Influence of keeping technology on the weight gain of the Aberdeen-Angus breed young animals in the colostrum period

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Introduction

Livestock farming plays an essential role in many countries' agro-industrial complex (Alhas et al., 2020; Korobkov et al., 2020; Palii & Palii, 2019); animal husbandry is a strategic industry that provides the population with complete protein foods, including meat.
According to medical norms of Ukraine, meat consumption should be 82 kg per capita, of which 36 kg is beef. In this country, the principal amount of beef is obtained from extra replacement young animals of dairy breeds (Kolisnyk et al., 2018) and only a tiny part of beef breeds. Nevertheless, given the peculiarities of beef cattle breeding, it can be argued that it can become the central reserve for high-quality beef production (Kozyr & Soloviov, 2017; Palii, 2019a).

Along with domestic beef breeds as Ukrainian, Volyn, Polissya, Southern, Simmental beef, and Ukrainian gray breeds, the most common imported breed in Ukraine is Aberdeen-Angus. Due to its precocity, well-defined meat forms, light calving, high adaptation to weather conditions, and pronounced marbling of the meat, this breed is promising for the development of beef cattle breeding (Humennyi et al., 2019; Vaz et al., 2008).

The Aberdeen-Angus breed ranks first among imported breeds by some animals. The weight of adult bulls is 800-900 kg; that of cows is 550-650 kg. The average daily weight gain of bulls reaches 800 g. At the age of 18 months, bulls weigh 460 kg and heifers - 370 kg. The meat industry's specifics are that the only product is a calf, and the technology includes two stages: raising calves with sucker cows up to 8 months of age and raising young after separating from the cow. One of the advantages of beef cattle breeding is its economic effectiveness. Keeping cattle in the summer on pastures minimizes production costs. During the grazing period, which can last up to 200 days, almost all feed needs are satisfied by grass. Grazing is used for breeding stock, fattening animals, and young animals' maintenance (Romanzin et al., 2013; Yoshihara et al., 2013). Mostly, beef cattle are kept in a stall-walking system, which provides for the animals to stay on pastures in summer and on the sites with light rooms or sheds in winter. Keeping cattle without capital premises in any weather conditions is possible due to its ability to deposit subcutaneous fat until the cold weather and the presence of dense hair. Cattle tolerate frost and dry snow well, but rain and strong winds inflate the hair and help lower body temperature, cause disease and quickly deplete animals. In order to eliminate this negative factor, sheds and windbreaks are being built in open areas. Mounds up to 15 m wide and up to 1.5 m high made of straw are placed in open areas (Kolisnyk et al., 2017; Palii, 2019b). This retention technology minimizes the cost of beef production and makes the meat industry cost-effective.

A calf being the only, and therefore the main, product in beef cattle breeding, the main task of the industry is to obtain a calf from each cow, to preserve it and let it fully grow throughout the growing period (Brščić et al., 2018; Palii, 2020; Shchepetilnikov, 2020). In beef cattle breeding, the colostrum period is the most critical, as newborn calves are not weaned, and calves must begin to suckle on their own in the first hour of life. Untimely receipt of colostrum or its receipt in insufficient quantities is the main reason for the delayed development of calves or their death in the first days of life (Kasap et al., 2018; Palii et al., 2020; Santman-Berends et al., 2019). Stable growth of young animals during all age periods is ensured by both good nutrition and livestock technology, which affects the industry's profitability (Kravchenko et al., 2019; Palii & Petrov, 2020). Under different housing technologies, cattle show different growth rates. Considering the importance of stable growth of young animals throughout the growing period, the question of studying the change in weight of young animals, which in the colostrum period were grown using different techniques, turns out to be relevant.

Materials and Methods

The scientific and economic experiment was conducted on cows and calves of the Aberdeen-Angus breed at the private enterprise 'Agro-Novoselivka 2009', Novovodolazhsky district of Kharkiv region. All cows of the farm and newborn calves obtained from them were included in the experiment.

Groups were formed by the method of balanced groups in comparable periods for three years. There turned nine problem pairs' cow-calf to be found in Group I, ten pairs - in Group II and 13 pairs - in Group III.

