Effects of Separation of Cows and Calves on Reproductive Performance and Animal Welfare in Tropical Beef Cattle

Orihuela, Agustı́n; Galina, C.S.

doi:10.3390/ani9050223

Cited by 38 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…Transporting animals to the slaughterhouse or a new farm can stress them [ 32 , 33 ]. Weaning stresses calves and is a key issue in animal welfare [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The present survey focuses on stressors essential for beef cattle management but rarely reviewed in the literature: management stress due to handling, social environment or weaning; nutritional stress; and thermal stress.…”

Section: Definitions Physiology and Quantification Of Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Weaning can be performed in different ways: suddenly or progressively, earlier in the calf’s life (e.g., a few weeks after birth) or later (traditionally 7 months) [ 34 , 36 ]. Progressive weaning, such as through the use of fences, nose-flaps or timed-contact with dams, together with restricted sucking, may best approximate the natural process in mammals [ 115 ].…”

Section: Main Stressors In the Beef Cowmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This rate is a major economic index for the farm. Therefore, calves should not be allowed to suckle too long, since this interferes with GnRH secretion by the hypothalamus and even the mother’s seeing and smelling the calf can prevent the GnRH secretion and the LH release, prolonging anestrus [ 36 , 117 , 118 ]. Thus, weaning in beef cattle should be carried out early enough to maximize production but not too early to jeopardize animal welfare.…”

Section: Main Stressors In the Beef Cowmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of Stress on Reproduction and Reproductive Technologies in Beef Cattle—A Review

Fernández-Novo¹,

Pérez-Garnelo

Villagrá

et al. 2020

Animals

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Researchers have contributed by increasing our understanding of the factors affecting reproduction in beef, mainly physical health and nutrition aspects, which have been main concerns during decades. Animal welfare is of outmost relevance in all animal production systems and it is strongly associated to stress. Stress responses involve endocrine, paracrine and neural systems and the consequences of this stress on the reproductive efficiency of specifically, beef cattle and bulls, need to be highlighted. We, therefore, describe the fundamentals of stress and its quantification, focusing in beef herds, reviewing the highly valuable pieces of research, already implemented in this field. We examine major factors (stressors) contributing to stress in beef cattle and their effects on the animals, their reproductive performance and the success of reproductive biotechnologies. We include terms such as acclimatization, acclimation or temperament, very relevant in beef systems. We examine specifically the management stress due to handling, social environment and hierarchy or weaning effects; nutritional stress; and thermal stress (not only heat stress) and also review the influence of these stressors on reproductive performance and effectiveness of reproductive biotechnologies in beef herds. A final message on the attention that should be devoted to these factors is highlighted.

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Section: Definitions Physiology and Quantification Of Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Main Stressors In the Beef Cowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Main Stressors In the Beef Cowmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Effect of Stress on Reproduction and Reproductive Technologies in Beef Cattle—A Review

Fernández-Novo¹,

Pérez-Garnelo

Villagrá

et al. 2020

Animals

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“…19 Further, the use of nose flaps helps to maintain a higher BCS in the cows, which improves their reproductive efficiency. 20,21 Restricted suckling on the other hand has been shown to advance the resumption of postpartum ovarian cyclicity and increase pregnancy rates. 21 Nonetheless, this latter practice is not favored by the farmers as they believe that it is extremely stressful for young animals and requires special accommodations, as well as additional provisions to impede cows and calves from seeking to reunite during this period.…”

Section: Annual Breeding Strategy Sedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cow-calf management practices in Mexico: Reproduction and breeding

et al. 2020

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Beef cattle breeding has developed in extensive grazing systems in Mexico, concerning the livelihood of over one million families and affecting the use of natural resources. Reproductive efficiency is a major determinant of both the environmental impact of the herd, and the economic viability of the cow-calf production system. As reproductive traits have low heritability, reproductive efficiency can be largely influenced by herd management practices. Thus, a questionnaire was administered as personal interviews to 3280 producers, to investigate the prevalence of practices that could directly influence the reproductive outcome of their cattle. Results show that yearround breeding (93%) and natural service by the bull (97.4%) are the most common mating methods. However, only 41% of producers evaluate the breeding soundness of their bulls, and diagnostic testing for specific reproductive diseases of the sires is barely performed in 20% of the farms. The main declared reason for replacing the bull is old age (26.8%), which is followed by to avoid inbreeding (68.4%). Less than 10% of the operations use methods for the synchronization of the estrous cycle, and most farmers breed their heifers for the first time after 2 years of age (73%). Diagnosis of pregnancy is performed in merely 31% of operations, with 23% of the producers declaring to discard non-pregnant cows. Energy or protein feed supplements are provided to the cattle in 63% of the production units, whilst mineral supplements are given in 79% of the farms. Calves are typically weaned between 6 months and a year of age (85%). Only 16% of operations vaccinate against brucellosis and 17.5% against other reproductive

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“…Weaning is an important calf management system carried out in beef and dairy farms through different methods [ 1 ]. During weaning, calves are exposed to several stressful factors, which can lead to increases in disease susceptibility and reduced production, with decreases in body weight (BW) [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Parenteral Supplementation with Minerals and Vitamins on Oxidative Stress and Humoral Immune Response of Weaning Calves

Mattioli

Rosa

Turic³

et al. 2020

Animals

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We aimed to evaluate the effects of injectable mineral and vitamin supplementation on weaning calves subjected to a low-stress (fence-line) weaning system. Seven-month-old Aberdeen Angus female calves (n = 40, 152 ± 11 kg body weight) from a selenium-deficient area of extensive cattle production on natural grass were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 20 each). One group received subcutaneous supplementation with copper, zinc, selenium, manganese and vitamins A and E (SG), and the other was given sterile saline solution (CG). The animals were supplemented twice, seven days before weaning (day −7) and on the day of weaning (day 0), and they were evaluated 30 (+30) and 60 (+60) days after weaning. Total antioxidant status (TAS), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, body weight, and average daily gain (ADG) were evaluated. Additionally, antibody titers were assessed prior to and after each immunization with a vaccine containing bovine herpes virus type 1 (BoHV-1). On day +30, body weight (p = 0.03) was higher in SG, whereas TAS (p = 0.02) and GPx (p = 0.0038) activity were lower in CG and remained constant in SG. Antibody titers increased in SG and CG following immunization, being higher in SG on days +30 and +60 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, parenteral supplementation of minerals and vitamins with antioxidant effects in a low-stress weaning system prevented the decrease in TAS and GPx activity, improved antibody response and had positive effects on body weight.

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Effects of Separation of Cows and Calves on Reproductive Performance and Animal Welfare in Tropical Beef Cattle

Cited by 38 publications

References 88 publications

The Effect of Stress on Reproduction and Reproductive Technologies in Beef Cattle—A Review

The Effect of Stress on Reproduction and Reproductive Technologies in Beef Cattle—A Review

Cow-calf management practices in Mexico: Reproduction and breeding

Effects of Parenteral Supplementation with Minerals and Vitamins on Oxidative Stress and Humoral Immune Response of Weaning Calves

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