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Effects of various weaning times on growth performance, rumen fermentation and microbial population of yellow cattle calves

  • Mao, Huiling (College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhejiang A and F University) ;
  • Xia, Yuefeng (College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhejiang A and F University) ;
  • Tu, Yan (Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of Ministry of Agriculture Feed Research Institute, Feed Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences) ;
  • Wang, Chong (College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhejiang A and F University) ;
  • Diao, Qiyu (Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of Ministry of Agriculture Feed Research Institute, Feed Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)
  • Received : 2016.12.25
  • Accepted : 2017.03.21
  • Published : 2017.11.01

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of weaning times on the growth performance, rumen fermentation and microbial communities of yellow cattle calves. Methods: Eighteen calves were assigned to a conventional management group that was normally weaned (NW, n = 3) or to early weaned (EW) group where calves were weaned when the feed intake of solid feed (starter) reached 500 g ($EW_{500}$, n = 5), 750 g ($EW_{750}$, n = 5), or 1,000 g ($EW_{1,000}$, n = 5). Results: Compared with NW, the EW treatments increased average daily gain (p<0.05). The calves in $EW_{750}$ had a higher (p<0.05) starter intake than those in $EW_{1,000}$ from wk 9 to the end of the trial. The concentrations of total volatile fatty acids in $EW_{750}$ were greater than in NW and $EW_{1,000}$ (p<0.05). The EW treatments decreased the percentage of acetate (p<0.05). The endogenous enzyme activities of the rumen were increased by EW (p<0.05). EW had no effect on the number of total bacteria (p>0.05), but changes in bacterial composition were found. Conclusion: From the present study, it is inferred that EW is beneficial for rumen fermentation, and weaning when the feed intake of the starter reached 750 g showed much better results.

Keywords

References

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