Brangus Calves Research Articles

Ingestive behavior of beef calves on oat and ryegrass pasture intercropped with vetch at different seeding rates

The use of winter forage plants constitutes a procedure that optimizes cattle production, particularly in the subtropical region of Brazil. Understanding the relationship between forage species and grazing cattle, as well as their behavior within the environment, becomes crucial for a more efficient use of the forage. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of beef calves in intercropped pastures of black oats, ryegrass, and vetch. A randomized block design was employed, with three area replications. The treatments resulted from the combination of ryegrass, black oats, and 0, 20, and 40 kg of vetch seed/ha. Twenty-seven Brangus calves kept under continuous grazing with variable stocking rates were used. Three daytime assessments of ingestive behavior were conducted. The forage systems did not influence the time spent on grazing, rumination, and other activities (P>0.05). However, as the grazing cycle progressed, the calves spent more time grazing and less time on other activities. The introduction of vetch into the forage mixture increased both the time and the number of chews during rumination (P<0.05). Towards the end of the grazing cycle, the calves needed to visit more feeding stations per minute and have a higher bite rate. Calves that grazed in higher vetch densities exhibited a greater number of steps between feeding stations, but only during the second period. The inclusion of vetch in conjunction with grasses only modifies the rumination patterns of calves, while the advancement of the phenological stage of the pasture leads to more evident changes in the ingestive behavior of grazing calves.

The influence of weaning age and biocholine supplementation to post-weaning growth and puberty in Brangus heifers

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of earlier weaning in addition to biocholine supplementation on age at puberty of Brangus heifers. Brangus calves were randomized and divided into three weaning ages groups, at 30 (Hyper-early weaning; HW), 75 (Early weaning; EW) and 180 days (Conventional weaning; CW). Then, calves were supplemented using the additive Biocholine (BIO) or not (CON). Animals were subjected to puberty induction and the presence of estrus was observed for 7 days. In addition, transrectal ultrasonography was performed to assess the ovarian activity and the presence of corpus luteum to determine heifer puberty. We also evaluated the body weight (BW; Kg), hip height (HH; cm), thoracic perimeter (TP; cm) and BW:HH ratio during the experimental period. BIO group showed higher ADG (>226 g/day) when the animals were exposed to ryegrass pasture compared to CON (P < 0.05). We observed an interaction between weaning x biocholine and CW-BIO heifers showed greater HH more compared to CW-CON (P < 0.05). Overall, animals that have reached puberty at day 8 after puberty induction showed 331.0 ± 5.04 kg BW, 122.0 ± 0.56 cm HH and 165.4 ± 0.75 cm TP and 2.7 ± 0.03 BW:HH. At the time of ovulation detection, the heifers from the HW group had 32.1 kg BW, 3.93 cm HH and 0.18 cm BW:HH greater compared to CW (P < 0.05). The BIO supplementation together with ryegrass pasture, led to an increase in ADG weight throughout the evaluated period. We concluded that HW heifers showed an adequate body development throughout the experimental period until puberty appearance at the same age as others weaned groups.

Water intake of Brangus cattle confined in the subtropics

Water is necessary to maintain life, improve feed intake (FI) and performance of animals. This study evaluated water intake (WI) and behavior at the feeder and drinker of confined Brangus cattle in the subtropics, as well the adequacy of previously published WI prediction equations. Two trials were carried out from 2017 to 2018, with 60 Brangus heifers with an initial body weight (BW) of 229 ± 25.7 kg and with 30 Brangus calves with an initial BW of 224 ± 27.7 kg. In each trial, FI and WI were recorded for 70 days using automatic feeders and drinkers. The prediction of WI using the current equations was tested using simple linear regression between the observed and predicted WI values. Water intake was overestimated by all equations, but the differences between observed and predicted WI values were smaller with the equation using data generated with Nellore cattle. Environmental and breed-related differences and measurement equipment may explain part of these differences. The new WI prediction equations calculated with data generated in the present study including or not behavioral variables showed the highest determination coefficients for heifers (0.58 and 0.44, respectively) and calves (0.32 and 0.44, respectively). The predictor variables included in the new equations were FI, relative humidity, THI, BW, maximum temperature, number of visits to the drinkers or feeders with ingestion, water intake time for heifers. The predictors for calves were: FI, relative humidity, maximum temperature, wind speed, solar radiation and number of visits to the drinker with WI. The new prediction models for WI developed with the inclusion of behavioral variables did not improved the predictive capacity, when tested with an extra dataset collected with Brangus calves. Most of the previously published prediction equations overestimate WI, except those dealing with Zebu crossbred animals in the subtropics and tropics. Prediction equations explained less than 30–40% of the variation in WI, and therefore more studies are necessary to assess the factors affecting water ingestion and to reduce variability at the drinkers.

