• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 2010

Effect of molasses addition to complete calf starter (CCS) and the following pellet processing was evaluated with 12 Holstein-Friesian (HF) calves (7-14 d old with $42\;{\pm}\;5.5\;kg$ average BW), with 6 calves (replicate) per treatment. The CCS was formulated with 65% concentrate calf starter and 35% local corn fodder. On the CCS, molasses was added either 5% (M5) or 10% (M10), then the mixture was pelleted and fed to the calves for 7 weeks. Molasses addition, regardless of addition level, improved (p<0.05) both the durability and hardness of the pellet which contains 35% of high fibrous local corn fodder. Upon feeding to calves, the feed intake and daily gain were numerically higher with 5% molasses addition compared to 10% molasses addition. Blood VFA level was remarkably higher (p<0.01) in calves fed M10 than calves fed M5. There was no difference (p>0.05) in blood glucose level between M5 and M10. Length and number of papillae were not different (p>0.05) by the addition levels of molasses. However, there was one exception in number of papillae at caudo-dorsal sac which were higher (p<0.05) number in M5 than M10 calves. Considering the quality of CCS pellet, calf performance and rumen development, there was no additional benefit of 10% molasses addition compared to 5%. From the results of this study, 5% molasses addition could be recommended for local farmer when they utilize local corn fodder to make CCS for HF calves in Indonesia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2012

The experiment involved observations of 2,514 Holstein-Friesian cows to determine the effects of environmental factors (cow's age, calving season, weight and sex of calves, housing system) and genetic factors on gestation length in dairy cattle and the correlation between gestation length and other reproductive traits (calving ease, stillbirth rates and placental expulsion). Genetic parameters were estimated based on the sires of calved cows (indirect effect) and the sires of live-born calves (direct effect). The following factors were found to contribute to prolonged gestation: increasing cow's age, male fetuses and growing fetus weight. Optimal gestation length was determined in the range of 275-277 days based on calving ease and stillbirth rates. The heritability of gestation length was estimated at 0.201-0.210 by the direct effect and 0.055-0.073 by the indirect effect. The resulting genetic correlations suggest that the efforts to optimize (prolong) gestation length could exert an adverse influence on the breeding value of bulls by increasing perinatal mortality and calving difficulty. The standard errors of the investigated parameters were relatively high, suggesting that any attempts to modify gestation length for the purpose of improving calving ease and reducing stillbirth rates should be introduced with great caution.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.435-438
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• 1992

Data were collected on productive and reproductive performance of different $F_1$ crossbred cows (Deshi cows joined by A.I. to Sindhi, Sahiwal, Jersey or Holstein-Friesian Bull semen) reared by farmers in and around the Bangladesh Agricultural University campus at Mymensingh. The traits considered were birth weight, age at first heat, age at first calving, gestation length, post-partum heat period, milk yield, lactation length, dry period and calving interval. Data were analyzed statistically using a completely randomized design and Duncan's Multiple Range Test to compare and determine the significance of between individual group means. It was observed that the Holstein $\times$ Deshi had the highest birth weight (21.4 kg) followed by Sahiwal (17.6 kg), Jersey (16.7 kg) and Sindhi (16.1 kg). Shortest age at first heat (854 and 920 days) and age at first calving (1002 and 1201 days) were found for the Jersey $\times$ Deshi and Holstein $\times$ Deshi crosses respectively. The post-partum heat period were significantly different between breeds with Jersey and Holstein sired calves having the shortest intervals. There was no difference in the gestation length of the four crosses. Holstein $\times$ Deshi and Jersey $\times$ Deshi cows gave the highest milk yields due to longer lactation periods and higher daily milk production. Similarly, Holstein $\times$ Deshi and Jersey $\times$ Deshi crosses had significantly shorter dry periods and Jersey $\times$ Deshi had a shorter calving interval. From this study it may be concluded that exotic genotypes such as Holstein-Friesian and Jersey can perform very well under rural conditions in Bangladesh.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.820-824
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• 2004

