Examination of suckling frequency in beef cattle populations

Abstract

This paper was carried out to study the connection between the mother cows (sucklers) and their calves during the lactation period, by examining suckling as a form of ethological behaviour. The daily suckling frequency (NSM) observed in two beef populations, we constructed suckling curves depends from some measured variables. The dam's genotype, the age of cows, the sex of calves, and some environmental agent (e.g. temperature) were tested as factors to influence the suckling frequency of calves. Regressions were done between the NSM and the weaning weight of calves.