Calving system and weaning age effects on cow and preweaning calf performance in the Northern Great Plains

A 3-yr study evaluated late winter (Feb), early spring (Apr), and late spring (Jun) calving systems in conjunction with varied weaning strategies on beef cow and calf performance from Northern Great Plains rangelands. Crossbred cows were randomly assigned to one of three calving systems (on average n= 168.calving system(-1).yr(-1)) and one of two weaning times (Wean 1, 2) within each calving system. The Feb and Apr calves were weaned at 190 and 240 d of age, whereas Jun calves were weaned at 140 and 190 d of age. Breeding by natural service occurred in a 32-d period that included estrous synchronization. Cows were managed throughout the year as appropriate for their calving season. Quantity and quality of hay and supplements were provided based on forage and weather conditions, physiological state of the cows, and available harvested feed resources within a year. After weaning, two-thirds of the early weaned steers were fed in confinement in Montana, and one-third were shipped to Oklahoma and were grazed or fed forage. One-half of the early weaned heifers grazed seeded pastures, and the other half was fed in confinement. Early weaned calves were weighed on approximately the same day as late-weaned calves. Birth weight and overall rate of gain from birth to weaning did not differ for calves from the three calving systems. Calf weaning weight differed by weaning age within calving system (P = 0.001), and calves from the Jun calving system that were weaned at 190 d of age tended (P = 0.06) to be lighter than calves of the same age from the Feb or Apr calving systems. Cow BW change and BCS dynamics were affected by calving system, but the proportion of cows pregnant in the fall was not. Cows suckled until later dates gained less or lost more BW during the 50 d between the first and second weaning than dry cows during this period. The previous year's weaning assignment did not affect production in the following year. Estimated harvested feed inputs were less for the Jun cows than for the Feb and Apr cows. We conclude that season of calving and weaning age affect outputs from rangeland-based beef cattle operations.     

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF FEMALE CATTLE IN THE KIMBERLEY REGION OF NORTHWESTERN AUSTRALIA

Three experiments were done to determine the influence of supplementary feeding with crushed whole cotton seed and weaning on the productivity of breeding female cattle under range conditions in the Kimberley region, north-western Australia. In the first experiment, supplementary feeding cut losses of breeding cows from 47% to nil, and increased calf turn-off from 18% to 58%, in a sample of cattle from Argyle Downs cattle station during a severe dry season. In the second experiment, weaning calves at 4–6 months of age reduced weight loss in supplemented cows, from 21 to 8% over the last 100 days of the dry season, although the subsequent growth of supplemented weaned calves was inferior to that of non-weaned calves. In the third experiment, weaning of calves had no effect on body weight changes in supplemented cows, although non-weaned calves gained significantly faster than weaned supplemented calves. Control of cattle tick infestation by spraying increased blood haematocrit and haemoglobin values, but had no effect on total plasma proteins. A survey of feral cattle in the Kimberley area showed depressed blood haeboglobin, haematocrit and plasma protein values in breeding cows compared with other classes of cattle.     

Effects of breeding season length and calving season on range beef cow productivity

A 5-yr study was conducted beginning in 1983 with 460 cows to evaluate the effects of three breeding seasons (30, 45, and 70 d in length) and two times of spring calving, March (early) and April (late), on cattle production under Nebraska Sandhills range conditions. Criteria evaluated included pregnancy and weaning percentages, calving date and distribution, cow weights and body condition at four intervals, calf birth and weaning weights, and cow productivity. The 30-d breeding season included a 10-d estrus synchronization and AI period; in the other breeding seasons only natural breeding was used. The same sires were used over the entire study period. Percentage of cows pregnant and percentage of calves weaned were lower (P less than .01) for cows bred for 30 d than for cows bred for 45 or 70 d. Average calving dates were similar among the breeding groups within the early and late calving herds. Pregnancy rates from AI were higher (P less than .01) for the cows calving in April (64%) than for the cows calving in March (41%). Cows calving in April lost less weight between precalving and prebreeding and were heavier (P less than .05) at prebreeding time than the cows calving in March. Calf weaning weights were not different (P greater than .10) among any of the breeding season groups or between the two calving herds when calves were weaned at a similar age. Cow productivity (calf weaning weight per breeding female) was highest (P less than .05) for the cows bred for 70 d (186 kg), intermediate for the cows bred for 45 d (172 kg), and lowest for cows bred for 30 d (162 kg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Metabolic and luteal function in winter‐calving Spanish beef cows as affected by calf management and breed

