• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 1993

This experiment was carried out to examine the effects of urea-treated rice straw feeding on the growth performance of crossbred Holstein heifers under different feeding conditions. In the first experiment, the animals were given diets having 2 levels of TDN and CP and 3 levels of crude fiber (22, 30 and 36%) which were formulated with urea-treated rice straw and concentrates. Daily weight gain of heifers was not different between 22% and 30% CF diets, but the reduction of TDN or CP level to 90% of the requirements decreased the weight gain. Fiber content of 36% also reduced the body weight gain. The reduction of TDN significantly reduced DM intake and increased feed conversion ratio. Feed cost per kg weight gain was significantly increased by an increase in CF to 36%. In the second experiment, separate feeding and total mixing feeding were compared. There were no significant differences between the two feeding systems in body weight gain although the possibility of superiority in SF to TMF remained. DM intake was not affected by the feeding system, but 30% CF diet gave higher DM intake. Feed cost per kg weight gain was lower in the 30% CF diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.298-303
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• 1997

Sixteen holstein heifers were employed to study the effect of thermal stress on rectal temperature and mineral status of heifers around parturition during hot and cool weather. During the hot weather, rectal temperatures of the heifers measured at 08:30 and 15:30 h from 7 d prepartum to parturition were higher than those during the cool weather. Blood hematocrit and hemoglobin were not significantly different between the hot and cool weather, but at 2 and 1 wk prepartum, those during the hot weather were higher. Plasma Ca, inorganic P and Fe of the heifers during the hot weather were higher than those during the cool weather, but plasma Mg and Zn and serum alkaline phosphatase during the hot weather were lower. Colostral protein and Mg of heifers at parturition during the hot weather were lower than those during the cool weather, but colostral Ca, P, Fe and Zn were not affected by the weather.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

