1Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The. Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. Number 1606-E, 1995 series. Increased Weight Gain and ...
Increased Weight Gain and Effects on Production Parameters of Holstein Heifer Calves That Were Allowed to Suckle from Birth to Six Weeks of Age1 U. BAR-PELED,*,† B. ROBINZON,† E. MALTZ,* H. TAGARI,† Y. FOLMAN,* I. BRUCKENTAL,* H. VOET,† H. GACITUA,* and A. R. LEHRER* *Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel †The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot 76100, Israel
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Forty Holstein heifer calves were assigned to two treatments. Control calves ( n = 20) were fed milk replacer in open buckets, and calves that were allowed to suckle ( n = 20) were paired and suckled the same dam three times daily. Treatments were conducted during the first 6 wk following birth; thereafter, all calves received the same management, and weaning was at 60 d of age. During treatment, calves that were allowed to suckle had significantly higher average daily gains than did control calves. However, at 12 wk of age, calves that were allowed to suckle had significantly lower body weights ( B W ) than did control calves. Age at conception was significantly lower, and BW at conception and conception rate tended to be higher, for calves that were allowed to suckle. Calving age was significantly earlier for heifers that had been allowed to suckle as calves, and BW at calving also tended to be higher. Height at the withers after calving was also significantly higher for those heifers. Milk production during first lactation tended to be higher for the heifers that had been allowed to suckle as calves. Our results indicated that heifer calves that suckled milk during the first 42 d of age had higher average daily gains, higher height at the withers, an earlier age at calving, and a tendency for greater milk production than did calves fed milk replacer. ( Key words: heifer, suckled milk, growth, milk production)
Stages of heifer development include the isometric and allometric stages (5, 19, 20). Isometric growth continues from birth to about 3 mo of age. During this stage, body cells and mammary parenchymal cells develop at similar rates. Allometric growth is from about 3 to 9 mo of age ( 5 ) . During this stage, the mammary parenchyma develop three to four times faster than the body cells. Recent publications (10, 18) have emphasized the importance of rearing heifers to large live weights prior to calving at a target age of 24 mo. Ages from 3 to 9 mo and BW between 90 to 230 kg define the critical growth period during which the mammary growth of a Holstein heifer can be influenced by nutrition. The most rapid prepubertal mammary growth relative to body growth occurs during this period (7, 11, 24). Swanson ( 2 3 ) and Heinrichs and Hargrove ( 9 ) defined the optimal growth pattern for dairy heifers as that which would develop their full lactation potential at the desired age with minimal expense. Most work in recent years has been related to this critical growth period; this period could be modified in light of subsequent impaired milk production (9, 10, 18). Earlier work ( 1 ) demonstrated that intensive feeding (calves can consume up to 30 kg/d of milk) accelerates the onset of sexual maturity and the development of the uterus and the udder. Furthermore, milk includes growth factors, such as IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF-binding proteins (21, 25), as well as mammary-derived growth inhibitor (22). The present study compared the growth of IsraeliHolstein calves that were suckled with the growth of calves that were fed milk replacer during their first 42 d of life. The objective was to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of these diets on growth, reproduction, and production.
Abbreviation key: ADG = average daily gain, CC = control calves, SC = calves that were allowed to suckle.
Received May 22, 1995. Accepted April 22, 1997. 1Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. Number 1606-E, 1995 series. 1997 J Dairy Sci 80:2523–2528
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This trial was linked to another trial in which the frequency and type of milking were examined in relation to dairy cow performance ( 3 ) . Forty IsraeliHolstein heifers were used; the heifers were born between February 19 and May 22, 1991 in the dairy herd of kibbutz Kefar Menahem, Israel. The control calves ( CC) were penned as a group under normal management conditions. The calves that were allowed to suckle ( SC) were penned as a group in the barns, close to the dams but without access to them. Calves were assigned to treatment groups as randomized blocks on the basis of BW at birth and date of birth. The CC ( n = 20) were fed milk replacer in open buckets. The SC ( n = 20) were paired, and each pair suckled the same dam three times daily. Suckling was allowed for 15 min every 8 h at 0700, 1500, and 2300 h. In addition, the dams were machinemilked three times daily every 8 h at 0400, 1200, and 2000 h. Treatments were administered to calves during their first 42 d of life. From 43 d of age, all calves were housed in groups. All calves were under regular veterinary supervision. Details of diarrhea symptoms were sent to the Israeli Veterinary Institute for investigation of pathogenic effects.
