Live Weight Measurements Research Articles

Effects of fully or partially slatted flooring designs on the performance, welfare and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of fully (FSF) or partially (PSF) flooring designs on animal-based welfare indicators in a fast-growing broiler genotype. Growth performance and carcass characteristics were assessed. 2. One-d-old male chicks were randomly assigned to three groups: fully slatted flooring (100% slatted floor), partially slatted flooring (50% litter floor and 50% slatted floor) and conventional floor pens with litter (control, 100% deep litter) with 5 replicates of 14 male chicks. The litter was rice hull, as is usual in practice. 3. Measurements of live body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality and performance index were collected before depopulation at 42 d old. Welfare assessments were done by individual ante- and post-mortem carcass inspection during depopulation and after slaughter. 4. Broiler live body weight (P < 0.03) and feed intake (P < 0.003) and ante-mortem welfare indicators (P < 0.001) were positively affected by FSF and PSF compared to the conventional deep litter system. Post-mortem lesion scores on wings and shoulder were similar in all floor types but there were significant differences for the lesions on breast (P < 0.003) and pygostyle (P < 0.05). 5. In conclusion, FSF and PSF resulted in higher body weights, while reducing incidence of foot pad and hock joint deformations in live animals.

Effect of Dietary Energy Levels on The Performances of Testicular Development, Live Body Weight and Testosterone Concentration in Ouled Djellal Ram Lambs

The aim of our study was to determine the effect of the dietary energy levels on the live body weight, testis volume and blood testosterone concentration in Ouled Djellal ram lambs throughout growth. The study lasted six months from post-weaning until the pubertal period at the Technical Institute Farms (I.T.E.L.V) Lamtar of Sidi-bel-Abbes (Western Algeria). After weaning, Twenty single-born Ouled Djellal ram lambs from 90 to 240 days old were weighed and allotted into two equal groups of Low energy (n = 10) or High energy (n = 10) nutrition plane. Each group received; in addition to a basal diet (good quality pasture) 200 g and 400 g of concentrate feed mixture containing barley (60%), corn (5%), wheat bran (37.5 %) and vitamin-mineral compound (2.5 %) by head-1day-1 respectively. Hay and water were provided ad libitum. Monthly measurements of live body weight, testicular volume and blood testosterone concentration of lambs were recorded. The results showed that the High energy group of lambs recorded a significantly higher live body weight compared to the lambs of low energy group (p <0.001). Whereas, the testicular growth indicated a gradual and linear increase for both groups (low energy and high energy) with significant differences (p <0.001). However, all measurements of the testis, live body weight, serum testosterone levels and age were positively correlated with one another of both low and high groups throughout the experiment. In conclusion, High-level energy supplementation can improve to enhanced development in Ouled Djellal ram lambs this may be due to its beneficial effect on the productive and reproductive performance of growing male lambs. Furthermore, using younger lambs may reduce production costs, accelerate the benefits of genetic selection, and allow earlier progeny and libido testing.

Short-term liveweight changes of dairy cows measured by stationary and walk-over weighing scales

