Pre-weaning Growth Performance Research Articles

PSII-16 Effect of iron injection levels and second iron injection on preweaning growth performance and hematological variables

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of intramuscular iron-dextran injection to suckling pigs at either a high level or with two doses on preweaning growth performance and hematological variables. At d 1 of age, a total of 36 pigs (body weight = 1.56 ± 0.13 kg) from 6 sow litters with litter size greater than 10 pigs were selected, and six piglets per litter were assigned to 3 treatments based on body weight and sex. Treatments were: 1) NC: 200 mg intramuscular iron injection at d 1 of age, 2) PC: 400 mg intramuscular iron injection at d 1 of age, 3) NC+IRON: 200 mg intramuscular iron injection at d 1 of age and 200 mg iron injection at d 7 of age. The body weight, hemoglobin, and hematocrit concentrations were measured at d 1 (before initial iron injection for all treatments), 3, 7 (second dose for the NC+IRON treatment), 9, 12, and 19 (weaning) of age. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze body weight, hemoglobin, and hematocrit results. There were no significant differences in body weight, hemoglobin, and hematocrit concentrations among iron injection treatments (P > 0.89) and no interactions between iron injection treatment and day of age (P > 0.64) from d 1 to 19 of age, although hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations were numerically greater in the PC and NC+IRON treatments at d 19 of age (129.2, 133.4, and 133.82 g/dL hemoglobin for the NC, PC, and NC+IRON treatments, respectively). Hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations declined (P < 0.01) from d 1 to 3 of age regardless of iron injection and then increased until weaning (d 19 of age; 86.9, 78.1, 87.6, 94.0, 105.7, and 132.1 g/dL hemoglobin for d 1, 3, 7, 9, 12, and 19 of age, respectively), where the hemoglobin concentrations were similar between d 1 and 7 of age (P > 0.76) whereas the hematocrit concentrations were greater at d 7 of age compared with d 1 of age (P < 0.05; 31.8% vs. 29.1%). Hemoglobin concentrations were significantly correlated with hematocrit concentrations (P < 0.01), and the correlation coefficients were greatest at d 1 and 3 of age and weaning (d 19 of age; r > 0.92). In conclusion, increased hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations were observed in all treatments, resulting in no significant difference in the preweaning growth performance of piglets. Although the iron injection was performed at d 1 of age, hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations decreased in the first few days of life and then increased. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values are positively correlated from birth to weaning.

PSV-4 Exposure to prenatal tributyrin improved pre-weaning growth performance and reduced fat deposition in the muscle of market age pigs

Abstract Organic acids, including short chain fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids, and tricarboxylic acid, are used as alternatives to antibiotics for the purpose of growth promotion in livestock species. Butyric acid has been used extensively for its various functions in intestinal health and barrier function, as well as its actions as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Many of the issues relating to using butyric acid as a feed supplement are overcome by utilizing tributyrin (TB), a butyrate prodrug. Dietary supplementation of TB to sows during gestation was able to improve pre-weaning litter performance. Sows (n = 52, 42 gestational days) were randomly assigned to either a control diet or control diet supplemented with 2% TB. All diets were made isocaloric with the addition of oil and wheat flour. Dietary treatments continued until 112 d of gestation. After farrowing, piglet growth performance was monitored. Once offspring reached 6 mo of age, 30 gilts from the most median performing litters were identified for tissue collection and evaluation of meat characteristics. Sows that received tributyrin during gestation tended to have greater total litter weights at birth (P < 0.1); however, average individual birthweights were not statistically different between control and TB litters. The TB piglets tended to be heavier at weaning (P < 0.1). Pre-weaning average daily gains were higher in piglets exposed to prenatal TB (P < 0.01). Body weights and hot carcass weights did not differ significantly in gilts at market age. There was, however, a trend of increased dressing percentage from TB treated offspring, accompanied by significantly reduced back fat at the 10th rib (P < 0.1 and P < 0.05 respectively). These data suggest that TB supplementation results in both temporary and permanent improvements to growth and development. This study provides further evidence that prenatal TB can have long term effects on muscle growth and meat quality. Further studies are needed to ultimately determine whether prenatal or postnatal supplementation is ideal for improving long-term growth performance.