closed barn for 10 d and were then kept as a group in the same barn. The SC were kept as a group near the dams for 42 d and then were moved, as a group, to the same barn where the CC were kept. All calves were transferred from the closed barn to the calf coral at the age of 7 mo, and, at 2 mo before calving, the calves were transferred to the dry cows corral. Feed contents used throughout the trial are summarized in Table 1. All calves were bottle-fed 2 L of colostrum from the dam. The CC were bottle-fed 2 L of warm colostrum (37°C ) twice, once on d 3 and once on d 4. The CC were fed 1.5 L of warm colostrum in open buckets at 0800 and 1600 h. From d 5 until d 9, CC were fed 1.5 L of milk replacer (Halavit Top; Mabarot Products Ltd., Mabarot, Israel). The milk replacer contained no growth factor additives (Table 1). From d 10 to 14, the CC were fed 2 L of milk replacer; from d 15 until 50, they were fed 3 L of milk replacer once daily. During treatment, both groups were allowed free access to concentrates, vetch hay, and water. After removal from the dam and until 50 d, SC were fed 4 L of milk replacer twice daily. From 51 d of age until calving, both groups were maintained under the same management conditions. From d 51 until 60, calves were fed 2 L of milk replacer once daily. Weaning was at 60 d of age. From weaning to calving and throughout the first lactation, rations conformed to NRC ( 1 5 ) recommendations for the different physiological stages (Table 1).
Adoption Technique
Measurements
Each dam was penned individually in a section of a barn that was 4.2 × 3.6 m. Before calves were introduced into the barn, the dams were confined without access to calves and were not allowed to move or kick. Each calf was introduced for adoption separately for 10 to 15 min the first three times. The calf was introduced into the barns and allowed to move around the dam until it found the udder; only 3 of 20 calves did not need to be taught the suckling technique. Two fingers moistened with milk were inserted inside the mouth of the calf to simulate the suckling effect. The calf was then moved close to the udder, the hind teat was inserted into the mouth of the calf, and pressure was applied to its mouth and neck until the calf sucked by herself. All calves learned how to suckle after three times.
The CC were treated according to standard procedure of the kibbutz. Milk intake by the SC was measured by weighing calves before and after suckling ( 4 ) at each suckling on 1 d/wk ( 3 ) . To determine the composition of the milk consumed by the SC, samples were taken from the dams by machine milking at each milking on 1 d/wk for 6 wk postpartum. Comparison of milk destined for the SC group with the milk of dams in the milking parlor were not different in composition ( 3 ) . Milk composition was determined by the central laboratory of the Israel Cattle Breeders Association. Milk production of first lactation heifers was recorded at each milking. Composition data were based on monthly recordings. Body weight was recorded weekly for 12 wk postpartum, starting at birth. In addition, BW was recorded at each insemination and 2 wk after calving. At 7 wk postcalving, height at the withers was measured with a vertical standard calibrated to 1 cm and equipped with a crossbar. From 8 mo of age, heifers were observed for signs of estrus three times daily (at 0630, at twilight, and at
MATERIALS AND METHODS Heifers and Treatment
Maintenance and Diet Within 6 h after birth, calves were separated from their dams, weighed, and assigned to one of two treatments. The CC were assigned to individual pens in a Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 80, No. 10, 1997
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2030 h); each observation lasted at least 20 min. Heifers that were standing when mounted and heifers that mounted heifers that did not exhibit signs of estrus during two subsequent observations were regarded as being in estrus. Insemination of heifers commenced at 12 mo after birth, based on BW (above
330 kg) and the visual assessment by one person. Following detection of estrus, heifers were inseminated once at 0900 h. The policy of the kibbutz regarding replacements is to rear all heifer calves to the stage of conception. The number of heifers that proceed into lactation depends
TABLE 1. Content and composition of diets fed from birth throughout first lactation to control calves ( C C ) and calves that were allowed to suckle (SC). Time fed CC
SC
d 1–4 d 5–60
d 1–4 d 43–60
. . .
