Improving Performance of Replacement Heifers in Hot Arid Environment Under Intensive Management

Abstract

Problem statement: Imported Holstein Friesian dairy cattle are exposed to hot arid climate in feedlot management in Kuwait. Desert climate is extreme reaching high 45-50°C in summer and low -4ºC in winter at day and night respectively. High calf mortality, poor reproduction and milk yields were main constraints to viable dairying. The objectives of this study were to assess the magnitude of calf mortality, its causes; implement strategic intervention measures for improving calf survival rates and evaluate dairy herd performance. Approach: Two scenarios were used: (1) studying dairy herd performance without applying intervention measures and (2) introducing improved management with interventions. Performance of the herds of situations 1 and 2 were compared. Three classes of dairy herds, pre-weaned calves, heifers and first lactation cows born in Kuwait were used. Results: Implementing intervention measures resulted in significant (p = 0.001) reduction of crude calf mortality rates from a mean of 43.6% to a low 4.67%. Growth rates of calves and heifers increased significantly, resulting in breeding of locally raised heifers at 15 mo age instead of usual practice of breeding at 18-22 mo. Feed cost was significantly reduced by 14-25% by early breeding of heifers. Herd culling rate was reduced from 62-33% and conception rates increased by 41%. The milk yield was increased by 1.25-1.50 fold through replacing the imported cows by locally born heifers. Adult cattle mortality rates reduced from high 9 to a low 1%. Case study showed that locally born and reared dairy herd formed a mean of 65.8% of total dairy cattle in cooperating farms. Conclusion: A systematic applied research studies in the commercial dairy farms had resulted in a visible improvement in the performance of all categories of locally born dairy herds and they were better adapted to the local hostile climate.

Integrated Phenotypic-Genotypic Analysis of Candidate Probiotic Weissella Cibaria Strains Isolated from Dairy Cows in Kuwait

“…Antagonistic activity and the production of antimicrobial compounds is another very important characteristic needed to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The ability of W. cibaria SP19 and SP7 to exert effective antimicrobial activity against E. coli and Salmonella spp., which are major causes of calf enteric disorders in Kuwait dairy herds [ 70 ], was associated with the production of organic acids and the resulting decrease in pH. W. cibaria is able to produce several antimicrobial substances; recently, the antibacterial activity of the oral probiotic W. cibaria CMU was linked to its ability to produce H 2 O 2 , organic acids, oleic acid, and specific proteins, such as N-acetylmuramidase [ 53 ].…”

Dairy Heifer Rearing in Hot Arid Zone: An Economic Assessment

“…Our present studies showed that the input cost of rearing heifers born and adapted in the Kuwait was quite high. Recent studies showed locally reared and bred cows could thrive well for over 4 lactations with their 2 times more milk yield compared to imported cows (Razzaque et al, 2009e). Total input cost of rearing heifers from their 3-24 months age till first lactation was KD 514/heifer (US$1,749 in 2005) and the feed cost represented 84.6% of the total input cost.…”