Methods to Reducing Weaning Stress in Early Weaned Spring Beef Calves
Methods to Reducing Weaning Stress in Early Weaned Spring Beef Calves

Author: Matthew Daniel Hahn

Publisher:

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 124

ISBN-13:

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Reducing weaning stress in beef calves can have dramatic benefits to the health, growth, and performance to beef calves post-weaning. Studies have shown that providing creep feed to calves during the pre-weaning period can improve their nutritional status, which can better prepare them for the stresses they will be exposed to during the weaning process. Studies have also shown that two-stage weaning can reduce the stresses associated with weaning. Previous research has suggested that this method resulted in dramatic changes in behavioral signs associated with stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two-stage weaning with or without creep feed and creep feed without two-stage weaning on early-weaned spring-born beef calves. This study was done at the University of Arkansas SWREC in Hope, Arkansas, and consisted of 253 angus crossbreed cow-calf pairs in a spring-calving system over a two-year study (n = 140 in 2019; n = 113 in 2020). Following calving, all calves were randomly allocated to four different treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Treatment factors consisted of 1) nose flap vs no nose flap and 2) creep feed vs no creep feed. The four different treatment combinations were labeled as CON (control; no creep feed and no nose flap), NFC (nose flap with creep feed), NF (nose flap without creep feed), and CF (creep feed without nose flap). All measurements on performance were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05 and tendencies at 0.05.

An Evaluation of Weaning Strategies for Great Plains Cow-calf Producers
An Evaluation of Weaning Strategies for Great Plains Cow-calf Producers

Author: Eric Arthur Bailey

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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We evaluated effects of preconditioning on performance and health of beef calves raised and finished in the Great Plains. In experiment 1, calves were preconditioned for 0, 15, or 45 d and vaccinated against BRD-causing pathogens 14 d before maternal separation or after feedlot arrival. During receiving and finishing, preconditioned calves had greater DMI and ADG than non-preconditioned calves; however, timing of BRD vaccination did not affect animal health. In experiment 2, calves were vaccinated against BRD pathogens 0, 1, 2, or 3 times during a 30-d preconditioning program. Vaccination for BRD, regardless of degree, improved health during preconditioning; however, DMI, ADG, and G:F during preconditioning, receiving, and finishing were unaffected by degree of vaccination. In experiment 3, calves were preconditioned for 30 d, shipped 4 h to an auction facility, commingled for 12 h, and transported 4, 8, or 12 h to a feedlot. Feedlot performance and health of beef calves were not affected by transport of up to 12 h following auction-market commingling. In experiment 4, beef calves were subjected to 1 of 3 ranch-of-origin preconditioning programs: drylot weaning + abrupt dam separation, pasture weaning + fence-line contact with dams, and pasture weaning + fence-line contact with dams + supplemental feed delivered in a bunk. Drylot-weaned calves gained more weight during preconditioning. Unsupplemented, pasture-weaned calves had the least ADG during receiving but had greater ADG during finishing and had carcass characteristics similar to other treatments. In experiment 5, we evaluated performance of early-weaned beef calves fed grain-based diets with DMI adjusted to achieve ADG of 0.45, 0.91, or 1.36 kg/d during an 84-d growing period. Calves fed at restricted rates did not exhibit improved G:F relative to full-fed counterparts. In addition, there appeared to be limitations associated with predicting DMI and ADG of light-weight, early-weaned calves fed a grain-based diet.

Weaning Age and Source of Energy Influence Beef Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics
Weaning Age and Source of Energy Influence Beef Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics

Author: William T. Meteer

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Angus and Angus x Simmental calves (n=200) were randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments at two locations: Early Wean Starch Diet (EWS), Early Wean Fiber Diet (EWF), Creep Fed Starch Diet (CFS), Creep Fed Fiber Diet (CFF), or Control (CON). Control calves were normal weaned and received no supplemental feed while they grazed with their dams. The diets fed to early-weaned and creep-fed cattle were formulated to be isonitrogenous. Early-weaned calves (133±21 days of age) were placed in the feedlot, while normal-weaned calves remained with their dams on pasture (2 or 3 replications per location). Creep feed was offered ad-libitum to CFS and CFF. After a 100 d treatment phase, calves were placed in the feedlot on a common diet. GrowSafe® was used to measure individual intake of all calves in the feedlot. In the treatment phase, early-weaned gained more than creep-fed (1.6 vs. 1.5 kg, P

Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle
Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle

Author: Subcommittee on Beef Cattle Nutrition

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2000-05-16

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 0309069343

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As members of the public becomes more concious of the food they consume and its content, higher standards are expected in the preparation of such food. The updated seventh edition of Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle explores the impact of cattle's biological, production, and environmental diversities, as well as variations on nutrient utilization and requirements. More enhanced than previous editions, this edition expands on the descriptions of cattle and their nutritional requirements taking management and environmental conditions into consideration. The book clearly communicates the current state of beef cattle nutrient requirements and animal variation by visually presenting related data via computer-generated models. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle expounds on the effects of beef cattle body condition on the state of compensatory growth, takes an in-depth look at the variations in cattle type, and documents the important effects of the environment and stress on food intake. This volume also uses new data on the development of a fetus during pregnancy to prescribe nutrient requirements of gestating cattle more precisely. By focusing on factors such as product quality and environmental awareness, Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle presents standards and advisements for acceptable nutrients in a complete and conventional manner that promotes a more practical understanding and application.

Guidelines for the Humane Transportation of Research Animals
Guidelines for the Humane Transportation of Research Animals

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2006-07-14

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13: 030916477X

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Arranging the transportation of animals at research facilities is often an ordeal. There is a confusing patchwork of local, national, and international regulations; a perceived lack of high-quality shipping services; a dearth of science-based good practices; and a lack of biosafety standards. It's a challenge â€"and an impediment to biomedical research. Guidelines for the Humane Transportation of Research Animals identifies the current problems encountered in the transportation of research animals and offers recommendations aimed at local and federal officials to rectify these problems. This book also includes a set of good practices based on the extensive body of literature on transportation of agricultural animals, universal concepts of physiology, and a scientific understanding of species-specific needs and differences. Good practices were developed by the committee to address thermal environment, space requirements, food and water requirements, social interaction, monitoring of transportation, emergency procedures, personnel training, and biosecurity. Guidelines for the Humane Transportation of Research Animals is an essential guide for all researchers, animal care technicians, facilities managers, administrators, and animal care and use committees at research institutions.