Effect of sex on the weight gain of calves (Bubalus bubalis) reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry season

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sex on the weight gain of calves raised in silvopastoral systems. Beween 2019 and 2020, 30 calves divided into two groups according to sex (females and males) were evaluated. At birth, the calves were identified and weighed within the first hours after bir...

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Main Authors: Efraín Chacón Condori, Luis A. de la Cruz-Cruz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad del Zulia 2023-11-01
Series:Revista Científica
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Online Access:https://www.produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cientifica/article/view/43337
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author Efraín Chacón Condori
Luis A. de la Cruz-Cruz
author_facet Efraín Chacón Condori
Luis A. de la Cruz-Cruz
author_sort Efraín Chacón Condori
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sex on the weight gain of calves raised in silvopastoral systems. Beween 2019 and 2020, 30 calves divided into two groups according to sex (females and males) were evaluated. At birth, the calves were identified and weighed within the first hours after birth. Afterward, a weight measurement was performed monthly in the morning time until 18 months of age. Likewise, daily weight gains (kg) and final weight (kg) were calculated. From birth to weaning, the calves were kept in restricted suckling systems (after milking, they were held with the mother and fed with one-quarter of the udder and the residual milk). After weaning, the animals were abruptly separated and placed in 15 38-hectare paddocks with silvopastoral systems and rotational grazing in pastures with native and introduced grasses and natural shade. The data was analyzed by comparing means using Tukey’s test with a significance level of p<0.05. No effects of sex were observed on birth weight (37.66±0.24 and 37.46±0.24; p=0.5673), weaning weight (161.93±37.46 and 163.60±33.75; p=0.8991) and final weight (380.93±12.03 and 381.66 ±12.03; p= 0.9659) between females and males, respectively. Weight gains from birth to 6 months of age, from 6 months to 12 months, and from 12 months to 18 months were not significant between females and males (0.69±0.05 and 0.69±0.04; p=0.9653, 0.64 ±0.03 and 0.62±0.02; p=0.06229, 0.55±0.03 and 0.59±0.03; p=0.06229). Average daily gains between females and males (0.60±0.02 kg/day and 0.63±0.05, respectively) were not significant because of sex (p =0.9653). It is concluded that females and males reared in restricted suckling systems and later, in silvopastoral systems, show good productive performance under dry season conditions. It is necessary to carry out more studies in which physiological, hormonal, and behavioural variables are related to improve the understanding of the productive performance of water buffalo in silvopastoral systems.
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spelling doaj-art-3e02412e733149c3a3735affa8b2c9e62025-01-24T15:36:49ZengUniversidad del ZuliaRevista Científica0798-22592521-97152023-11-0133Suplemento10.52973/rcfcv-wbc046Effect of sex on the weight gain of calves (Bubalus bubalis) reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry seasonEfraín Chacón Condori0Luis A. de la Cruz-Cruz1Carrera en Agricultura Tropical y Manejo de Recursos Renovables (CATREN). Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Pecuarias y Forestales “Martín Cárdenas” (FCAPyP). Universidad Mayor de San Simón (UMSS), Cochabamba, BoliviaEscuela de Ciencias de la Salud. Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad del Valle de México, México This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sex on the weight gain of calves raised in silvopastoral systems. Beween 2019 and 2020, 30 calves divided into two groups according to sex (females and males) were evaluated. At birth, the calves were identified and weighed within the first hours after birth. Afterward, a weight measurement was performed monthly in the morning time until 18 months of age. Likewise, daily weight gains (kg) and final weight (kg) were calculated. From birth to weaning, the calves were kept in restricted suckling systems (after milking, they were held with the mother and fed with one-quarter of the udder and the residual milk). After weaning, the animals were abruptly separated and placed in 15 38-hectare paddocks with silvopastoral systems and rotational grazing in pastures with native and introduced grasses and natural shade. The data was analyzed by comparing means using Tukey’s test with a significance level of p<0.05. No effects of sex were observed on birth weight (37.66±0.24 and 37.46±0.24; p=0.5673), weaning weight (161.93±37.46 and 163.60±33.75; p=0.8991) and final weight (380.93±12.03 and 381.66 ±12.03; p= 0.9659) between females and males, respectively. Weight gains from birth to 6 months of age, from 6 months to 12 months, and from 12 months to 18 months were not significant between females and males (0.69±0.05 and 0.69±0.04; p=0.9653, 0.64 ±0.03 and 0.62±0.02; p=0.06229, 0.55±0.03 and 0.59±0.03; p=0.06229). Average daily gains between females and males (0.60±0.02 kg/day and 0.63±0.05, respectively) were not significant because of sex (p =0.9653). It is concluded that females and males reared in restricted suckling systems and later, in silvopastoral systems, show good productive performance under dry season conditions. It is necessary to carry out more studies in which physiological, hormonal, and behavioural variables are related to improve the understanding of the productive performance of water buffalo in silvopastoral systems. https://www.produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cientifica/article/view/43337daily weight gainsilvopastoral systemwater buffalo
spellingShingle Efraín Chacón Condori
Luis A. de la Cruz-Cruz
Effect of sex on the weight gain of calves (Bubalus bubalis) reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry season
Revista Científica
daily weight gain
silvopastoral system
water buffalo
title Effect of sex on the weight gain of calves (Bubalus bubalis) reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry season
title_full Effect of sex on the weight gain of calves (Bubalus bubalis) reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry season
title_fullStr Effect of sex on the weight gain of calves (Bubalus bubalis) reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry season
title_full_unstemmed Effect of sex on the weight gain of calves (Bubalus bubalis) reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry season
title_short Effect of sex on the weight gain of calves (Bubalus bubalis) reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry season
title_sort effect of sex on the weight gain of calves bubalus bubalis reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry season
topic daily weight gain
silvopastoral system
water buffalo
url https://www.produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cientifica/article/view/43337
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