Early breeding of buffalo heifers: Mineral supplementation and its effects on development and pregnancy rates in the province of Corrientes, Argentina

Abstract

Two commercial mineral supplement formulae were used to evaluate their effects on body weight, average daily gain and reproduction at first breeding in seventy buffalo heifers, between 14 and 16 months old. Pasture from this area of the province of Corrientes, Argentina, is known to be phosphorus and sodium deficient. The experiment began on 26th December 2005 and ended on 9th August 2006. On 15 th May 2006 two bulls were introduced in each group for 59 days. Treatments were: (a) usual mineral supplement (US - Ca=12% and P=6%); (b) a mineral quelated supplement (QS, Tortuga™ - Ca=5,7%, P=4,1%, Na, K, Co, Cu, Fe, Se, Zn, N). Minerals were supplied every week ad libitum. Animals were kept in separate paddocks and were rotated every month to minimize the paddock effect. Body weight, jugular blood and stool samples were taken every month. Blood serum was assayed for mineral and progesterone (P4) concentration. Crude protein and dry matter digestibility were estimated on faecal samples by NIRS scanning. The weight at weaning, the initial and the final live weight for the breeding period were: 224.6 and 230.7, 322.2 and 321.7 and 342.8 and 326.6 kg. in QS and US groups, respectively. Live weight was increased by QS supplement (Table 1). Pregnancy rates, determined by transrectal ultrasound, were 60.0% and 17.3 % (P<0.05) for QS and US groups, respectively. It is concluded that QS supplement increased the body development and the early pregnancy rates in buffalo heifers. Further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords

• Buffalo heifer, Early breeding, Mineral supplementations