Effects of Single vs Simulated Twin Rearing on Cow and Calf Performance2

Wyatt, R. D.; Gould, M. B.; Totusek, Robert

doi:10.2527/jas1977.4561409x

Cited by 41 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The high degree of overlap between the 95% confidence intervals (Table 1) (Malven, 1977). Behavioural studies with the animals in this experiment (Price, Thos & Anderson, 1981) and other beef cattle (Wyatt et al, 1977) showed that dams with twins suckled more frequently and for longer periods than did dams suckling single calves.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

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Prolactin response in beef cows and heifers suckling one or two calves

et al. 1982

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…It has also been reported that cows suckling twins have a longer interval to first post-partum oestrus than do cows suckling single calves (Turman, Laster, Renbarger & Stephens, 1971;Wyatt, Gould & Totusek, 1977;Wettemann et al, 1978).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Prolactin response in beef cows and heifers suckling one or two calves

et al. 1982

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“…Calf performance was generally better than or as good as that reported for fostered calves raised by beef × dairy cows (Wyatt et al 1977;Rosecrans et al 1982), beef cows (Wright et al 1987), or twin calves produced by embryo transfer (Patterson et al 1993). In natural twins, individual calf birth weight is less than for a singleton calf (Kay et al 1976).…”

Section: Calf Performancementioning

confidence: 78%

“…Wyatt et al (1977) showed that mature Hereford × Holstein cows with simulated-twin calves (defined as own plus adopted calf or two adopted calves) required 72% more feed to produce 39% more milk and wean 60% more total calf weight than cows rearing single calves. Cows with simulated-twin calves also had extended post-partum anestrous periods, which were attributed to greater suckling frequency (Wyatt et al 1977). These studies used mature cows with considerable dairy breed (Jersey, Holstein or Friesan) composition, and did not follow through to subsequent calving seasons.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The performance of primiparous and multiparous beef cows rearing single and simulated-twin calves

Small¹,

Charmley²,

Kennedy³

2000

Can. J. Anim. Sci.

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. 2000. The performance of primiparous and multiparous beef cows rearing single and simulated-twin calves. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 80: 569-576. One hundred and eighteen Hereford-cross heifers (n = 70) and cows (n = 48) and their offspring were used to evaluate the impact of simulated twinning on weaned calf production and reproductive performance. Twin-calf rearing was simulated by the adoption of a second calf born within 24 h of the birth of the dam's natural calf. In each of 4 yr, cows calved in winter (January-February), were turned out in spring (late May) to rotationally graze grass-legume pastures until weaning in the fall (late September). From calving until turnout cows were given a forage-based diet consisting of either grass-legume silage or hay offered free choice, plus concentrate, the amount of which was 75 or 100% higher for dams in the simulated-twin (ST) than the single (S) treatment. All calves had access to the conserved forage and were given the concentrate ration as creep feed. Estrus detection was performed twice daily beginning 3 wk before and continuing for 4 wk into the breeding season, which consisted of AI for the first 25 d and bull service for the remaining 22 d. In years 2 and 3, the postpartum anestrous period was determined by serum progesterone concentrations. At weaning, S calves weighed more than natural or adopted calves in the ST treatment because weight gain was greater for S calves from birth to turnout. However calf production efficiency (total kilograms calf weaned per kilogram dam weight) was greater for primiparous and multiparous ST than S groups (primiparous 0.85 vs. 0.43 and multiparous 1.62 vs. 0.49; P < 0.05). The ST treatment had no negative effect (P > 0.05) on reproductive performance. As a research tool, this study suggests there are large potential benefits to beef cows raising two, as opposed to one calf. Simulated twinning poses severe management challenges and is not being proposed as a commercial option. However, advances in reproductive technology that could control twinning (e.g., transfer of an embryo a week following AI or twin-transfer of sexed embryos) mean that in future, twin rearing of beef calves may become a feasible option and this study provides valuable information on the post-natal management of cows rearing two calves. Le jumelage artificiel était obtenu par l'adoption par la mère d'un deuxième veau né dans les 24 heures suivant la naissance de son propre veau. Dans chacune des quatre années de l'expérience, les vaches vêlant en hiver, c.-à-d. janvier-février, étaient mises à l'herbe au printemps (fin mai) en pâturages tournants composés d'associations graminées-légumineuses, jusqu'au sevrage de leur veau en automne (fin septembre). Du vêlage à la mise à l'herbe, les vaches recevaient un aliment à base de fourrage consistant en ensilage ou en foin de graminées-légumineuses offert à volonté, plus des concentrés servis à raison de 75 ou 100 % de plus aux mères élevant des faux-jumeaux (FJ) qu'à celles élevant un veau simple (VS). Tous les veaux av...

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“…This prolonged post partum anoestrous period in beef cows is economically undesirable as it makes it difficult for the farmer to optimize production. Suckling frequency and intensity affect the duration of the post partum anoestrous period (Short et al, 1972 ;England et al, 1973 ;Randel and Welker, 1976 ;Wetteman et al, 1976 ;Wyatt et al, 1977). However, the exact mechanisms by which suckling depresses reproductive activity are largely unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%