Z. B. Johnson

Use of a Dry Bottle to Feed Starter Grain To Holstein Calves

Twenty Holstein calves from 1 to 35 d of age were offered grain in either an open plastic bucket (control) or in an enclosed plastic bottle. After the 35-d trial, control calves were fed 1.8 L of whole milk twice daily for 7 d, then reduced to once daily and weaned at 56 d of age, whereas milk for calves receiving grain in bottles were given one daily feeding of 1.8 L of milk and were weaned at 42 d of age. Body weights were taken weekly, and feed intake was calculated daily. Blood serum was collected at weekly intervals from four calves for measurement of β-hydroxybutyrate. During wk 1 calves fed grain with the dry bottles consumed more (P .10) between treatments throughout the trial. Feed consumed per unit of body weight gained did not differ (P > .10). β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were similar (P > .10) during the trial. Young calves used the specially designed nipples during the first week of life and initiated grain intake earlier. The dry bottles protected grain from rain and flies compared to placing grain in an exposed bucket.

Effect of Diet on Growth and the Incidence of Tibial Dyschondroplasia in Broilers12

Two experiments were conducted to study dietary factors affecting growth rate and the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in broiler cockerels grown to 3 wk of age. Chicks were fed corn-soy-bean meal-based diets containing one of the following: 3,145 kcal ME/kg, 24% protein, and .50% available phosphorus (aP) (Diet 1); 2,900 kcal ME/kg, 20% protein, and .35% aP (Diet 2); or 2,900 kcal ME/kg, 24% protein, and .50 aP (Diet 3). In experiment 1 chicks were fed Diets 1, 2, and 3 ad libitum. During weeks 1 and 2, chicks fed Diet 1 were heavier and had better feed efficiency (g feed/g gain) than those fed Diets 2 and 3. Chicks fed Diets 2 and 3 had a lower incidence of TD (P < .05) than those fed Diet 1. n nIn experiment 2 feed intake of Diet 1 was on an ad libitum and restricted basis (Diet 1-R) and Diet 2 was on an ad libitum basis. Beginning on day 2, chicks fed Diet 1-R were offered 90% of the amount of feed consumed the previous day by chicks fed Diet 1 free choice. Chicks fed Diet 1 were heavier than those fed Diet 1-R at 1 wk, and Diets 1-R and 2 at 2 and 3 wk. Chicks fed Diet 1 had higher incidence (P .05) in the incidence of TD lesions between chicks fed Diets 1-R and 2. The incidence of leg problems appeared to be related to rate of growth, rather than being a direct effect of dietary aP or calcium:aP ratio.

Effect of Age of Dam and Sex on 205-D Weight of Senepol Calves1

Abstract Data (3,710 observations) were collected from two farms by the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station from 1978 to 1987. Data were analyzed to determine the adequacy of standard Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) age of dam (AOD) and calf sex (SEX) adjustment factors for 205-d weaning weight (WWT) for use on Senepol cattle. The mixed model contained the random effect of contemporary group (CG) and the fixed effects of SEX (bull and heifer), AOD (2 to 11+ yr), and SEX by AOD interaction. In the least squares analysis, CG, SEX, and AOD were highly significant for WWT. The interaction of SEX by AOD was not significant. Estimates of AOD adjustment factors indicate that 2-, 3-, 4- and 11 +-yr-old dams are being overadjusted using BIF correction factors. Adjustments developed by this analysis more adequately fit the Senepol data.

Parasite Treatments for Crossbred Beef Steers Grazing High- or Low-Endophyte Tall Fescue

Summary Performance of ruminants consuming high-endophyte tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is frequently lower than when low-endophyte fescue or similar cool-season perennial grasses are ingested. This study was conducted to determine effects of different parasite treatments on daily gain by beef steers grazing high- or low-endophyte fescue (HE and LE, respectively). Ninety-six yearling Angus-Hereford steers (210 kg average initial weight) grazed HE or LE paddocks for 112 days. Steers received 1) a placebo sustained-release ruminal bolus on Day 0 (control), 2) a sustained-release ruminal bolus on Day 0 designed to deliver ivermectin at 12 mg/day for 120 days (IVM), 3) levamisole injections (subcutaneous) at 8 mg/kg body weight every 14 days (LEV) OR 4) IVM plus LEV (combination: COM). Daily gains over the entire study were .49 and .79 kg for HE and LE, respectively ( P P >.10). Trends were noted for an effect of treating for parasites ( P P P P >.10). Parasite control may affect daily gain by beef steers slightly more with HE than LE.