Problem pairs' cow-calf were detected among these animals by observing cows' and calves' communication during the first hours after calving. Problem pairs' cow-calf were considered to be paired with instincts' weak manifestations: maternal instinct in cows or sucking reflex in calves.

Calving took place in the spring months in group sections for keeping cows and calves without the use of premises in all three years.

The cows and calves in Group I, including the identified problem pairs' cow-calf, were kept in group sections from birth to weaning.
A new technological element, correction sections, was introduced to keep the problem pairs' cow-calf of Groups II and III. Only problem pairs were transferred to correctional sections for their joint maintenance during the colostrum period. After identifying the problem pair, it was transferred to a separate correction section 3x3 m in size, located in the group section for keeping cows and calves. The problem pair were kept together in the correction section until the calf began to suckle the mother independently and thoroughly, but not longer than seven days. After a complete restoration of communication between the cow and the calves, they were transferred back to the group section.

The preservation of problem calves in Group I was 33% (3 calves), that in Group II - 90% (9 calves), and in Group III, it was 77% (10 calves).

According to the technology of beef cattle breeding, calves up to 7 months were raised on suckling. In all three years, the diets of experimental animals met detailed feeding standards.

The live weight of calves was determined by individual weighing in the appropriate periods: at birth, at 7, 12, 15, and 18 months.
Average daily gain (R) was calculated according to the formula:

R = Wt-Wo/t₂-t₁,

where: R - Average daily gain, g;

Wt - Live weight of the animals at the beginning of the period, kg;

Wo - Live weight of the animals at the end of the period, kg;

t2 - The age at the end of the period, days;

t1 - The age at the beginning of the period, days.

Absolute weight gain was calculated according to the formula:

D = Wt-Wo,

where: R - Average daily gain, g;

Wt - Live weight of the animals at the beginning of the period, kg;

Wo - Live weight of the animals at the end of the period, kg;

t2 - The age at the end of the period, days;

t1 - The age at the beginning of the period, days.

Absolute weight gain was calculated according to the formula:

D = Wt-Wo,

where: D - absolute live weight gain during a specific period, kg;

Wt - live weight of the animals at the end of the period, kg;

Wo - live weight of the animals at the beginning of the period, kg.

The multiplicity of live weight gain was determined by dividing the live weight at 7, 12, 15, and 18 months by the newborn calves' live weight.

Student's t-test evaluated the reliability of the obtained results. The data were processed by the method of variation statistics according to M. A. Plochinskiy (1970) method using the Microsoft Excel computer program.

Results and Discussion

The growth rate of cattle varies at different ages. Our research has again proved that the problems at the beginning of sucking affect the safety of problem calves and the subsequent intensity of their growth (Table 1).

Table 1. Dynamics of live body weight of bull-calves, kg (M±m).

No significant difference between the groups was found in the live weight of problem bulls at birth. At 7 months, the advantage in live weight of calves of Group II over animals of Group I was 53.4 kg and That of Group III - 55.2 kg. At the age of 12 months, Group II bull-calves exceeded Group I's live weight of bull-calves by 87.2 kg and bull-calves of Group III - by 88 kg, respectively. At 15 months, the predominance of Groups II and III animals over those from Group I was 110.2 kg and 112.0 kg, respectively. The trend of preference for live weight of bull-calves from Groups II and III is observed at 18 months and is 134.5 in favor of Group II and 137.1 kg in favor of Group III.

Thus, bull-calves of Groups II and III, which were transferred to the correctional sections in the colostrum period together with the mother cows, in live weight significantly (P>0.999) surpassed the bull-calves of the I Group, which were not transferred to the correction sections, during all age periods. The imperfection of the technological elements of keeping cows and newborn calves at the beginning of suckling causes a decrease in young animals' growth rate, which is confirmed by our research.

Under the same conditions, bull-calves and heifers show different growth rates. The intensity of growth of live weight of heifers is slightly lower than that of bull-calves (Table 2).

