiostats were seldom observed under the conditions of this study. Good calf management and the dry, hot climate of Arizona perhaps diminished the chances for subclinical and chronic disease appearance which negated potential differences and differences in calf performances.


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