Growth rate during rearing, which varies depending on provided nutrition, has been related with age at $1^{st}$ calving (AFC). This study investigated the effect of upgrowth parameters during the rearing period on the reproduction of nulliparous Holstein heifers. The study comprised 77 successively born heifers from the same herd. Growth rate and fertility traits were measured during rearing and fertility parameters were recorded in lactations 1. Growth parameters (body weight, height, heart girth and body length) were measured at the approximate birth time, 270 and 450 d of age. Reproduction data collected included age at $1^{st}$ breeding, number of services per conception (S/C), pregnancy rate to $1^{st}$ artificial insemination, AFC. Animals were subsequently divided into 4 AFC groups for analysis: <23 mo, 23~25 mo, 26~30 mo and >30 mo. The AFC reflected both upgrowth rate and heifer reproduction, with later calving heifers smaller. Increased skeletal growth (at 270 and 450 d) was related with a reduced AFC (p<0.05). Early calving animals (<23 mo) had the best reproduction as nulliparous heifers, with most conceiving at first service (87.5%). Fertility in the first lactation was the worst in the oldest AFC group (>30 mo). In the 1st lactation period, a number of services per conception ($3.1{\pm}0.3$) increased with increasing AFC (>30 mo). Sub-optimal upgrowth related with an increased AFC could be mitigated by improved monitoring of replacement heifers during the rearing period.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.914-921
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• 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality in young bulls, steers and heifers produced by crossing Limousin bulls with Holstein-Friesian cows, fattened semi-intensively and slaughtered at 18 months of age. Methods: Thirty-one young calves were reared in a conventional production system, and were fed milk replacer, hay and concentrate. At 6 months of age, the animals were divided into groups based on gender, and were fed a total mixed ration composed of grass silage, concentrates I and II in a semi-intensive production system. At the end of the fattening period (18 months), the animals were slaughtered, carcass quality was evaluated, and samples of musculus longissimus thoracis were collected to determine the proximate composition and quality of meat. Results: Bulls were characterized by the highest percentage share of the most valuable cuts in the carcass, and three-rib sections from bull carcasses had the highest lean meat content with low intramuscular fat content (0.93%). No significant differences in carcass conformation, dressing percentage or the percentage share of round in the right half-carcass were found between bulls vs. steers and heifers. Heifers and steers had higher carcass fat content than bulls, which had a positive influence on the sensory properties of beef. In comparison with the meat of bulls, the meat of steers and heifers was characterized by more desirable physical properties and sensory attributes (water-holding capacity, shear force, color lightness, aroma, juiciness, tenderness, flavor). Conclusion: Under the semi-intensive production system, heifers and steers had higher carcass fat content than bulls, which had a positive effect on the sensory properties of beef. Bulls are better suited for intensive systems, which contribute to improving the quality of their meat. The results of this study may encourage producers to breed steers and heifers for beef.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the reproduction efficiency and disease of Holstein heifer grazed on mixed pasture desighed with association of tall fescue and white clover cultivar (3 treatments = TI : Tall fescue Fawn + White clover Regal + Orchardgrass + Perennial ryegrass, T2 : Tall fescue Roa + Ladino clover Regal + Orchardgrass + Perennial ryegrass, T3 : Tall fescue Roa + White clover Tahora + Orchardgrass + Perennial ryegrass) on reproduction efficiency and disease in Holstein heifers, ftom April 1994 to November 1996. The results are as follows: 1. Erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin and packed cell volume of hematological values were $8.12\times10^6/{\mu}\ell, 9.9g/m\ell and 30.6m\ell/100m\ell$ respectively. While those were decreased to $4.84~5.93 \times10^6/{\mu}\ell, 7.0~7.8g/100m\ell and 22.8~28.3m\ell/100m\ell$, on pastuage (May-August), WBC counts was increased from $14.4\times10^3/{\mu}\ell to 14.0~18.3 \times 10^{3/\mu\ell}$ on pasturage. No significant differences were detected among the treatments on pastures. 2. Parasitemia levels increased to $14.0\pm8.2$(parasite/1,000rbc) at 1 month after pasturage. 3. At the occurrence of tirst estrus and conception, the average age of the Holstein heifers was $14.3\pm1.9$ and $17.4\pm1.5$ months, respectively, and the average interval of estrus cycle was $20.6\pm1.0$ days. Howerer, there was no significant difference on reproductive efficiency among 3 treatments. 4. The outbreak of diseases were tick bane disease, pink eye, pneumonia, mastitis, gastroentitis, waterpoisoning ringworm papillon and atosis during pasturage period(may-october). These diseases were showed no significant difference among 3 treatments. 5. In conclusion, there are no significant difference on the reproductive effeciency and disease outbreak among three treatments.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2012

This study investigated the effect of birth weight on the fertility of Holstein heifers. Growth parameter (body weight) was measured at birth. Calves were analyzed as three subgroups: low (L), average (A) and high (H) birth weight (BW) calves. LBW calves were born 10 kg lighter than HBW calves. Fertility data collected included age at first breeding (AFB), number of services per conception, pregnancy rate to first artificial insemination (AI), and age at first calving (AFC). Primiparous calves in HBW are smaller compared to multiparous cows (18.3% versus 48%). Although not significantly different, LBW offspring appeared to breed faster over the service period compared with the ABW offspring that bred three weeks later on the average. The mean pregnancy rate to first AI for LBW heifers was higher (60%) than ABW (48%) and HBW (45%). HBW cows required more services per conception (2.1) than the LBW (1.7) and ABW (1.9). There were significant differences (p<0.05) in age at first calving among the different calving birth weights. Smaller birth size did not have any subsequent adverse effects on fertility. HBW offspring were more likely or tend to have worse fertility parameters.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.546-547
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• 1989

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1513-1520
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• 2009

