Effect of Once-Daily Suckling on Postpartum Interval and Cow-Calf Performance of First-Calf Brahman × Hereford Heifers

Thirty-five Brahman × Hereford F-1 first-calf heifers were assigned to two treatment groups: normal suckling (16 heifers) and once-daily suckling (30 min of suckling time, once daily; 19 heifers). Once-daily suckling began at 30 days postcalving and was continued until each heifer reached first postpartum estrus. After a heifer reached estrus, she was allowed to rear her calf normally until weaning. Seven pairs of cows, one cow from each group, were selected for milking on the bases of calving date and sex of calf. Body weights of the heifers were not affected by suckling treatment before first estrus but were greater (P<.05) for the once-daily suckled group at weaning. Calf gain was lower (P<.025) during the once-daily suckling period, but body weights were similar at weaning (147.2 ± 4.5 vs 146.8 ± 5.0 kg for the once-daily and normal-suckled calves, respectively). Four-hour milk production at 30 days postpartum, first estrus and 7 and 14 days after estrus was not affected by treatment (P>.10). Once-daily suckling decreased (P< .005) postpartum interval from 168.2 ± 13.8 to 68.9 ± 6.2 days. Results indicate that once-daily suckling of first calf beef heifers from 30 days postpartum to first estrus shortens the postpartum interval without depressing cow-calf performance.