This experiment aimed at evaluating the effect of calf management and breed on the metabolic and luteal function of post‐partum beef cows fed at maintenance. Fifty multiparous cows, 22 Parda de Montaña (PA) and 28 Pirenaica (PI), were assigned to either suckling once‐daily for 30 min (RESTR) or ad libitum (ADLIB) from the day after calving. Blood samples were collected to analyse metabolites [non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β‐hydroxybutyrate, total protein and urea)], insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and progesterone (P4) at different intervals. Cows from RESTR maintained their live‐weight (LW) over the first 3 months post‐partum, whereas ADLIB cows lost nearly 4% LW. Both genotypes showed similar LW gains during this period (p > 0.10). Calf daily gains were lower in RESTR than in ADLIB treatment (p < 0.05), but similar across breeds (p > 0.10). Milk and lactose production were lower in RESTR cows than in ADLIB (p < 0.05). Milk and protein yield were greater in PA than in PI breed (p < 0.05). Serum NEFA, total protein and urea were higher in PI cows suckling ADLIB than in the rest (p < 0.05). Cows from PI breed had greater NEFA values than PA ones on the first week post‐partum (p < 0.001). Circulating IGF‐I was not affected by suckling frequency, breed nor their interaction (p > 0.10). Suckling frequency, but not breed, affected the interval from calving to first ovulation (p < 0.001), being shorter in RESTR than in ADLIB cows. In conclusion, the ad libitum suckling practice improved cow milk yield and offspring gain compared to once‐daily suckling for 30 min from the day after calving, at the expense of impairing the onset of cyclicity. The effect of calf management was confounded with breed on the studied blood biochemical constituents, but any of these metabolites influenced the role of endocrine IGF‐I in these genotypes.     

Study of the effect of genotype–environment interaction on age at first calving and production traits in Nellore cattle using multi‐trait reaction norms and Bayesian inference

This study investigated the effects of genotype–environment interaction on yearling weight, age at first calving and post‐weaning weight gain in Nellore cattle using multi‐trait reaction norm models. The environmental gradient was defined as a function of the mean yearling weight of the contemporary groups. A first‐order random regression sire model with four classes of residual variance was used in the analyses and Bayesian methods were applied to estimate the (co)variance components. The heritability estimates ranged from 0.284 to 0.547, 0.222 to 0.316 and 0.256 to 0.522 for yearling weight, age at first calving and post‐weaning weight gain, respectively. The lowest genetic correlations between environment groups for each trait were 0.38, 0.02 and 0.04 for yearling weight, age at first calving and post‐weaning weight gain, respectively. Differences in the correlation estimates were observed between traits in the same environments, with the magnitude of the estimates tending toward zero as the environment improved. The results highlight the importance of including genotype–environment interactions in genetic evaluation programs considering the differences observed between environmental groups not only in terms of heritability, but also of genetic correlations.     

Simulation of genetic and environmental interaction of three tropical hair sheep breeds.

The Texas A&M Sheep Simulation Model was used to examine genetic-environmental interactions (GEI) among Brazilian Somali, Morada Nova, and Santa Ines breeds and type and level of feed supplement in northeast Brazil. Two sets of simulations were conducted to examine effects of different supplement quality (napier grass vs cunha legume) and quantity (napier grass only). The analyses indicated the benefits from supplementing lambs at weaning during the dry season and from supplementing lactating ewes at the beginning of lambing season when forage is scarce. The cunha legume was an effective supplement, but choosing between cunha legume and napier grass is an economic consideration. Increasing the amount of napier grass supplement per ewe from 200 g/d to 400 g/d resulted in a significant GEI (i.e., different levels of response such as lamb mortality rate, lamb weaning weight, and lambing rate for different breeds). The Brazilian Somali was the least responsive, whereas the Santa Ines was the most responsive to supplementation. It was concluded that the level of supplement should be higher for the Santa Ines and Morada Nova than for the Somali. The amount of supplement should be regulated so that it neither substitutes for nor lowers the utilization of the native caatinga forage. None of the breeds was simulated to be superior in all environments. Thus, considering the wide range of resources of individual farmers, any one of these breeds may be the preferred choice, depending on the individual set of production resources.     