Exposure to Prenatal Tributyrin Improved Pre-Weaning Growth Performance and Reduced Fat Deposition in the Muscle of Market Age Pigs

Organic acids, including short chain fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids, and tricarboxylic acid, are used as alternatives to antibiotics for the purpose of growth promotion in livestock species. Butyric acid has been used extensively for its various functions in intestinal health and barrier function, as well as its actions as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Many of the issues related to using butyric acid as a feed supplement are overcome by utilizing tributyrin (TB), a butyrate prodrug. Dietary supplementation of TB to sows during gestation was able to improve pre-weaning litter performance. Sows (n=52, 42 gestational days) were randomly assigned to either a control diet or control diet supplemented with 2% TB. All diets were made isocaloric with the addition of oil and wheat flour. Dietary treatments continued until 112 days of gestation. After farrowing, piglet growth performance was monitored. Once offspring reached 6 months of age, 30 gilts from the most median performing litters were identified for tissue collection and evaluation of meat characteristics. Sows that received tributyrin during gestation tended to have higher total litter weights at birth (P value < 0.1), however, average individual birthweights were not statistically different between control and TB litters. TB piglets tended to be heavier at weaning (P value < 0.1). Pre-weaning average daily gains were higher in piglets exposed to prenatal TB (P value < 0.01). Live weights and hot carcass weights did not differ significantly in gilts at market age. There was, however, a trend of increased dressing percentage from TB treated offspring, accompanied by significantly reduced back fat at the 10th rib (P value < 0.1 and P value < 0.05 respectively). This data suggests that TB supplementation results in both temporary and permanent improvements to growth and development. This study provides further evidence that prenatal TB can have long term effects on muscle growth and meat quality. Further studies are needed to ultimately determine whether prenatal or postnatal supplementation is ideal for improving long-term growth performance. USDA Grant Funded. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Dose-response of inactivated yeast in diets of late gestating and lactating gilts on immunoglobulin transfer and offspring preweaning growth performance.

Fifty gilts (initial body weight [BW] 190.7 ± 4.2kg) were recruited on day 85 of gestation and were used until day 19 of lactation to assess the dose-response of inactivated yeast via hydrolyzation (HY) inclusion on offspring growth and immunoglobulin (Ig) transfer prior to weaning. Gilts were assigned to one of the 5 experimental diets: a control with no HY (HY0) or inclusion of 0.25% (HY0.25), 0.5% (HY0.5), 1.0% (HY1.0), or 1.2% (HY1.2) HY. Gilts were weighed on days 85 and 110 of gestation and days 1 and 19 (weaning) after farrowing. Offspring were weighed on days 1 and 19 of age. On lactation day 1 (approximately 24h after farrowing), colostrum, gilt plasma, and plasma from 2 median BW piglets were collected and on day 19, plasma from each gilt and 2 median BW piglets per litter were collected for determination of Ig concentrations. Contrast statements were used to assess the linear, quadratic, cubic, and quartic effects of HY inclusion. The inclusion of HY had minimal effects on gilt BW or litter characteristics at birth (total number born and born alive, piglet birth weight). Lactation average daily feed intake of the gilts tended to increase then decrease with increasing HY inclusion (quadratic; P = 0.085). Piglet preweaning average daily gain (linear, quadratic, and quartic; P < 0.05) and BW at weaning (quadratic and quartic; P < 0.05) increased then decreased with increasing HY inclusion. On lactation day 1, colostrum and gilt plasma Ig concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment (P > 0.10) but piglet IgA and IgM decreased then increased with HY inclusion level (cubic; P < 0.05). On lactation day 19, piglet plasma IgG tended to increase with HY inclusion (linear; P = 0.099). In summary, increasing HY inclusion in late gestating and lactating gilt diets improved immune transfer in the first 24h after birth and piglet preweaning growth rates and BW at weaning. Therefore, maternal feeding of HY could be used as a strategy to improve offspring immunocompetence and BW at weaning, with possible carryover benefits for the postweaning phase.

PSIX-17 Preliminary Assessment of Preweaning Growth Performance of Dexter and Mashona X Dexter Calves

Abstract Non-traditional cattle breeds are often considered by managers for niche beef production and marketing systems. Some of these alternative breeds are small-framed and thus desired by small-farm operators but have received little research attention because they do not fit traditional commodity beef production systems. Very few of these small breeds also offer heat tolerance. This project was designed to evaluate preweaning performance of straightbred (n = 76) and F1 crossbred calves (n = 81) produced by mature Dexter cows across three years and two Tennessee State University research farms. Spring-born calves were sired by Dexter (n = 7; DD) and Mashona bulls (n = 6; MD) in single-sire, natural service breeding groups following 60-d breeding seasons. Breed of sire was balanced across cow age and farm locations. Calves were weighed within 24-h of birth, at 4 months (125 d of age) of age, and at weaning (227 d of age). Calves were not creep-fed and bull calves were not castrated until after weaning. No cases of dystocia were observed as a result of crossbreeding. Calf performance traits were evaluated using MIXED models of SAS. Fixed effects included sire breed, sex, farm location, and the interaction of sire breed and sex. Random effect terms were production year and sire nested within sire breed. For all the traits evaluated, models were consistent in that the sire breed x calf sex interaction was not significant (P &amp;gt; 0.1), whereas sire breed and calf sex were consistently important (P &amp;lt; 0.01) sources of variation. Bull calves had greater weight and ADG values than heifer calves from birth to weaning. Mean body weight was heavier for MD than DD calves at birth (28.4 ± 0.8 vs. 23.9 ± 0.7 kg), at 4 months of age (120.6 ± 9.7 vs. 96.7 ± 9.6 kg), and at weaning (154 ± 8.6 vs. 124.4 ± 8.6 kg). The MD calves had greater ADG than DD calves from birth to 4 months of age (715.8 ± 36.1 vs. 599.1 ± 36 g/d), from 4 months of age to weaning (334 ± 44.3 vs. 256.8 ± 44 g/d), and from birth to weaning (547 ± 35.7 vs. 447.1 ± 35.7 g/d). Mean 205-d adjusted body weight was heavier for MD than DD (140.2 ± 7.6 vs. 114.7 ± 7.6 kg). Preliminary results indicated that crossbreeding with Mashona bulls significantly increased preweaning growth of calves produced by Dexter cows, while the F1 calves maintained small statute. The spring-born MD F1 calves likely benefited from heat tolerance provided by the Mashona influence and heterosis generated by crossbreeding.

