Evaluation of models for predicting the preweaning body weight in Holstein calves

Document Type : Original Research Article (Regular Paper)

Authors

1 Department of animal science, faculty of agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.

2 Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

3 Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

This study compared six non-linear equations [Exponential growth (4 parameters), Exponential growth (Stirling), Polynomial (Cubic), Quadratic, Brody, and Sinusoidal] for prediction of pre-weaning body weights at different ages in Holstein calves. Thirty-two calves (16 males and 16 females) were randomly divided into two treatment groups and fed with starter diets containing either corn or barley as the grain source. Starter feeding began on the third day of life, and high quality alfalfa hay and fresh cow milk were fed according to the farm schedule. The calves were weighed at birth and weekly thereafter until weaning. In this manner, ten weight records, including the birth and weaning weights, constituted the data set. The results of experiment revealed the fact that all functions mentioned earlier showed good fitness to predict weight gain in relation to age in all groups of calves. However, based on the goodness of the fit of various criteria and the statistical performance, the polynomial (cubic) function was considerably superior to other functions for predicting the calf live weight. The flexible growth functions (more parameters) very often give a closer fit to data points and a smaller residual sum of square (RSS) value than the simpler functions such as the Brody functions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

References
Bailey, C.B., 1989. Rate and efficiency of gain, body composition, nitrogen metabolism, and blood composition of growing Holstein steers given diets of roughage or concentrate. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 69, 707-725.
Bailey, C.B., Mears G.J., 1990. Birth weight in calves and its relation to growth rates from birth to weaning and weaning to slaughter. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 70, 157-173.
Brody, S., 1945. Bioenergetics and Growth. Rheinhold Publishing Corporation., New York, USA.
Cannas, A., Atzori A.S., 2005. Development and evaluation of a model to predict sheep nutrient requirements and feed utilization. Italian Journal of Animal Science 4 (Suppl. 1), 15-33.
Darmani Kuhi, H., Kebreab, E., Lopez, S., France, J., 2003.An evaluation of different growth functions for describing the profile of live weight with time (age) in meat and egg strains of chicken. Poultry Science 82, 1536–1543.
Darmani Kuhi, H., Shabanpour, A., Mohit, A., Falahi, S., France, J., 2018. A sinusoidal function and the Nelder-Mead simplex algorithm applied to growth data from broiler chickens. Poultry Science 97, 227–235.
Forni, S., Piles, M., Blasco, A., Varona, L., Oliveira, H.N., Lobo, R.B., Albuquerque, L.G., 2009. Comparison of different non-linear functions to describe Nellore cattle growth. Journal of Animal Science 87, 496–506.
Haefner, J.W., 1996. Modeling Biological Systems. Principles and Applications. Chapman & Hall, New York, USA.
Hill, T.M., Quigley, J.D., Bateman, H.G., Suarez-Mena, F.X., Dennis, T.S., Schlotterbeck, R.L., 2016. Effect of milk replacer program on calf performance and digestion of nutrients in dairy calves to 4 months of age. Journal of Dairy Science 99, 8103–8110.
Jasper, J., Weary, D.M., 2002. Effects of ad libitum milk intake on dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 3054–3058
Malhado, C.H.M., Carneiro, P.L.S., Affonso, P.R.A.M., Souza, J.R., Sarmento, J.L.R., 2009. Growth curves in Dorper sheep crossed with the local Brazilian breeds, Morada Nova, Rabo Largo, and Santa Ines. Small Ruminant Research 84, 16–21.
Mayer, D.G., Butler, D.G., 1993. Statistical validation. Ecological Modelling 68, 21-32.
Mellor, D.J., 1983. Nutritional and placental determinants of foetal growth rate in sheep and consequences for the newborn lamb. British Veterinary Journal 139, 307-324.
Moharrery, A., Mirzaei M., 2014. Growth characteristics of commercial broiler and native chickens as predicted by different growth functions.Journal of Animal and Feed Science 23, 82–89.
Motulsky, H.J., Ransnas, L.A., 1987. Fitting curves to data using nonlinear regression: A practical and nonmathematical review. FASEB Journal 1, 365–374.
NRC, 2001. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. 7th ed. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, USA.
Preston, T.R., Willis, M.B., 1970. Intensive Beef Production. Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK.
Sarmento, J.L.R., Regazzi, A.J., Souza, W.H., Torres, R.A., Breda, F.C., Menezes, G.R.O., 2006. Study of growth curve of Santa Ines sheep. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 35, 435–442.
Silva, L.S.A., Fraga, A.B., Silva, F.L., Beelen, P.M.G., Silva, R.M.O., Tonhati, H., Barros, C.C., 2012. Growth curve in Santa Ines sheep. Small Ruminant Research 105, 182–185.
Stamey, J.A., Janovick, N.A., Kertz, A.F., Drackley, J.K., 2012. Influence of starter protein content on growth of dairy calves in an enhanced early nutrition program. Journal of Dairy Science 95, 3327–3336.
Tedeschi, L.O., Fox, D.G., Saniz, R.D., Barioni, L.G., Mederios, S.R., Boin, C., 2005. Mathematical models in ruminant nutrition. Scientia Agricola 62, 76-91.
Terre, M., Devant, M., Bach, A., 2007. Effect of level of milk replacer fed to Holstein calves on performance during the preweaning period and starter digestibility at weaning. Livestock Science 110, 82–88.
Thornley J.H.M., France J., 2007. Mathematical Models in Agriculture. Quantitative Methods for the Plant, Animal, and Ecological Sciences. 2nd ed. CAB International. Wallingford, UK.
Trenkle, A., Marple, D.N., 1983. Growth and development of meat animals. Journal of Animal Science 57 (Suppl.2), 273-283.
Wallach, D., Goffinet, B., 1989. Mean squared error of prediction as a criterion for evaluating and comparing system models. Ecological Modelling 44, 299-306.
Woldehawariat, G., Talamantes, M.A., Pettyt, R.R., Cartwright, T.C., 1977. A summary of genetic and environmental statistics for growth and conformation characters of beef cattle. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Technical, Report No. 103, Texas.
Journal of Livestock Science and Technologies
Volume 9, Issue 1
June 2021
Pages 51-59

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics