Evaluation and validation of the growth and estimation models for growth to dairy replacement heifers in commercial farms at tropical conditions

• Grant number: 19/02307-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: June 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Dante Pazzanese Duarte Lanna
• Grantee: Marcos Busanello
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Both, growth and models for estimation of energy and protein utilization, have been extensively studied over the years in several countries. However, the studies about the growth and the validation of these models for different regions and breeds need to be verified. In tropical regions, especially in Brazil, growth parameters and models for Growing Calves and Heifers (GCH) follow the recommendations for animals of different breeds and reared under different conditions originally used in the development of those models. Thus, the true and estimated growth may present differences and those models for energy and protein utilization may not be the most adequate in tropical conditions and, therefore, our objective is to study the growth and validate the models for energy and protein utilization and growth parameters of the NRC, 2001 for GCH in tropical conditions for Holstein, crossbreed and zebu animals. Data from GCH (body weight, age, height of withers and hip, among others) will be collected in dairy farms to study the curves of growth. These analyses will be done using correlations, linear and/or non-linear regressions. Dairy farms will be selected using an approach based on a non-probabilistic sampling of "quotas" followed by "convenience sampling" to collect data on approximately 150 heifers from each of the 3 type of heifers (Holstein, crossbred and zebu). In addition, a database with several information will be obtained from studies conducted in Brazil and tropical regions. To evaluate the models of energy and protein utilization of the NRC (2001) published articles in national and international scientific journals will be used. The main variables collected will be the breed of the animals, body weight, weight gain, age, diet composition, among others. Descriptive and graphical analyzes will be used to verify the biological validity and coherence of the data for subsequent statistical analyses. Evaluations of outliers, observed values and predicted values of the models will be done using regression methods. The accuracy and precision of the model estimates will be verified using mean bias error analysis, mean squared prediction error, concordance correlation coefficient and its components. The coefficient of determination (R2) and other measures to compare the model will also be calculated. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BUSANELLO, MARCOS; SOUSA, DEBORA G.; POCZYNEK, MILAINE; DE ALMEIDA, RODRIGO; BITTAR, CARLA M. M.; MENDONCA, FILIPE A. C.; LANNA, DANTE P. D.. Body growth of replacement dairy heifers from 3 distinct genetic groups from commercial Brazilian dairy herds. JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE, v. 105, n. 4, p. 12-pg., 2022-03-16. (19/02307-2)

NOGARA, KARISE FERNANDA; BUSANELLO, MARCOS; PEREIRA HAYGERT-VELHO, IONE MARIA; ZOPOLLATTO, MAITY; DAL MAGRO FRIGERI, KAREN; GOIS ALMEIDA, PAULO SERGIO. Characterization and relationship between bulk tank milk composition and compost bedded variables from dairy barns in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. TURKISH JOURNAL OF VETERINARY & ANIMAL SCIENCES, v. 45, n. 5, p. 890-900, 2021. (19/02307-2)

BUSANELLO, MARCOS; DE SOUSA, DEBORA GOMES; CANEDO MENDONCA, FILIPE ARAUJO; LOURENCO DALEY, VERIDIANA; DE ALMEIDA, RODRIGO; MACHADO BITTAR, CARLA MARIS; DUARTE LANNA, DANTE PAZZANESE. Feed Intake of Growing Dairy Heifers Raised under Tropical Conditions: A Model Evaluation Using Meta-Analysis. ANIMALS, v. 11, n. 11, NOV 2021. (19/02307-2)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

BUSANELLO, Marcos. Growth curves and feed intake of dairy replacement heifers. 2021. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC) Piracicaba.