Effect of early weaning on performance, carcass and meat quality of spring-born bull calves raised in dry mountain areas

Sixteen bull calves were born in the Spanish Central Pyrenees in spring. They were either early (EW, 90 days of age) or normal weaned (NW, 180 days of age). At day 90, EW calves were placed on an intensive diet while NW calves were turned out with their dams to high mountain pastures. After summer, at day 180, NW calves were weaned and placed with EW calves on a common finishing diet until slaughter at the fixed age of 1 year. From birth to early weaning date, no performance differences appeared. However, EW calves gained faster (1.549 kg/day) than their unweaned counterparts (0.783 kg/day) from early to normal weaning date (P < 0.001). During the finishing period, NW calves showed compensatory growth, with a 44% higher ADG than EW calves (P < 0.001), with a similar feed intake and a better feed conversion ratio. Early weaned calves had a longer fattening phase than NW calves (264 vs. 158 days, respectively; P < 0.001) and thus total feed intake and feed costs were greater. When slaughtered at 1 year of age, EW and NW calves attained similar weight (489 vs. 510 kg, respectively; P > 0.05), but dressing percentage was higher for EW calves (56.9%) than for NW calves (55.2%) (P < 0.01), which led EW calves to have heavier carcasses, without differences in fat score or conformation. The different growth paths, the result of weaning management, did not affect meat tenderness, chemical composition and fatty acid profile, but affected meat lightness, with higher values for compensating calves (NW) than calves in continuous growth (EW). In conclusion, advancing weaning age modified calf performance without affecting substantially carcass characteristics, except for an improvement in dressing percentage, or meat quality.     

代乳料与早期断奶对甘肃仔马鹿生长发育的影响

为了探索科学的饲养管理方法,提高甘肃马鹿的养殖水平,本试验对仔马鹿进行了早期断奶及其代乳料的试验研究。试验采用单因子随机分组设计,将24只60日龄甘肃仔马鹿随机分为4组,其中A、B、D为试验组,C为对照组,自然哺乳。试验组于仔鹿60日龄断奶,进行了30 d饲养试验,结果表明,仔鹿60日龄早期断奶是可行的,试验期内断奶仔鹿未发生腹泻、下痢等疾病。60日龄断奶后,饲喂A、B两组代乳料的效果与自然哺乳C组相近;D组效果则不理想。     

早期断奶仔猪的消化生理及饲粮组合研究

仔猪早期断奶受心理、环境及营养应激影响，常表现为“仔猪早期断奶综合症”。主要是营养应激，即仔猪由液态母乳转向固体饲料。由于仔猪消化系统尚未发育成熟，不能适应这种营养物质的骤变。因此配制适合早期断奶仔猪消化生理的饲粮是克服早期断奶综合症的最有效方法。     

Effects of sex and age on behavior and weight gain in beef calves after abrupt weaning

The effects of weaning on beef calves of different ages were investigated. Forty male and 40 female calves were either weaned at 6 (W6, n = 40) or 8 (W8, n = 40) months of age. The vocalization activity and behaviors (feeding, lying and standing/walking) were observed during the first 3 days following weaning. Body weight was recorded at 6 and 8 months and 2 weeks following weaning. W6 animals vocalized more often than W8 calves and females more than males on day 1 (P < 0.05). The vocalization activity decreased at a higher rate in W8 than in W6 from days 1 to 3. On day 2, W6 calves spent less time lying and more standing/walking than W8 calves (P < 0.05). The behaviors did not differ between males and females. The average daily gain after weaning did not differ between weaning ages (P > 0.05), but W8 calves gained more from 6 to 8 months of age. In conclusion, weaning distress was more pronounced in W6 than in W8 calves. W8 calves also had a superior growth performance during 6 to 8 months of age. The effect of the calves' sex was less pronounced. Therefore, it is recommended to wean beef calves later than 6 months of age.     