213 Increasing Growth Performance by Attenuating the Transportation Stress Response in Nursery Pigs Through L-Tryptophan Supplementation

Abstract Weaning and transport stress impairs intestinal function and reduces nutrient absorption leading to reduced growth performance and feed efficiency. The objective of this study was to eliminate or reduce short- and long-term, transport-induced reductions in feed efficiency and growth by providing supplemental Tryptophan (Trp) above NRC (2012) pre- and/or post-weaning. A total of 480 pigs were blocked by sex, ancestry, and body weight (BW) and used in a RCB design with a 2x2x2 factorial arrangement of pre-weaning treatment (oral gavage of Trp at 0.35, 0.45, and 0.55 g/d (increasing every 5d) pre-weaning or control), transport (transported or not at weaning), post-weaning nursery treatment (1X or 2X NRC Trp). At farrowing pigs were blocked by sex, within litter, and randomly assigned to either a pre-wean Trp or control treatment, where Trp supplementation began on d 5 post-farrowing and stopped at weaning. Post-weaning Trp supplementation included a 3 d oral gavage of Trp and 2X Trp in the diet for the entire 42 d nursery period. At weaning, all pigs were blocked by sex, weaning weight and pre-wean treatment and randomly assigned to transport and post-wean treatments. Pigs were fed four nursery phases with diets containing 1X or 2X NRC recommended concentrations of Trp. There were 10 pens/trt with 6 pigs/pen (equal barrows and gilts). Individual BW were determined every 5 d pre-weaning and every 7 d post-weaning along with pen feed intakes. Data were analyzed as a RCB using GLM procedure in SAS 9.4 with fixed effects of pre-wean dietary treatment, transport treatment, and post-wean dietary treatment, the interactions, and random effect of replicate. Pre-weaning Trp supplementation had no effect on pre-weaning growth performance. A 3-way interaction of pre-wean treatment x transportation x post-wean treatment was observed for overall nursery BW (P = 0.0148) and ADG (P = 0.0175). This interaction was the result of post-weaning Trp supplementation increasing BW and ADG in all pigs, except for transported pigs that did not receive Trp pre-weaning. While there were 2-way interactions of pre-wean treatment x post-wean treatment on ADFI at week 1 ( P= 0.0123) and week 6 (P = 0.0297) and a 3-way interaction of pre-weaning treatment x transportation x post-weaning treatment at week 2 (P = 0.0092), there were no consistent or overall effects on overall ADFI or G:F. Tryptophan improves transported pigs BW and ADG when supplemented pre- and post-weaning but does not benefit transported pigs when only supplemented post-weaning, suggesting transportation induced reductions in BW and ADG can be mitigated by supplementing Trp prior to and following transportation.

71 Effects of Late Gestational Nutrient Restriction on Calf pre-Weaning Growth, Backgrounding and Feedlot Performance, and Carcass Composition

