Pre- and post-weaning growth of beef calves reared by cows on one of five lifetime nutrition levels

Authors

  • D.C. Smeaton
  • J.B. Clayton
  • A. Malthus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.1995.57.2162

Abstract

The hypothesis that currently recommended liveweights for beef cows are too high was tested at Whatawhata Research Centre. Industry claims have been that high levels of reproductive efficiency can be achieved with cows running up to 20% lighter than current targets, and eating proportionately less pasture. We ran 150 Hereford x Friesian cows on 1 of 5 lifetime feeding levels or treatments. Average liveweights of the five treatments ranged from 470 to 390 kg at mating but pregnancy rate was not affected. Calf weaning weight was affected, however (P

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Published

1995-01-01

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Section

Articles