Effects of diet for early-weaned crossbred beef steers on metabolic profiles and febrile response to an infectious bovine herpesvirus-1 challenge

Thirty-three early-weaned steers (average age at weaning = 132 days) were used to evaluate effects of protein supplementation of forage diets vs. a 70% concentrate diet fed during a backgrounding phase (84 d) on metabolic profiles and febrile response to an infectious bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) challenge during a receiving phase (27 d). Backgrounding treatments included a bermudagrass hay diet (CTRL); CTRL plus soybean meal (SBM) fed at 0.175% of BW (as-fed); CTRL plus SBM at 0.35% of BW; or a 70% concentrate (CONC) diet. During the receiving phase, all steers were fed CONC and intranasally challenged on d 85 with an infectious dose of BHV-1. Unexpectedly, 3 d after the BHV-1 challenge, serum IgG was greater (P < 0.05) for steers fed forage diets vs. CONC. Three and 4 d after the BHV-1 challenge, rectal temperatures were greater (P < 0.01) for protein-supplemented steers vs. CTRL. We conclude that a higher quality diet fed to early-weaned steers during a backgrounding phase enhances average daily gain and gain to feed ratio, and increases febrile response (measured by rectal temperature) to an infectious BHV-1 respiratory challenge.     

Administering an appeasing substance to beef calves at weaning to optimize productive and health responses during a 42-d preconditioning program

This experiment evaluated the impacts of administering a bovine appeasing substance (BAS) to beef calves at weaning on their performance, physiological responses, and behavior during a 42-d preconditioning program. Eighty calves (40 heifers and 40 steers; 90% British × 10% Nellore) were weaned at 233 ± 2 d of age (day 0); ranked by sex, weaning age, and body weight (BW); and assigned to receive BAS (IRSEA Group, Quartier Salignan, France; n = 40) or placebo (diethylene glycol monoethyl ether; CON; n = 40). Treatments (5 mL) were topically applied to the nuchal skin area of each animal following dam separation. Within treatment, calves were allocated to one of eight drylot pens (four pens per treatment; pen being the experimental unit) and received a free-choice total mixed ration (TMR) from day 0 to 42, intake of which was assessed daily. Live behavior observations were conducted on days 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32. Temperament was assessed and blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture on days −21, 0, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42. Hair samples were collected from the tail switch on days 0, 14, 28, and 42. Calves were vaccinated against bovine respiratory disease viruses on days −21 and 0. Average daily gain from day 0 to 42 did not differ between treatments (P = 0.57) but was greater (P = 0.05) in BAS vs. CON calves from day 0 to 28. Intake of TMR was greater (P = 0.05) during the first week for BAS vs. CON calves (treatment × week; P = 0.08). The mean proportion of calves feeding simultaneously and performance of social and play behaviors were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for BAS vs. CON calves. Escape attempts were greater (P < 0.01) for BAS vs. CON calves on day 1 (treatment × day; P = 0.03). Exit velocity was greater (P = 0.04) for CON vs. BAS calves on day 14 and tended (P = 0.10) to be greater for CON vs. BAS calves on day 7 (treatment × day; P = 0.03). Mean plasma concentrations of haptoglobin were greater (P = 0.02) in CON vs. BAS calves. Hair cortisol concentrations were greater (P = 0.05) in CON vs. BAS calves on day 14 (treatment × day; P = 0.03). Mean serum concentrations of antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus were greater (P = 0.02) in BAS vs. CON calves. Collectively, BAS administration to beef calves at weaning alleviated stress-induced physiological reactions, improved temperament evaluated via chute exit velocity, enhanced humoral immunity acquired from vaccination, and appeared to have accelerated adaptation to novel management scheme and environment.     