Abstract Fall-calving Hereford-SimAngus heifers [single-sired; BW: 451 ± 28 (SD) kg; BCS: 5.4 ± 0.7] bred to a single sire were individually fed 100% (control; CON; n = 12) or 70% (nutrient restricted; NR; n = 13) of NASEM metabolizable energy and metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance, pregnancy, and growth from day 160 of gestation to calving. Post-calving, all females were fed chopped tall-fescue hay supplemented to meet lactational nutrient requirements in Calan gates to constrain diets of calves to milk only until day 147, then pen-fed in drylots until weaning at day 242 ± 3 (SD). Post-weaning, calves were fed a tall fescue hay-based backgrounding diet in the same large drylots for 53 ± 12 d, then moved to partially covered pens with GrowSafe feeding systems in 2 groups and fed a corn-based feedlot diet (formulated to be 18.3% CP, 1.21 Mcal NEg/kg, DM basis; 89% DM) for 255 ± 3 d (similar days on feed rather than carcass endpoint). Cattle were harvested in a commercial plant, and camera carcass grading was performed. Data were analyzed with maternal treatment, calving date, and calf sex (when P &amp;lt; 0.25) as fixed effects; feedlot group was included for feedlot and carcass measures. We previously reported that birth weight was not affected (P = 0.72), but NR decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.04) milk production by 15%. Calves born to NR dams had reduced ADG from birth to day 147 (P = 0.02), day 147 to weaning (P = 0.08), and birth to weaning (P = 0.003), resulting in NR calves having 13% lighter (P = 0.004) weaning weight. Backgrounding ADG was not affected (P = 0.80) by maternal treatment; thus, feedlot entry BW was 11% less (P = 0.009) in NR calves. On day 28, 56, 84, and 112 on feed, NR calves weighed less (P ≤ 0.09) than control. Final BW was not affected (P = 0.91) by maternal treatment. Feedlot ADG was greater for NR calves from day 168 to slaughter (P = 0.02) and the overall feeding period (P = 0.03), but not before day 168 on feed (P ≥ 0.22). Calves born to NR dams had less (P = 0.02) dressing percentage, but improved (P = 0.02) yield grade and backfat thickness. Hot carcass weight, ribeye area, marbling score, and KPH were not affected (P ≥ 0.26) by maternal treatment. Percent prime, yield grade ≤ 2, and yield grade ≥ 4 were not affected (P ≥ 0.29) by maternal treatment. Overall, late gestational nutrient restriction decreased growth pre-weaning but increased late finishing growth, without affecting backgrounding or early feedlot growth. These cattle had leaner carcasses after similar days on feed, suggesting that late gestational nutrient restriction altered growth patterns or body composition.

Associations between serum gamma-globulin concentration, enzyme activities, growth and survival in preweaning Alpine goat kids

Colostral immunity is crucial for young ruminants, but the individual factors that may affect passive transfer status and its effects on preweaning growth performance have not been widely investigated in goats. The methods to quantify immunoglobulins G can be expensive. Colostrum enzymes, though, pass the intestinal barrier and might be suitable as markers of passive transfer status, as demonstrated in other ruminant species. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sex, litter size, dam parity, and birth body weight on passive transfer status and the relationship between gamma-globulin concentration (GG) and pre-weaning growth performance in Alpine goat kids. The association between serum GG, serum total protein concentration and serum activity of colostrum enzymes including γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was examined for their use as predictors of passive transfer status in neonatal goat kids. Sixty-six Alpine goat kids (39 males, 27 females), born to 28 does at one dairy goat farm during two delivery seasons, were enrolled. Kids nursed their dams in group housing until weaned at 50 days of age. Blood samples were collected 24 h after birth. Body weights (BW) were taken at birth and weaning. Serum enzyme activities and total protein concentration were measured using a clinical biochemical analyser. Serum GG was determined by gel electrophoresis. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism (v. 8.2.1). No significant differences in serum GG between males and females, singlets and twins, multiparous’ and primiparous’ kids were found. No association was detected between birth BW and GG. Serum GG was strongly and significantly associated with TP (R2 =0.85; p 0.0001) and moderately associated with GGT (R2 =0.47; p 0.0001). No correlation was found with ALP, AST, and LDH. Although partial failure of passive transfer (FPT) was diagnosed in 23% of kids, no effects on morbidity (3%), mortality (0%) and pre-weaning growth performance were observed. Our results confirm that serum total proteins can be used to indirectly estimate immunoglobulin concentration. Contrarily, passive transfer status can be predicted with little success by measuring the activity of serum GGT. It is not advisable to use ALP, AST and LDH as indicators of passive transfer status. Finally, FTP is not necessarily associated with the health and preweaning growth performance of Alpine goat kids reared in non-intensive breeding systems that follow good farming practices.

Effect of maternal experience and body condition on patterns of ewe-lamb bonding behaviors and pre-weaning growth performance of lambs