A Monitoring Study on the Prevalence of Dermatophilosis and Parafilariosis in Cattle in a Smallholder Semi-arid Farming Area in Zimbabwe

The prevalences of dermatophilosis and parafilariosis were monitored for one year in cattle in Sanyati, a semi-arid smallholder farming area in Zimbabwe. The prevalence of dermatophilosis differed (p < 0.05) with season and among calves, cows, oxen and bulls. In bulls and cows, dermatophilosis lesions were localized mainly to the inguinal regions and between the front limbs. The prevalence and morbidity of dermatophilosis infection were significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the wet season than in the dry season. No mortalities were recorded. The prevalence of parafilariosis was similar to that of dermatophilosis. Infection of cattle by these skin diseases was preceded by high infestation with the tick Amblyomma variegatum. The results suggest that dermatophilosis and parafilariosis have become major diseases that could compromise reproductive performance, draught power availability and overall cattle productivity, particularly during the rainy season in Sanyati smallholder farming area of Zimbabwe.     

Effect of crambe meal on performance, reproduction, and thyroid hormone levels in gestating and lactating beef cows

Crambe meal was compared to a combination of sunflower and soybean meal as a protein supplement for mature beef cows in two experiments. In Exp. 1, cows (n = 80, average BW 651+/-14.4 kg) were fed crambe meal at 9.86% of dry matter intake (DMI) during the last trimester of gestation. No differences (P < .05) were detected due to treatment for cow weight, condition score, thyroid hormones, calf birth weight, or calving interval. In Exp. 2, cows (n = 100, average BW 566+/-6.82 kg) were fed crambe meal at 7.44% of DMI during the last trimester of gestation and at 8.33% of DMI during early lactation (53+/-6 d of lactation). Gains were greater during gestation (P = .09) and throughout the supplementation period (P = .06), and days to first estrus were reduced (P < .01) for cows fed crambe meal. During lactation, serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations did not decline as much (P = .03) in cows fed crambe meal as in cows fed sunflower-soybean meal-based supplements. No differences (P > .10) were apparent for condition score, birth weight, calf growth rate, weaning weight, thyroid hormones during gestation, or calving interval. These data indicate that crambe meal fed at the levels used in this experiment can be used as a protein supplement for beef cows without negatively affecting cows' performance.     

Evaluation of calving seasons and marketing strategies in Northern Great Plains beef enterprises. II. Retained ownership systems

Two bioeconomic computer models were used to evaluate calving seasons in combination with calf marketing strategies for a range-based cow-calf enterprise in the Northern Great Plains. Calving seasons studied were spring (SP, calving beginning March 15 and weaning October 31), spring with calf mortality increased by 5% (SP-IM), summer (SU, calving beginning May 15 and weaning December 31), summer with early weaning (SU-EW, calving beginning May 15 and weaning October 31), and fall (FA, calving beginning August 15 and weaning February 1). Marketing scenarios for steer calves and nonreplacement heifer calves were as follows: sold after weaning (WS), backgrounded in Montana and sold as feeder cattle (WBS), backgrounded in Montana and then fed to slaughter BW in Nebraska (WBFS), and shipped to Nebraska at weaning and fed to slaughter BW (WFS). Quarterly inflation-adjusted cattle and feedstuff prices were representative of the 1990s cattle cycle. Cumulative gross margin (CGM), the sum of ranch gross margin and net return from retained ownership was used to compare systems. At the peak of the cattle cycle, all forms of retained ownership (WBS, WBFS, WFS) were profitable for all calving seasons, but during the descending phase, only WBS increased CGM markedly over WS for SU-EW. At the cycle valley, retained ownership was not profitable for SP and SP-IM, whereas WBFS and WFS were profitable for SU and SU-EW, and all forms of retained ownership were profitable for FA. During the ascending phase, retained ownership was profitable for all calving season-marketing combinations. Systems with the greatest CGM at each phase of the cattle cycle were FA-WFS, SP-WBS, FA-WFS, and FA-WFS at the peak, descending, valley, and ascending phases, respectively. In beef enterprises representative of the Northern Great Plains, with a restricted grazing season and limited access to low-cost, good-quality grazeable forage, no single calving season and no single combination of calving season and calf marketing is expected to be superior throughout the cattle cycle. Fall calving systems most often benefit from retained ownership through slaughter.     