The effect of early weaning on feedlot performance and measures of stress in beef calves

Forty crossbred steers (Brahman x English) were categorized into two groups: 1) early weaned (EW; n = 20); and 2) normal weaned (NW; n = 20). Calves were 89 and 300 d of age at the time of EW and NW, respectively; SEM = 4.4. Early-weaned calves were kept on-site (University of Florida, Ona), provided supplement (1% of BW), and grazed on annual and perennial pastures until NW. At the time of normal weaning, all calves were loaded on a commercial livestock trailer and transported to the North Carolina State University Research Feedlot in Butner (approximately 1,200 km). Upon arrival, calves were stratified by BW and randomly allotted to four pens per weaning age treatment. Individual calf BW and blood samples were collected at the time of normal weaning, on arrival at the feedlot (d 1; 24 h following weaning), and on d 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the receiving period. Individual BW was collected at the start and end of the growing and finishing periods, and feed intake by pen was measured daily. As an estimate of stress during the receiving period, plasma was collected and analyzed for the acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin. Early-weaned calves were lighter (P = 0.03) at normal weaning than NW calves (221 vs. 269 kg; SEM = 10.6). By d 28, EW calves tended (P = 0.12) to be lighter than NW calves (242 vs. 282 kg, respectively). Gain:feed was improved for EW compared with NW calves during both the receiving (G:F = 0.157 vs. 0.081) and growing (0.159 vs. 0.136) periods. There tended (P < 0.10) to be weaning age x day interactions for each acute-phase protein. Ceruloplasmin concentrations increased in NW, but not EW calves, and peaked on d 7 (27.6 and 34.2 mg/100 mL for EW and NW calves, respectively; P < 0.05). Haptoglobin concentrations increased in both groups and were greatest (P < 0.05) in NW calves on d 3 (7.63 vs. 14.86 mg of haptoglobin/hemoglobin complexing/100 mL). No differences in ADG or G:F were detected during the finishing phase; however, overall G:F was improved (P = 0.03) for EW vs. NW calves (0.155 vs. 0.136). Carcass measures, including backfat thickness, USDA yield grade, marbling score, and LM area, did not differ between treatments. These data imply that EW calves, which are maintained onsite before shipping, may be more tolerant to the stressors associated with transportation and feed yard entry. Early weaned calves, managed within the system described in this study, may have improved G:F.     

Relationship between feeding behaviour and feed intake of dairy cows depending on their parity and milk yield

To investigate the relationship between the parameters of feeding behaviour and feed intake, 70 lactating dairy cows (23 primiparous and 47 multiparous) were monitored from the 2nd to 15th week of lactation. Data were collected by using an automatic feeder and electronic identification of individual cows from 10 July 2005 to 16 January 2006. The resulting data of the cows in primiparous and multiparous condition were categorised into groups based on the mean of their milk yield over the first 15 weeks of lactation: primiparous cows with below-average milk yield (LP) and above-average milk yield (HP) with an average of 28.44 and 34.31 kg energy-corrected milk (ECM) per day, respectively, and multiparous cows with below-average milk yield (LM) and above-average milk yield (HM) with an average of 38.70 and 44.49 kg ECM per day, respectively. The parameters of feeding behaviour were calculated based on the estimated meal criterion from pooled data. Parity, level of milk yield, and day had significant effects on some of characteristics of feeding behaviour and feed intake parameters. There was no significant difference in meal duration either between primiparous and multiparous cows or between LP and HP. However, a significant difference between LM and HM was observed. Cows in HM had shorter feeding times but a larger meal size, higher DMI, and feeding rate. Moreover, these cows displayed a stronger correlation between meal duration, daily mealtime and daily feed intake (r = 0.37 and 0.50, P < 0.001, respectively) than any other cow or group of cows of the study. Meal duration, daily mealtime, meal size and daily DMI increased on average about 32%, 20%, 35%, and 22% respectively, considering all milk yield groups from the 2nd to 15th week of lactation.     

