Adaptation of calves in the transition from intensive to dual-purpose system during extreme drought

Objective: Evaluate the adaptation of calves in the transition from intensive to dual-purpose system during extreme drought. Design/methodology/approach: The study was carried out in Tamaulipas, Mexico with calves in transition from an Intensive Production System (IPS) in Ciudad Victoria to a Dual-Purpose System (DPS) located in Altamira. Two groups of SwissGyrHolstein cross calves were analyzed, control group (CG; n8) born in DPS, and the adapted group coming from IPS (AG; n6), zoometric measurements were recorded: height at the withers, length of the animal, chest circumference, pelvis length, pelvis width, height at the rump, body condition and weight, the blood concentration of b-hydroxybutyrates (BHB) and glucose were measured. An ANDEVA was carried out with a factorial design and a correlation analysis. Results: There were differences between AG and CG (P0.01), as well as in the date factor (P0.01). Blood concentrations of BHB and glucose had no difference between groups (P0.05). There was a negative correlation (R0.47; P0.05) between BHB and body condition. Limitations on study/implications: Although the dual-purpose system is very versatile, in the study area only 33% of ranchers manage it, due to the accentuation of drought and climate change. Findings/conclusions: The calves showed adequate development with good adaptation in the transition from IPS to DPS, although there was an effect of the factors, the calves responded favorably to management.