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The effect of extended photoperiod on performance, behaviour and prolactin levels of finishing dairy bred steers and heifers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2017

P N Johnson ,
J M Forbes ,
C J C Phillips ,
Talal Mustapha Arab  and
S M Bettany
P N Johnson
Affiliation:
ADAS, Drayton EHF, Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9RQ
J M Forbes
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT
C J C Phillips
Affiliation:
School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW
Talal Mustapha Arab
Affiliation:
School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW
S M Bettany
Affiliation:
The Electricity Council, Farm-Electric Centre, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LS
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Extract

Previous studies have shown that bovine performance can be improved by manipulating photoperiod. This may be an acceptable alternative to the use of exogenous hormones but responses have been inconsistent. The objective of this trial was to determine the response of finishing cattle to extended photoperiod.

Sixty-four Hereford x Friesian steers and 48 Charolais x Friesian heifers were finished in consecutive years over the winter housing period under either natural daylength (Control) or daylength extended to 16 hours (16 hour). Lights were installed to provide 16 hour animals with 400 lux at animal eye level. A photocell and timeswitch combination ensured that lights were switched on if natural light levels were below this level between 04.00 and 20.00 GMT. Animals were penned in groups of eight and silage was weighed in daily to each pen. Animals were weighed fortnightly and feed conversion ratios calculated. Prolactin assays were carried out on blood samples taken monthly from 10 animals per treatment. Steer and heifer behaviour was monitored over 24 hours on three occasions.

Type
Beef Production
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1992 , March 1992 , pp. 68
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1992

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