Monitoring and detecting individual cows' liveweight (LW) and liveweight change (LWC) are important for estimation of nutritional requirements and health management, and could be useful to measure short-term feed intake, water consumption, defecation, and urination. Walk-over weighing (WOW) systems can facilitate measurements of LW for these purposes, providing automated LW recorded at different times of the day. We conducted a field study to (1) quantify the contribution of feed and water intake, as well as urine and feces excretions, to short-term LWC and (2) determine the feasibility of stationary and WOW scales to detect subtle changes in LW as a result of feed and water intake, urination, and defecation. In this experiment, 10 cows walked through a WOW system and then stood individually on a stationary scale collecting weights at 10 and 3.3 Hz, respectively. Cows were offered 4 kg of feed and 10 kg of water on the stationary scale. For each animal, LW before and after eating and drinking was then calculated using different approaches. Liveweight change was calculated as the difference between the initial and final LW before and after eating and drinking for each statistical measure. The weights of feed intake, water consumption, urination, and defecation were measured and used as predictors of LWC. Urine and feces were collected from individual cows while the cow was on the scale, using a container, and weighed separately. The agreement between LWC measured using either stationary or WOW scales was assessed to determine the sensitivity of the scales to detect subtle changes in LW using the coefficient of determination (R2), Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and mean bias. The prediction model showed that most of the regression coefficients were not significantly different from +1.0 for feed and water, or -1.0 for urine and feces. The R2 and CCC values demonstrated a satisfactory agreement between calculated and stationary LWC and values ranged from 0.60 to 0.92 and 0.71 to 0.94, respectively. A moderate agreement was achieved between calculated and automated LWC with R2 and Lin's CCC values of 0.45 to 0.63 and 0.60 to 0.74, respectively. Therefore, results demonstrated that new algorithms and data processing methods need to be continuously explored and improved to obtain accurate measurements of LW to measure changes in LW, especially from WOW scales.

Statistical Modeling of Live Body Weight and Linear Body Measurements of Local Chicken at Different Agro-Ecologies of Ethiopia

Statistical Modeling of Live Body Weight and Linear Body Measurements of Local Chicken at Different Agro-Ecologies of Ethiopia

Measuring liveweight changes in lactating dairy ewes with an automated walk-over-weighing system

Monitoring liveweight (LW) is an important part of sound management practices at the individual and flock level (e.g., controlling for nutritional status based on body condition, reproduction, and health-related issues), but it is time consuming and stressful. To our knowledge, no literature has reported on the evaluation of automated weighing systems in dairy sheep as an alternative to conventional static scales. The objective of this research was to evaluate the practical feasibility of using an automated walk-over-weighing (WoW) prototype to measure daily LW changes in dairy ewes without human intervention. We used adult Lacaune dairy ewes in 2 complementary trials conducted indoors. Trial 1 aimed at evaluating the repeatability, precision, and accuracy of LW measures recorded using WoW scales compared with a static scale (the gold standard). Forty-two adult ewes (LW ± standard deviation = 71.3 ± 10.4 kg) were randomly drafted from the main flock and used in a 1-day session. The trial included 3 passages. In each passage, ewes were weighed first on a static scale; once a static position was achieved and LW recorded, they continued the circuit and immediately traversed the WoW scale for an automated LW record. Trial 2 aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using the WoW device under real-world conditions in a dairy sheep-farming system. The WoW scale was installed in the exit race of the milking parlor and evaluated over 7 wk with adult ewes in mid lactation (n = 93; LW 78.5 ± 8.1 kg). Once the ewes were acclimated to the WoW system, 1 group of ewes (n = 48) continued to receive the same feeding regimen (controls), and the other group (n = 45) underwent a nutritional challenge [challenged; 2 wk of undernutrition and then back to control regimen (refeeding) for 1 wk]. We evaluated the ability of the WoW to detect small changes in LW. We collected LW data (2 weighings per ewe per day) from the WoW after each of the 2 milking sessions (morning and evening). We also obtained LW values by weighing the ewes using a static scale once a week. The automated WoW system showed substantial agreement with the gold standard when assessed using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and Bland and Altman's method, largely due to high repeatability. The WoW system was adequate for detecting small daily variations in LW during undernutrition and refeeding periods. Misbehaviors resulted in spurious WoW values in trial 2, requiring us to use filtration methods to exclude outlier weights and allow meaningful assessment of small LW changes. The WoW system evaluated here is an alternative to the static scales conventionally used on dairy sheep farms. If sound filtration of raw data is applied, WoW could contribute to the close (daily) monitoring of individual LW without operator intervention (i.e., voluntary weighing) and taking animal welfare into account (i.e., no stress related to the weighing session on static scales).

Prediction of responses of indigenous Boschveld chickens to probiotic-yeast additive levels using a quadratic optimisation model.

