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Effect of Calf Weaning Age and Cow Supplementation on Cow Productivity¹

University of Florida, Everglades Research and Education Center, Belle Glade, FL 33430

Abstract

Five years of data were collected on 124 Brangus-type cows to evaluate weaning calves at 8.5 or 10.5 mo of age and winter supplementation of the brood cow with 2.25 kg of molasses daily. Cows with calves weaned at 10.5 mg of age gained 14 kg less weight (P<.01) during the late nursing period than did cows from which calves were earlier weaned. Age of calf at weaning had no effect on cow reproduction, but calves weaned at 10.5 mo were 2 to 3 d younger (P<.06) and 5.3 kg lighter (P<.05) at 8.5 mo of age. During the last 2 mo of nursing, calves weaned at 10.5 mo of age gained 37.2 kg and had a 31.9-kg heavier weaning weight than calves weaned at 8.5 mo of age. Molasses supplementation resulted in differences (P<.01) in cow weight changes. Cows fed molasses had calving percentages 5 to 7 units higher (P<.30) than cows not fed molasses. Feeding cows molasses for 145 d throughout the calving and breeding season increased calf weaning weight 7.7 (P<.02) and 11.2 (P<.03) kg, respectively, at 8.5 and 10.5 mo of age over the nonsupplemented controls.

¹ Florida Agr. Exp. Sta. Journal Ser. No. 5662.

² Present address: Agr. Res. and Ed. Center, Ona, FL 33865.

³ Present address: 905 Bryan St., La Belle, FL 33835.