Effect of weaning calves from mother at different ages on their growth and milk yield of mothers

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the length of calf sucking milk from its own mother on calf growth at the age of 3 months and milk yield of mothers. We tested a hypothesis that the nursing of calves by their own mothers increases the body weight of calves and decreases the milk production. 50 Holstein primiparous cows and their calves were divided into three groups according to the sucking length of calves: 7 days (A), 14 days (B) and 21 days (C). All calves suckled mother's colostrum and milk while mothers were milked twice per day. After weaning from mother calves were kept in individual hutches until 56 days of life, and then in group housing pens. In the period from birth to weaning the calves of group A reached the lowest and the calves of group C the highest daily gains (0.35 kg, 0.46 kg, 0.54 kg; P < 0.01). The lowest gain was recorded in animals of group A (0.55 kg) and the highest gain was reached by calves of group C (0.74 kg) for the period from birth to three months of age. For the first 305 days of lactation cows of group A produced insignificantly more milk than group C (7356.5 kg, 6779.2 kg, 6663.9 kg). A significant difference in milk production was recorded only during the first seven months of lactation (5494.5 kg, 5041.9 kg, and 4872.3 kg; P < 0.05). The long stay of calves with their mothers influences the growth of calves positively, but the milk production of mothers may decrease. Therefore, the stay of calves with the dam within 21 days after birth is not recommended for high-yielding dairy cows.

The economic effects of suckling and milk feeding to calves in dual purpose dairy and beef farming

“…Long suckling has been associated with lower milk deliveries which were also found in this study. However, several studies have reported that gained milk over the entire lactation may be unaffected for high-yielding cows nursing their calves (Johnsen et al 2015a;Metz 1987;Kišac et al 2011).…”

Association of insulin-like growth factor I gene polymorphisms (IGF1/TasI and IGF1/SnaBI) with the growth and subsequent milk yield of Polish Holstein-Friesian heifers

“…The growth and development of an organism is regulated by both internal (integration of signal pathways) and environmental (mainly supplied from feed) factors (Kišac et al, 2011). There are many reports on the significant relationship between the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) system and the prenatal growth as well as the growth and differentiation of the mammary gland (Plath-Gabler et al, 2001).…”

Early weaning: new insights on an ever-persistent problem in the dairy industry

“…However, an increase of price could be justified by labelling the product as goods produced according to a certain animal welfare practice (Grethe, 2017). On the other hand, Kišac et al (2011) examined the impact of the length of a calf suckling milk from its own mother on the calf growth and cow production on a Slovak non-organic dairy farm. The results showed that prolonged nursing positively influenced the growth of calves, but reduced the mothers' milk production.…”