Table 2. Dynamics of live body weight of heifers, kg (M±m).

Considering a small number of heifers in the groups, it is impossible to assess the reliability of the difference in the results. Analysis of the table data shows that with a slight difference in live weight at birth, the heifers of Groups II and III grew much better than the heifers of Group I during all age periods. The difference in the heifers' live weight at the age of 18 months between Groups I and II was 106.3 kg and that between Groups I and III - 106.8 kg.

One of the critical indicators showing animal body changes is the average daily weight gain over the appropriate period (Table 3). As calves in beef cattle breeding are kept with cows during the suckling period, the average daily gain of up to 7 months depends only on their interaction.

Table 3. The average daily weight gain of bull-calves, g (M±m).

A high significant difference (P>0.999) between the average daily weight gain of bull-calves of Groups II and III compared with Group I's bull-calves in the period from birth to 7 months was found. According to this indicator, they exceeded the bull-calves of Group I by 230 g. In 7-12 months, the bull-calves of Groups II and III dominated by the average daily gain, the advantage over Group I was 230 g and 220 g, respectively (the significant difference is P>0.999). From 12 to 15 months, bull-calves of Group I were inferior in average daily gains to the bull-calves of Groups II and III by 260 g and 270 g, respectively (P>0.999). In the last months of fattening (15-18 months) the average daily gains of bull-calves of Groups II and III prevailed by 270 g and 280 g, the average daily gains of the bull-calves of Group I (P>0.999). In general, for the entire period of rearing, which lasted from birth to the age of 18 months, the average daily weight gain of the bull-calves from Groups II and III reliably prevailed (P>0.999) over the average daily weight gain of bull-calves from Group I by 240 g.

According to the average daily weight gain in all periods, the heifers from Groups II and III also had an advantage (Table 4).

Table 4. The average daily weight gain of heifers, g (M±m).

For the entire rearing period, the heifers' average daily weight gain in Groups II and III exceeded that of the heifers in Group I by 200 g, which is quite a significant difference.

The bull calves' absolute weight gain was studied (Table 5).

Table 5. Absolute body weight gain of bull-calves, kg (M ± m).

The absolute weight gain of bull-calves during the suckling period was higher by 48.5 kg in Group II and 49.7 kg Group III compared with Group I's animals. From 7 to 12 months, the bull-calves of Group I was inferior to the bull-calves of Group II by 33.8 kg and the bulls of Group III - by 32.8 kg. From 12 to 15 months, the advantage in favor of the bull-calves of Groups II and III compared with the animals of Group I was 23 kg and 24 kg, respectively. In the last three months (15-18 months), the animals' absolute weight gain slightly increased compared to the previous period. The animals of Groups II and III in absolute weight gain exceeded Group I's animals by 24.3 kg and 25.1 kg, respectively. Thus, in terms of absolute weight gain, the bull-calves of Groups II and III predominated during the whole growing period, the advantage in their favor compared to the animals of Group I was 129.6 kg and 131.6 kg, respectively.

The heifers' highest absolute weight gain was observed until 12 months of age and then decreased (Table 6).

Table 6. Absolute body weight gain of heifers, kg (M ± m).

The highest absolute weight gain of the heifers from birth to 18 months of age was observed in Groups II and III heifers. According to this indicator, Group I's animals were inferior to the animals of Groups II and III by 109.5 kg and 109.6 kg, respectively. According to that of the calves at birth, the coefficient of body weight gain of the young animals gives a complete picture of the growth rate of the animals (Table 7).

Table 7. The multiplicity of body weight gain of bull-calves, times (M ± m).

The studies have shown higher rates of body weight gain of the bull-calves at all age periods in Groups II and III animals. The multiplicity of weight gain of the bull-calves at 18 months was 2.3 times higher in Group II animals than Group I and 2.1 times - in Group III animals, respectively.

According to the coefficients of body weight gain, Groups II and III's heifers prevailed over Group I (Table 8).

Table 8. A multiplicity of body weight gain of heifers, times (M±m).