The study was to see the effect of administration of ruminal fungi on feed intake, growth rate, rumen fermentation and nutrient digestion of calves (Tharparkar$\times$Holstein-Friesian, average age: 10 months, average body weight: 130 kg). The 6 calves in first group were fed a mixture consisted of 50% wheat straw and 50% concentrate (Maize 62%, Groundnut cake 35%, Mineral mix. 2% and Common salt 1%) along with 1 kg green oats $animal^{-1}$ $day^{-1}$ while second group calves were fed the above-mentioned diet in addition to a dose of 160 ml ($10^{6}$ CFU/ml) fungal culture $calf^{-1}$ $week^{-1}$. The average dry matter intake per day was slightly lowered in fungal fed calves yet feed conversion ratio was higher. The average daily weight gain was significantly higher (15.37%) in fungal administered group as compared to control. The nutrient digestibility was increased for crude fibre, NDF and ADF with fungal administration. Digestible energy value of straw-based diet in terms of percent TDN also increased. The pH and $NH_{3}$-N were lower whereas TVFA, total-N, TCA-N and number of zoospores were higher in rumen liquor in fungal administered group.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.322-332
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• 2023

Objective: We determined the impact of maintaining pasture-based dairy cows and calves together over 100 days on cow milk production, cow and calf behavior, and calf liveweight and carcass quality. Methods: Six Holstein-Friesian cows and their male calves were monitored for 106±8.6 days. Cows were temporarily separated twice a day for milking with calves remaining in the paddock. Cow and calf behaviors were recorded via scan sampling at 6 different timepoints, for the first 7 days and twice a week thereafter. Calves were weighed weekly and immediately processed for meat quality and rumen development analysis at 106±8.6 days. Daily cow milk yields were collected from enrollment until 109±8.6 days (3 days post-weaning). Results: The average daily gain of calves was 1.4±0.73 kg/d, with an average carcass dressing percentage of 59%. Calves had the greatest frequency of observed close proximity to cow and suckling in the first two weeks and decreased with experiment duration. During separation for milking, cow vocalizations and attempts to return to their calf decreased over time. Reticulorumen weight was on target for calf age, but as a proportion of total stomach weight was lower than industry averages of calves the same age due to the larger abomasum. Cows produced an average of 12±7.6 kg of milk yield per day over the 3-days before the calves were weaned and increased to mean of 31±8.3 kg/d the 3 days after weaning, indicating a consumption of close to 20 kg per calf per day. Conclusion: The impact of a pasture-based cow-calf rearing system on cow and calf behavior and the potential for high levels of calf liveweight gain when provided ad-libitum milk and feed were determined. Further research is required to determine the practicality of replicating such systems with large herds and impact on reared calves post-weaning.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1461-1466
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• 2000

The use of the dairy male calf for beef production has been found to be economically unprofitable during the past due to high cost of feeds and relatively low beef price. However, due to current shortage of domestic beef supply and rising beef price, this research aimed to assess feeding methods and costs and returns in raising dairy male calves for beef production under changing economic conditions. Two diets were compared: calves on an optimal feeding level were given milk replacer for 44 d and a concentrate (with ad lib. hay) to 150 kg bodyweight that contained 16% crude protein; those given a sub-optimal diet, more appropriate for smallholder farms, received milk replacer for 30 d and 14% CP concentrate. Twelve pairs of dairy male calves (average age 32 days) of Holstein-Friesian high grades were used, each pair having similar influencing factors such as weight, age, and genotype. Each animal was kept in a separate feeding stall until reaching the final weight of 150 kg. The results from this experiment showed that the differences of traits concerning growth performance and feed efficiency of the animals raised under the two feeding regimes were statistically nonsignificant. The optimal group was just slightly better, but the cost of production of the sub-optimal group was 24 percent lower (4,667 vs. 6,144 baht per animal) and the cost difference was highly significant. The results from this investigation showed that beef production from dairy male calves can be economically viable when sub-optimal feeding method is used and market beef price is at current level.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.154-158
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• 2010