两种酶制剂对早期断奶仔猪效果的比较

本试验旨在比较酶制剂八宝威和一种国产酶制剂对早期断奶仔猪的效果,涉及28±2日龄断奶的仔猪75头。在基础日粮中添加0.8公斤/吨的八宝威或1公斤/吨国产酶制剂,两次试验的综合结果是:在25天的试验期内,添加八宝威比国产酶制剂增重提高5.7％,饲料利用效率提高3％,经济效益也以添加八宝威较好。     

断奶应激对犊牛血液生化、免疫和内分泌的影响

选择体质量和出生日期接近的26头犊牛,其中6头母犊,20头公犊。10日龄开始补充苜蓿干草、精饲料自由采食,60日龄断奶。分别在断奶前（-1d）和断奶后1,3,5,7,14d采集血液,测定血清中代谢物、激素及免疫球蛋白含量的变化情况。结果表明,断奶影响犊牛的消化代谢,血清中葡萄糖、总蛋白、尿素氮、甘油三酯含量变化显著（P〈0.01）。断奶造成犊牛血清皮质醇、急性反应蛋白、T3、T4、乳酸脱氢酶、碱性磷酸酶、溶菌酶显著变化（P〈0.01）,使免疫球蛋白、γ-IFN、IL-1含量有不同程度下降（P〉0.05）。因此,断奶不仅降低了犊牛的免疫力,而且对犊牛产生了严重的应激反应。     

Effect of early weaning on the performance of three-year-old,first-calf beef heifers and calves reared in the subtropics

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of early weaning fall-born calves on heifer and calf performance in Florida. Over two consecutive years, 3-yr-old Braford and Brahman x Angus first-calf heifers were assigned randomly to one of two treatments; early-weaned (EW, n = 20 and 30 for yr 1 and 2, respectively) and normal-weaned (NW, n = 20 and 38 for yr 1 and 2, respectively). Calves were EW on January 23 and 3 for yr 1 and 2, respectively. Following EW, all first-calf heifers were returned to bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures with the mature cowherd. Early-weaned calves were maintained on annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pastures at 8.2 and 10.7 calves/ha for yr 1 and 2, respectively, and were provided supplemental grain mixture (14% CP) at 1.0% of BW daily. Normal-weaned calves remained with their dams in the mature cowherd on bahiagrass. Final calf BW was collected on April 17 (d 84) and April 24 (d 111) for yr 1 and 2, respectively. Early-weaned calves had a greater (P < 0.001) ADG (0.17 kg/d) in yr 1, but a lower (P < 0.001) ADG (-0.24 kg/d) in yr 2 compared with NW calves. Early weaning resulted in heavier first-calf heifers with greater BCS at the time of normal weaning (August 1; 491 vs. 452 kg, with BCS = 6.34 vs. 4.75 for EW and NW heifers, respectively; SEM = 5.0 and 0.07). Heifers with EW calves had a higher (P < 0.07) pregnancy rate during both years than normal-weaned heifers (89.5 vs. 50.0 and 96.7 vs. 80.0% pregnant during yr 1 and 2, respectively). Early-weaned, first-calf heifers also had a lower (P < 0.05) calving interval in yr 2 (384 vs. 404 d; SEM = 6.0). These data suggest that EW will improve body condition of first-calf heifers resulting in an increased pregnancy rate. Early-weaned calves maintained on winter ryegrass provide producers with the ability to optimize early-weaned calf performance, while capitalizing on low cost of gain and favorable spring markets.     

Effects of vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia on the intake,performance, feeding behavior,blood parameters,and immune responses of dairy heifers calves

