Evaluation of the efficiency of different weaning terms of Aberdeen-Angus calves

Modern beef cattle has many positive qualities, but at the same time, its breedingrequires adherence to technology and strict rules. The study of the productive andbiological characteristics of Aberdeen Angus calves, the degree of realization of thepotential of meat productivity in the central zone of Russia, depending on thetechnology of keeping, is a relevant problem of cattle breeding, which determined thechoice of the direction of these scientific studies. For the research, 2 groups ofAberdeen Angus calves were formed at weaning: control group - weaning at 6months old and experimental - weaning at 4 months old. For the experiment, bullswere selected that were born with a difference of no more than 3 days. The averagelive weight at birth did not have significant differences and averaged 23.95 kg. Thebull-calves of both the experimental and control groups showed high average dailygains, both in certain periods of time and for the entire growing period. In the ageperiod from 6 to 8 months old, on the contrary, the average daily gains weresignificantly higher in the bulls of the experimental group by 34g (4.0%). The clinicalcondition of calves was studied in terms of body temperature, pulse rate, respiration(when weaned from mothers), morbidity and safety. It should be noted that theindicators of the clinical condition of the bulls in the experimental group were slightlyhigher compared to the control group, we assume that this is due to different periodsof weaning calves from their mothers. That is, at weaning at 6 months old, calvesbecome closer to adult animals, in which these indicators are lower compared toyoung animals.