Journal of Animal Science, Vol 68, Issue 4 937-943, Copyright © 1990 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Techniques for estimation of milk yield in beef cows and relationships of milk yield to calf weight gain and postpartum reproduction

W. E. Beal, D. R. Notter and R. M. Akers
Dept. of Anim. Sci., Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg 24061.

Milk production is a primary factor controlling weaning weight of beef calves. The purpose of this experiment was to develop a practical and reliable on-farm method of estimating milk production and to relate estimates of milk production and milk composition to preweaning weight gain of calves. A second objective was to relate milk production to postpartum ovarian activity. Milk production of spring- and fall-calving grade Angus cows was estimated by machine milking (MM; average of 66, 123 and 189 d postpartum) and weigh-suckle-weigh (WSW; average of 50, 95, 136 and 179 d postpartum) techniques following overnight calf removal. Cows and calves were weighed monthly and the postpartum interval to first ovulation following calving was determined. The repeatability of the estimated milk production by MM (.97) was higher (P less than .01) than by WSW (.35). The correlation of average WSW and average MM estimates of milk production with preweaning calf gain were high and similar (greater than .75). Inclusion of milk composition did not improve the multiple correlation of MM-estimated milk production and calf gain. Neither milk production in early lactation (-.06) nor prebreeding weight change (-.07) was correlated with postpartum interval to ovulation. Machine milking was a repeatable method of estimating milk production of beef cows and can be used to evaluate effects of management variables on lactation of beef cows.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. W. Shike, D. B. Faulkner, D. F. Parrett, and W. J. Sexten Influences of Corn Co-products in Limit-Fed Rations on Cow Performance, Lactation, Nutrient Output, and Subsequent Reproduction Professional Animal Scientist, April 1, 2009; 25(2): 132 - 138. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Calegare, M. M. Alencar, I. U. Packer, and D. P. D. Lanna Energy requirements and cow/calf efficiency of Nellore and Continental and British Bos taurus x Nellore crosses J Anim Sci, October 1, 2007; 85(10): 2413 - 2422. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. C. Waterman, E. E. Grings, T. W. Geary, A. J. Roberts, L. J. Alexander, and M. D. MacNeil Influence of seasonal forage quality on glucose kinetics of young beef cows J Anim Sci, October 1, 2007; 85(10): 2582 - 2595. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. G. Jenkins and C. L. Ferrell Daily dry matter intake to sustain body weight of mature, nonlactating, nonpregnant cows J Anim Sci, July 1, 2007; 85(7): 1787 - 1792. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L. Lake, E. J. Scholljegerdes, R. L. Atkinson, V. Nayigihugu, S. I. Paisley, D. C. Rule, G. E. Moss, T. J. Robinson, and B. W. Hess Body condition score at parturition and postpartum supplemental fat effects on cow and calf performance J Anim Sci, December 1, 2005; 83(12): 2908 - 2917. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. L. Sapp, R. Rekaya, and J. K. Bertrand Teat scores in first-parity Gelbvieh cows: Relationship with suspensory score and calf growth traits J Anim Sci, August 1, 2004; 82(8): 2277 - 2284. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. F. Baker and M. E. Boyd Evaluation of age of dam effects on maternal performance of multilactation daughters from high- and low-milk EPD sires at three locations in the southern United States J Anim Sci, July 1, 2003; 81(7): 1693 - 1699. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Brown and A. H. Brown Jr. Relationship of milk yield and quality to preweaning gain of calves from Angus, Brahman and reciprocal-cross cows on different forage systems J Anim Sci, October 1, 2002; 80(10): 2522 - 2527. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]