The aim of this study was to identify possible effects of different vaccination strategies (concomitantly or not) against brucellosis and clostridia on intake, performance, feeding behavior, blood parameters, and immune responses of dairy heifers calves. Fifty heifers calves were enrolled [38 Gyr (Zebu, Bos taurus indicus) and 12 5/8 Holstein Gyr]. At 120 d of age, animals were randomly distributed among 3 groups: B (n = 18), vaccinated against brucellosis; C (n = 14), vaccinated against clostridia and CB (n = 18), vaccinated concomitantly for both. Rectal and thermographic temperatures were evaluated on days 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7,10, 14, and 28 relatives to the vaccination day. Feed and water intake, body weight (BW), and feeding behavior were monitored daily by an electronic feeding system. Blood was sampled on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, relative to the vaccination day for determination of glucose and -hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations. Blood sampled on day 0 (prevaccination) and on days 28 and 42 were used to evaluate the immune response against Brucella abortus and clostridia. There was an increase in rectal temperature between the first and the third day postvaccination in the 3 groups. The thermography revealed an increase of local temperature for 7 d on groups B and CB. Group C had increased local temperature for a longer period, lasting for up to 14 d. Dry mater intake was reduced for groups B and CB, but no alteration was observed for group C. No alterations regarding initial BW, final BW, average daily weight gain, and feed efficiency were observed. No differences were observed for the 3 vaccination groups for blood parameters throughout the evaluation period. The concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia led to lower neutralizing antibody titers against epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens and botulinum toxin type C of C. botulinum (C > CB > B). When cellular proliferation assay and serological tests to B. abortus were evaluated, no differences were observed between groups B and CB. The present results indicate that the concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia has no relevant impact on the intake, performance, and feeding behavior of dairy calves. However, the concomitant vaccination of vaccines against these 2 pathogens impacts animal immunity against clostridial infections.     

黄芪多糖对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

为了分析黄芪多糖对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响,选择28日龄的杜大长三元杂交断奶仔猪108头,公母各半,体重接近。随机分为4组,每组27头,每组3圈,每圈9头。对照组饲喂基础日粮,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组为试验组,分别在基础饲粮中加入黄芪多糖200、500 mg/kg和1000 mg/kg,试验期28 d。结果表明:含黄芪多糖日粮对仔猪的日增重、营养物质消化率、料肉比及腹泻率均有所改善,添加组与对照组在腹泻率方面差异显著(P<0.05),其中以添加500mg/kg为宜。     

犊牛早期断奶对青海湖地区母牦牛牧食行为的影响

为研究犊牛早期断奶对青海湖地区自由放牧条件下牦牛牧食行为的影响。试验于2015年8月22日至11月15日开展,选取26头带犊牦牛作为试验对象,对其中13头牦牛的犊牛实施早期断奶处理作为断奶组,另外13头带犊牦牛作为对照组。断奶组和对照组各随机选取3头牦牛佩戴畜用GPS3300装置,每10min记录一次家畜所在位置和环境温度。试验分为断奶早期(断奶后15d)、断奶中期(断奶后第16天到第38天)、断奶后期(断奶后第59天到第82天)。断奶早期又分为阶段Ⅰ(断奶后第1天到第6天)、阶段Ⅱ(断奶后第7天到第15天)。结果表明:1)断奶早期阶段Ⅰ断奶组的平均日游走距离极显著高于对照组(P0.01),断奶早期阶段Ⅱ、断奶中期和断奶后期两组的平均日游走距离差异不显著。断奶组在不同时期的平均日游走距离表现为,断奶早期阶段Ⅰ显著高于断奶早期阶段Ⅱ和断奶中期(P0.05),断奶早期阶段Ⅱ和断奶中期显著高于断奶后期(P0.05)。对照组则表现为断奶早期阶段Ⅰ、断奶早期阶段Ⅱ和断奶中期显著高于断奶后期(P0.05)。断奶当天断奶组牦牛的游走距离显著高于对照组。在不同断奶时期断奶组和对照组的昼夜采食规律有所不同。2)断奶早期阶段Ⅰ、断奶早期阶段Ⅱ及断奶中期断奶组和对照组的采食空间分布格局相似,但是断奶中期的采食空间分布格局明显广于断奶早期。断奶后期断奶组和对照组的采食分布格局出现了分化,对照组的采食活动范围明显广于断奶组。研究结果表明,早期断奶会短时间内让母牦牛的牧食行为产生一定的应激反应,但其又可以很快适应失犊的情况。在环境比较恶劣、牧草质量较差的情况下,带犊牦牛和不带犊牦牛种内竞争比较激烈,适合分群放牧。     

