Browsing by Autor "Luis Alberto de la Cruz-Cruz"

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Effect of sex on the weight gain of calves (Bubalus bubalis) reared in silvopastoral systems during the dry season
(University of Zulia, 2023) Efraín Chacón Condori; Luis Alberto de la Cruz-Cruz
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sex on the weight gain of calves raised in silvopastoral systems. Beween 2019 and 2020, 30 calves divided into two groups according to sex (females and males) were evaluated. At birth, the calves were identified and weighed within the first hours after birth. Afterward, a weight measurement was performed monthly in the morning time until 18 months of age. Likewise, daily weight gains (kg) and final weight (kg) were calculated. From birth to weaning, the calves were kept in restricted suckling systems (after milking, they were held with the mother and fed with one-quarter of the udder and the residual milk). After weaning, the animals were abruptly separated and placed in 15 38-hectare paddocks with silvopastoral systems and rotational grazing in pastures with native and introduced grasses and natural shade. The data was analyzed by comparing means using Tukey’s test with a significance level of p<0.05. No effects of sex were observed on birth weight (37.66±0.24 and 37.46±0.24; p=0.5673), weaning weight (161.93±37.46 and 163.60±33.75; p=0.8991) and final weight (380.93±12.03 and 381.66 ±12.03; p= 0.9659) between females and males, respectively. Weight gains from birth to 6 months of age, from 6 months to 12 months, and from 12 months to 18 months were not significant between females and males (0.69±0.05 and 0.69±0.04; p=0.9653, 0.64 ±0.03 and 0.62±0.02; p=0.06229, 0.55±0.03 and 0.59±0.03; p=0.06229). Average daily gains between females and males (0.60±0.02 kg/day and 0.63±0.05, respectively) were not significant because of sex (p =0.9653). It is concluded that females and males reared in restricted suckling systems and later, in silvopastoral systems, show good productive performance under dry season conditions. It is necessary to carry out more studies in which physiological, hormonal, and behavioural variables are related to improve the understanding of the productive performance of water buffalo in silvopastoral systems.
Evaluation of Three Deworming Methods and their Long-Term Effect on the Weight of Buffaloes Raised in Silvopastoral Systems
(2023) Efraín Chacón-Condori; W. Ruiz Díaz; Carlos Sonabi; Jorge Hinojosa; Luis Alberto de la Cruz-Cruz; J. Berdugo
Purpose of the Study: The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of three deworming methods on body weight gains in buffaloes raised in silvopastoral systems (SPS). Methods: Thirty buffaloes were divided into three groups (ten per group) as follows: 1) Albendazole 10 g + 1.3 g of cobalt sulfate at one week of age and 14 days later; 2) Albendazole 10 g + 1.3 g of cobalt sulfate at one week of age and 14 days later, then at 6 months and 14 days later; 3) Ivermectin 1 g at 30 days of age and then at six months of age. Birth, weaning (9 months), and final (18 months) weight were registered, and daily weight gains were calculated. The McMaster technique was used to evaluate the presence of parasites. Results: The overall prevalence of parasites in the animals evaluated was 93.33%. The most common parasites were: Strongylus sp., Neoascaris sp., Moniezia sp., and Eimeria sp. Before the application of the dewormers, initial values in G1, G2, and G3 were 360, 350, and 210 hpg/opg; after the application of the treatments, 60, 25, and 20 hpg/opg were obtained, respectively. Buffaloes in G2 showed significantly (P=0.046) high final weights (415.10±23.76 kg) compared to G1 (354.80±46.71 kg) but showed no difference with G3 (374.80±43.60k). Conclusion: It is concluded that albendazole at 10 g and a repeat at six months of age can be used in buffalo breeding in SPS, which could help to implement regenerative livestock programs, decreasing the use of Ivermectin.