EFFECT OF FENCE-LINE WEANING ON EGYPTIAN BUFFALOES' MILK PRODUCTION AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THEIR CALVES

Authors

  • Tamer Mosaad Hassan Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Qalyubia 13736, Egypt.
  • Mayada S. H. Mahmoud Buffaloes Breeding Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Dokki, Giza, Egyp
  • A. S. M. Soliman Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Egypt
  • M. R. El-Mahdy Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Egypt
  • Hoda Z. Hassan Buffaloes Breeding Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Dokki, Giza, Egyp

Keywords:

fence-line, milk, calve performance, immune response, Egyptian buffaloes

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to reduce the stress associated with weaning process for a mother and its weaned calf by increasing the productive performance of the mother and reproductive performance (early return to estrous and conception), increasing the growth rate and some body measurements of calves post-weaning, as well as improving the immunological responses of both mother and calf.  Egyptian buffaloes and their calves used in this study (n = 40) were divided into two weaning system groups: 20 buffaloes in fence-line and 20 buffaloes in traditional weaning system. Buffaloes and their calves were placed on opposite sides of strong fence. They had nose-to-nose contact; fence-line visits gradually decreased after the first three days. Milk production and its components were measured. Blood samples were taken for analyzing weekly after calving until 8th week. As a result, regression coefficients of the equation of Wood lactation curve showed that weaning system had different (P < 0.001) a, b and c parameters. Buffaloes with fence-line weaning had the highest (P < 0.001) milk production and milk component values during 8 months of lactation. Fence-line weaning calves had superior (P < 0.001) performance than traditional weaning calves. Immunoglobulin content (immunity) was increased in buffaloes and their calves weaned using the fence-line system. Calves' sex and dams parity effects showed the normal expression. In conclusion, the fence-line system can provide to gain more milk yield, calf growth performance and immunity, and therefore, we recommend this system for buffalo's producers.

References

Abdel-Salam, S. A. M., Mekkawy, W., Hafez, Y. M., Zaki, A. A. & Abou-Bakr, S. (2011). Fitting lactation curve of Egyptian buffalo using three different models. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 48(2), 119–133.

Bailey, E. A., Jaeger, J. R., Waggoner, J. W., Preedy, G. W., Pacheco, L. A. & Olson, K. C. (2016). Effect of fence-line or drylot weaning on the health and performance of beef calves during weaning, receiving, and finishing. The Professional Animal Scientist, 32(2), 220–228.

Bampidis, V. A., Nistor, E., Skapetas, V. B., Christodoulou, V., Chatziplis, D., Mitsopoulos, I. & Lagka, V. (2012). Effect of parity and calving month on milk production and quality of Greek buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 45(2), 216–220.

Bayou, E., Haile, A., Gizaw, S. & Mekasha, Y. (2015). Evaluation of non-genetic factors affecting calf growth, reproductive performance and milk yield of traditionally managed Sheko cattle in southwest Ethiopia. Springer Plus Journal, 4(1), 568.

Brown, K. (2013). Fence-line weaning can decrease stress and increase performance. ANGUS Journal, 216, 46–47.

Ibrahim, M. A. M. (2012). Effect of enrollment in milk recording systems on improving production of Egyptian buffalo. Journal Animal and Poultry Production, 3(1), 39–46.

Coleman, L. W., Hickson, R. E., Amoore, J., Laven, R. A. & Back, P. J. (2015). Colostral immunoglobulin G as a predictor for serum immunoglobulin G concentration in dairy calves. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 75, 3–8.

Khan, Z. U., Khan, S., Ahmad, N. & Raziq, A. (2007). Investigation of mortality incidence and managemental practices in buffalo calves at commercial dairy farms in Peshawar city. Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science, 2(3), 16–22.

Kišac, P., Brouček, J., Uhrinčať, M. & Hanus, A. (2011). Effect of weaning calves from mother at different ages on their growth and milk yield of mothers. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 56, 261–268.

Kumar, A., Kamboj, M. L., Kumar, S., Jingar, S. C., Lawania, P. & Bugaliya, H. L. (2017). Performance of Murrah buffalo and their calves under weaning and suckling system. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 6(7), 2452–2459.

Fahey, J. L. & McKelvey, E. M. (1965). Quantitative Determination of Serum Immunoglobulins in Antibody-Agar Plates. The Journal of Immunology, 94(1), 84–90.

Gajbhiye, P. U., Ahlawat, A. R., Sharma, H. A. & Parikh, S. S. (2019). Effect of stage, season and parity of lactation on milk composition in Gir cattle. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 8(3), 2419–2425.

Lalman, D. & Smith, R. (2007). Effects of preconditioning on health, performance and prices of weaned calves. Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. ANSI-3529, 17, 1–8.

Lalman, D., Gill, D., Highfill, G., Wallace, J., Barnes, K., Strasia C. & LeValley, B. (2002). Nutrition and Management Considerations for Preconditioning Home Raised Beef Calves. Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. ANSI-303, 12, 52–60.

MAL, R. (2008). Ministry of Agricultural and Land Reclamation. Economic Affairs Sector, study of statistics for animal, poultry and fish wealth, Egyptian Ministry of Agricultural and Land Reclamation, 18, 145–159.

NRC (1985). Nutrient requirements of animal, six's revised edition. Subcommittee on animal nutrition, committee of animal nutrition, board on agriculture, National Research Council.

Price, E. O., Harris, J. E., Borgwardt, R. E., Sween, M. L. & Connor, J. M. (2003). Fence-line contact of beef calves with their dams at weaning reduces the negative effects of separation on behavior and growth rate. Journal of Animal Sciences, 81(1), 116–121.

Salama, M. A. M., El-Bedawy, T. M. & Bedeir, L. H. (1989). Effect of early weaning on productive performance of buffalo calves up to six months of age. In: Third Egyptian-British Conference on Animal, Fish and Poultry Production, Alexandria, 2, pp. 535–551.

Salama, M. & Mohy El-Deen, M. (1993). Feeding buffalo calves on whole milk as a percentage of birth weight. Publication-European Association for Animal Production, 62, 336–336.

SAS (2008). SAS Procedure Guide "version 9 Ed". SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NS, USA.

Tonhati, H., Cerón-Muñoz, M. F., Oliveira, J. A. D., El Faro, L., Lima, A. L. F. & Albuquerque, L. G. D. (2008). Test-day milk yield as a selection criterion for dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis Artiodactyla, Bovidae). Genetics and Molecular Biology, 31(3), 674–679.

Wood, P. D. P. (1967). Algebraic model of the lactation curve in cattle. Nature, 216, 164–165.

Yilmaz, I., Eyduran, E. & Kaygisiz, A. (2013). Determination of non-genetic factors influencing birth weight using regression tree method in brown-Swiss cattle. Canadian Journal of Applied Sciences, 1(3), 382–387.

Downloads

Published

2019-09-30

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 03 (2019)

Section

Articles