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Cow Breeding and Calf Growth Performance as Affected by Pregnancy Status the Previous Year^1,2,

University of Georgia^,5 Tifton 31793-0748

Abstract

A 2-yr study was conducted to compare the subsequent cow breeding and calf performance of cows that were nonpregnant with cows that were pregnant at the time calves were weaned. Cows were Angus (A), Polled Hereford (PH), Santa Gertrudis (SG) straightbreds and crossbreds of these breeds. Nonpregnant cows (G1) were 4- to 9-yr-olds that had a calf the previous year and appeared to be physically sound with no detection (by rectal palpation) of an abnormal reproductive tract due to disease, abnormal growth or calving difficulties. Pregnant cows (G2) were of similar age and breed composition to G1 cows. The 93 G1 and the 193 G2 cows were assigned within age and breed composition to sire breeding groups on pasture in an approximate 1:2 ratio, respectively, per sire. There were six A, three PH and one SG sires. The year prior to G1 cows being nonpregnant, G1 cows calved 11 d later (P<.01) than G2 cows. Subsequent to their being nonpregnant, G1 cows gained 27 kg more (P<.001) weight during the breeding period, had 5.4 percentage units more (P<.29) calves born, had calves 17 d earlier (P<.001) in the calving period, had calves that gained at a similar rate to weaning and had calves that were 14 kg heavier (P<.01) at weaning (due to their being 17 d older) compared with G2 cows and calves.

¹ The authors appreciate the cooperation of personnel at the Rogers Correctional Institution, Reidsville (a part of the Georgia Department of Corrections), which permitted the conduct of this research. Also, the authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Mr. B. G. Mullinix, Jr. for conducting the statistical analyses.

² Supported by State, Hatch and Regional S-10 funds.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci.

⁴ College of Vet. Med., Univ. of Georgia, Athens.

⁵ Coastal Plain Sta.