This experiment was performed to determine the nutrient content of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and effect on carcass characteristics, relative internal organ weights, digesta pH, and lengths and weights of the different segments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of indigenous Boschveld chickens. Six hundred-day-old unsexed Boschveld chicks were divided into six groups of 100 birds with each group replicated five times. Birds were fed broiler starter from 1 to 49days and grower diet from 50 to 91days. Each group was allotted to commercial broiler mash diet supplemented with yeast designated 0gkg-1 feed (T0), 2.5gkg-1 feed (T1), 5.0gkg-1 feed (T2), 7.5gkg-1 feed (T3), 10.0gkg-1 feed (T4) and 12.5gkg-1 feed (T5) in a completely randomised design. Proximate composition of yeast was assessed using the standard method. Live weight, carcass characteristics, organ weights, digesta pH and the lengths and weights of the different segments of the digestive tract were measured and analysed statistically. Probiotic-yeast levels for optimal productivity were determined using a quadratic optimisation model. Results revealed that probiotic-yeast is rich in crude protein (496.0gkg-1), ash (61.60gkg-1) and moderate in crude fibre (29.0gkg-1). Birds in groups fed with diets supplemented with yeast at 7.5 and 10.0gkg-1 feed gave the best (p < 0.05) carcass characteristics, organ weights, length and weight of the different sections of the digestive system in Boschveld chickens. The optimal inclusion rates of probiotic-yeast that gave the best live weight, carcass characteristics, organ weights and linear measurement of the GIT were found 6.9 and 8.5gkg-1 feed, suggesting that no single inclusion level optimised all the parameters measured in Boschveld chickens in the present study. In conclusion, yeast is suitable for use as a feed additive and for optimal productivity; it should be included at the rates of 7.5 and 10.0gkg-1 feed in Boschveld chicken diet. It is recommended that yeast supplementation level beyond 10.0gkg-1 feed may not be well-tolerated by the Boschveld chickens for best live weight, carcass characteristics, organ weights and linear measurement of the GIT.

Age- and sex-dependent regression parameters for estimating live weight frim body measurements of West African Dwarf sheep

The relationships between live weight and eight body measurements of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep were studied using 300 animals under farm condition. The animals were categorized based on age and sex. Data obtained on height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), head length (HL), length of hindquarter (LHQ), width of hindquarter (WHQ), head width(HDW), and loin girth (LG) were fitted into simple linear (change in body measurement is directly proportional to weight or body size), allometric (body measurements do not necessarily change in direct proportion to weight or body size), and multiple linear regression models to predict live weight from the body measurements according to age group and sex. Results showed that live weight and body measurements of ewe were higher than that of the ram. Live weight, HG, HW, WHQ, LG, BL, LHQ, HL, and HW increased with the age of the animals. In multiple linear regression model, WHQ, LHQ, HW, HL and HDW best fit the model for sheep aged ≤1; HG, LG, BL and HDW for 2 year-old sheep; HG, BL, and HL best fit the model for sheep 3 years age group; LHQ best fit the model for sheep of 4 years of age; while HL best fits sheep that were in 5 year age category. Coefficients of determination (R2) values for linear and allometric models for predicting the live weight of WAD sheep increased with age in all the body measurements (HW, HG, BL, HL, LHQ, WHQ, HDW and LG). Sex had significant influence on the model with R2 values consistently higher in females except the models for LHQ, WHQ, LG and BL were they the same with the males. Based on R2 values, it was concluded that both linear and allometric regression models could be used to predict live weight from body measurements of WAD sheep. &#x0D;

Coat pigmentation effects in West African Dwarf goats: live weights and body dimensions

