OVULATION INDUCTION IN BEEF COWS WITH DIFFERENT FORAGES ALLOWANCES DURING POST PARTUM

Abstract

This experiment compared the efficiency of combined hormonal treatment and 96-hour calf removal with weaning in cows fed different forages allowances and with different weight gains. A total of 310 cows (190 Aberdeen Angus and 120 Charolais), 50 to 70 days postpartum, were sorted into 6 groups. Groups A2, A5, B2 and B5 were composed of 53, 49, 53 and 55 cows, respectively; the first two groups had higher forage availability, while the others had lower forage availability, in the postpartum period; groups A2 and B2 received 2mg estradiol benzoate (day zero) and the groups A5 and B5 5mg estradiol benzoate as well as an intra-vaginal device (CIDR) with progesterone. Six days later they received 1000UI equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). At day 7 the CIDR device was removed and the 96-hour calf removal period began. Groups AD and BD, with 52 and 48 cows and high and low forage availability respectively, in the postpartum period, were weaned on day 7. All cows that showed estrous were inseminated between day 7 and 17, and then were bred, up to day 67. Between days 60 and 127, ultrasounds diagnosis of pregnancy were performed. Data analysis was carried out using to the PROC CATMOD in the SAS statistical program. There were no significant differences in pregnancy (p>0.05) rates among groups submitted to different forage offers. Data was then analyzed according to whether the cow gamed or lost weight in the post partum period. These results indicate that weaning was more efficient than the hormonal treatment used and cows that lost weight in the have gained weight in the same period. KEY WORDS: Beef cows, forages availability, ovulation induction, post-partum anestrous, weaning.