Maternal-offspring behavior of Guzerat beef cattle

Authors

  • Bianca Vilela Pires Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Genética, Avenida Bandeirantes, no 3.900, Monte Alegre, CEP 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP.
  • Luara Afonso de Freitas Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Genética, Avenida Bandeirantes, no 3.900, Monte Alegre, CEP 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP.
  • Gabriele Voltarei da Silva Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro de Bovinos de Corte, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Rodovia Carlos Tonanni, Km 94, Caixa Postal 63, CEP 14160-900 Sertãozinho, SP.
  • Gabriela Geraldi Mendonça Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Departamento de Nutrição e Produção Animal, Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte, no 225, Campus Fernando Costa, Jardim Elite, CEP 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP.
  • Rodrigo Pelicioni Savegnago Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro de Bovinos de Corte, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Rodovia Carlos Tonanni, Km 94, Caixa Postal 63, CEP 14160-900 Sertãozinho, SP.
  • Maria Lúcia Pereira de Lima Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro de Bovinos de Corte, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Rodovia Carlos Tonanni, Km 94, Caixa Postal 63, CEP 14160-900 Sertãozinho, SP.
  • Lenira El Faro Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro de Bovinos de Corte, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Rodovia Carlos Tonanni, Km 94, Caixa Postal 63, CEP 14160-900 Sertãozinho, SP.
  • Joslaine Noely dos Santos Gonçalves Cyrillo Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro de Bovinos de Corte, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Rodovia Carlos Tonanni, Km 94, Caixa Postal 63, CEP 14160-900 Sertãozinho, SP.
  • Claudia Cristina Paro de Paz Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro de Bovinos de Corte, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Rodovia Carlos Tonanni, Km 94, Caixa Postal 63, CEP 14160-900 Sertãozinho, SP.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2020.v55.26725

Keywords:

calf, maternal ability, survival

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the characteristics of the maternal-offspring behavior of Guzerat bovines (Bos indicus) and the influence of this behavior on herd losses. A total of 73 gestating cows (multiparous and primiparous) and their respective calves were evaluated for the following behavioral traits: contact period between cow and calf (CPCC), cow age at calving, teat conditions, calf vigor at birth, need for human assistance (HA), and calf mortality until weaning. The mean weight of calves at birth was 29.12 kg. Vigor at birth was observed in 61.64% of calves; however, 27.4% of the calves required human assistance. Calf vigor was influenced by the CPCC, and calves without vigor needed more time with their mothers. Calves with low weight at birth required HA, whereas calves from cows with intermediate-sized teats did not. The absence of vigor at birth increased the mortality rate. The traits age of cows and vigor of calves at birth influence both the need for human assistance to calves in their first hours of life and herd losses.

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Published

2020-08-12

How to Cite

Pires, B. V., Freitas, L. A. de, Silva, G. V. da, Mendonça, G. G., Savegnago, R. P., Lima, M. L. P. de, … Paz, C. C. P. de. (2020). Maternal-offspring behavior of Guzerat beef cattle. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 55(X), e01504. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2020.v55.26725

Issue

V.55, Jan./Dec., 2020 :Continuos publication

Section

ANIMAL SCIENCE