Effect of indoor energy restriction level and management on beef production in Belgian Blue double‐muscled cow‐calf pairs

Abstract

One hundred and twenty-six cows were involved to investigate the impact of energy (E) restriction (100%, 90%, 80% and 70% of total energy requirements) during the indoor period and two calf management systems (CMS: suckling or rearing). An E restriction during the indoor period resulted in a loss of body weight, even for E100, which was compensated during the re-alimentation period, but body weight remained lower in suckling than in non-suckling cows. The cows yielded 213 full-term gestations and 8 abortions. Abortion was not affected by E (p = 0.187) or CMS (p = 0.804). Calving interval was neither affected by E (p = 0.775) but tended to be longer in suckled cows (p = 0.087). E reduced body weight and body condition score (BCS) at the end of the calving interval, while CMS only affected BCS. E70 resulted in a higher colostrum yield than E100 and E 90 but immunoglobulin content was not affected (p = 0.759). Cow culling was not affected by E or CMS. It increased from 12.9% to 22.2% and 32.5% for cows with a BCS at parturition lower than 1.5 or between 1.5 and 2.0, or higher than 2 respectively. Calf birth weight was neither affected by E or CMS, but there was an interaction between E and dam age (p = 0.050). Increasing the E restriction tended to reduce calf survival (p = 0.089). Performance of the surviving calves was not affected by E, but suckling calves gained faster than rearing calves (p < 0.001). Beef production by the cow-calf pair was not different between energy levels (p = 0.738), but it was 10.8% lower for E70 than for E100 cows. It is not appropriate to apply an E restriction of more than 10-20% for maximum cow reproductive traits and calf performance.

Optimum growth rate of Belgian Blue double-muscled replacement heifers

“…No exact data concerning the effect of BW BC on calf mortality are available, but primiparous cows with a lower BW BC generally have a lower body condition, as found in a previous study (Fiems et al, 2009). A good correlation was also found between BW and body condition on the one hand (Fiems et al, 2006), and between body condition of the dam and calf survival (Fiems et al, 2009). These results can be explained by the findings of Odde et al (1986), showing increased volume of colostrum, increased calf vigour and increased ability of the calf to absorb immunoglobulins when heifers are in a better condition.…”

Maintenance Energy Requirements of Double-Muscled Belgian Blue Beef Cows

“…It has been assumed that beef cows can efficiently mobilize and restore body reserve tissues, when feed restriction is followed by an abundant feed supply [ 22 , 23 ]. The effect of an energy restriction on performance of DMBB cows has been reported previously [ 24 ].…”

Colostrumkwaliteit bij het Belgisch witblauwe rund en onderzoek naar het verband met helminthinfecties

“…De Ig-gehalten in het serum van de kalveren van de 2 groepen koeien vertoonden geen significante verschillen. In een studie bij Belgisch witblauwe runderen vonden Fiems et al (2009) dat energierestrictief gevoederde runderen een beduidend hoger volume colostrum produceerden (5 liter voor dieren gevoederd aan 70% van de behoefte versus 2,6 liter voor dieren gevoederd aan 100% van de behoefte), maar dat de concentratie van Ig in dit colostrum nauwelijks verschilde (ca. 100 mg/ml).…”

“…Samengevat heeft het proteїnegehalte van het dieet volgens de meeste onderzoekers geen duidelijk effect op de colostrumkwaliteit, wel werd soms een verbetering van de colostrumkwaliteit of -kwantiteit opgemerkt bij het voederen van een energierestrictief dieet. Nochtans raden Fiems et al (2009) aan om de energieverschaffing zeker niet te beperken tot meer dan 10-20% van de behoefte. Se en Vit E hebben wel een duidelijk positief effect op het Ig-gehalte van het colostrum en supplementatie zou dus nuttig kunnen zijn.…”