Rearing dairy beef calves by multiple suckling. 2. Effects on liveweight gain of calves

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted in which dairy cows multiple suckled beef x dairy cross calves during early lactation. After weaning calves grazed nitrogen fertilized kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum). In the first experiment each cow suckled two, three or four calves for 12 weeks. Pre-weaning calf growth rate increased significantly (P < 0.01) as the number of calves suckled was reduced, In the second experiment, calves suckled at three per cow for 6, 9 or 12 weeks gained at similar rates to weaning, reaching weaning liveweights of 52, 64 and 72 kg respectively. Neither the number of calves suckled in experiment 1 nor the length of the suckling period in experiment 2 significantly affected post-weaning growth rates. In the third experiment there was no significant difference between the growth rates of calves sired by Friesian and Angus bulls. After weaning, stocking rate treatments were imposed, there being a significant (P < 0.05) but small linear decline in growth rate as stocking rate was increased. The post-weaning growth rates of calves in all three experiments were poor when compared with growth rates reported for calves grazing temperate pastures.