Many factors, involving parity and body condition can have a profound effect on physiological and sensory determinants of maternal behavior and, consequently, the establishment of the ewe-lamb bond. Thus, exploring the factors and their interactions that influence maternal behavior is critical to improve the overall lamb survival and welfare. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of parity and body condition score (BCS) on early ewe–lamb bonding behaviors and pre-weaning growth performance in lambs. The study was carried out with 12 first-parity (primiparous; PP), 12 second-parity (biparous: BP), and 14 third or more parity (multiparous: MP) Norduz ewes and 38 singleton lambs. In the study, ewe–lamb bonding behaviors were analyzed based on parity (PP, BP, and MP) and body condition score groups (BCS ≤ 3 and BCS > 3). Behaviors of ewes and lambs from each group were monitored for a period of 3 hours after parturition, and the ewe–lamb separation test was performed within the first 24 hours after parturition. Maternal behaviors such as latency to grooming, the number of low and high pitch bleats, and preventing sucking and neonatal behaviors such as latency to successful suck, the number of bleats and the total sucking duration were determined. The live weights of the lambs were recorded every 2 weeks until the 90th day. Ewes were grazed entirely on pasture without extra feed supplementation during the pasture season. Ewes were fed with alfalfa hay and gradually supplemented with barley and concentrate throughout the winter. While the grooming duration was not affected by parity, BCS > 3 ewes had longer grooming duration than BCS ≤ 3 ewes (P < 0.05). More prevention of sucking, butting, and low and high pitch bleating were counted for PP ewes than BP and MP ewes (P < 0.05). Parallel to these results, PP lambs had the longest latency to successful suck (P = 0.046) and the highest number of sucking attempts (P = 0.033). The mean sucking duration of MP lambs was significantly longer than PP lambs (P < 0.038). Birth weight of PP lambs was lower than MP lambs, but neither parity nor BCS had a significant effect on growth performance of lambs. In conclusion, the findings of the study showed that lack of maternal experience caused a negative effect on co-operation with lamb sucking attempts, but did not significantly affect growth performance. It can be suggested that BCS had little effect on maternal behavior and growth performance of lambs for ewes with a body condition score of 2.85-3.33 during the mating period.

Pre-Weaning Growth Performance of Boerka (Boer &gt;&lt; Kacang) Crossbred Kids in the Difference Genotype and Birth Types

Breeding programs to promote the productivity of Indonesian local goats (i.e. Kacang Goats) in various regions have been carried out by cross-breeding with predominant breeds of meat goats in the world such as Boer Goats. Currently, considering that the various genotypes of the cross-bred goat (namely Boerka Goat) have been spread and farmed by various goat farms throughout the country, it is necessary to evaluate the increase in productivity achieved. This study aims to investigate the pre-weaning growth performance of Boerka (Boer x Kacang) Crossbred Kids at different genotypes and birth types. The study was carried out experimentally using 167 Boer x Kacang crossbred kids which was arranged in a Split-Plot Design covering 3 plots of kid genotype, namely: BK (50% Boer, 50% Kacang), BBK (75% Boer, 25% Kacang) , and KBK (25% Boer, 75% Kacang), each with 3 sub-plots of kid birth types, namely single born kid (CT), twin born kid (CK-2), and triplet born kid (CK-3), all including male and female kids. The response variable that measured on pre-weaning growth performance, was observed directly by measuring birth weight (BL), 90-day-old weaning weight (BS90), and daily body weight gain (PBBH) for pre-weaning period. The data is tabulated and analyzed using software “Genstat”. The results showed that BL, BS.90, and pre-weaning PBBH of Boer x Kacang crossbred kids were influenced by genotype (P&lt;0.01) and birth type (P&lt;0.05) of the kids, and differed (P&lt;0.05) between males and females kid. Male kids showed BL, BS90, and Pre-Weaning PBBH 12.88, 9.20, and 9.24% higher than female kids, respectively. Based on the genotype and birth type of the kids, the highest pre-weaning growth performance was shown by single-born male BBK kids, with BL, BS.90 and Pre-Weaning PBBH 3.32±0.33, 13.06±3.46 and 0.114±0.020 kg, respectively.

Non-genetic factors affecting pre-weaning growth and survival rate in Barbari kids under semi-intensive management system

The effect of non-genetic factors on pre-weaning growth and survival performance in Barbari kids was assessed to maximize pre-weaning growth and survival rates. Performance records of 10,013 Barbari goats maintained at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India, from 1995 to 2020 were analyzed for non-genetic factors. The effect of period and season of birth, type of births, sex of kids, parity of doe and dam’s 90- days milk yield were significant on birth weight and pre-weaning growth. Kids born in spring and winter had higher birth weight than those born in summer, monsoon and autumn, and maintained their superiority up to weaning. Male and single-born kids at birth were heavier than their counterparts and maintained superiority up to weaning. Significant linear association was observed in body weight at birth, 3 months and average daily weight gains with the increase in doe’s milk yield. Multiparous does produced kids with higher birth weight than primiparous does. Kidding in inclement seasons such as the peak of monsoon, summer and winter was associated with higher mortality. Autumn-born kids had the lowest pre-weaning mortality followed by the spring season. Higher mortality incidences were obtained in multiple-born kids, kids with low birth weight (&lt;1.5 kg) and doe’s with low milk yield. The results suggest that to obtain higher growth and survival of kids, breeding should be planned to obtain maximum kidding during the spring and autumn seasons. Adequate care should be given to kids born from does with lesser milk yield, triplet or less birth weight, and for first 15 days of birth.