PSXIII-19 The influence of weaning age and biocholine supplementation to post-weaning growth and reproductive development in Brangus heifers

Abstract This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of earlier weaning in addition to biocholine supplementation on age at puberty of Brangus heifers. Brangus calves were randomized and divided into three weaning ages groups, at 30 (Hyper-early weaning; HW), 75 (Early weaning; EW) and 180 days (Conventional weaning; CW). Then, calves were supplemented using the additive Biocholine (BIO) or not (CON). Animals were subjected to puberty induction and transrectal ultrasonography was performed to assess the ovarian activity and the presence of corpus luteum to determine heifer puberty. We also evaluated the body weight (BW; Kg), hip height (HH; cm), thoracic perimeter (TP; cm) and BW:HH ratio during the experimental period. BIO group showed higher ADG (&amp;gt;226g/day) when the animals were exposed to ryegrass pasture compared to CON (P &amp;lt; 0.05). We observed an interaction between weaning x biocholine and CW-BIO heifers showed greater HH more compared to CW-CON (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Overall, animals that have reached puberty at day 8 after puberty induction showed 331.0±23.14kg BW, 122.0±2.58cm HH and 165.4±3.45cm TP and 2.7±0.14 BW:HH. At the time of ovulation detection, the heifers from the HW group had 32.1kg BW, 3.93cm HH and 0.18cm BW:HH greater compared to CW (P &amp;lt; 0.05). The BIO supplementation together with ryegrass pasture, led to an increase in ADG weight throughout the evaluated period. We concluded that HW heifers showed an adequate body development throughout the experimental period until puberty appearance at the same age as others weaned groups.

158 Provision of artificial shade before weaning influences performance of Angus and Brangus cow-calf pairs

Abstract A completely randomized design study with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments evaluated the impact of artificial shade (SHADE or NO SHADE) and breed (ANGUS vs. BRANGUS) on performance of cows, nursing calves, and subsequent offspring. Twenty-four Angus and 24 Brangus black-hided pregnant cows (579 ± 8 kg BW; 6.5 yr; approximately 85 d of gestation) and their nursing calves were randomly allocated to 12 ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass pastures (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 1.3 ha; n = 4 pairs/pasture), with or without access to artificial shade (NO SHADE BRANGUS [NSB], NO SHADE ANGUS [NSA], SHADE BRANGUS [SB], and SHADE ANGUS [SA]) for 56 d during summer. Body condition score (BCS) of cows and BW of pairs were obtained on d -1, 0, 55, and 56 (weaning weight). Following weaning, calves were randomly allocated to 4 pens (n = 12/pen) equipped with GrowSafe feed bunks for 14 d to measure feed intake (DMI) and efficiency (G:F). A shade × breed interaction (P &amp;lt; 0.05) was observed for average daily gain (ADG) and BCS of cows, with SB being greatest (P ≤ 0.05). Pre-weaning calf ADG tended to be greater (P = 0.10) for SHADE vs. NO SHADE. Weaning weight and BW 14-d post-weaning were lesser for NSB vs. NSA, SA, and SB, whereas no differences in DMI, ADG, or G:F were observed (P &amp;gt; 0.11). Gestation length was greater for SHADE vs. NO SHADE cows (292 vs. 274; P = 0.02), but calf birth weight was not different. Providing artificial shade to pregnant-lactating beef cows positively impacted the growth of Brangus but not Angus cows. However, weaning BW of calves from Angus cows regardless of shade access did not differ from that of Brangus calves with shade. Further research should investigate the potential long-term effects of shade on the subsequent offspring.