Effects of Feeding Maize Stover and Cottonseed Cake on Onset of Puberty in Bunaji (Bos indicus) Heifers

A study was conducted to determine the influence of maize stover and cottonseed cake supplementation on age and live weight at onset of puberty in Bunaji heifers. A total of 49 pre-pubertal Bunaji heifers approximately 12 months of age were allotted randomly to one of two treatments of feed supplementation: (i) supplementation with maize stover and (ii) supplementation with cottonseed cake. The heifers were monitored for a period of 18 months for first observable oestrus or onset of puberty. The maize stover group were given maize stover (crop residue) supplementation ad libitum during the dry season; in the cottonseed cake group each heifer received 500 g of cottonseed cake per day during the dry season. The heifers supplemented with cottonseed cake attained puberty at an earlier age (23.9+/-1.2 months) than the heifers supplemented with maize stover (28.2+/-1.3 months; p<0.05). Similarly, heifers on the cottonseed cake supplementation attained puberty at a live weight of 270.5+/-3.5 kg; while the heifers on maize stover attained puberty at 237.6+/-5.8 kg (p <0.05). The cottonseed cake-supplemented heifers had higher daily gains than the maize stover-supplemented heifers. It is concluded that provision of cottonseed cake as a supplement for heifers hastened the onset of puberty when compared to the maize stover supplemented heifers. Puberty can be achieved at an early age with improved nutrition and this can in turn reduce the generation interval and thus increase the rate of genetic gain of indigenous animals. Provision of protein supplements in cattle is recommended, especially in the tropics where marked seasonality of rainfall results in extremely poor pastures and herbage and low available protein.     

Efficiency of nitrogen metabolism in beef cattle grazing pasture and supplemented with different protein levels in the rainy season

Supplementation of animals in the rainy season is essential to maximise weight gain. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with low-, medium- and high-protein levels on nutritional parameters of grazing beef cattle in the rainy season. Eight rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (437 kg body weight) were used in a 4?×?4 double Latin square design with four supplements and four experimental periods. The treatments were mineral supplement (ad libitum) and supplements with low-protein (LPSU), medium-protein (MPS) and high-protein (HPS) levels, providing 106, 408 and 601 g/day of crude protein (CP), respectively. There was no difference (P?>?0.05) between treatments for dry matter and forage intake, ruminal pH, ruminal ammonia nitrogen (RAN) at time 0 (before supplementation) and microbial protein yield. Animals on MPS had a higher (P?>?0.05) intake and digestibility of CP, higher RAN levels (3 and 6 h after supplementation), increased nitrogen intake and a better nitrogen balance than animals on LPSU. The HPS provided higher (P?>?0.05) RAN at time 6 and a better nitrogen balance when compared with MPS. We therefore infer that the high-protein supplement positively impacts nitrogen metabolism and efficiency in grazing beef cattle during the rainy season.     

