The influence of age and breed of cow on colostrum indicators of suckled beef calves

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dc.citation.volume76
dc.contributor.authorHickson RE
dc.contributor.authorBack PJ
dc.contributor.authorMartin NP
dc.contributor.authorKenyon PR
dc.contributor.authorMorris ST
dc.date.available2016
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractRearing a calf to weaning is a key measure of performance in a beef breeding cow herd. Adequate intake of colostral antibodies by the calf in the first few hours of life is important for passive transfer of immunity, and so is beneficial for calf survival. This experiment aimed to examine the role of udder conformation, maternal age and breed-cross on the colostral status of suckled calves. Udder conformation of Angus, Angus-cross-Friesian, Angus-cross-Jersey and Angus-cross-Kiwicross cows was scored according to Animal Evaluation Limited and BreedPlan standards, and colostral status of calves was determined based on gamma glutamyltransferase activity, immunoglobulin G and total protein concentrations at 24-48 hours of age. Udder conformation was similar (P>0.05) among breed-crosses except Angus cows had looser front udder attachment, lower rear udder attachment and less desirable udders overall than Angus-cross-dairy cows (P<0.05). Most udder conformation scores did not affect colostral status of calves. The exception was teat placement score, for which more outward-pointing teats were associated with improved colostrum status of calves (P<0.05). Survival to weaning was greater for calves with adequate compared with inadequate colostral status (P<0.001).
dc.description.confidentialfalse
dc.description.publication-statusPublished
dc.format.extent163 - 168 (5)
dc.identifier.citationProceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 2016, 76 pp. 163 - 168 (5)
dc.identifier.elements-id280073
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.identifier.issn1176-5283
dc.relation.isPartOfProceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production
dc.relation.urihttp://www.nzsap.org/system/files/proceedings/%2352%20Hickson.pdf
dc.rightsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
dc.subjectcolostrum
dc.subjectsurvival
dc.subjectudder conformation
dc.subjectbeef calves
dc.subject.anzsrc0702 Animal Production
dc.titleThe influence of age and breed of cow on colostrum indicators of suckled beef calves
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.notesNot known
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences/School of Agriculture & Environment
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