Comparison of feed additive technologies for preconditioning of weaned beef calves.

Our objective was to evaluate the response of weaned calves to different supplemental feed additives in a supplement to affect calf performance and mitigate stress response observed during weaning and preconditioning. At weaning in each of 2 yr, 160 Angus and Brangus calves (203 and 227 ± 2.3 and 2.5 kg) were stratified by BW, sex, and breed and were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments ( = 40 calves/treatment): 1) supplement without feed additives (control, CON), 2) supplemented with chlortetracycline, 350 mg/d (CTC), 3) supplemented with monensin, 175 mg/d (RUM), and 4) supplemented with rumen modifier, 5 g/d (ACT). Calves were held by treatment in 1 of 4 drylot pens for 7 d after weaning and were offered ad libitum access to hay and 2.27 kg/d of supplement before placement in one of thirty-two 0.8-ha pastures (5 calves/pasture). On pasture calves were supplemented with 2.27 kg/d (yr 1) or supplemented at 1.0% BW (yr 2). Calf BW and blood samples were collected following weaning (d 0, 1, 4, 7, 11 in yr 1; d 0, 1, 3, 7, 14 in yr 2), at the conclusion of the preconditioning period (d 50, 51 in yr 2), and after transportation (d 52, 55, 59, 65 in yr 2) for analysis of acute phase protein (APP) concentrations. In yr 2, after 44 d on pasture, calves were loaded on 2 semitrucks and transported for 24 h. On return, calves were placed in 4 pastures with hay and fed their respective supplements for 14 d. For each year, data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure of SAS. The model included the main effect of treatment, and pasture was the experimental unit. All variables quantified by day were analyzed using repeated measures. In yr 1, ACT and CTC had greater (P <0.05) 52-d ADG than RUM, whereas CON was intermediate. However, in yr 2, over the 50-d postweaning period there was no difference (P = 0.20; 0.52 kg/d) in ADG response among treatments. After transportation, 7- and 14-d ADG were improved (P < 0.05) for ACT and CTC compared with CON and RUM. In both years, postweaning plasma concentrations of haptoglobin were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments; however an effect of day after transport (P < 0.001) was observed. Feed cost of gain and income over production cost (P ≥ 0.15; mean = $0.51/kg and $73.51, respectively) were not different among treatments. Use of supplemental additives may improve calf performance during a preconditioning period of this duration, but no additive was effective at mitigating stress postweaning. Additives were equally effective in supporting calf growth performance during a posttransportation period.

Parasitic Loads and Growth Performance of Goats and Kids under Sequential and Mixed Species Grazing with Cattle at a Constant Stocking Rate

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sequential and mixed species grazing on parasitic loads and growth performance of goat kids. The study was conducted between June and October, 2013. Forty eight (48) “Spanish” kids and 28 Brangus calves were randomly divided into four treatment groups; goats grazing alone (GOA, control), Goats Followed by Cattle (GFC), Cattle Followed by Goats (CFG) and, cattle and goats mixed (MXD) grazing. Each pasture was sub-divided into 8 grazing paddocks to facilitate intensive grazing. Each of the 8-ha grazing pasture was sub-divided into two replications and eight paddocks. Animals were moved to a new paddock twice a week (3.5d rotation). The initial stocking rate was based approximately upon 0.8 ha per cow that would allow five cows per replication. Body Weights (BW), body condition score (1=thin, 5=fat, BCS), Famacha© scores (1=pink, healthy eye, 5=white, anemic) and fecal and blood samples were taken bi-weekly. Fecal and blood samples were analyzed in the lab for fecal egg count in eggs per gram (FEC) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) percentages. Data was statistically analyzed using SAS’s MIXED procedure and correlation coefficients were determined among the measurements. Differences (p

