• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2015

A non-traditional forage-based protocol was employed to evaluate replacement heifer growth, fertility, and economics between small frame (SF, 3.50; n = 50) and large frame (LF, 5.56; n = 50) heifers using three increasing gain growth phases. Preceding an 85 d growing-breeding period (Phase 3; P3) the heifers were managed as a common group for Phases 1 and 2 (P1 and P2). During P1, heifers grazed common fields of unharvested corn and corn residue (total digestible nutrients [TDN] 56%) with supplemental hay. For P2, heifers grazed early spring crested wheatgrass pasture (CWG; TDN 62%) that was followed by the final P3 drylot growing and breeding period (TDN 68%). Small frame heifers were lighter at the end of P1 in May and at the start of P3 breeding in August (p = 0.0002). Percent of mature body weight (BW) at the end of P1 (209 d) was 48.7% and 46.8%, respectively, for the SF and LF heifers and the percent pubertal was lower for SF than for LF heifers (18.0% vs 40.0%; p = 0.02). At breeding initiation (P3), the percentage of mature BW was 57.8 and 57.2 and the percentage pubertal was 90.0 and 96.0 (p = 0.07) for the SF and LF heifers, respectively; a 5-fold increase for SF heifers. Breeding cycle pregnancy on days 21, 42, and 63, and total percent pregnant did not differ (p>0.10). In drylot, SF heifer dry matter intake (DMI) was 20.1% less (p = 0.001) and feed cost/d was 20.3% lower (p = 0.001), but feed cost/kg of gain did not differ between SF and LF heifers (p = 0.41). Economically important live animal measurements for muscling were measured in May and at the end of the study in October. SF heifers had greater L. dorsi muscle area per unit of BW than LF heifers (p = 0.03). Small frame heifer value was lower at weaning (p = 0.005) and the non-pregnant ending heifer value was lower for SF heifers than for the LF heifers (p = 0.005). However, the total development cost was lower for SF heifers (p = 0.001) and the net cost per pregnant heifer, after accounting for the sale of non-pregnant heifers, was lower for SF heifers (p = 0.004). These data suggest that high breeding efficiency can be attained among March-April born SF and LF virgin heifers when transitioned to a more favorable May-June calving period through the strategic use of grazed and harvested forages resulting in a lower net cost per pregnant SF heifer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.209-212
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• 1988

Thirty-six heifers of three different breeds were fed rice straw, either upgraded with 4% urea, or supplemented with 2% urea, sprayed on the straw just prior to feeding. The effects on liveweight gain and dry matter intake were measured for pure Sahiwal heifers, Sahiwal ${\times}$ local crosses and Jersey ${\times}$ local crosses. Urea upgraded straw gave better growth than urea supplemented straw, average 217 g/day/ animal versus 71 g/day/animal. This was associated with a higher intake of upgraded straw, compared to supplementation straw (2.4 versus 1.8 kg/100 kg BW). No overall breed effect on growth was found (P>0.05).

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 1996

Growth, mammary development, serum concentrations of growth hormone, prolactin and estradiol which affect the growth and mammary development, were investigated in Korean Native heifers and Holstein heifers from 5 months old to 15 months old. From 5 months old to 15 months old, body weights in Korean Native heifers averaged 37%, lower than those in Holstein heifers of the same age (P<.01). Teat volumes in Korean Native heifers are average 67% smaller than those in Holstein heifers. Analysis of serum protein by secondary electrophoresis showed differences in protein pattern between the breeds and between the individuals. From 5 months old to 15 months old, serum concentration of growth hormone in Korean Native heifers was averge 47% lower than that in Holstein (P<.01), yet prolactin concentrations in serum were about the same between the two breeds. However serum concentration of estradiol in Korean Native heifers was average 20% higher than that in Holstein of same age (P<.01). This result showed evidently that the decrease of the growth hormone concentration in serum, while growing up, causes to retard the growth and mammary development in Korean Native heifers compared to Holstein heifers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 1992

Fourteen Sahiwal ${\times}$ Friesian crossbred heifers were used in a 10-wk feeding trial to determine maintenance energy requirements and efficiency of gain. The heifers were individually fed with a diet consisting of 30% dry grass and 70% concentrates at either 110, 140 or 180% of the anticipated maintenance requirement ($494kJ\;ME/kg^{0.75}/day$). Liveweight of individual heifers was measured weekly to calculate diet requirements and average daily gain (ADG). Diet digestibility was determined for all heifers to determine ME intake. Retained energy (RE) of individual heifers was determined from changes in total body fat and protein using a TOH isotope dilution procedure and, assuming calorific values of 39.3 and 23.6 kJ/g for fat and protein respectively. The estimated ME for maintenance was 433 and $470kJ/kg^{0.75}/day$ by liveweight (ADG) equilibrium and energy (RE) equilibrium analysis respectively. ME requirement for one g of liveight gain was 28 kJ.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.951-970
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• 2023