3种不同瘤胃缓冲剂对肉牛消化利用的影响

[目的]评价3种瘤胃缓冲剂对肉牛的采食量和消化利用率的影响。[方法]试验对24头425 kg左右西门塔尔肉牛服用缓冲剂后的采食量、粪筛数据以及养分表观消化率进行分析。[结果]日粮中添加0.8%巴菲特处理的采食量较日粮中添加2%小苏打和1%瘤胃缓冲剂分别增加了2.6%和1.94%,日粮中添加0.8%巴菲特处理粪便筛上层、中层、下层占比试验后较试验前分别降低了44.7%,59.14%以及增高了55.92%。日粮中添加0.8%巴菲特处理肉牛的DM、GE、CP、NDF和ADF的表观消化率都有不同程度提高(P<0.05)。[结论]日粮中添加0.4%巴菲特瘤胃修复剂可提高肉牛的采食量,对其饲料表观消化率有明显的促进作用。     

Interactions between the associations of parity, lactation length, and weaning-to-conception interval with subsequent litter size in swine herds using early weaning

Sixteen farms having an average lactation length between 14.9 and 18.9 days were selected based upon producers' willingness to keep records of production and lactation feed intake. Data contained 9162 subsequent litter-size records abstracted from computerized production information-system files and lactation feed-intake records. Two-way interactions between the associations of parity and lactation length, and parity and weaning-to-conception interval with subsequent litter size were found in the same statistical model. Subsequent litter size did not increase in parities 1 and 2 as lactation length increased – but subsequent litter size in sows of parities 3–6 increased. In only parity 1, sows with weaning-to-conception interval 6–12 days produced 0.5 fewer pigs at subsequent farrowing than those with weaning-to-conception interval 1–5 days. However, in multiparous sows, no difference in subsequent litter size was found between weaning-to-conception intervals 1–5 and 6–12 days.     

Effects of intramammary infection and parity on calf weaning weight and milk quality in beef cows

The objectives of this study were to determine 1) the effect of intramammary infection on calf weaning weight, milk somatic cell count, and milk composition, and 2) the effect of parity on percentages of infected cows, infected quarters, and blind quarters. The number of infected quarters, milk somatic cell counts, milk components, and intramammary infection were studied at weaning in 164 beef cows. The percentage of infected cows ranged from 61.9% at first parity to 66.7% at fifth to ninth parities. Cows with three or four infected quarters had higher (P < .01) milk somatic cell counts than cows with zero, one, or two infected quarters. Among bacterial isolates, Staphylococcus aureus-infected quarters had the highest (P < .01) milk somatic cell count. Percentages of butterfat and lactose were lower (P < .01) in milk from infected quarters than from uninfected quarters. Infections by S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common and accounted for 67 to 78% of the infections. Percentages of infected quarters and infections caused by S. aureus increased with parity (P < .01). Intramammary infections did not affect (P > .10) calf weaning weight. In conclusion, intramammary infection had no effect on calf weaning weight but increased milk somatic cell count and decreased the percentage of protein, lactose, solids-not-fat, and butterfat. The number of infected and blind mammary quarters increased with parity.     

The effect of quality of grass and maize silage on the intake and performance of beef cattle

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of incorporating high (HMS) and low (LMS) maturity maize silages into diets based on low (LGS) and high (HGS) feed value grass silages offered to beef cattle. Seventy-two continental cross-bred steers were used in a 14-week continuous design, randomised block experiment. The six treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial design incorporating the LGS and HGS offered as the sole forage, along with each of the two grass silages offered in a 60:40 ratio (DM basis) with the HMS and LMS. All diets were supplemented with 3 kg/head/day concentrates. Total daily DM and metabolisable energy intakes were higher (P < 0.001) for diets based on HGS compared to those based on LGS. Intakes were similar (P > 0.05) between diets containing LMS and HMS, both of which were higher (P < 0.001) than diets containing grass silage as the sole forage. Highest DM intakes were recorded with a mixture of HGS and HMS (P < 0.05 or greater). Cattle offered diets containing HGS had higher live-weight gain (P < 0.05), final live weight, carcass gain and carcass weight (P < 0.001) than those offered diets containing LGS. Feed conversion efficiency, assessed on a carcass gain basis, was poorer (P < 0.05) with diets containing LGS compared with those containing HGS, though differences between diets containing either LMS or HMS and GS as the sole forage were not significant (P > 0.05).     

