Observations on the role of nutrition in coat shedding in cattle

Abstract

The coat changes of an experimental group of four undernourished Shorthorn heifers have been compared with those of a control group of four well-fed heifers.Low nutrition impeded seasonal shedding in three of the four experimental animals, and the hair which was retained into the summer months appeared lifeless and bleached. One animal's hair and shedding were normal, despite low nutrition.Two animals of the control group also partially retained their hair in the summer, but it was of normal colour, good lustre, and vital appearance.It is concluded that plane of nutrition influences shedding, though some individuals within a breed are less affected than others. Two distinct varieties of coat retention were observed: one was of nutritional origin, the other inherent. Possible explanations of the differences are suggested.