Modelling spring and autumn calving systems in beef herds of the Salado region of Argentina

Spring calving is recommended for beef herds in the Salado region of Argentina, but autumn calving is an alternative being used by some farmers. This study explored the biological and economic feasibility of autumn calving in cow–calf systems and their long-term performance compared with spring calving. Reproduction and calf performance data were collected from an autumn calving herd (1999–2005) and from a spring calving herd (1966–1995) at the INTA-Balcarce Research Station (37°45′ S; 58°18′ W). Similar data were obtained from a commercial farm which practiced both autumn and spring calving (1998–2003). These data showed that autumn calving is feasible in the region, provided that cows calve with a high condition score. This is a major difference with spring calving, where cows can normally gain weight during breeding. A climatically driven computer model was used to compare, at farm level, the effect of calving season across a range of combinations of weaning dates and stocking rates. Spring calving systems had greater production potential (15–20%) and profitability (17–28%) at high stocking rates. However, at low to moderate stocking rates, calving season had little effect on expected production and risk efficiency. This suggests that autumn calving could be a suitable alternative for the Salado region of Argentina. To exploit its potential, however, calf weaning age should be greater than with spring calving.     

Feeding value of whole raw soya beans as a protein supplement for beef cattle consuming low‐quality forages

Experiments (Exp) I and II were conducted to compare raw whole soya beans (WSB), roasted (rWSB) or other protein sources as supplements of low‐quality forages fed ad libitum to beef cattle, upon DM intake (DMI), ruminal and blood parameters, and animal performance. Exp I: treatments for wheat straw fed to four ruminally cannulated steers were (i) Control‐WS: no supplement; (ii) WSB‐WS: whole soya beans; (iii) rWSB‐WS: roasted WSB; and (iv) SBM‐WS: soybean meal–wheat midds mixture; all fed at 1.4 kg DM/day. Exp II: 12 steers grazed deferred grain sorghum (DS) receiving these treatments: (i) Control‐DS: no supplement; (ii) WSB‐DS: 1.26 kg DM/day whole soya beans; and (iii) SFM‐DS: 1.35 kg DM/day of sunflower meal. In Exp I, WS DMI resulted 47, 52 and 41% greater for WSB‐WS, rWSB‐WS and SBM‐WS, respectively, than Control‐WS (p < .05). In Exp II, the DMI of DS was unaffected by supplementation; a substitution of DS by supplement was found for WSB‐DS (p < .05); however, total diet and digestible DMI increased with supplementation (p < .05). Rumen pH in Exp I remained unaffected by supplementation, but N‐NH₃ as well as blood urea‐N in Exp II increased (p < .05). In Exp II, average daily weight gains improved similarly with both supplements compared with Control‐DS. Additionally, feed‐to‐gain ratio decreased (p < .05), being lower for WSB‐DS (8.3) vs. SFM‐DS (9.9). Roasting effects of WSB as a supplement for low‐quality forages were not detected, and all protein sources increased total diet DMI and forage utilization. Only moderate cattle weight gains could be expected for unsupplemented DS.     

Effects of forage type,body condition and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in the bovine cytochrome P450 regulatory region on cow productivity*

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the coding sequence of cytochrome p450 (CYP3A28) have been associated with milk yield and composition, and calving traits in cows. In this study, we aimed to determine whether (i) the CYP3A28 regulatory region was polymorphic and (ii) SNP genotype, forage type, body condition and their interactions affect cow productivity. Primers for CYP3A28 promoter were designed to amplify a 483‐bp segment by PCR. Amplicon sequences revealed seven SNP (T‐318C, T‐113A, C‐189T, T‐78G, A6G, G17A and T21C) in Brahman (38 cows), Brahman x Angus reciprocal crosses (47 cows) and crossbreds (98 cows). Angus cows (n = 41) appeared to be fixed at those SNP locations. Genotype and forage {endophyte‐infected tall fescue [KY+; Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S. J. Darbyshire] vs. bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]} effects on lifetime (8‐years) calving rate, and calf weaning weights and heights were determined in Herd 1 (126 cows); genotype and BC (low vs. moderate) effects on calving date and calving percent were determined in Herd 2 (98 cows). Four SNP (T‐318C, T‐113A, A06G and T21C) appeared to be related to cattle productivity, CC cows at T‐318C having a lower (p < 0.05) lifetime calving rate than TC or TT cows (65%, 85% and 81% respectively). Cows that grazed KY+ and were TT at T‐318C produced calves that tended (p < 0.07) to weigh less than their contemporaries. Moreover, calves of TT cows were shorter (p < 0.05) at weaning than calves of CC or TC cows. In Herd 2, moderate‐BC cows that were TT or AA at T‐318C, T‐113A, T‐78G, A6G and T21C had greater (p < 0.05) calving rates (74–80%) than heterozygous cows (46–60%), and low‐BC cows that were AA at G17A calved at least 6 days earlier (p < 0.05) than heterozygous cows. Our findings suggest that SNP in the CYP3A28 regulatory region of Brahman‐influenced cows are associated with cattle productivity.     

