Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-02T19:28:53.273Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Genetic control of equilibrium maintenance efficiency in cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

C. S. Taylor ,
H. G. Turner  and
G. B. Young
C. S. Taylor
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
H. G. Turner
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
G. B. Young
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
Get access

Abstract

Twenty-two unmated female Ayrshire twin cattle, that had initially been maintained for prolonged periods on one of six constant feeding levels until an equilibrium weight was attained, were subsequently moved up to higher constant feeding levels including ad libitum. In all, results were obtained for 44 equilibrium periods mostly of 96 weeks duration.

For controlled feeding levels, the log-log,. regression of equilibrium body weight on food intake, within animals, was 0·999 (s.e. 0·045). For all results, including mature equilibria, the within-animal regression was 1–014. There was thus no systematic change in an individual's equilibrium maintenance requirement per kg body weight in the range from 25%, to 100%, mature. Efficiency of food utilization for equilibrium maintenance was found to be independent of age also, except for a small increase at advanced ages beyond 8 to 9 years.

There were significant differences between animals in equilibrium maintenance efficiency, the genetic coefficient of variation being 6·4%. The most striking result, however, was a within-animal repeatability of 0·7, which meant that almost the same efficiency was re-attained when, after a prolonged period of many years on one constant feeding level, the same animal was allowed to re-establish a new equilibrium on a higher level.

Following prolonged periods of food restriction, the animals showed remarkable capacity to recover in body weight even at very advanced ages, but nevertheless substantial stunting of mature weight did occur.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , October 1981 , pp. 179 - 194
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1981

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Agricultural Research Council. 1965. The Nutrient Requirements of Farm Livestock. No. 2, Ruminants. Agricultural Research Council, London.Google Scholar
Allden, W. G. 1970. The effects of nutritional deprivation on the subsequent productivity of sheep and cattle. Nutr. Abstr. Rev. 40: 1167–1184.Google ScholarPubMed
Blaxter, K. L. 1962. The Energy Metabolism of Ruminants. Hutchinson, London.Google Scholar
Blaxter, K. L. and Boyne, A. W. 1978. The estimation of the nutritive value of feeds as energy sources for ruminants and the derivation of feeding systems. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 90: 47–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fitzhugh, H. A. Jr and Taylor, St C. S. 1971. Genetic analysis of degree of maturity. J. Anim. Sci. 33: 717–725.Google Scholar
Frisch, J. E. 1972. Comparative drought resistance of Bos indicus and Bos taurus crossbred herds in central Queensland. 1. Relative weights and weight changes of maiden heifers. Aust. J. exp. Agric. Anim. Husb. 12: 231–233.Google Scholar
Frisch, J. E. 1973. Comparative drought resistance of Bos indicus and Bos taurus crossbred herds in central Queensland. 2. Relative mortality rates, calf birth weights and weight changes of breeding cows. Aust. J. exp. Agric. Anim. Husb. 13: 117–126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frisch, J. E. and Vercoe, J. E. 1977. Food intake, eating rate, weight gains, metabolic rate and efficiency of feed utilization in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred cattle. Anim. Prod. 25: 343–358.Google Scholar
Hogan, A. G. 1929. Retarded growth and mature size of beef steers. Res. Bull. Mo. agric. Exp. Stn, No. 123.Google Scholar
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. 1975. Energy allowances and feeding systems for ruminants. Tech. Bull. 33. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.Google Scholar
Roberts, R. C. 1961. The lifetime growth and reproduction of selected strains of mice. Heredity, Lond. 16: 369–381.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, St C. S. and Young, G. B. 1966. Variation in growth and efficiency in twin cattle with live weight and food intake controlled. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 66: 67–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, St C. S. and Young, G. B. 1968. Equilibrium weight in relation to food intake and genotype in twin cattle. Anim. Prod. 10: 393–412.Google Scholar
Vercoe, J. E. 1970. Fasting metabolism and heat increment of feeding in Brahman × British and British cross cattle. In 5th Symp. Energy Metab. Fm Anims. Publ. Eur. Ass. Anim. Prod, No. 13 (ed. Schiirch, A. and Wanke, C.), pp. 85–88. Juris, Zurich.Google Scholar