能量对低出生体重仔猪死亡率、断奶重和初乳摄入量的影响

文章探讨了能量补充对低出生体重仔猪的死亡率、断奶体重、日增重及初乳摄入量的影响。处理组选择22头母猪所产的306头活仔猪,其中极低出生体重(<1 kg)72头,低出生体重(1~1.2 kg)77头,分别于出生时和出生后8~12 h口服能量补充剂。对照组选择24头母猪所产的340头活仔猪,其中极低出生体重81头,低出生体重74头。结果显示:能量补充较对照组显著降低了极低出生重仔猪哺乳3 d的死亡率(P <0.05),有降低低出生重仔猪死亡率的趋势(P=0.07)。总的来说,能量补充剂有降低仔猪哺乳3 d死亡率的趋势(P=0.06)。能量补充较对照组对极低出生重仔猪哺乳7和21 d存活优势率显著提高了4.04和3.59倍(P <0.05)。对照组较处理组显著提高了仔猪的断奶重(P <0.05)。对照组与处理组对仔猪的日增重、初乳摄入量及出生产量的影响均无显著差异(P> 0.05)。处理组母猪初乳产量在数值上比对照组低(P> 0.05),但处理组母猪初乳产量均匀性在数值上较对照组好。综上所述,能量补充通过为极低出生体重仔猪直接提供能量而不是通过提高初乳的摄入量来降低其断奶前的死亡率。     

Effects of early weaning and breed on calf performance and carcass and meat quality in autumn-born bull calves

This study assessed the effects of age at weaning (early weaning at 90 d or traditional weaning at 150 d) and breed (Parda de Montaña or Pirenaica) on calf performance and carcass and meat quality in autumn-calving beef cattle. At calving, 14 Parda de Montaña and 14 Pirenaica cow–calf pairs were randomly assigned to one of two weaning treatments, and kept indoors during lactation. After weaning, calves were fed an intensive diet until slaughter at 450 kg. The interaction between age at weaning and breed was not significant for any of the parameters studied. From 90 d to 150 d, early weaned calves had greater ADG (P = 0.001) and IGF-I concentrations (P = 0.001) than traditionally weaned calves, but their leptin concentrations were similar (P = 0.15). During the finishing phase, performance, daily feed intake, and efficiency did not differ between treatments. Early weaning did not affect age at slaughter, carcass weight, fatness score, fat colour, and meat quality, but improved carcass conformation (P = 0.04). Early weaned calves had greater total DMI (P = 0.002) with greater concomitant feed costs (P = 0.001) and yielded a slightly greater income than traditionally weaned calves; therefore, economic margins did not differ. Parda de Montaña calves tended to have greater ADG from birth to 90 d and were heavier at 90 d (P = 0.01) than were Pirenaica calves. From 90 d to 150 d, performance and IGF-I and leptin concentrations did not differ between breeds; thus, Parda de Montaña calves remained heavier at 150 d. During the finishing phase, at times, weight gains of Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica calves differed, but the overall performance, feed intake, and efficiency of the two breeds were similar. Pirenaica calves had heavier carcasses (P = 0.04) with greater conformation scores (P = 0.04) than Parda de Montaña calves; thus, income per carcass was greater for the former than the latter (P = 0.007). As feed costs were similar for both breeds, the economic margin of Pirenaica calves was greater than that of Parda de Montaña calves (P = 0.01). In conclusion, in both breeds weaning strategies had similar effects on performance and carcass and meat quality; however, from an economic point of view, and considering only the costs associated with the calf, raising Pirenaica calves would be more profitable, at either age at weaning.