Productive performance of Brangus cattle at weaning in grazing conditions in Colombia

&lt;p&gt;The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the performance of Brangus calves at weaning under grazing conditions, and determine the influence of the sex on its performance. This study was conducted in the Cartago municipality (Colombia), in a herd dedicated to the production of beef with Brangus breed. The data were analyzed by ANOVA with a 95% significance using the statistical software InfoStat 2015. Full records of second lactation cows that were served by the same bull were evaluated to reduce the error factor. The variables evaluated were: weight at birth, weight at weaning, meat production index and average daily gain (ADG). The following model of age at weaning was considered as a covariate: Yij=u+Ti+BXij+Eij. The weight at birth was 33.22±1.86 and 31.88±0.89 kg for males and females respectively, weight at weaning was 246.00±51.69 and 225.81±21.78 kg respectively, rate of production was 0.64±0.12 and 0.62±0.05% respectively, ADG was 890±280; 850±100 grams/day respectively, and age at weaning of 251.78±44.01 and 228.19±16.30 days respectively. Only statistical significant difference for weight at birth (p=0.0286) was observed. In conclusion, both males and females Brangus showed differences in birth weight; however, differences in meat production levels are not significant since these reach at weaning similar weight, meat production index and average weight gain. In this sense, the productive trend may be similar at post-weaning stage, being feasible to employ both males and females interchangeably for the production of beef; additionally, the heifers can arrive faster at age for bull service.&lt;/p&gt;

Effect of Age at Castration on Beef Calf Performance

A study in Florida was conducted to examine the issue of age at castration to determine if castration timing resulted in significant differences in growth rate and weaning weight in nursing calves. In addition, the study included a comparison between Angus and Brangus calves in the treatment groups to determine if there was a breed by castration effect. No differences in calf growth rates were observed in early compared to late castration. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Amie Imler, Todd Thrift, Matt Hersom, and Joel Yelich, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, March 2013.&#x0D; http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an289

EVALUATION OF CROSSBRED CALF AND COW TYPES; SUBJECTIVE TRAITS

Data in this experiment consisted of birth weight, calving score, thickness and grade records of 600 crossbred calves. Angus, Brangus, and Gelbvieh sires were mated to purebred Hereford cows. Yearling and 2-yr-old Angus-Hereford, Brangus-Hereford, and Gelbvieh-Hereford daughters then were bred to Polled Hereford bulls (Data Set 2). Later-parity Angus-Hereford, Brangus-Hereford, and Gelbvieh-Hereford daughters were mated to Salers or Simmental sires (Data Set 3). The traits evaluated were birth weight, thickness and feeder grade of calves and degree of calving diffi culty. Calving diffi culty, grade, muscling or thickness evaluation is a subjective assessment. Progeny of Angus cattle were lighter at birth and were born easier than progeny of Brangus and Gelbvieh cattle. Angus-Hereford cows were more likely to have medium grade calves than Brangus-Hereford cows (odds ratio=1.69) and that was the only signifi cant difference for grade in all data sets. Brangus calves had thicker muscles than Angus and Gelbvieh calves. Adding Bos Indicus genes to a cross may increase birth weight, calving diffi culty and muscle thickness.

Desempenho e características de carcaça de bezerros confinados recebendo dietas com diferentes degradabilidades da fração protéica

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as respostas do fornecimento de dietas com diferentes níveis de proteína degradável no rúmen (PDR), durante a fase inicial de confinamento, no desempenho, nas características de crescimento monitoradas in vivo por ultra-sonografia e nos parâmetros de carcaça e qualidade de carne de bovinos jovens. Foram utilizados 60 bezerros Brangus não castrados, com 8 meses e peso vivo médio de 243,2 kg, submetidos a três tratamentos nas fases de crescimento (Fase 1) e terminação (Fase 2): T1 - 69% PDR nas Fases 1 e 2; T2 - 77% PDR na Fase 1 e 69% PDR na Fase 2; T3 - 61% PDR na Fase 1 e 69% PDR na Fase 2. Na Fase 1, os animais do tratamento T2 apresentaram menor ganho de peso médio diário que os animais do tratamento T1 e pior conversão alimentar que T1 e T3. O peso de carcaça quente, seu rendimento e os pesos de dianteiro, ponta de agulha e traseiro, bem como a área de olho de lombo, gordura subcutânea, força de cisalhamento e composição química da carne, não apresentaram diferença estatística entre tratamentos. A utilização de dietas com menor teor de PDR melhorou a conversão alimentar e o ganho de peso médio diário em até 11,5 e 16,9%, respectivamente, na fase de crescimento, indicando a utilização de menores níveis de PDR neste período.

