Stress biomarkers & weight performance on early & very early weaning calves

MUNILLA, MARÍA EUGENIA; VITTONE, JUAN SEBASTIÁN; ODEÓN, MERCEDES; DAMIAN, JUAN PABLO; MAIDANA, SILVINA; ROMERA, SONIA ALEJANDRA

Agroindustrial Science

Agroindustrial Science

Lugar: Trujillo; Año: 2022 vol. 12 p. 287 - 292

Early (60 – 70 days old) & very early weaning (30 – 40 days old) are used to improve pregnancy in beef cow-calf systems. However, its application can affect the calves’ welfare. The aim of this work was to identify biomarkers levels & average weight gain in early & very early weaned calves. The animals were assigned to pens according to weaning age: very early weaned (40-d) & early weaned (66-d). The weaning practice consisted of the daily supply of extruded food (26% crude protein & 3 Mcal metabolizable energy). Live weight was registered at 14 days intervals. Blood samples were collected on the day of weaning (0) & on days 1 & 11 after. Red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular value, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, white blood cells, total proteins, & albumin were measured by complete blood count. Statistical analyzes were performed using the ANOVA ((Tukey Test, α= 0,05). Any calf lost weight; also, average weight gain was higher in early weaned calves. Most of the biomarkerspresented normal values after the weaning stage (day 11). In this work, weaning at early ages didn`t affect animal welfare. These results are important in the beef cow-calf systems where are applied to improve the pregnancy rate.