The effect of coat pigmentation on live weight and various body measurements (body length, shoulder width, head width, leg length, neck girth, heart girth, abdominal girth, heart depth and height at withers) of the West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were studied. Coat pigmentation significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected live weight with the white and or tan (Awt) goats weighing the most (26.30 kg on the average). Body weight at maturity increased with decrease in pigmentation intensity. Although coat pigmentation had no significant effect on all the body dimensions studied except leg length, it was observed that the white and or tan goats had the largest frame size on the average followed by the brown (Bbl) goats. They however, had shorter legs when compared with either the brown or black goats. Frame size also increased with decrease in coat pigmentation intensity. Selection for large frame size and heavy weight at maturity on the basis of coat colour would therefore favour the white goats and those with low pigmentation intensity, where size and market price are the determinant factors. &#x0D;

Prediction of Body Weight from Linear Body Measurements for Horro Sheep Breeds in Oromia, Ethiopia

The study was carried out in Bako Agricultural Research Center’s sheep farm and Horro district to determine the relationship between live weight and linear measurements and predict live weight from morphometric traits and morphometric measurements from 1589 Horro sheep (1131 female and 456 male) were used to determine relationships between body weight and linear body measurements. Accordingly, Body weight, Body length, Height at wither, Chest girth, Chest width, Rump length and Pelvic width measurements were recorded for each animal. Correlation and regression analysis between body weight and the linear body measurements were conducted independently for male and female within the different age categories defined using dentition. In most of the analyses, there was a significantly (p<0.001) higher correlation between body weight and the linear body measurements. Chest girth has showed the most higher and consistent correlation with body weight in both sex and the different age categories. Based on the correlation results chest girth was primarily used to fit the equation for prediction of body weight in stepwise regression. Thus, the general equations developed from the regression analyses were based only on sex rather than for different age categories. As a result the equations BW= -24.24 + 0.68CG for male Horro sheep, and BW= -29.03 + 0.75CG for female Horro sheep can accurately predict body weight of the breed at any age.

Live Weight and Body Conformation Responses of Culled Local Yellow Cows Fed Maize Silage and Urea-Treated Rice Straw in an Intensive Feedlot System in Northwest Vietnam

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the substitution of maize silage (MS) for urea-treated rice straw (URS) in feedlot diets on finishing performance and body conformation traits of culled local Yellow cows; and to develop prediction equations for live weight (LW) of local Yellow cows using these body measurements. Twelve non-pregnant local Yellow cows (74.8 ± 23.6 months of age) were blocked by weight into 4 groups and then randomly allocated to one of three roughage treatments: 30% fresh maize + 70% URS (DM basis) (Control); 30% fresh maize + 40% URS + 30% MS (LMS); 30% fresh maize + 20% URS + 50% MS (HMS). Cows were individually supplemented with concentrate (1.1 kg DM/100 kg LW) and had free access to mixed roughage and water throughout the 12-week feeding trial, after a 2-week adaptation. Maize silage inclusion significantly increased daily feed intake and average daily gain (ADG) (P 0.05). Positive and significant correlations between LW and body measurements were observed. Regression analysis between chest girth (CG) and LW resulted in an equation with adjusted an R2 value of 82.0%. The multiple regression, which included CG, body length (BL) and withers height (WH) yielded the most reliable equation (adjusted R2 = 87.4%). The results indicate that MS can be a good alternative roughage source for feedlot culled local Yellow cows during winter in Northwest Vietnam. It is highly recommended that smallholder farmers raising non-pregnant Yellow cows use the regression equation: LW = 3.39 CG - 249 for prediction of LW in the absence of weighing scales.

Effect of age, sex and local government area on linear body measurements of WAD goat in Ogun State, Nigeria

One hundred and twenty West African Dwarf goats were used in this study. Observations were made from twelve different towns in Yewa North, Yewa South and Abeokuta North Local Government. West African dwarf goats were evaluated for phenotypic variation at different ages ranges from 1, 2 and 3 years. Variations in live weight and body measurements such as height at wither; body length, heart girth, fore limb length, hind limb length, face length, ear length, ear width, hip width and tail length were taken. The local government areas significantly (P&lt;0.05, 0.001) affected body length, fore limb length, ear length, ear width, hip width and live weight. Age and sex significantly (P&lt;0.01) affected all the body measurements. The mean live weight by age groups are 6.61 + 0.31kg, 13.10 + 0.60kg and 20.18 + 0.95kg for ages 1,2 and 3 respectively. The coat colour varied from black, brown, grey to white in WAD goats. Some colours were in patches, some uniform while others were spotted

