Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T05:28:19.020Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effects of winter nutrition on the subsequent live-weight performance and intake of herbage by beef cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

Margaret M. Wanyoike  and
W. Holmes
Margaret M. Wanyoike
Affiliation:
Wye College (University of London), Ashford, Kent, TN25 5AH
W. Holmes
Affiliation:
Wye College (University of London), Ashford, Kent, TN25 5AH
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Thirty-six Friesian and Friesian cross-bred cattle about 11 months old were fed to grow at the rates of 0·50 (low) and 1·08 (high) kg/day in a 12-week winter feeding period and then turned out on high quality pasture. For 12 weeks after turning out the ‘low’ and ‘high’ animals gained weight at 1·17 and 0·90 kg/day respectively. There was a negative correlation (– 0·57, P < 0·01) between winter and grazing live-weight gain.

On two occasions herbage intake was estimated. Average intake of ‘low’ animals was 12% higher than of ‘high’ animals although herbage digestibility, estimated from faecal N, was similar for the two treatments. Differences in live-weight gain on pasture between treatments were largely accounted for by differences in intake.

The low rate of winter growth did not have any significant effects on age at slaughter, carcass weights or grades attained by the restricted animals.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 97 , Issue 1 , August 1981 , pp. 221 - 226
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (1979). Nutrient Allowances and Composition of Feedingstuffs for Ruminants. LGR 21, Pinner, Middlesex: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.Google Scholar
Baker, H. K. (1975). Grassland systems for beef production from dairy bred and beef calves. Livestock Production Science 2, 121–136.Google Scholar
Baker, H. K. & Baker, R. D. (1965). A pilot study of an intensive system of beef production from grass. Part I. Technical Report no. 6, Grassland Research Institute, Hurley.Google Scholar
Allden, W. G. (1970). The effects of nutritional deprivation on subsequent productivity of sheep and cattle. Nutrition Abstracts and Reviews 40, 1167–1184.Google Scholar
Escuder, J. C. (1970). Some aspects of the nutrition of beef cattle. Ph.D. thesis, Wye College, University of London.Google Scholar
Fox, D. G., Johnson, R. R., Preston, R. L., Dockerty, T. R. & Klosterman, E. W. (1972). Protein and energy utilization during compensatory growth in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 34, 310–318.Google Scholar
Gleeson, P. A. (1972). Effect of plane of nutrition on spring-born calves during their first winter and their subsequent growth rate and reproductive performance. Irish Journal of Agricultural Research 11, 31–39.Google Scholar
Hodgson, J. & Wilkinson, J. M. (1967). The relationship between live-weight and herbage intake in grazing cattle. Animal Production 9, 365–376.Google Scholar
Holmes, W., Jones, J. G. W. & Drake-Brockman, R. M. (1961). The feed intake of grazing cattle. 2. The influence of size on feed intake. Animal Production 3, 251–260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lawrence, T. L. J. & Pearce, J. (1964 a). Some effects of wintering yearling beef cattle on different planes of nutrition. I. Live-weight gain, food consumption and body measurement changes during the winter period and the subsequent grazing period. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 63, 5–21.Google Scholar
Lawrence, T. L. J. & Pearce, J. (1964 b). Some effects of wintering yearling beef cattle on different planes of nutrition. II. Slaughter data and carcass evaluation. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 63, 23–34.Google Scholar
McCarrick, R. B., Harrington, D. & Conway, A. (1963). The effects of energy restriction between 20–24 months of age on the subsequent growth and carcass development of beef cattle. Irish Journal of Agricultural Research 2, 131–147.Google Scholar
Meat and Livestock Commission (1976). Cattle Facts. Milton Keynes: M. L. C.Google Scholar
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1975). Energy allowances and feeding systems for ruminants. Technical Bulletin 33, London: H.M.S.O.Google Scholar
Morgan, J. H. L. (1972). Effect of plane of nutrition in early life on subsequent live-weight gain, carcass and muscle characteristics and eating quality. Journal of Agricidtural Science, Cambridge 78, 417–423.Google Scholar
Snedecor, G. W. & Cochran, W. G. (1967). Statistical Methods. 8th edition. Iowa State University Press.Google Scholar
Wanyoike, M. & Holmes, W. (1981). A comparison of indirect methods of estimating feed intake. Grass and Forage Science 36 (in the Press).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilson, P. N. & Osbourn, D. F. (1960). Compensatory growth after under-nutrition in mammals and birds. Biological Reviews 35, 324–363.Google Scholar
Winchester, C. F., Hiner, R. L. & Scarborough, V. C. (1957). Some effects on beef cattle of protein and energy restriction. Journal of Animal Science 16, 426–436.CrossRefGoogle Scholar