Multiple suckling of calves on culled dairy cows grazing green panic (Panicum maximum Var. Trichoglume) - Glycine wightii pasture in north Queensland

Abstract

Liveweight performance of calves multiple sucked on dairy cows grazing a green panic (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume)-Glycine wightii cv. Tinaroo pasture was studied. Natural calves gained faster than fostered calves (0·89 v. 0·73 kg/day) and Friesian calves performed better than Jerseys (0·71 v. 0·60 kg/day). Liveweight production per cow was 641 kg. Cows lost weight steadily during the suckling period (-0·25 kg/day) and failed to exhibit oestrus. The possible role of nutrition and the suckling stimulus are discussed.