In vitro fertilization program in prepuberal brangus calves and later embryo collection

In vitro fertilization program in prepuberal brangus calves and later embryo collection

Effect of Breed on Botanical Composition of Cattle Diets on Chihuahuan Desert Range

Fecal microhistology was used to estimate botanical composition of samples taken from Hereford (N = 11), Angus (N = 11) and Brangus (N = 37) 3 to 5 year-old cows in 3 seasons (October, 1991 and January and July, 1992) and from Hereford (N = 10), Angus (N = 9) and Brangus (N = 34) calves in October. Breed differences in botanical composition of diets and relationships between dam and offspring botanical composition of diets were examined. Breed differences were observed for cows in all 3 seasons and for calves in October. Brangus cows showed greater preference (P < 0.05) for Sporobolus than Hereford cows in October, January, and July. Brangus cows also showed greater preference for Sporobolus than Angus cows in January and July. Brangus and Angus calves showed greater preference for Sporobolus than Hereford calves in October (P < 0.05). Brangus cows had a stronger preference for Yucca and total shrubs in January than either Hereford or Angus cows. Hereford cows and calves had stronger preference for Aristida than either Angus or Brangus in October (P < 0.05). Regression of October calf botanical components on dam botanical components indicated significant relationships for only 2 genera, Aristida (P < 0.01) and Sporobolus (P <0.06). These data suggest that genetic composition of the animal is an important factor determining utilization of key plant species on Chihuahuan desert ranges.

Postnatal characteristics of calves produced by nuclear transfer cloning

Calves produced from cloned embryos have been characterized by high birth weight and low survival rate. The cause of these problems has not been identified. In this study 40 Brangus calves from embryos cloned by a nuclear transfer technique were delivered by caesarean section during naturally initiated parturition. They were treated medically to maximize survival rates when life-threatening physiologic abnormalities were recognized. Birth weight ranged from 26.4 to 67.3 kg. Most calves were slow to stand and had poor suckling behaviors. One or more of the following physiologic abnormalities were measured in 34 of 40 calves during the first hour of life: hypoxemia, hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and/or hypothermia. These abnormalities were sufficiently severe to warrant medical treatment. Only one calf died in the immediate postnatal period (29 hr of age). The cause of death in six of the eight calves that died or were euthanized in the first 14 weeks of life was related to bacterial infection. Because the calves' clinical abnormalitites in the immediate postpartum period could be caused by defective energy metabolism, additional plasma analytes were measured retrospectively. There was sufficient sample available from 21 calves (20 male, 1 female). Plasma growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, cortisol, glucagon, glucose, and free fatty acid concentrations in clone calves were not different from those of a reference population (P > 0.05). Thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) and insulin concentrations higher (P < 0.05) in clone calves than in the reference group at 10 min after birth. None of the analytes from clone calves at birth or 10 min was significantly correlated to birth weight, except for glucagon (R 2 = 0.184 at birth; R 2 = 0.449 at 10 min). The findings were interpreted as an abnormality of in-utero energy regulation, causing abnormal growth rate and poor preparation for extrauterine life.

Evaluation of line and breed of cytoplasm effects on performance of purebred Brangus cattle.