Cow Efficiency, Relative-Birth Weight and Subsequent Pre-Weaning Growth Performance of Nguni Cattle

Cow Efficiency, Relative-Birth Weight and Subsequent Pre-Weaning Growth Performance of Nguni Cattle

Mineral Composition and Effect of Biochar on Preweaning Reproductive and Growth Performance in Cavy (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Cavia porcellus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;)

In order to contribute to the improvement of the knowledge on the valorization of biochar as a feed additive in livestock, three biochar made from cassava peelings, bean tops and cocoa pods were manufactured. After analyzing their mineral composition, they were incorporated into rations at a rate of 0.8% in order to evaluate their effects on the performance of reproduction and pre-weaning growth in cavy (Cavia porcellus). The trials were conducted in the Research Unit of Animal Production and Nutrition (URPRONAN) of the University of Dschang, on 96 adult local breed cavy (from the first generation), including 80 females and 16 males aged 4 months and with an average weight of 400 ± 0.25 g. After 2 weeks of adaptation in the rearing boxes at the farm, the females were put in reproduction for a period of 31 days, the animals were divided into 04 batches of 20 females and 4 males. The animals in the control lot were fed a compound feed without biochar (T) while the others were fed the compound feed containing 0.8% of cassava peel biochar (EM), 0.8% of bean tops biochar (FH) and 0.8% of cocoa pod husks biochar (CC) respectively. The results of this study showed that the ash content (26%) and macro-element concentration were higher in the bean husk charcoal compared to the other charcoals and the trace elements were more concentrated in the cassava peel charcoal. The best fertility rate (87.5%) was obtained in animals receiving the ration containing organic cocoa pod charcoal. The highest abortion rate (63.16%) was obtained in the batch of animals receiving the ration containing organic bean husk charcoal. Pre-weaning mortality rates were comparable between the different rations. Piglet weights at birth were comparable between the different rations. At weaning, the highest average weight of the kids was recorded with the ration containing the organic bean charcoal (197.25 ± 46.9 g). The highest ADG (4.82 ± 0.74 g/d) and TG (101.25 g) were recorded in the batch of animals receiving the FH ration. Thus, the incorporation of 0.8% of the powder of organic coals seems to have adverse effects on reproductive performance. On the other hand, these coals significantly improve the pre-weaning growth performance in cavy.

358 Effect of Molasses Type on Pre-weaning Lamb and Ewe Performance

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of form of molasses on lamb and ewe performance. Creep feeding of lambs is essential to lamb growth, rumen development, and reduction of milk production from dams. Molasses is often added for increased palatability and energy. Crossbred lambs (n = 47; average age = 30 d) and their accompanying dams (n= 35) were assigned to one of two treatments using a completely randomized design with similar distributions of single and twin-born lambs and sexes. Treatment diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and contained either wet (WMOL) or dry (DMOL) molasses. Dry molasses was added at 10% of the diet DM, whereas, wet molasses was added at 14.3% of the diet DM. Lambs were fed creep rations for 42 d prior to weaning. Creep feed was provided ad libitum and mixed grass hay was offered free-choice. Lamb weights were recorded weekly until weaning (d 42) and ewe BCS was measured at d 0 and d 42 (weaning). Overall lamb ADG was comparable (DMOL = 0.268 kg/hd, WMOL = 0.293 kg/hd; P = 0.30). Lamb weaning weights were similar between DMOL and WMOL (DMOL = 27.9 kg; WMOL = 27.5; P = 0.79). Ewe BCS was similar (P = 0.88) between DMOL and WMOL at 1.4 and 1.4, respectively. Estimated creep intake was calculated based upon total consumption following the end of the project and was found to be similar between treatments (DMOL = 0.54 kg/hd/d; WMOL = 0.59 kg/hd/d). Lamb pre-weaning growth and ewe performance was similar between DMOL and WMOL. Further research is needed to further explore the economic impact and use post-weaning.

Effects of supplements differing in fatty acid profile to late gestational beef cows on cow performance, calf growth performance, and mRNA expression of genes associated with myogenesis and adipogenesis

BackgroundMaternal nutrition during gestation affects fetal development, which has long-term programming effects on offspring postnatal growth performance. With a critical role in protein and lipid metabolism, essential fatty acids can influence the development of muscle and adipose tissue. The experiment investigated the effects of late gestation supplements (77 d prepartum), either rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (CON; 155 g/cow/d EnerGII) or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; 80 g/cow/d Strata and 80 g/cow/d Prequel), on cow performance and subsequent calf growth performance as well as mRNA expression in longissimus muscle (LM) and subcutaneous adipose tissue at birth and weaning.ResultsThere was no difference (P ≥ 0.34) in cow body weight (BW) or body condition score from pre-supplementation through weaning. Relative concentrations of C18:3n-3 and C20:4n-6 decreased (P ≤ 0.05) to a greater extent from mid-supplementation to calving for PUFA compared with CON cows. Cow plasma C20:0, C20:5n-3, and C22:6n-3 were increased (P ≤ 0.01) in PUFA during supplementation period. At birth, PUFA steers had greater (P = 0.01) plasma C20:5n-3. No differences (P ≥ 0.33) were detected in steer birth BW or dam milk production, however, CON steers tended (P = 0.06) to have greater pre-weaning average daily gain and had greater (P = 0.05) weaning BW compared with PUFA. For mRNA expression in steers: MYH7 and C/EBPβ in LM increased (P ≤ 0.04) to a greater extent from birth to weaning for PUFA compared with CON; MYF5 in LM and C/EBPβ in adipose tissue tended (P ≤ 0.08) to decrease more from birth to weaning for CON compared with PUFA; SCD in PUFA adipose tissue tended (P = 0.08) to decrease to a greater extent from birth to weaning than CON. In addition, maternal PUFA supplementation tended (P = 0.08) to decrease MYOG mRNA expression in LM and decreased (P = 0.02) ZFP423 in adipose tissue during the pre-weaning stage.ConclusionsLate gestation PUFA supplementation decreased pre-weaning growth performance of the subsequent steer progeny compared with CON supplementation, which could have been a result of downregulated mRNA expression of myogenic genes during pre-weaning period.