This study utilized Italian ryegrass silage (IRGS) - based total mixed ration (TMR) as feedstuff and evaluated its effects on rumen fermentation, growth performance, blood parameters, and bacterial community in growing Hanwoo heifers. Twenty-seven Hanwoo heifers (body weight [BW], 225.11 ± 10.57 kg) were randomly allocated to three experimental diets. Heifers were fed 1 of 3 treatments as follows: TMR with oat, timothy, and alfalfa hay (CON), TMR with 19% of IRGS (L-IRGS), and TMR with 36% of IRGS (H-IRGS). Feeding high levels of IRGS (H-IRGS) and CON TMR to heifers resulted in a greater molar proportion of propionate in the rumen. The impact of different TMR diets on the BW, average daily gain, dry matter intake, and feed conversion ratio of Hanwoo heifers during the growing period did not differ (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the blood metabolites, total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, and total cholesterol of the heifers were not affected by the different TMR diets (p > 0.05). In terms of rumen bacterial community composition, 264 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were observed across the three TMR diets with 240, 239, and 220 OTUs in CON, L-IRGS, and H-IRGS, respectively. IRGS-based diets increased the relative abundances of genera belonging to phylum Bacteroidetes but decreased the abundances of genus belonging to phylum Firmicutes compared with the control. Data showed that Bacteroidetes was the most dominant phylum, while Prevotella ruminicola was the dominant species across the three TMR groups. The relative abundance of Ruminococcus bromii in the rumen increased in heifers fed with high inclusion of IRGS in the TMR (H-IRGS TMR). The relative abundance of R. bromii in the rumen significantly increased when heifers were fed H-IRGS TMR while P. ruminicola increased in both L-IRGS and H-IRGS TMR groups. Results from the current study demonstrate that the inclusion of IRGS in the TMR is comparable with the TMR containing high-quality forage (CON). Thus, a high level of IRGS can be used as a replacement forage ingredient in TMR feeding and had a beneficial effect of possibly modulating the rumen bacterial community toward mainly propionate-producing microorganisms.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.6
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• 2015

This study investigated the effects of feeding by-product feed (BF)-based silage on the behavior of growing Hanwoo heifers. Twelve Hanwoo heifers (13.2 months-old, 315 kg body weight; four heifers per pen) were assigned to three diets: a rice straw (RS) diet (concentrate mix and free access to RS), a RS and BF-based silage (RSBFS) diet (concentrate mix and free access to RS and BF-based silage), and a BF-based silage (BFS) diet (concentrate mix and free access to BF-based silage). Behavior was recorded for 5 days using camcorders. Compared to the RS group, the BFS group showed 21.7% higher dry matter intake, shorter feeding, rumination, and chewing times, as well as longer resting time (p < 0.05). Although all groups exhibited similar drinking, urination, and defecation frequencies, the BFS group exhibited higher feeding rates, rumination efficiency, and chewing efficiency than the RS group (p < 0.05). Compared to the BFS group, the RSBFS group showed higher $peNDF_{8.0}$ intake (15.2% vs. 25.0% dry matter intake), longer feeding and sitting times, lower defecation frequency (p < 0.05), and similar rumination efficiency. In conclusion, complete replacement of conventional RS with BF-based silage reduced rumination and chewing activity in growing Hanwoo heifers, and BF-based silage feeding with large-particle straw is an effective approach in improving heifer behavior.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1754-1759
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• 2002

