Effects of early weaning in Nelore cows on productive performance and carcass characteristics of weaned calves and on next progeny

Abstract

The purpose of this proposal is to evaluate the effects of early weaning (150 days vs. 240 days) of calves from beef cows already pregnant on the fetal programming and on the performance of the next progeny. The calves from these pregnant cows will be monitored from birth to the time of slaughter (Exp. 1, males) or reproduction (Exp. 2, females). Evaluation of carcass quality and male meat (Exp. 1) will be carried out at slaughter. In addition, the productive and reproductive performance of heifers will be evaluated until the end of the breeding season (Exp. 2). It is intended to analyze the effects of the two different maternal conditions during the gestational period on the productive characteristics during the breeding, rearing and finishing periods and on the carcass characteristics of steers. Concomitantly, the productive and reproductive characteristics of heifers during the calving phase, age at puberty and performance in the first breeding season will be evaluated. In addition, this project aims to compare the effect of these two maternal conditions on primiparous and pluriparous cows. (AU)