Substantial differences between reciprocally crossed Bos taurus x Bos indicus calves for birth, weaning, and yearling weights have been reported. To determine whether cytoplasmic inheritance is responsible for a portion of these differences, field records for birth and weaning weight (n = 7,353) and postweaning average daily gain (n = 2,746) from registered Brangus calves were analyzed. An animal model that included maternal effects was fit for each trait. Breed of cytoplasmic origin was fit as a fixed effect and coded as Angus, Brahman, or unknown. Cytoplasmic line within each breed of origin was treated as a random effect. Variance components for random effects were estimated using derivative-free REML procedures. Line of cytoplasm accounted for less than .002% of the phenotypic variance in all three traits. Estimates for cytoplasmic breed of origin effects were small in magnitude, and contrasts tested (Angus vs Brahman and Angus vs Unknown) were not significant (P > .10). Estimates of heritability of direct (maternal) effects were .36 (.20), .41 (.27), and .21 (.08) for birth weight, weaning weight, and postweaning average daily gain, respectively. Estimates of genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects ranged from -.27 for postweaning average daily gain to -.58 for birth weight. No evidence for breed or line within breed of cytoplasmic origin effects was detected in these data.

Genetic parameter estimates of ultrasound-measured longissimus muscle area and 12th rib fat thickness in Brangus cattle.

Data from 2,101 Brangus calves born from 1986 to 1990 were analyzed with a REML procedure using a derivative-free algorithm in a mixed linear animal model to obtain variance component estimates of ultrasound-measured longissimus muscle area and fat thickness. Direct additive heritabilities (ha2) of .39 and .40 were obtained for age-constant weaning and yearling longissimus muscle area (WLMA and YLMA, respectively), with a genetic correlation (rg) of .66 between them. The rg of YLMA with birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), postweaning gain (PWG), yearling weight (YWT), frame score (FS), and scrotal circumference (SC) were .17, .29, .43, .38, .01, and .19, respectively. The ha2 of age-constant yearling 12th rib fat thickness (FAT) was .14, and cattle averaged .44 cm (SD = .19). Positive rg were obtained between FAT and WLMA (.19) and YLMA (.12). Negative rg of FAT with WWT, YWT, and SC were -.17, -.53, and -.33, respectively. Positive rg were obtained between FAT and BWT (.52), PWG (.44), and FS (.14). Maternal heritabilities (hm2) of WLMA, YLMA, and FAT were .01, .01, and .10, respectively. Weight-constant WLMA, YLMA, and FAT ha2 were .36, .39, and .11, respectively. Selection based on either age-constant YLMA or FAT could potentially result in 1.06 cm2 or .005 cm change per year, respectively, which would be slightly greater than change from selection based on weight-constant YLMA or FAT. Selection based on WLMA or YLMA should be effective, and changes in these traits, growth, and SC should be possible in tandem.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heritabilities and genetic correlations of ultrasound-measured ribeye area with other performance traits in Brangus cattle (1992)

Heritabilities and genetic correlations for ultrasound-measured ribeye area and fat thickness, as well as growth traits and scrotal circumference, were determined using performance records of 1613 Brangus calves born from 1987 to 1990. Moderate heritabilities of .39 for weaning and .40 for yearling ultrasound- measured ribeye area indicate that selection to change these traits should be effective. The positive, and generally large, genetic correlations between ultrasound-measured ribeye areas and growth traits indicate that genetic change of these traits can be made in tandem. The low heritability (.14) of fat thickness, the small amount of fat, and the lack of variation would make it very difficult to change the genetic ability of animals to deposit fat.

Lesions in Brangus cattle with Chediak-Higashi syndrome.

Hair, peripheral blood leukocytes, and other tissues from two related Brangus calves with phenotypic characteristics of Chediak-Higashi syndrome were examined by light and electron microscopy. Enlarged, pleomorphic, cytoplasmic granules, morphologically compatible with lysosomes, were seen in several neutrophils, many eosinophils, renal tubular epithelial cells, and Kupffer cells. Hair shafts of the calves showed irregular distribution and clumping of melanin granules. Severe infection and a possible hemorrhagic tendency were recognized. These Brangus calves represent the third breed of cattle affected with this genetic disease.