Effects of iron injection timing on suckling and subsequent nursery and growing-finishing performance and hematological criteria.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of Fe injection timing after birth on suckling and subsequent nursery and growing-finishing pig performance. The injectable Fe source used in both experiments was GleptoForte (Ceva Animal Health, LLC., Lenexa, KS). GleptoForte contains gleptoferron which is a Fe macromolecule complex. In Exp. 1, a total of 324 newborn pigs (DNA 241 × 600, initially 1.6 ± 0.04 kg body weight [BW]) within 27 litters were used. Two days after birth, all piglets were weighed, and six barrows and six gilts per litter were allotted to 1 of 6 treatments consisting of no Fe injection or 200 mg of injectable Fe provided in a single injection on d 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 of age. Pigs were weaned (~21 d of age) and allotted to nursery pens with all pigs in each pen having received the same Fe treatment. In Exp. 2, a total of 1,892 newborn pigs (PIC 359 × C40; initially 1.5 ± 0.02 kg BW) within 172 litters were used. One day after birth, piglets were weighed, and 11 pigs within each litter were allotted to 1 of 6 treatments consisting of no Fe injection or 200 mg of injectable Fe provided on d 1, 3, 5, or 7 of age, or 200 mg on d 1 plus 200 mg on d 12 of age. Pigs were weaned (19 d of age) and placed in a commercial wean-to-finish facility in a total of 15 pens with equal representation of treatments in each pen. In both experiments, not providing an Fe injection after birth decreased (P < 0.05) preweaning average daily gain (ADG), weaning weight, and hemoglobin and hematocrit values compared with all other treatments. In Exp. 1, increasing the age that piglets received an Fe injection until 4 or 6 d after birth provided marginal evidence for an improvement (quadratic; P = 0.070) in preweaning ADG. For the nursery period, increasing the age that piglets received an Fe injection improved (quadratic; P = 0.013) d 80 BW, but there was no evidence of a difference (P > 0.10) in d 173 BW at the end of the grow-finish period. In Exp. 2, increasing the age that piglets received a 200 mg Fe injection showed no evidence of difference (P > 0.10) for subsequent nursery and growing-finishing ADG. In both experiments, hemoglobin and hematocrit values were decreased (linear; P < 0.05) at weaning with increasing age when pigs received an Fe injection. These experiments suggest that providing a 200 mg Fe injection within 7 d after farrowing is sufficient for optimizing preweaning and subsequent growth performance.

Birth Characteristics and Pre-Weaning Lamb Growth of Grazing Sudan Desert Ewes Supplemented in Different Reproductive Stages

This work was conducted to study effect of supplementary feeding at different reproductive stages on birth characteristics and pre weaning growth performance of lamb born to desert sheep (Hamari subtype) raised on natural range in West Kordofan State, Sudan. Ninety ewes of similar age and live weight were used in the study. Ewes were divided into three feeding group of 30 animals each. Group A was given concentrate supplement for one month before mating, one month during mating, and one month before lambing; group B was given the supplement for one month during mating and one month before lambing, while group C was left as a control group kept on natural grazing. The concentrate diet consisted of sorghum grains 15 %, groundnut cake 20 %, molasses 15 %, wheat bran 25 %, groundnut hulls 23 %, salt 1 % and 1 % limestone, and was offered at a rate of 500 gm./ewe/day. All animals were allowed to graze on natural range and were watered every 2-3 days. The result indicated that birth weight in general and that of ram lambs was heavier in concentrate supplemented ewes. Although there was no significant difference between supplemented and grazing ewes on pre-weaning growth rate of their lambs yet lambs born to non-supplemented ewes had lower total live weight gain. It is recommended that feed supplementation and range improvement programs are needed as water harvesting and reseeding of range lands to reduce stress of long journies searching for water and forage, to improve productive performance of sheep and pre-weaning growth of their lambs.

