In a national survey of US dairy operations, 1685 dairy operations reported 47,057 new dairy heifers (either births or acquisitions) and 4427 deaths (9.4%) of preweaned dairy heifer calves over a 3 month period. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify management practices associated with high mortality among preweaned heifers in dairy operations where at least three dairy heifer calve...

The scale of sexed semen use to avoid the birth of unwanted bull calves in the UK dairy industry depends on several economic factors. It has been suggested in other studies that calf gender may affect milk yield in Holsteins- something that would affect the economics of sexed semen use. The present study used a large milk recording data set to evaluate the effect of calf gender (both calf born ...

A procedure was developed to rank AI sires on utility. The utility function considered transmitting abilities for production, udder depth, teat placement; and foot angle, semen cost, timing of costs and revenues, gene flow, and risk. Weights for type traits relative to production and risk aversion were based on the literature. A three-generation planning horizon was used. Utility was expressed ...

Grazing height of limpograss pastures is thought to be important in determining pasture performance and cattle weight gains, but this has not been tested under continuous grazing. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of grazing limpograss pastures (continuous grazing) to heights of 8, 16, or 24 in during two summers and providing a non-protein nitrogen supplement to yearli...

A 3-yr study was conducted to determine the effect of heifer development system on ADG, reproductive performance, and subsequent feed efficiency as a pregnant heifer. Crossbred Angus heifers (n= 299) were assigned by initial BW to be developed grazing corn residue (CR) or in a drylot (DL). Corn residue heifers grazed native pasture 33 d prior to grazing CR 73 d. Corn residue heifers were then p...

From 20 to 30 percent of the animals in a milking herd are replaced each year. Success in improving the herd depends upon whether the replacement heifers are managed so that they will meet their genetic potential to produce milk. Cost of maintaining heifers varies among farms, but a cost of $1 to $2 per day is common. Scheduling first-calf heifers to calve 2 months earlier saves $60 in feed cos...

AIM To determine the prevalence and diversity of Eimeria spp. in dairy cattle present in and around Guwahati, Kamrup district, Assam, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 2339 fecal samples of calves (535), heifer (641) and adult (1163) cattle were screened for 1 year present in and around Guwahati, Assam for detection of Eimeria oocysts by flotation techniques. Sporulation of the oocyst w...

Abstract Reproductive performance of heifers is a key indicator herd productivity. The objective was to evaluate markers and genes associated with reproductive tract characteristics through comparative approach. For this study, 295 admixed beef were examined via transrectal ultrasonography at approximately 13 months age. Exploratory factor analysis antral follicular count (count per size, side,...