Effect of calves' supplementation on performance, nutritional and behavioral characteristics of their dams.
The effects of supplementation of beef calves on weight gain, intake and digestibility of pasture, milk production and composition of their dams, and behavior of the pair cow-calf were assessed. Fifty-five beef cows with an initial average body weight of 449 ± 8 kg and their respective offspring, with an initial average body weight of 138 + 3 kg and aged between 90 and 150 days, were used. Animals were submitted to an experimental period of 112 days. The experimental treatments consisted of: control = mineral mixture only, plan 1 = high protein and high carbohydrate multiple supplement, plan 2 = high protein and low carbohydrate multiple supplement, plan 3 = low protein and high carbohydrate multiple supplement, and plan 4 = low protein and low carbohydrate multiple supplement. About 25 and 12.5 % of the protein requirements were supplied by the high and low protein supplements, respectively, and 15 and 7.5 % of total digestible nutrient requirements by the high and low carbohydrate supplements, respectively. Grazing behavior, performance, milk production, milk composition, intake, and digestibility of the cows were not affected (P > 0.05) by the supplementation of the calves. The supplemented calves had greater (P < 0.05) performance (as measured by final body weight, average daily gain, and final body condition score), intake and idle time, and lower (P < 0.05) grazing time, but supplementation did not affect (P > 0.05) suckling time and suckling frequency. It can be concluded that supplementation affects the behavior and feed intake of calves. However, it does not affect the suckling time and suckling frequency of calves. Additionally, performance, milk production, nutritional characteristics, and behavior of their dams are not affected.
Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MG, Brazil. eritonvalente@yahoo.com.br
Eriton Egidio Lisboa
EE
Valente
Mário Fonseca
MF
Paulino
Edenio
E
Detmann
Sebastião Campos Valadares
SC
de Filho
Lívia Vieira
LV
Barros
Nelcino Francisco
NF
de Paula
Sidnei Antônio
SA
Lopes
Daniel Majeste
DM
de Almeida
Leandro Soares
LS
Martins
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis*; D004063:Digestion; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012621:Seasons; D014329:Tropical Climate; D015430:Weight Gain