牛秸秆及牧草的补饲与替代率

秸秆及天然牧草是我国养牛的主要饲料，但喂秸秆及牧草营养不全，需要补饲，只要补饲得当就可增加干物质食入量。替代率是表示食入量的重要指标。本文综述了牧草补饲、秸秆的补饲及舍饲粗料的能量补饲与替代率，以便提高干物质食入量。促进牛的生产力。     

The nutritional interrelationship between the growing and finishing phases in crossbred cattle raised in a tropical system

This study evaluated the nutritional interrelationship between the growing and finishing phases of crossbred cattle in determining their performance. One hundred and eight animals were used (8 months old, body weight [BW] 211 ± 20 kg). During the dry season, the animals received one of the following supplements: a mineral plus urea supplement (ad libitum, MSD), a protein supplement (1 g/kg BW per day, PR1), or a protein-energy supplement (5 g/kg BW per day, PE). During the rainy season, the animals received one of the following supplements: a mineral without urea supplement (ad libitum, MSR), a protein supplement (1 g/kg BW per day, PR2), or PE (5 g/kg BW per day). The experimental design was completely randomized using a 3 × 3 factorial scheme (for the rainy season) and a 3 × 3 × 2 factorial scheme (for the finishing phase). The supplementation and finishing systems were considered to be the treatments, and the animals were considered to be the experimental units. Dry season supplementation did not affect the average daily gain (ADG) during the rainy season (P = 0.12) or the finishing phase (P = 0.73). An increase in the level of rainy season supplementation reduced ADG by 12% during the finishing phase (P < 0.06). Providing PE during the dry and rainy seasons led to the animals being slaughtered 17 (P = 0.06) and 30 (P < 0.01) days earlier, respectively. Our results indicate that supplementation during the dry season (under poor-quality pasture conditions) does not affect the performance during the rainy season or the finishing phase. Furthermore, while providing PE during the rainy season can reduce ADG during finishing, the higher BW at the beginning of the finishing phase is sufficient to reduce the time of the finishing period.     

Alleviation of body weight loss by dietary methionine is independent of insulin‐like growth factor‐I in protein‐starved young chickens

It is well known that in protein‐starved chickens, small amounts of amino acid supplement, especially methionine, reduces nitrogen excretion and thereby improves nitrogen balance. On the other hand, excess intake of methionine causes growth depression and the growth‐depressive effect of excess methionine can be alleviated by consumption of dietary glycine. Insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) is one of various growth‐promoting factors relating to the efficiency of animal production and is known to be very sensitive to changes in nutritional status. In the present study, the interactive effect of glycine on nitrogen sparing effect of methionine in protein‐starved chickens was examined. In addition, the relation of IGF‐I and its specific binding protein to the nitrogen sparing effect of supplemented methionine was also investigated. Two‐days refeeding of methionine supplemented to protein‐free diet could promptly alleviate body weight loss in protein‐starved chickens, and the alleviation of body weight loss by methionine was not improved by glycine supplements. Moreover, such acute alleviation of body weight loss by dietary methionine was independent of the change in plasma IGF‐I concentration.     