381 Smart Farming for Extensive Grazing Ruminant Production Systems

Abstract Smart farming for extensive grazing systems includes applications linking environment and supply-chain, including metrics for climate, soils, pastures, animals and animal products to enhance management, optimization and predictions. Technological developments for remote monitoring in extensive systems have varied in their success and remain limited in uptake, and include: In-field, fixed-device monitoring of livestock numbers, water, photosynthesis and greenhouse gas emissions; body composition and physiology assessments using devices fixed to handling facilities; ground- or aerial-based livestock, water, pasture, invasive weeds and/or soil monitoring using photogrammetry or technologies including LiDAR; multi-channel, satellite-based spectrometry coupled with weather and soil grids to model and predict pasture biomass components; automated in-field liveweight measurement and drafting; virtual fencing; on- and in-animal devices to monitor location, activity, behaviors and physiology; GPS to monitor asset and personnel location. These technologies target productivity, efficiency, health and welfare of ruminants, including genetic improvement, and more efficient, sustainable resource use, including soils, pastures and water, to improve individual ruminants and grazing systems. We have developed and validated technologies for remote, in-field determination of animal behaviors, pasture characteristics including availability and disappearance mapping for calibration and validation of satellite images, and pasture intake under varying grazing conditions. Examples of our R&amp;D include experimental on-animal sensor devices to classify and monitor behaviors in extensive systems, and development of a GrazingApp linking satellite imagery, weather and soil information to model and predict animal production. Development of these technologies has required analytical methods for big data, including machine learning and artificial intelligence. These and other applications that function in near to real-time are enhanced by management and aggregation of enormous amounts of data generated by sensors and other devices into useful metrics before transmission using wireless networks. These metrics are the basis for data-driven management decisions that reduce risk and enhance profit for grazing enterprises.

Fitting of non-linear models to characterize the growth of five zebu cattle breeds

The analyzed database contained growth information of five zebu breeds with live weight (LW) measurements in the range from birth to 1095 days of age. The objectives of this study were to identify the non-linear model (NLM) with the best fit to describe the growth curve. The number of LWs analyzed, per breed and sex (males and females), were: 21152 and 8269 in Indubrasil (IND), 40071 and 20968 in Nelore (NEL), 20143 and 12294 in Gyr (GYR), 5585 and 4727 in Guzerat (GUZ), 29310 and 9347 in Sardo Negro (SAN). The evaluated NLMs were Brody (BRO), Bertalanffy, Gompertz, Mitscherlich (MIT), Meloun III (ME3), and Logistic. The models fitness was compared using the: Akaike and Bayesian information criteria, coefficient of determination, Durbin-Watson statistic, mean prediction error, prediction error variance, standard error of the model. The linear relationship between the LW and the predicted data (PRE) was analyzed. All the NLMs showed a goodness of fit of 94 % or higher and tend to underestimate the predictions. A positive autocorrelation in the residuals was observed in IND and GUZ females, and in GUZ males. For both sexes, in IND and GUZ the selected model was BRO, for GYR and SAN was MIT. In NEL, MIT was selected for males and ME3 for females. For the estimated adult weight, the mean values (males and females) were: 744.9 and 506.4 kg in IND, 804.5 and 393.5 kg in NEL, 695.4 and 527.3 kg in GYR, 855.0 and 754.5 kg in GUZ, 871.6 and 615.8 kg in SAN. With the selected models, the populations show a growth curve without an inflection point, and a constant growth rate. The correlation between growth rate and adult weight was negative in all the analyses. The average correlation between LW and PRE was 0.87. The PRE explained, on average, 76 % of the LW variability. In the analysis of predictive capacity, the LW change rate per change unit in the PRE showed a one-to-one relationship in almost every analysis, for GUZ, SAN, and GYR males, the LW change was 1.09, 1.03, and 1.01, respectively.

