Intake and annual performance of Limousin × Holstein-Friesian and Simmental × Holstein-Friesian beef suckler cows, and pre-weaning growth of their calves Beef cross dairy heifers remain a significant source of replacement breeding stock for the suckler herd in Ireland. Previous studies at this centre have compared Hereford × Friesian beef suckler dams with Charolais × Friesian and Limousin × Fr...

A study was conducted evaluating the effect of long-term Cu deficiency, with or without high Mn, on growth, gene expression and Cu status of beef cattle. Twenty-one Angus calves were born to cows receiving one of the following treatments: (1) 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM (+Cu); (2) no supplemental Cu and 2 mg Mo/kg DM ( - Cu); (3) - Cu diet plus 500 mg supplemental Mn/kg DM ( - Cu+Mn). Calves we...

The present report describes the clinical, pathological, serological and virological findings in calves from 2 larger Danish beef herds experiencing outbreaks of pneumonia. The calves had been vaccinated with an inactivated bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccine 2 months prior to the outbreak. The clinical signs comprised nasal discharge, pyrexia, cough and increased respiratory rate...

Calves weaned on cow­calf operations throughout Arkansas even­ tually move on to stocker, feedlot and packer operations. Wide variations in carcass uniformity and consistency exist among these calves. Potential carcass problems can include inappro­ priate carcass size and weight, i nadequate tenderness, insufficient intramuscular fat (marbling) and excess external fat cover. Many of these quali...

Florida ranks third among states east of the Mississippi river and 12th nationally in total number of beef cows (Florida Agricultural Statistics Service, 2002 Report). In contrast with other states, that may feed or background many of their weaned calves, more than 75% of Florida's calves are marketed each year. The beef industry in Florida is based primarily on calves that are conceived, born,...

The study objective was to investigate the physiological effects of weaning on beef calves and identify a panel of blood-based welfare biomarkers. On the day (d) of weaning (d 0), 16 spring-born, single-suckled, beef bull calves that previously grazed with their dams at pasture, were assigned to one of two treatments: (1) control (n = 8), calves were loose-housed with their dam, (2) weaned (n =...

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral important for immune function and overall health of cattle. The nasopharyngeal microbiota in cattle plays an important role in overall respiratory health, especially when stresses associated with weaning, transport, and adaptation to a feedlot affect the normal respiratory defenses. Recent evidence suggests that cattle diagnosed with bovine respirator...

The aim of this study was to compare conventional and organic diets in beef production. Thirty-two dairy beef calves were used in 4 treatments: organic diet with three levels of forage [70% of organic diet with high amount of forage (ORH), 55% of organic diet with medium amount of forage (ORM), 38% of organic diet with low amount of forage(ORL)] and conventional diet (CON). The dry matter intak...

Strategies to control bovine respiratory disease depend on accurate classification of disease risk. An objective method to refine the risk classification of beef calves could be economically beneficial, improve welfare by preventing unexpected disease occurrences, refine and reduce the use of antibiotics in beef production, and facilitate alternative methods of disease control. The objective of...

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in calves younger than 10 weeks was estimated in a cross-sectional epidemiological study on 100 dairy (n=499) and 50 beef (n=333) farms in East Flanders (Belgium), using a previously evaluated immunofluorescence assay (Merifluor). The calf prevalence was 37% (95% Probability Interval (PI): 7-70%) in dairy calves and 12% (95% PI: 1-30%) in beef calves. To elucid...