Effects of energy-protein supplementation frequency on performance of primiparous grazing beef cows during pre and postpartum

Abstract

Objective: Twenty-four pregnant Nellore primiparous grazing cows were used to evaluate the effects of energy-protein supplementation and supplementation frequency during pre (105 d before calving) and postpartum (105 d after calving) on performance and metabolic characteristics.Methods: Experimental treatments consisted of a control (no supplementation), daily supplementation (1.5 kg/d of concentrate/animal) and infrequent supplementation (4.5 kg of concentrate/animal every three days). During the pre and postpartum periods, concentrations of blood metabolites and animal performance were evaluated. Ureagenesis and energy metabolism markers were evaluated at prepartum period.Results: Supplementation frequency did not alter (p>0.10) body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and carcass traits during pre and postpartum. The BW (p = 0.079), adjusted BW at day of parturition (p = 0.078), and ADG (p = 0.074) were greater for supplemented cows during the prepartum. The body condition score (BCS; p = 0.251), and carcass traits (p>0.10) were not affected by supplementation during prepartum. On postpartum, supplementation did not affect animal performance and carcass traits (p>0.10). The dry mater intake was not affected (p>0.10) by supplementation and supplementation frequency throughout the experimental period. Daily supplemented animals had greater (p<0.001) glucose levels than animals supplemented every three days. Supplementation and supplementation frequency did not alter (p>0.10) the levels of blood metabolites, neither the abundance of ureagenesis nor energy metabolism markers.Conclusion: In summary, our data show that the reduction of supplementation frequency does not cause negative impacts on performance and metabolic characteristics of primiparous grazing cows during the prepartum.

Fetal programming in ruminant animals: understanding the skeletal muscle development to improve meat quality

“…For example, maternal protein supplementation during mid-gestation in cows tends to increase the pregnancy rate in the subsequent breeding season ( Rodrigues et al, 2021 ), while the supplementation during late gestation reduced maternal tissues mobilization ( Lopes et al, 2020 ), and may improve cows’ reproductive parameters. Although the costs of supplement are relatively high in a livestock production system, an alternative for decrease the feeding and labor costs may be achieved by reducing the frequency of energy-protein supplementation during prepartum, without causing negative effects in maternal performance and metabolism ( Moura et al, 2020 ).…”

Provision of a protein-rich supplement for grazing suckling female beef calves to improve productive performance and metabolic response

“…On the other hand, many studies evaluating provision of different supplements on changes in the expression of some genes associated with gluconeogenesis (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase [PEPCK]) and ureagenesis (carbamoyl phosphate synthetase-1 [CPS-1]) hepatic in cattle have been performed. Some authors have reported an increase in hepatic mRNA expression of PEPCK [ 4 ] and CPS-1 [ 5 ] when provided protein supplements, while others have not observed changes on hepatic mRNA expression of expression of PEPCK [ 4 ] and CPS-1 [ 6 ] when provided energy and protein supplements, respectively.…”

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“…Primiparous cows appear to be more sensitive to nutrient intake and consequently, BCS changes more drastically comparing to mature cows (Moura et al, 2020;Spitzer et al, 1995).…”

“…This relationship is especially critical for primiparous, due to the additional demands needed to continue their own growth combined with the stress of first lactation (Ciccioli et al, 2003). Thus, inadequate nutrient intake before and/or after calving has greater detrimental effects on reproductive performance in primiparous than mature cows (Moura et al, 2020;Sotelo et al, 2018;Summers et al, 2015). Supplementation programs for beef cows during prepartum and/or postpartum can be an alternative for improving the nutritional efficiency in grazing systems, especially when protein supplements are used (DelCurto et al, 2000).…”

“…Studies have shown that supplemental protein for beef cattle grazing low-quality forage has a positive effect on forage intake, BW, BCS, blood metabolites and reproductive efficiency (D'Occhio et al, 2019b;DelCurto et al, 2000;Wilson et al, 2016). However, nutritional supplementation programs considerably increase production costs in beef cattle systems, such as the vehicle maintenance, fuel and labor costs that are required for daily supplemental feeding (Moura et al, 2020). Lowmoisture block supplements consist of molasses, with ingredients that supply nutrients such as protein, minerals and vitamins (Cassini and Hermitte, 1992).…”