Obscure BW question

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dun

dun

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Is there some generic rule of thumb as to how much heavier BW would be if a calf is carried full term vs 7-10 days early?

Thanks
dun
 
the foetal growth rate isn't a straight line, but rather a hyperbole, meaning the growth rate or rather weight gain in the uterus increases with the length of gestation. So in short it should theoretically have a big influence on BW if the gestation is say 7 days shorter than usual in comparison 7 days longer than usual.

This is complicated maths and unless a study has been done on this with a standard graph drawn up to be used as a general rule of thumb, I see more questions than answers in the application in practice. Then there is also the cow's ability to limit foetal growth while other don't have that ability to the same degree. That's the reason why similar genetics under similar conditions bred to a highly proven bull as far as birthweight goes can throw such a variety of actual BWs when theoretically they should all be very similar.
 
gestation.JPG


source: books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9791&page=42
 
Aero, that's a neat graph. What does it tell me if anything?

dun
 
I've found over the years that some curvebender bulls-high growth but low bw epd-are short gestation bulls. Not sure what the growth rate is inutero but if they get much overdue with high growt genetics it could cause some concern.
 
dun":jj4xtikd said:
Aero, that's a neat graph. What does it tell me if anything?

dun
Click to expand...

well, using eyeball and estimates:

from the top line: 245 days = 31kg, 270 days = 39 kg
=> 8kg/15 days => 0.53kg/day => 1.176lb/day over the last 15 days

from the bottom line: 245 days = 28 kg, 270 days = 34 kg
=> 6kg/15days => 0.4kg/day => 0.882lb/day over the last 15 days

the truth is usually somewhere between the high and low so averaging the 2 rates => 1.029lb/day over the last 15 days

with the exponential nature of the curve, i would guess the last 7 days of gestation would be closer to the high estimate (1.176lb/day).

none of this is scientific but it's an interesting estimate at least. i just used photo editing software to get pretty close on the intersection lines and estimate curve values.
 
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I've heard a pound a day too. The same guy told me to pay more attention to gestation length than BW EPD's when looking for calving ease. [/quote]
 

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