A study was carried out to investigate the nutritive value and utilization of hybrid sorghum and perennial grass species viz. setaria (Setaria anceps) and hybrid napier when intercropped with soybean by growing Jersey crossbred heifers. Fifteen growing crossbred heifers (Jersey${\times}$Red Sindhi) of between 7-10 months age and pre-trial average body weight of 49-50 kg were divided on the basis of weight in to three treatment groups viz. $T_1$-hybrid sorghum+soybean, $T_2$-setaria+soybean and $T_3$-hybrid napier+soybean in a completely randomized block design. Intercropped forages were harvested fresh, chaffed and mixed before they were offered to the heifers. Chemical composition of the herbage, dry matter intake (DMI), body weight gain and nutrient digestibility co-efficients were estimated. The herbage mixtures had crude protein (CP) content in the range of 11.87 to 13.86% and ether extract (EE) contents were 2.91 to 3.11%, respectively. The herbage mixtures were rich in minerals (ash). The gross energy (kcal/g DM) was higher in hybrid napier+soybean, while hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean herbage mixtures had lower value for gross energy. The hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean herbage mixtures had higher contents of NDF, ADF, cellulose, lignin and silica as compared to that of hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture. The heifers fed hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture had significantly (p<0.05) higher $DMI\;g/kg\;W^{0.75}$ ($97.41{\pm}4.34$) as compared to hybrid sorghum+soybean ($88.31{\pm}2.66$) and setaria+soybean ($79.29{\pm}1.06$) herbage mixtures. Nutrients digestibility, DCP percent, DCP intake and nitrogen balance were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the heifers fed on hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture. There was a significant (p<0.05) difference among different herbage mixtures in TDN. The heifers on setaria+soybean herbage mixture had lower average body weight gain (g/day) than those on hybrid sorghum+soybean and hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixtures. Data obtained in this experiment demonstrated that herbage mixture of hybrid napier+soybean was better than hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean herbage mixtures in the nutrition of growing heifers. It had highest nutritive value, better digestibility co-efficients which showed better growth rate and higher feed efficiency. In ranking, hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture was better followed by hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean in nutritive value in the parameters studied. For future wasteland development program in humid-sub tropics of Himachal Pradesh hybrid napier and its intercropping with soybean is recommended for general adoption because of its better adaptability and higher nutritive value.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2012

This study was operated to establish induction using ultrasonography by estimating the relation of follicle size and estrus manifestation. Clinical estrus symptoms were observed 97.4% in cows and 87.5% in heifers when overall 55 cows were induced to estrus in a single dose of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ after verifying CL through ultrasonography, which means estrus hours among those 52 cows showing the clinical estrus symptoms were estimated 2.39 days on cows and for 2.37 days on heifers which showed no differences (p>0.05). The estrus manifestation hours according to the follicle size in cows didn't have any significance each other (p>0.05), though estrus hours was 54 hours (the shortest) with follicle size bigger than 10 mm and were made up within 69 hours. The estrus manifestation hours according to the follicle size in heifers didn't have any significance each other (p>0.05) and took around 42 hours (the shortest) with follicle size of 5mm (the smallest) and were made up within 66 hours. Follicles after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection were ovulated and assigned to many phases as follows; Group 1 (growing phase) - continuously growing into ovulation, Group 2 (growing and static phase) - delaying in growth after the growth of follicles, Group 3 (static and growing phase) - growing after growth delay, Group 4 (regressing and new growing phase) - the follicle is closed and a new follicle grows. In addition, the process of follicle development and estrus hours had no significance each other (p>0.05), though estrus manifestation hours in Group 1 and 2 was relatively short, and in Group 3 and 4 for a relatively long time. In the result of all above, the estrus manifestation hours after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection has no differences accoring to the follicle size in cows and heifers. Therefore, High pregnancy rate is obtained when practicing artificial insemination within 3 days in estrus or TAI in 72 to 80 hours after adminitrating $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.410-421
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• 2022

Objective: Two series of experiments were conducted to determine how the incremental levels of sodium metabisulfite (SMB)-treated fruit and vegetable discards (FVD) in diet of Hanwoo heifers and cows affect their performance and health. Methods: In Exp. 1, 36 Hanwoo heifers were stratified by age (13.3±0.83 mo) and initial body weight (305±19.7 kg), and divided randomly to one of three diets containing 0%, 10%, or 20% SMB-treated FVD (as-fed basis). The experiment lasted 110 d, including 20 d of adaptation. In Exp. 2, 24 multiparous Hanwoo cows were divided into three groups based on age (48.2±2.81 mo) and initial body condition score (2.64±0.33). Cows in each block were assigned randomly to one of three diets containing 0%, 11%, or 22% SMB-treated FVD (as-fed basis). The experiment lasted 80 d, including a 20-d adaptation period. In both experiments, SMB-treated FVD was used as a replacement for wet brewers grain in total mixed ration (TMR). Results: Growing heifers exhibited no differences in their daily feed intake (6.58±0.61 kg/d dry matter [DM]), average daily gain (0.60±0.07 kg/d), and body condition score when they consumed the incremental levels of SMB-treated FVD. Although most blood metabolites were unaffected by treatments, blood urea-N and β-hydroxybutyrate levels decreased linearly as the SMB-treated FVD level increased in TMR. Similar to Exp. 1, minor differences were found in daily feed intake (8.27±0.72 kg DM/d) and body condition score of Hanwoo cows. Most blood metabolites remained unaffected by treatments, but blood urea-N decreased as the SMB-treated FVD level in TMR increased. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SMB-treated FVD could be safely incorporated into the diet of Hanwoo heifers and cows, potentially improving N-use efficiency in the body while not impairing performance or health.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.325-326
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• 1989