Do Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae affect worker survival and the production of Africanized Apis mellifera queens?

The research aimed to evaluate the effect of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on Africanized Apis mellifera L. 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae). The application methods of entomopathogens suspensions were: 1) sprayed on eucalyptus leaves; 2) sprayed directly onto workers honey bees; and 3) incorporated in a candy paste. Sterilized distilled water that was offered to bees was used as a control. Each treatment consisted of five replicates of 20 bees. The longevity of the workers was checked from one to 144 hours. To study the effect of entomopathogenic fungi on morphometric parameters of produced queens, two cycles were performed: A) B. bassiana and control and B) M. anisopliae and control. For this, the transfer of worker larvae to acrylic domes containing royal jelly incorporated with the treatments was carried out. After nine days, the queen cells were placed in glass jars individually and stored in an acclimatized chamber until emergence, at which point the measurements of live weight were taken and morphometric analyses were performed. Beauveria bassiana caused a reduction in the survival of workers in the direct spray bioassay and when the entomopathogen was incorporated into the candy paste, while M. anisopliae caused a reduction in the survival in the three bioassays. The entomopathogenic fungi did not interfere negatively with the parameters evaluated for queens produced.

Phenotypic factors associated with lamb live weight and carcass composition measurements in an Irish multi-breed sheep population.

Understanding the phenotypic factors that affect lamb live weight and carcass composition is imperative to generating accurate genetic evaluations and further enables implementation of functional management strategies. This study investigated phenotypic factors affecting live weight across the growing season and traits associated with carcass composition in lambs from a multibreed sheep population. Four live weight traits and two carcass composition traits were considered for analysis namely; birth, preweaning, weaning, and postweaning weight, and ultrasound muscle depth and fat depth. A total of 427,927 records from 159,492 lambs collected from 775 flocks between the years 2016 and 2019, inclusive were available from the Irish national sheep database. Factors associated with live weight and carcass composition were determined using linear mixed models. The heaviest birth, preweaning, and weaning weights were associated with single born lambs (P < 0.001), however by postweaning, there was no difference observed in the weights of single and twin born lambs (P > 0.01). Breed class affected lamb live weight and carcass composition with terminal lambs weighing heaviest and having greater muscle depth than all other breed classes investigated (P < 0.001). Lambs born to first parity dams were consistently lighter, regardless of time of weighing (P < 0.001), while dams lambing for the first time as ewe lambs produced lighter lambs than those lambing for the first time as hoggets (P < 0.001). Greater heterosis coefficients (i.e., >90% and ≤100%) resulted in heavier lambs at weaning compared with lambs with lower levels of heterosis coefficients (P < 0.001). A heterosis coefficient class <10% resulted in lambs with greater muscle depth while recombination loss of <10% increased ultrasound fat depth (P < 0.001). Results from this study highlight the impact of multiple animal level factors on lamb live weight and carcass composition which will enable more accurate bio-economic models and genetic evaluations going forward.

Effects of Different Protein and Energy Levels in Mixed Feed on Growth Performance and Reproduction Characteristics of Heifers

