Seasonal Variation in the Rate of Growth of Young Cattle

Abstract

MANY investigations have been made on the rate of growth in young cattle, and a mass of detailed information on live weights and body measurements has been accumulated^1,2,3,4. During the period 1927–33 the live weights of all the cattle stock (dairy shorthorns) at the College Farm, Nantcellan, were recorded at approximately monthly intervals, and the data for young cattle have recently been examined. The live-weight curve for the heifers reared for herd replacement has been found to follow that described in Great Britain¹, in the United States^2,3,4,5 and in South Africa⁶. There are, however, two observations from the Nantcellan records which are of special interest. The first of these confirms the findings of Hansen⁷ that calves grow faster during the grazing season than when housed. The second is not in accord with Hansen's finding that calves born at the beginning of November do not grow as fast during the first six months as those born at the beginning of April.