Growth curve of early-weaned Hereford calves in a semidesert temperate zone (Patagonia, Argentina)
In semi desert environments, prone to droughts, beef cow performance can be improved by early weaning. This study aimed to evaluate the growth curve of early weaned calves in a semidesert temperate area such as Patagonia, Argentina, using a classical growth curve model. Hereford and crossbred (3/4 H...
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| Format: | info:ar-repo/semantics/artículo |
| Language: | Inglés |
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Elsevier
2022
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/12522 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871141322000889 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104908 |
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| author | Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto Castillo, Daniel Alejandro Villagra, Edgar Sebastian |
| author_browse | Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto Castillo, Daniel Alejandro Villagra, Edgar Sebastian |
| author_facet | Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto Castillo, Daniel Alejandro Villagra, Edgar Sebastian |
| author_sort | Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto |
| collection | INTA Digital |
| description | In semi desert environments, prone to droughts, beef cow performance can be improved by early weaning. This study aimed to evaluate the growth curve of early weaned calves in a semidesert temperate area such as Patagonia, Argentina, using a classical growth curve model. Hereford and crossbred (3/4 Hereford x 1/4 Aberdeen Angus) calves (n = 56), born in spring (September - November), from multiparous cows (4 to 8 years old), were weaned at 45–145 d of age, with 43–156 kg live weight and placed in a feedlot. After a period of adaptation, the calves were fed ad libitum with a diet of corn (48%), soybean expellers (12%) and alfalfa (40%), which was adjusted weekly for the previous week’s intake. The animals were weighed weekly. The growth curve was defined by a Bayesian stepwise model selection process based on Richards’ growth curve. The resulting model is a Gompertz-like curve (near-zero shape parameter), in which females experience a change in growth rate at about 62.7 kg, from where their r increases from 0.0065 to 0.0121 becoming similar to that of males. The whole model had a high fit, with a generalized r2 of 0.8782. The average daily gain (ADG) was 0.804 kg/day for female calves and 0.934 kg/day for male calves. Female calves weighing less than 80 kg had an ADG of 0.672 kg/day, and those weighing more had an ADG of 0.847 kg/day. The current growth curve shows that it is possible to
achieve high ADG in early weaned calves, confirming that early weaning is a viable alternative to make production systems more efficient in semi desert environments like Patagonia. Knowing the relationship between concentrate feeds and livestock prices, farmers will be able to decide whether early weaning is a profitable alternative or not is a profitable alternative. However, special care must be taken when weaning heifers that weigh less than 80 kg to achieve high ADG. |
| format | info:ar-repo/semantics/artículo |
| id | INTA12522 |
| institution | Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA -Argentina) |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2022 |
| publishDateRange | 2022 |
| publishDateSort | 2022 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| publisherStr | Elsevier |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | INTA125222022-08-08T12:13:51Z Growth curve of early-weaned Hereford calves in a semidesert temperate zone (Patagonia, Argentina) Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto Castillo, Daniel Alejandro Villagra, Edgar Sebastian Reproducción Animal Producción de Carne Ganado Bovino Ganado de Carne Destete Animal Reproduction Meat Production Cattle Beef Cattle Weaning Región Patagónica In semi desert environments, prone to droughts, beef cow performance can be improved by early weaning. This study aimed to evaluate the growth curve of early weaned calves in a semidesert temperate area such as Patagonia, Argentina, using a classical growth curve model. Hereford and crossbred (3/4 Hereford x 1/4 Aberdeen Angus) calves (n = 56), born in spring (September - November), from multiparous cows (4 to 8 years old), were weaned at 45–145 d of age, with 43–156 kg live weight and placed in a feedlot. After a period of adaptation, the calves were fed ad libitum with a diet of corn (48%), soybean expellers (12%) and alfalfa (40%), which was adjusted weekly for the previous week’s intake. The animals were weighed weekly. The growth curve was defined by a Bayesian stepwise model selection process based on Richards’ growth curve. The resulting model is a Gompertz-like curve (near-zero shape parameter), in which females experience a change in growth rate at about 62.7 kg, from where their r increases from 0.0065 to 0.0121 becoming similar to that of males. The whole model had a high fit, with a generalized r2 of 0.8782. The average daily gain (ADG) was 0.804 kg/day for female calves and 0.934 kg/day for male calves. Female calves weighing less than 80 kg had an ADG of 0.672 kg/day, and those weighing more had an ADG of 0.847 kg/day. The current growth curve shows that it is possible to achieve high ADG in early weaned calves, confirming that early weaning is a viable alternative to make production systems more efficient in semi desert environments like Patagonia. Knowing the relationship between concentrate feeds and livestock prices, farmers will be able to decide whether early weaning is a profitable alternative or not is a profitable alternative. However, special care must be taken when weaning heifers that weigh less than 80 kg to achieve high ADG. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche Fil: Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentina Fil: Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche; Argentina Fil: Castillo, Daniel Alejandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Area Desarrollo Rural; Argentina Fil: Villagra, Edgar Sebastian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Area Produccion Animal; Argentina Fil: Villagra, Edgar Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche; Argentina 2022-08-08T12:09:49Z 2022-08-08T12:09:49Z 2022-05 info:ar-repo/semantics/artículo info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/12522 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871141322000889 1871-1413 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104908 eng info:eu-repograntAgreement/INTA/PATNOR-1281102/AR./Aportes a la recuperación y desarrollo territorial del semiárido sur de la provincia de Rio Negro. info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess application/pdf Elsevier Livestock Science 259 : Art. 104908 (Mayo 2022) |
| spellingShingle | Reproducción Animal Producción de Carne Ganado Bovino Ganado de Carne Destete Animal Reproduction Meat Production Cattle Beef Cattle Weaning Región Patagónica Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto Castillo, Daniel Alejandro Villagra, Edgar Sebastian Growth curve of early-weaned Hereford calves in a semidesert temperate zone (Patagonia, Argentina) |
| title | Growth curve of early-weaned Hereford calves in a semidesert temperate zone (Patagonia, Argentina) |
| title_full | Growth curve of early-weaned Hereford calves in a semidesert temperate zone (Patagonia, Argentina) |
| title_fullStr | Growth curve of early-weaned Hereford calves in a semidesert temperate zone (Patagonia, Argentina) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Growth curve of early-weaned Hereford calves in a semidesert temperate zone (Patagonia, Argentina) |
| title_short | Growth curve of early-weaned Hereford calves in a semidesert temperate zone (Patagonia, Argentina) |
| title_sort | growth curve of early weaned hereford calves in a semidesert temperate zone patagonia argentina |
| topic | Reproducción Animal Producción de Carne Ganado Bovino Ganado de Carne Destete Animal Reproduction Meat Production Cattle Beef Cattle Weaning Región Patagónica |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/12522 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871141322000889 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104908 |
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