Background: In this study, the effects of different protein and energy levels in mixed feed on growth performance and reproduction characteristics of heifers were investigated. Method: The material of the study consisted of 36 Holstein Friesian (black pied) breed cattle at the age of 6 months and average live body weight of 156.65 kg and the experiment was continued for 8 months. During the experiment, four different feeds containing 16% CP - 2500 kcal / kg ME for the 1st group, 16% CP - 2700 kcal / kg ME for the 2nd group, 18% CP - 2500 kcal / kg ME for the 3rd group, 18% HP - 2700 kcal / kg ME for the 4th group were given at 1.5% of the live weight of heifers. (Where CP and ME stand for Crude Protein and Metabolizable Energy, respectively). As roughage, an equal amount of straw and alfalfa hay mixture was given. Result: As a result of this study, the effects of the different protein levels on live body weight and body measurements (body length-BL, withers height-WH, hip height-HH, hip width-HW, body depth-BD, chest girth-CG) were not found significant (P is greater than 0.05). Similarly, the effects of different energy levels on body weight and body measurements (P is greater than 0.05) and protein X energy interaction in terms of live body weight and size were also not found significant (P is greater than 0.05). Regarding the reproductive properties, the differences between the groups in terms of the effect of different protein and energy levels on the first estrus age were found statistically significant (P is less than 0.05). As a result of the analysis made in terms of heifers age during the first insemination, the difference was found to be statistically significant (P is less than 0.05). The effect of different protein and energy levels on the conception rate in the first insemination was found significant (P is less than 0.05). As a result, it was concluded that affordable mixed feed combinations can be used within the limits of mixed feed combinations containing 2500-2700 kcal / kg ME and 16-18% CP, which were given in the investigation; however, low energy-high protein combinations would give more positive results considering their effects on the reproductive performances and conception rates at first insemination.

Destete precoz y respuesta productiva pos destete de becerros alimentados con iniciador en el trópico

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del consumo de iniciador en la respuesta productiva pos destete de becerros del sistema de doble propósito.&#x0D; Diseño/metodología/aproximación: 10 becerros con peso vivo promedio al nacimiento de 34.5 ± 4.8 kg fueron distribuidos en dos tratamientos: BL = becerros alimentados con leche + pasto Taiwán (Pennisetum purpureum) destetados a siete meses de edad; BLI = becerros alimentados con leche + pasto Taiwán + alimento iniciador, destetados a 90 días. Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar con cinco repeticiones por tratamiento, la fase experimental se hizo del nacimiento al año de edad. Se evaluó consumo de iniciador, peso vivo (PV), ganancia diaria de peso, (CI), alzada a la grupa (AG), a la cruz (AC), largo (L) y perímetro torácico (PT) en los periodos de uno a tres meses de edad, de cuatro a siete y de ocho a 12.&#x0D; Resultados: El consumo de iniciador de uno a tres meses se promedió en 482.33 g becerro-1 d-1 y de cuatro a siete meses de 1895.0 g becerro-1 d-1; el PV, AG, AC, L y PT a siete y 12 meses fue mayor en BLI (P&lt;0.05), la mayor GDP se observó en BLI (P&lt;0.05) en el periodo de cuatro a siete meses.&#x0D; Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: no se midió consumo de leche, pudo afectar la GDP en el periodo de uno a tres meses.&#x0D; Hallazgos/conclusiones: El consumo de iniciador permitió destetar los becerros a tres meses de edad con mayor respuesta en PV y medidas zoométricas a siete y 12 meses.&#x0D;

Using automated in-paddock weighing to evaluate the impact of intervals between liveweight measures on growth rate calculations in grazing beef cattle

