Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 2
Written by Iryna HONCHAROVA, Oksana SHEVCHENKO, Liubov LIAKHOVICH, Zoia YEMETS, Viktoriia РOPOVA, Alla PETRENKO, Valentyna ZHYLINA, Dmytro HRINCHENKO
The course of calving and maternal qualities of first-born cows of the Znamiansky type of Polissya beef cattle, which were raised with different levels of feeding, were studied. Heifers with intensive feeding (group 2) came into heat, were fertilised and calved easily 5 months earlier than their counterparts with traditional feeding (group 1). Their calving season was in spring, which had a positive impact on their milk yield, calf growth and welfare. In heifers with traditional feeding, the calving season was in summer (average air temperature 35-40°C). As a result of hyperthermia, these first-born heifers were forced to stand in a standing position during the prenatal period and during calving to cool their bodies. This had a negative impact on their welfare. The calving process in these first-born cows required staff assistance. Their calves had lower birth weights and lower weight gain in the first two months of life than calves in group 2. This is due to a shortage of grass due to the hot summer.
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