d
(%) Colostrum1 Milk replacer2 Protein Fat Milk from the dam Protein Fat Weaned calf mixture3 Vetch hay Concentrate mix Cottonseeds CP Young calf mixture4 Silage (wheat or corn) Wheat straw Concentrate mix Grain Wheat bran Citrus pulp Poultry litter Lactating cow mixture5 CP Dry cow mixture6 Wheat straw Lactating cow mixture CP Lactating cow mixture Grain Soybean meal Rapeseed meal Corn gluten meal Cottonseeds Vetch hay Wheat silage CP Vitamin and mineral mix7
4.60 3.00 5–42
3.28 3.12
12.0 80.0 8.0 16.0
All calves d 43–120 d 4–42, Available for ad libitum intake d 4–42, Available for ad libitum intake
d 121–d 60 Before calving 7.5 34.5 9.5 8.5 16.0 9.5 7.5 7.0 13.0 d 61 Before calving–calving 60.0 40.0 12.0 During lactation 44.0 6.4 3.4 3.4 8.8 4.3 25.5 17.0 1.7
1All calves were fed 1.5 L of colostrum on d 1 to 2; control calves were fed 1.5 L of colostrum on d 3 to 4. 2Powder content: 23% protein, 15% fat (vegetable and animal), 52% carbohydrates, 8% ash, and 2% vitamins and minerals (Mabarot Products Ltd., Maborot, Israel). 3All calves were fed in groups for ad libitum intake. 4All calves were fed 7 kg/d in groups. 5All heifers were fed 10 kg/d in groups. 6All cows were fed in groups for ad libitum intake. 7Mabarot Products Ltd. (Maborot, Israel). Control calves were fed 2 L of milk replacer on d 5 to 9 and 3 L on d 10 to 14. All calves were fed 2 L of milk replacer on d 51 to 60.
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BAR-PELED ET AL. TABLE 2. The BW, average daily gains (ADG), and ages of control calves (CC; n = 20) and calves that were allowed to suckle (SC; n = 20). CC BW, kg At birth At 6 wk of age At 12 wk of age At conception ADG, kg From 0 to 6 wk of age From 0 to 12 wk of age From 7 to 12 wk of age From birth to conception From 12 wk to conception Age, d At conception At first detected estrus Conception rate, % 1P
SC
X
SE
X
SE
P
38.2 61.9 98.2 327.2
1.6 3.2 4.2 17.5
37.8 73.4 88.3 358.6
1.6 4.7 5.1 23.4
NS1 0.01 0.05 NS
0.56 0.71 0.86 0.68 0.64 426 296 74.2
0.08 0.10 0.11 0.06 0.08 13 21 8.9
0.85 0.60 0.35 0.82 0.87 394 273 83.4
0.11 0.13 0.12 0.07 0.09 15 18 10.4
0.01 NS 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 NS NS
> 0.05.
on quota and cash flow considerations. After conception, the replacement policy of the kibbutz was followed for the 40 calves involved in the experiment. Random selection was used to ensure equal numbers in each group. Statistical Analyses All statistical analyses were carried out using the general linear models procedure of SAS (17). Weekly data for milk intake, milk production, average daily gain ( ADG) , and BW were compared for treatment, age, and BW at birth by analysis of variance; calves within treatments and BW were the error terms for treatment comparison. The models also included an interaction effect between treatment and week of age. When the overall treatment effect was significant ( P < 0.05), comparisons of individual treatments were made by t tests. Each of these models was tested separately for calves at wk 1 to 6 of age and from wk 1 to 12 of age. Estrous behavior, height at the withers, age, and BW at conception were compared by t tests. Conception rates were compared using the chisquare test.
freely available. Overall energy intake per SC was 452 ± 13 Mcal by 42 d of age. None of the calves died. The SC exhibited diarrhea during the first 14 d after birth, but no pathogenic effects were found. Except for diarrhea, there was no difference in incidence of health problems (respiratory or other), which was very low for both groups. Mean BW at birth was very similar for both groups (overall = 38 ± 0.4 kg). The ADG is shown in Figure 1, and mean values for various periods are shown in
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION During the first 42 d of age, each CC consumed 140 L of milk replacer and 28.3 ± 3.2 kg of concentrates, overall energy intake by 42 d of age was 397 ± 23 Mcal. During treatment, each SC consumed 16.9 ± 2.5 kg/d of milk (ranging from 10.5 ± 3.7 kg/d in the 1st wk to 21.6 ± 3.5 kg/d at 42 d of age); the SC did not consume concentrates or vetch hay, although feed was Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 80, No. 10, 1997
Figure 1. The average daily gain (ADG) of control calves ( ⁄) and calves that had been allowed to suckle ( ◊) during the first 12 wk of age. Error bars indicate the standard error ( n = 20).