Animal liveweight (LW) data collection is key to monitor health, nutrition, and reproduction of cattle. However, this is challenging in grazing systems using traditional technology due to the need of mustering animals into handling facilities with the required frequency. Such practical constraints make it difficult to gather frequent LW data to study the effects of different intervals between LW measures (ILW) to accurately describe the growth pattern of animals. However, nowadays, frequent LW data can be acquired remotely using in-paddock technologies without the need to handle the animals. Thus, the aim of this study was to quantify the impacts of ILW to capture LW and growth patterns of three beef cattle categories (calves, weaners, and cows). Liveweight data were collected using in-paddock walk-over-weighing scales (WOW), placed before the access to the water trough. The lengths of continuous LW data records were 112, 224 and 1460 days (4 years) for calves, weaners and mature cows, respectively. These datasets were then subsampled to simulate different ILW with one LW record every: (a) 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks for calves; (b) 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 weeks for weaners; and (c) 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 26, 32, 52 (1 year) and 208 weeks (4 years) for cows. Daily LW change (LWC) was calculated as the difference between two consecutive LW observations divided by the number of days elapsed. The minimum (Min), mean, maximum (Max), standard deviation (STD) and coefficient of variation (CV) for LW and LWC were calculated for each animal and ILW. Minimum and Max LWC, and STD and CV of LW were affected (P < 0.05) by ILW in all animal categories whereas no effects (P > 0.05) were observed for the rest of the variables. The relationship between ILW and LW variability (STD, CV) was quadratic for calves and weaners but linear for cows (P < 0.05). In comparison to daily data, the minimum frequency required to capture Min and Max LWC was 2 weeks for calves and weaners, and 8 weeks for cows. In addition, an ILW of 4 (calves and weaners) and 8 (cows) weeks was needed to achieve similar STD and CV of LW and LWC compared to daily ILW. These results, obtained in grazing conditions, suggest that WOW could be used more strategically within and between farms, as LW data need to be captured at regular intervals but not necessarily daily.

Body weight, body measurements and slaughter characteristics of Madura cattle raised in Pamekasan District, East Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract. Prihandini PW, Maharani D, Sumadi. 2020. Body weight, body measurements, and slaughter characteristics of Madura cattle raised in Pamekasan District, East Java Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3415-3421. This study was designed to analyze the body weight, body measurements and slaughter characteristics of Madura cattle raised in Pamekasan district, East Java province, Indonesia. A total of 2,373 records on live body weight and body measurements (body length, height at withers and chest girth), and 69 records on slaughter traits (slaughter, carcass, and meat weight, as well as carcass and meat percentage) from both sexes were used. Sampled animals were divided into three groups based on age (calf: 0- to10-month-old; young: 11- to 24-month-old; adult: &gt;24-month-old). The data were analyzed using independent sample t-test to assess significant differences between sex groups and subjected to multiple linear regression analyses to obtain prediction equations of body weight from body measurements, carcass weight from slaughter weight, and meat weight from slaughter- and carcass-weight. Results showed that body weight, height at withers, and chest girth between male and female cattle in all age groups were significantly different (P&lt;0.05). Male cattle showed higher slaughter weight, carcass weight and carcass percentage mean values than female cattle. Body measurements showed high correlation with body weight (r ≥0.80). Height at withers, body length, and chest girth represented good body measurements to predict body weight (R2 = from 0.65 to 0.83). Moreover, as observed, high correlations between slaughter weight and carcass- (r = 0.94; R2 = 0.89) and meat-weight (r = 0.99; R2 = 0.98) would imply that meat weight could be predicted accurately from slaughter- and carcass-weight.

Association of litter size with sex hormones and body measurements of Iraqi awassi ewes

Litter size is the most important reproductive trait in sheep production, which is influenced by the ovulation rate, a few hormones, and the fecundity genes. Ewe reproductive performance is known to be affected by body measurements. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the possibility of an association between the litter size with sex hormones and body measurements in Iraqi Awassi ewes. A total of 224 sexually mature ewes, non-pregnant, non-lactation and healthy (124 ewes with single birth and 100 ewes with twin birth), aged between 2.5 to 5 years were included in this study. Blood samples were collected from the sheep, and then the serum was separated from blood to determine the concentrations of the estradiol and progesterone. Live body weight and body measurements were determined for each animal. The result of the present study refers that the live body weight of Awassi ewes was significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced in the litter size. The association analysis of litter size with body measurements indicated that the neck length, height at hip and chest girth were different for the type of birth of Awassi ewes. The highest positive correlation (P &lt; 0.01) was recorded among litter size with live body weight (r=0.698, P=0.001), with height at shoulder (r=0.242, P=0.031) and height at hip (r=0.309, P=0.005).In conclusion, the litter size of Awassi ewes is influenced by the other phenotypic traits. The ewes with heavier live body weight and higher body measurements are more favorable to having more lambs than ewes with a single birth.