Effect of early weaning on the reproductive efficiency of Guzerá cows

Abstract

The early weaning method is an alternative to increase the body weight of calves, since it is based on the total or temporary interruption of suckling by animals, in an attempt to faster develop the rumen of those receiving milk ad libitum. Thus, this study was conducted in Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, in order to evaluate the weight gain of calves subjected to two weaning methods (conventional, i.e., calves were kept with cows, and controlled, where calves had access to suckling for one hour per day), as well as body condition and pregnancy rate of Guzerá primiparous and multiparous cows. Once a month, the animals were weighed, in order to measure their weight gain. At the birth and definite weaning of calves, the cows had their body condition evaluated, as well as their pregnancy rate, at the end of weaning. It was found that the controlled weaning method showed no significant difference, however, it becomes feasible in the beef cattle chain, since it can reduce the delivering intervals, due to the improved body condition of cows, especially in times of drought, when there is low food availability. An increase in the weight of calves at weaning was also observed for primiparous cows.