Investigation on the Production Performance of gE Antibody Positive Sows in Pig Farms Infected with Wild Type Pseudorabies Virus

Pseudorabies (PR) is caused by the Pseudorabies virus (PRV). It is an acute and hot highly contagious disease infecting livestock and a wide range of wild animals. In order to investigate the relationship between latent infection of Pseudorabies virus and sow production performance,this study collected production parameters of first-parity sows with wild virus gE positive and negtive in a Pseudorabies positive stable intensive farm, including total litter size, healthy litter size, weak litter size, stillbirths, mummified fetus, litter weight, number of weaning live, number of weaning qualified and weaning weight. And compared the production performance of PRV gE antibody negative and positive sows in the same intensive pig farm. The study showed that each PRV gE antibody negative sow could produce 11.96 live piglets per parity. Additionally, PRV gE antibody negative sow could provide more alive, weaning and weaning qualified piglets per parity than infection sows, which were 0.63, 0.18 and 0.28, respectively. Although the average birth weight and average weaning weight of piglets produced by PRV gE antibody positive sows were higher than those produced by negative sows, the weaning qualified rate of antibody negative sows was higher than that of antibody positive sows, indicating that the weaning live piglets produced by antibody negative sows had higher uniformity. In summary, the production performance of PRV gE antibody positive sows was lower than that of the negative sows. Eradication of PR can bring higher profit to the pig farm. Pig farm should actively eradicate the PR.     

伪狂犬病病毒野毒感染猪场的gE抗体阳性头胎母猪生产成绩调查

伪狂犬病（Pseudorabies，PR）是由伪狂犬病病毒（Pseudorabies virus，PRV）感染多种野生动物及家畜引起的急性、热性的高度接触性传染病。为掌握PRV隐性感染对头胎母猪生产成绩的影响，本研究跟踪调查某一PRV野毒阳性稳定万头母猪场中野毒gE抗体阴性和阳性的头胎母猪总产仔数、健仔数、弱仔数、死胎数、木乃伊胎数、仔猪初生窝重以及断奶活仔数、断奶合格仔数、仔猪断奶重等不同生产成绩指标，探索相同饲养条件下伪狂犬病对头胎母猪各生产指标的影响。结果发现，每头PRV野毒gE抗体阴性头胎母猪每窝平均可产11.96头活仔猪，比gE抗体阳性母猪每胎次多产活仔0.63头，以及每胎次可多提供0.18头断奶活仔，每胎次多提供0.28头断奶合格仔。虽然PRV野毒gE抗体阳性母猪所产仔猪初生均重及断奶均重均高于gE抗体阴性母猪所产仔猪，但gE抗体阴性母猪所产仔猪断奶合格率高于gE抗体阳性母猪，表明其断奶活仔整齐度更高。综上，PRV野毒gE抗体阳性的头胎母猪生产成绩低于gE抗体阴性母猪，伪狂犬病的净化可为猪场带来更高的经济效益，表明伪狂犬病的净化至关重要。     

Effects of milk replacer and starter diet provided as creep feed for suckling pigs on pre‐ and post‐weaning growth

This study was aimed at investigating the long‐term effects of provision of liquid milk replacer (MR) and solid starter diet (SD) during lactation on post‐weaning (PW) growth of pigs. In experiment 1, 33 cross‐bred litters were allotted to four treatments: no supplement (CON), MR ad libitum, SD ad libitum and 100 g SD/litter/day from lactation day 4 through weaning at day 21 during late fall. In experiment 2, 40 litters received MR or none in July. PW pigs received commercial diets to marketing. In experiment 1, weaning weight (WW), pre‐weaning average daily gain (ADG) and mortality (2.4%) were not influenced by creep‐feeding MR or SD. ADG was greater (P < 0.05) in the MR group versus CON during days 21–54, but did not differ across the treatments during days 54–162. In experiment 2, ADG during lactation and WW were greater in the MR group versus CON, with mortality lower in the former (5.6 vs. 10.3%). However, PW ADG to day 175 did not differ between the two groups. Results suggest that creep‐feeding MR or SD has no effect on PW growth. However, it remains possible that MR reduces PW mortality during the hot season.