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INCREASED HEIFER GROWTH TABLE 3. The BW, reproduction, and milk production of heifers during first lactation for control calves (CC; n = 14) and calves that were allowed to suckle (SC; n = 15). CC Calving age, d BW at Calving, kg ADG from Conception to calving, kg Height at the withers, cm Milk production, kg/300 d Milk fat, kg/300 d Milk protein, kg/300 d Days open Conception rate, % 1P
X 700 507 0.65 134.4 9171 273.4 260.6 104.6 53.4
SC SE 15 24 0.06 1.9 306 14.2 13.8 8.6 4.2
X 669 544 0.67 139.7 9624 268.9 257.4 118.4 48.6
SE 12 30 0.08 2.3 374 19.6 20.1 9.2 5.3
P 0.05 NS1 NS 0.05 0.08 NS NS NS NS
> 0.05.
Table 2. During treatment, differences were significant; ADG and BW of SC were higher. Body weight decreased sharply during wk 7 (immediately posttreatment) for the SC, suggesting a greater stress as the result of weaning and adjusting to solid food. The CC showed a reduced amount of growth; by wk 8, the decreases were –9.8 ± 1.3 and +2.4 ± 0.8 for SC and CC, respectively. As a result, the BW of the CC were significantly higher at 12 wk of age. During treatment, the SC consumed 14% more energy from the milk of the dam than did CC from milk replacer and solid food. In addition to its energy, protein, and minerals content, milk from the dam also included growth factors, such as IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF-binding proteins (21, 25); mammary-derived growth inhibitor (22); and other components (6, 14). On the day of conception (Table 2), BW tended to be higher for SC and the time to conception was significantly shorter for these heifers. The ADG from 84 d to conception was significantly higher for SC (Table 2). During this period, both groups were under the same management, indicating that SC had better growth potential than did CC. The ADG of both groups were as recommended by other researchers (12, 26). No difference was found in ADG during the period between conception and calving (Table 2). For SC, the BW at calving tended to be higher, calving age was significantly lower, and height at the withers was significantly higher (Table 3). Milk production of the heifers that had been allowed to suckle as calves tended to be higher ( P < 0.08). Milk fat and protein yields were similar for both groups. The SC had higher ADG until conception (Table 2). The ADG of heifers that had been allowed to suckle as calves was found to be similar from conception through calving; thus, BW at calving of heifers that had been allowed to suckle tended to be higher than that of heifers that had been fed milk replacer (Table 3). This result was expected because nutrition during an early age can affect body size at maturity
(1, 16). Furthermore, twin calves induced by embryo transfer that shared the milk of the dam at an early age had lower BW than did single calves induced by embryo transfer that did not share the milk from the dam, even after 490 d of growth ( 8 ) . Heifers that had been allowed to suckle also had a greater height at the withers at calving and tended to have higher milk production than did heifers that had been fed milk replacer (Table 3). A positive correlation between height at the withers and milk production during first lactation has previously been described for Holstein cows in the US ( 9 ) and Israel (13). Because calves had similar BW at birth (Table 2 ) and were grouped together under the same management conditions at 50 d of age, all of the effects on ADG, estrous cycle, height at the withers, and milk production during first lactation were assumed to be caused by milk suckling during the first 42 d of age. Energy intake during this critical growth period can affect milk production during first lactation (18), and environmental factors during gestation can also affect milk production during first lactation ( 2 ) . However, it seems that milk quality was the only factor during the first 42 d of life other than the additional 14% energy intake by SC that contributed to the improved performance of the SC. This improved performance was recorded even though suckling totally suppressed intake of solid feed and caused greater weaning trauma. In conclusion, our results indicate that SC had higher ADG and greater height at the withers and tended to have higher milk production than did calves fed milk replacer. More research is needed to understand the mechanism involved and the extent of this phenomenon. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are grateful to U. Lavin, A. Ben-Zvi, and to the staff of the dairy herd of Kibbutz Kefar Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 80, No. 10, 1997
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