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Effects of Single vs Simulated Twin Rearing on Cow and Calf Performance^{1 ,2,}

Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater 74074 and and U.S. Department of Agriculture, El Reno 73036

Abstract

Forty-six Hereford x Holstein cows were used to determine the performance of cows and calves when calves were reared as singles or simulated twins. Simulated twins were produced by forced adoption of a second newborn calf by cows at the time of birth of their natural calf. Cows rearing simulated twins produced 39% more (P<.05) milk and required 72% more winter supplement to sustain a winter weight loss comparable to cows rearing single calves. Cows rearing simulated twins had extended postpartum anestrus periods which were apparently due to the greater suckling intensities to which they were exposed. Cows rearing simulated twins were nursed more frequently (4.8 vs 3.4 times daily) and for a longer (P<.05) total interval each day (41.9 vs 33.4 min).

Cows rearing simulated twin pairs weaned 60% more total calf weight than cows rearing single calves. Adopted calves nursed less frequently, for a shorter (P<.05) total interval daily and were 43 kg lighter at weaning than their natural born mates.

¹ Journal Article 3217 of the Agricultural Experimental Station, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. This research was conducted by the Department of Animal Science in cooperation with the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Southern Region.

² The authors wish to express their appreciation to Leon Knori, Wayne Brown and Ed Stelting for their care of experimental animals and to Mike Brown for his assistance with the statistical analysis.

³ Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74074.

⁴ Present address: Southern Livestock and Forage Research Station, El Reno 73036.

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