Embryo Transfer (ET) is one of the assisted reproductive technologies and a useful tool for improving herds. The purpose of this study is to produce the calves using frozen embryos which were produced in the top one percent Holstein in Canada by ET. One hundred seventeen recipients were used for surrogate mothers and seventy cows were diagnosed to be pregnant. Fifty seven calves were born successfully and thirteen out of them failed to produce viable calves (abortion: 4, stillbirth: 9). Their gestational length, birth body weight and sex ratio for all the viable calves(n = 57) were $278.1{\pm}3.6$ days (range: from 271 to 286 days), $44.0{\pm}3.0\;kg$ (range: from 37 to 49 kg) and 57.9 vs. 42.1 % (male 33 and female 24), respectively. Microsatellite analysis confirmed that they were derived from frozen embryos. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that viable calves derived from frozen-thawed embryos from Canada were born by ET.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.810-817
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• 2023

Objective: The aim was to compare the behavioral response to full separation of cows and calves maintained together for 100 days or 24 h. Methods: Twelve Holstein-Friesian cow-calf pairs were enrolled into either treatment or industry groups (n = 6 cow-calf pairs/group). The treatment cows and calves were maintained on pasture together for 106±8.6 d and temporarily separated twice a day for milking. The Industry cows and their calves, were separated within 24 h postpartum. Triaxial accelerometer neck-mounted sensors were fitted to cows 3 weeks before separation to measure hourly rumination and activity. Before separation, cow and calf behavior was observed by scan sampling for 15 min. During the separation process, frequency of vocalizations and turn arounds were recorded. At separation, cows were moved to an observation pen where behavior was recorded for 3 d. A CCTV camera was used to record video footage of cows within the observation pens and behavior was documented from the videos in 15 min intervals across the 3 d. Results: Before separation, industry calves were more likely to be near their mother than Treatment calves. During the separation process, vocalization and turn around behavior was similar between groups. After full separation, treatment cows vocalized three times more than industry cows. However, the frequency of time spent close to barrier, standing, lying, walking, and eating were similar between industry and treatment cows. Treatment cows had greater rumination duration, and were more active, than industry cows. Conclusion: These findings suggest a similar behavioral response to full calf separation and greater occurrence of vocalizations, from cows maintained in a long-term, pasture-based, cow-calf rearing system when ompared to cows separated within 24 h. However, further work is required to assess the impact of full separation on calf behavior.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.747-751
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• 1993

During the period from April 1991 to July 1992 clinical, hematological, and pathohistological findings of Holstein-friesian calves 47 with bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency(BLAD, immunologically ascertained), which were referzed to the clinic for diseases of cattle, veterinary school, Hannover, were described. Most cases show poor body condition, rough and dry in haircoat, salivation, gingivitis, reduction of gingiva and alveolar bone, exposing the incisors' necks, loss of teeth, phlegmonous subcutaneous swellings, ulcerated tongue, recurang fever, coughing, dyspnea, pharyngeal and laryngeal stertor, periodical diarrhea, impaired swallowing, placid and less painsensitive. Relevant laboratory findings are persistent leucocytosis(with more than 30,000 up to 150,000 cells per $mm^3$ of blood), marked neutrophilia(without "shift to the left"), hyperproteinemia, and hypergammaglobulinemia. At post-mortem the carcass of BLAD-affected calves is usually emaciated. All lymphnodes of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract appear markedly activated(swollen). Lesions in the mouth(gingivitis, defective dentition, pulpitis/alveolar paraodontitis, ulcerated tongue), throat and larynx(inflammation/ulceration), and lungs(pneumonic foci) correspond to the clinical symptoms seen on the living animal. There may be ulcers on the prestomachal mucosa, hyperemia of the intestinal mucosa with hyperplasia of Peyer's patches, ulceration and/or intramural abscesses. The spleen shows follicular hyperplasia. Microscopically, both myeloand erythropoesis are markedly activated in the bone marrow ; capillaries in many organs show leucocytostasis.