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- Title
Effect of Omnigen-AF on the preweaning performance of beef calves.
- Authors
Crook, T. S.; Koltes, J. E.; Stewart, B.; Shelton, C.; Sims, M. B.; McLean, D. J.; Chapman, J. D.; Beck, P. A.
- Abstract
The objective of this research was to determine the effects of feeding OmniGen-AF (OG; Phibro Animal Health Corp., Teaneck, NJ) to mature cows (n = 112) and primiparous heifers (n = 48) from 60 d before calving to breeding and to their calves in creep feeds for 90 d before weaning on calf performance. Mature cows were randomized into 16 pasture groups by age and heifers were randomized into 4 pasture groups at the University of Arkansas Southwest Research and Extension Center from 60 d prior projected calving to breeding (December 15, 2015, through May 2, 2016). Corn gluten feed was supplemented to all cows at 1.4 kg·cow-1·d-1, prorated for 5 d/wk feeding (2.5 kg/cow). Cows were fed OG a daily rate of 4 g/45.4 kg. Calves (n = 146) were born between February 10 and April 15, with an average calving date of March 1. Creep feed (67% soybean hulls and 33% corn gluten feed, as-fed basis) was offered at 1% BW from July 14 through October 7, 2016. Calves were offered OG at a daily rate of 4 g/45.4 kg in the creep feed. A subset of heifer calves in each pasture (n = 3/pasture) were inserted with an intravaginal device containing a temperature data recorder for a 9-d period during September, and core body temperatures (CBT) were recorded every 20 min. Birth date, birth weight, BW, and BW change of calves were recorded and analyzed as CRD by ANOVA, using the mixed procedure of SAS. Fixed effects included treatment, parity group, and the treatment × parity interaction, with sire (AI vs. natural service) and birth date included as covariables and pasture within treatment as the random effect. Analysis of CBT was conducted as a repeated measures analysis by hour with day as the repeated measure and calf as the subject. Calves supplemented with OG gained more BW (P = 0.03) than control calves during the creep feeding period (80.7 vs. 72.5 kg, respectively); however, BW at weaning did not differ (P = 0.27). A treatment × hour interaction (P < 0.01) for CBT was observed, with OG-supplemented heifers having numerically lower CBT (-0.7°C; P = 0.19) at 1400 h than control heifers. Providing OG in the creep diet of calves was shown to have a positive influence on BW gain before weaning. Numerically lower CBT may indicate less heat stress in OG-supplemented calves, but more research is needed to further substantiate these effects.
- Subjects
BEEF cattle physiology; BODY temperature regulation; ANIMAL feeding
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2017, Vol 95, p42
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Abstract
- DOI
10.2527/asasann.2017.084