Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1983, 43: 171-174
Trials carried out over 3 seasons are reported. In 1980, 59 Sahiwal x
Friesian (S x F) and 56 Friesian (F) male calves were reared on a system
of free access to cold milk or colostrum outdoors. Death rate in S x F
calves was 19% while non of the F calves died. Surviving S x F calves
fed on whole milk to 9 weeks had average growth rates of 0.47 kg/d
compared with 0.64 kg/d for F calves. The high death rate and poor
growth rate of S x F calves appeared to be due to behavioural factors
adversely interacting with aspects of the rearing system.
In 1981 suckling behaviour on monozygotic twin dams of 8 S x F and 8
Bos taurus dairy-bred calves was compared. No differences were
found in suckling patterns and growth rates, nor was there a lack of
'suckling' drive while at pasture. Thirty-eight S-cross calves were
also successfully reared on a 'calfeteria' with twice-daily feeding.
In 1982 the ad libitum system was modified to include individual
training, feeding with warm milk, changing the teat ratio from 1 per 10
calves to 1 per 2 calves and keeping calf groups indoors until weaning
at 5 weeks of age. The S x F calves consumed more milk and grew faster
from birth to weaning (0.92 kg/d v 0.74 kg/d) than F calves. As well as
indicating the dairy beef potential of these S x F calves this final
trial showed the importance of breed behavioural factors and the need to
adapt rearing systems to animals rather than the reverse.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
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Last Updated 03-05-1997