Forty-six Holstein heifers were used in a completely randomized design and assigned to 1 of 2 treatments to evaluate the effects of 2 diets varying in ruminal fermentable carbohydrate sources, namely ground corn (GC) and rolled wheat (RW), on metabolism and performance of primiparous cows in the periparturient period. The heifers were fed diets as a total mixed ration (TMR) with similar energy and crude protein content including i) 18.57% GC, or ii) 18.57% RW from -24.13${\pm}$7.73 d relative to expected calving until calving. After calving, all animals received the same lactation diet until 28 d. Animals were group fed from the beginning of the study to -7 d relative to expected calving, fed individually from d -7 to 7 days in milk (DIM), and again group fed to 28 DIM. The pre-partum diets affected (p<0.05) dry matter intake (DMI), energy intake, energy balance (EB) and urinary pH during the last week pre-partum. There was no effect of pre-partum carbohydrate source on overall plasma concentration of glucose, nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), $\beta$-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), albumin, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), insulin, and cortisol during the periparturient period. Cows fed the RW diet during the pre-partum period had greater calcium for the first week (p<0.05) and during 28 d (p = 0.08) of lactation compared with heifers fed the GC diet. Primiparous cows fed the RW diet produced greater milk protein content and yield (p<0.05). Primiparous cows fed the RW diet had lower milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and somatic cell count (SCC) than cows fed the GC diet (p<0.05). The results of this study show that feeding pre-partum diets with a rapidly fermentable source of starch but low energy content can improve animal metabolism and performance and smooth the transition of primiparous Holstein cows from gestation to lactation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1205-1212
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of different dietary ratio of metabolizable glucose (MG) to metabolizable protein (MP) on growth performance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation parameters and the ruminal microbial community of 8 to 10-month-old heifers. Methods: A total of 24 Holstein heifers weighing an average of 282.90 kg (8 month of age) were randomly assigned to four groups of six. The heifers were fed one of four diets of different dietary MG/MP (0.97, 1.07, 1.13, and 1.26). Results: The results showed that the ratio of MG/MP affected the growth performance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation parameters and the ruminal microbial community of heifers. The average daily gain of heifers was enhanced by increasing the ratio of MG/MP (p<0.05). The concentration of blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as the concentration of total volatile fatty acid in the rumen fluid of heifers decreased with the improvement in the ratio of dietary MG/MP (p<0.05). However, the relative amount of Ruminococcus albus and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens in the rumen of heifers was increased significantly (p<0.05) when the dietary MG/MP increased. At the same time, with the improvement in dietary MG/MP, the amount of Fibrobacter succinogenes increased (p = 0.08). Conclusion: A diet with an optimal ratio (1.13) of MG/MP was beneficial for the improvement of growth, rumen fermentation, dietary protein and energy utilization of 8 to 10-month-old dairy heifers in this experiment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.549-554
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• 2003

In order to estimate the availability of ruminally-protected Lys (RPLys) and Met (RPMet), quantitative changes of free Lys and Met in the total abomasal outflow and feces were determined in three Holstein heifers with a T-shaped duodenal cannula. RPLys was prepared by coating Lys with fat and RPMet with a pH-sensitive polymer. RPLys and RPMet containing 30 g of each amino acid were supplied together to heifers, and total abomasal outflow was collected hourly from the T-shaped duodenal cannula for a 48 h period. Collected abomasal outflows were fractionated into liquid and solid phases to measure free Lys and Met concentration. At 2 wk after total abomasal outflow sampling, heifers were supplied RPLys and RPMet together again, and total feces were collected every 12 h for a 3 d period t estimate excreted RPLys and RPMet in feces. The amounts of Lys and Met recovered from the liquid fractions of abomasal outflow were estimated to be $23.9{\pm}8.3%$ and $68.6{\pm}3.6%$ (p=0.008) of RPLys and RPMet ingested, respectively. Final intestinal disappearances of Lys and Met were estimated to be $49.5{\pm}2.6%$ and $78.2%{\pm}6.5%$ (p=0.015) of ingested RPLys and RPMet, respectively.