Evaluation of early growth performance of backcross progenies from crossbred gilts mated with their native parents

The pre weaning growth performance of piglets from four different cross bred dams mated back to their native parents was studied in the Breeding and Research Farm of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. Parameters like body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency as well as linear body measurements of body length, heart girth and height at withers were taken and observed for growth between birth and weaning age of eight weeks. Results Results indicated significant differences (P&lt;0.05) between the main backcross N x (N x LR) and the three other genotypes of N x (N x LW), N x (LR x N) and N x (LW x N) in all parameters. The mean birth weight of the progenies ranged from 1.00±0.60 to 1.60±5kg while the weaning weights were 10.5±0.4 to 16.0±1.0kg respectively. Results further revealed that body weight at weaning correlated responsively with all parameters and these include body length (r=0.858), heart girth (r= 0.446) and height at the withers (r= 0.946). Similarly, body length has a positive correlation with heart girth (r= 0.477) and height at the withers (r= 0.827) whereas hear girth correlated positively with the height at the withers (r= 0.494). Similar trend were obtained in the regression of each of the body measurements on the other in which bodyweight changes depended more on that of body length (0.86) than on heart girth (0.45). Judging from the observed variations existing among the piglets resulting from differnt crossbreed dams in their pre-weaning growth performance, maternal rather than paternal influences appeared to be more important in the traits studied.

Maintaining continuity of nutrient intake after weaning. I. Review of pre-weaning strategies.

Weaning is a crucial phase of swine production marked by a multitude of biological and environmental stressors, which have a significant impact on immediate postweaning behavior and feed intake (FI). During this time, the piglet’s gastrointestinal (GI) system is also undergoing extensive epithelial, immune, and nervous system development. In this review, our objective is to describe the different preweaning strategies that can be used to minimize nutrient intake disruption and improve FI in the immediate postweaning period. Reducing nutrient disruption postweaning can be accomplished through the implementation of management and nutritional strategies. Research consistently demonstrates that weaning older, more developmentally mature pigs helps prevent many of the adverse GI effects associated with weaning stress. Providing creep feed to pigs during lactation is another reliable strategy that has been shown to increase immediate postweaning FI by acclimating pigs to solid feed prior to weaning. Likewise, socialization by allowing pigs to mix before weaning improves social skills, minimizing mixing stress, and aggression-related injury immediately postweaning. Supplemental milk replacer has also been shown to elicit a positive response in preweaning growth performance, which may help to reduce preweaning mortality. While socialization and milk replacer are acknowledged to ease the weaning transition, these strategies have not been widely adopted due to labor and application challenges. Additionally, the cost of milk replacer and logistics of retrofitting farrowing houses to accommodate litter socialization have limited adaptation. Further exploration of maternal nutrition strategies, particularly fetal imprinting, is needed to better understand the implications of perinatal learning. Other areas for future research include, combining environmental enrichment with feeding strategies, such as large destructible pellets or play feeders, as well as determining at what time point producers should start socializing pigs before weaning. While more research is needed to develop strategic preweaning management programs, many of the strategies presented in this review provide opportunities for producers to minimize nutrient intake disruption by preventing feed neophobia, reducing stress, and easing the wean pig transition.

PSIII-8 Impact of SYNOVEX® ONE GRASS implantation during suckling on pre-weaning calf growth performance

Abstract Historic data supports the use of pre-weaning implants to maximize beef calf weaning weight, but their use has declined over the recent decade. A total of 96 beef steers (initially 85.2 kg BW and &amp;gt; 45 d of age) were used in a 168-d study to evaluate the effects of Synovex C® implantation during suckling on pre-weaning calf growth performance. At initial processing, calves were individually weighed and allotted in a completely randomized design to one of two treatments: 1) not implanted (control) or 2) implanted with 150 mg of trenbolone acetate and 21 mg of estradiol benzoate (SYNOVEX® ONE GRASS, Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI). All calves were weighed on d 0 (implantation), 83, 126 and 168 (weaning), with ADG calculated for each period. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (v9.4, Cary, NC). There were 48 replicates per treatment, with grazing location as a random effect. While there were no detected differences in BW during the initial phases (P &amp;gt; 0.10), implanted calves tended to have greater (P = 0.100) greater weaning weight than non-implanted calves (279 vs. 265 kg, respectively). Calves implanted with SYNOVEX® ONE GRASS had 0.8, 0.12, and 0.16 kg/d greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADG than those that were not implanted in all three phases. This resulted in an average of 0.10 kg/d greater (P = 0.002) ADG in implanted calves overall compared to the control. In conclusion, this research showed significant increases in suckling calf ADG in implanted calves compared to their non-implanted counterparts, which led to a tendency for 14-kg greater weaning weights. Additional research is warranted to consider the post-weaning growth and impact of re-implanting, but this data reinforces previous literature that suckling calf implantation continues to be cost effective for cow-calf producers.