The data in the table show that according to the multiplicity of body weight gain of the heifers during all age periods, the advantage was 5.8 times and 5.5 times in favor of Groups II and III than the animals from Group I. Our results can be compared with the study of the Bulgarian scientists. According to them, calves of the Aberdeen-Angus breed weigh at birth 31-32 kg. The average live weight at weaning is 204 kg (Nikolov & Karamfilov, 2020). Our experiment showed that the average live weight of bull-calves at birth is 31 kg, and that of heifers - 28 kg.

The literature data indicate an increase in animals' live body weight at later periods of rearing compared to the sucking period. The generalized indicator of livestock growth is live body weight, and it shows the peculiarities of the formation of animals. Only healthy and fully developed animals can show high productivity (Palii et al., 2021; Skliarenko, 2018). The maximum average daily weight gain of animals is observed from birth to the age of 18 months, which is identic with our research. The lowest average daily weight gain of the cattle is observed from 18 to 24 months. Average daily weight gain also decreases with age. By the age of 12 months, animal growth intensity is much higher compared to subsequent periods (Kozyr, 2020).

Nosok et al. (2020), Pesonen et al. (2012), and Tsvigun et al. (2020) focused on increasing the weight gain and productivity of livestock by crossing animals of different origins. At birth, crossbreed cattle predominate purebred ones; they are well developed and have a balanced physique. For example, crossbreed young animals of Aberdeen-Angus and Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breeds at 18 months reach 490 kg. The advantage of crossbreed animals over purebreds reaches 20% (Tsvigun et al., 2020). Crossbreeds of Ukrainian black-spotted dairy breed with Belgian blue breed predominate by 6% purebred animals of Ukrainian black-spotted dairy breed. The animals are characterized by dense muscles, a well-developed back of the torso, a deep and broad chest, and strong limbs (Nosok et al., 2020).

When inseminating Simmental cows with elite bulls, an increase in animals' live weight at all ages has been found. The animals met or exceeded the breed standard (Dankiv et al., 2020). According to Shuplyk & Shcherbatiuk (2020), the Aberdeen-Angus beef breed's productivity can be influenced by the animals' linear affiliation. Bulls from different lines showed different growth rates from birth to 12 months. The bulls of the Southoma Extra line outperformed other animals in terms of average daily and absolute growth. In different periods of breeding, bulls showed different growth rates, which correlates with our research.

The growth and development of animals are influenced by many factors: the live weight of calves at birth, feeding, and calving season of cows (Osipenko et al., 2018). For example, Aberdeen-Angus calves born in autumn reach a higher live weight at weaning than calves born in previous months. The advantage in favor of calves born in autumn is 13 kg (Jurco et al., 2020).

Our research has shown that the growth of young animals is influenced by the technology of keeping cows and calves during the colostrum period. Calves with the problems at the beginning of suckling and were not given sufficient attention due to the imperfection of the content's technological elements lagged in growth throughout the rearing period (up to 18 months). This gives reason to assert the relationship between the technology of keeping cows and calves during the colostrum period and young animals' growth.

Conclusion

It has been found that with the introduction of a new technological element of keeping of problem pairs' cow-calf (Groups II and III), namely their transfer to correction sections for joint maintenance during the colostrum period, the growth rate of these calves were much higher compared to those for which no correction sections were used. When using correction sections for calves in the colostrum period, high growth intensity of young animals was observed throughout the whole rearing period.

The difference in live weight of bull-calves at the age of 18 months was in favor of animals from Groups II and III, 27% and 28% (P>0.999), respectively. In terms of average daily increments, for the entire growing period, the bull-calves from Groups II and III dominated the animals from Group I by 28% and by 28% and 29%, respectively, in absolute terms (P>0.999).

Animals of groups II and III dominated the live weight of heifers at the age of 18 months; the advantage in their favor compared to animals of Group I was 26%. The average daily and absolute gains in heifers of groups II and III were higher by 29% compared with Group I. When compared by live weight at the age of 18 months, the heifers from groups II and III had an advantage of 26% compared to the animals from Group I. The average daily and absolute gains in these heifers were 29% greater than the heifers from Group I.

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