The effect of calf nutrition on the performance of dairy herd replacements.
نویسندگان
چکیده
Sixty-five Holstein-Friesian calves were randomly allocated to one of eight nutritional treatments at 4 days of age. In this factorial design study, the treatments comprised of four levels of milk replacer (MR) mixed in 6 l of water (500, 750, 1000 and 1250 g/day) × two crude protein (CP) concentrations (230 and 270 g CP/kg dry matter (DM)). MR was fed via automatic teat feeders and concentrates were offered via automated dispensers during the pre-wean period. MR and calf starter concentrate intake were recorded until weaning with live weight and body measurements recorded throughout the rearing period until heifers entered the dairy herd at a targeted 24 months of age. There was no effect of MR protein concentration on concentrate or MR intake, and no effect on body size or live weight at any stage of development. During the pre-weaning period, for every 100 g increase in MR allowance, concentrate consumption was reduced by 39 g/day. While, for every 100 g increase in the amount of MR offered, live weight at days 28 and 270 increased by 0.76 and 2.61 kg, respectively (P < 0.05). Increasing MR feed levels increased (P < 0.05) heart girth and body condition score at recordings during the first year of life, but these effects disappeared thereafter. Increasing MR feeding level tended to reduce both age at first observed oestrus and age at first service but no significant effect on age at first calving was observed. Neither MR feeding level nor MR CP content affected post-calving live weight or subsequent milk production. Balance measurements conducted using 44 male calves during the pre-weaning period showed that increasing milk allowance increased energy and nitrogen (N) intake, diet DM digestibility, true N digestibility and the biological value of the dietary protein. Increasing the MR protein content had no significant effect on the apparent digestibility of N or DM.
منابع مشابه
Factors affecting stillbirth and effects of stillbirth on subsequent lactation performance in a Holstein dairy herd in Isfahan
The purposes of this study were to estimate the effects of risk factors on stillbirth parturition and evaluatethe effects of stillbirth on lactation performance in Holstein dairy cows. Data were obtained from a dairycattle herd located in Isfahan province, Iran. The logit of the probability of stillbirth was modeled usinglogistic regression and the effect of stillbirth on lactation performance ...
متن کاملProbable occurrence of black leg in a sucker dairy calf: the necessity of providing sufficient maternal antibody in endemic regions
Black leg has been reported in a variety of animals, but is ofthe most importance in cattle and sheep. A20 days old Holsteindairy calf was examined because of anorexia and lameness from2 days ago. The calf was depressed, tachypneic, tachycardic, andhad a body temperature of 38.5ºC. Both hind limbs proximal tothe tarsal joint were markedly swollen, firm and painful. Nocrepitation was noted on pa...
متن کاملReproductive Performance Definition in Dairy Cattle: Affective Factors
The reproductive performance of a dairy herd has a significant effect on the profitability of that herd. Common measures of reproductive performance are days to first service, days to conception, calving interval, services per conception, conception rate, estrus detection rate, and pregnancy rate. Most cow operations would benefit economically by reducing the number of operational days, decreas...
متن کاملReproductive Performance Definition in Dairy Cattle: Affective Factors
The reproductive performance of a dairy herd has a significant effect on the profitability of that herd. Common measures of reproductive performance are days to first service, days to conception, calving interval, services per conception, conception rate, estrus detection rate, and pregnancy rate. Most cow operations would benefit economically by reducing the number of operational days, decreas...
متن کاملFactors Affecting High Mortality Rates of Dairy Replacement Calves and Heifers in the Tropics and Strategies for Their Reduction
The tropics is not an ideal location for calf rearing as the high temperatures and humidities introduce many potential disease problems to milk fed calves. In addition, the type of dairy farming (generally poorly resourced small holder farming) and the general lack of awareness of the long term implications of poorly reared stock do not encourage farmers to pay close attention to their calf and...
متن کاملEffect of Metabolic Stress on Ovarian Activity and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cattle: A Review
Reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle has been decreased over the last 5 decades despite significant gains in genetic selection, improved reproductive technologies and nutritional care. In high-yielding dairy cattle, the negative energy balance (NEB) during the first week post-partum adversely affects ovarian activity, mainly follicle growth and steroidogenesis. Circulating levels of non-este...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید
ثبت ناماگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید
ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience
دوره 6 6 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2012