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.

Calf and Heifer Feeding and management
Calf and Heifer Feeding and management

Author: Zhijun Cao

Publisher: MDPI

Published: 2020-12-11

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 3039436619

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From birth to first calving, the replacement heifer undergoes tremendous changes anatomically as well as in feeding and management practices. The calf changes from being a pseudo-monogastric to a full ruminant within a period of two months. During the same period, the calf is fed colostrum, milk, or milk replacer, and starter with or without hay. Notably, the lifetime milk production and health of a dairy cow is highly dependent on early life nutrition and management of the calf and, subsequently, the heifer. Hence, animal scientists continue to investigate critical areas such as colostrum feeding, the level of liquid feeding, gut microbial succession, energy and protein levels, housing, health management, and their interactions with the animal in an effort to help dairy producers raise successful and sustainable dairy enterprises.

Examination of Growth from Weaning Through Harvest and Beef Quality Parameters of Early Versus Traditionally Weaned Beef Cattle
Examination of Growth from Weaning Through Harvest and Beef Quality Parameters of Early Versus Traditionally Weaned Beef Cattle

Author: Denise McNamara

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13:

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One hundred-and-forty Angus X Gelbvieh and purebred Angus steers were randomly assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial split-plot design. Steers were sorted by age, sire and farm and randomized into four treatment groups. Steers were early weaned (EW; averaged 90 d of age) or traditionally weaned (TW; averaged 210 d of age) and implanted or non-implanted. Ultrasound measurements for ribeye area, 12th rib fat thickness and marbling were collected every 28-d while the cattle were on feed. On a days of age basis, EW calves had higher ultrasonic ribeye area (USREA) and ultrasonic 12th rib back fat (USBF) measurements than TW calves, most likely due to calf age difference. Early weaned calves had higher body weights at the time of TW, most likely due to being on a high concentrate diet for 115 d prior to TW calves. Early weaned calves spent more time on feed than TW animals to reach market weight. Early weaned calves had heavier hot carcass weights and higher USDA marbling scores. More EW animals reached an USDA quality grade of Choice or better. No differences were seen in ribeye area, 12th rib back fat thickness, or liver abscess scores between the EW and TW animals collected at harvest. A subsample of 24 cattle grown to different ages revealed younger animals had more tender shear forces after 14 d of postmortem aging; however no differences were found after 21 d of aging. Standard deviations showed more uniformity of tenderness in the younger, early weaned cattle versus the older, traditional weaned cattle.

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

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.