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USING COW MANAGER TO UNDERSTAND BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES IN BEEF CATTLE DURING WEANING

Applied Research

Lucy Ray
County Extension Coordinator
University of Georgia
Madison

Abstract

The Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center uses the CowManager^Ò System, which is a tag-based sensor system to electronically record animal movement. The objectives of this study are twofold. The first objective was to observe differences in cattle managed under two weaning environments. The second objective was to better understand the CowManagerÒ System’s ability to be used in beef cattle research, During the 22 days of CowManager recorded activity pre-weaning, heifers with genetics for High Residual Average Daily Gain (RADG) spent an average of 390 minutes eating, while Low RADG heifers spent an average eating time of 334 minutes per day (P=0.001). The CowManager^Ò data recorded in this study suggests that selection for various carcass traits and performance traits such as RADG do impact an animal’s physiological behavior. Additionally, behavioral systems, such as CowManager^Ò, can serve as an excellent tool in Extension education programs to illustrate the impact of genetic selection and animal management on animal behavior and welfare.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: L. Ray, J. Duggin

Ray, L. County Extension Coordinator, University of Georgia, Georgia, 30650
Duggin, J. Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Georgia, 30701