Late gestation supplementation of beef cows differing in body condition score: Effects on cow and calf performance1,2

Abstract

A 2-yr study utilizing 120 mature, crossbred (Angus × Herford) cows/year, evaluated the influence of cow BCS and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) supplementation during late gestation on cow performance and productivity of subsequent offspring. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial in a randomized complete block design with 2 BCS and with or without DDGS supplementation. Cows were nutritionally managed to enter the last trimester of gestation with a BCS of approximately 4 (LBCS) or 6 (HBCS) and were thereafter managed in a single herd (initial BCS were 4.4 and 5.7 for LBCS and HBCS treatments, respectively). During the last trimester, 12.7 kg/cow of low quality meadow hay (6.4% CP; DM basis) was provided each day. Supplemented cows were gathered and sorted into pens (12 pens; 5 cows/pen; 6 pens/BCS) every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and received the equivalent of 0.9 kg/cow daily of DDGS (31% CP; DM basis; supplement was consumed within 30 min on each supplementation day). Calf birth weight was greater for HBCS compared to LBCS (P = 0.001) and for supplemented compared to nonsupplemented cows (P = 0.04). Cow weight at weaning was greater for HBCS compared with LBCS (P < 0.001); however, no differences were noted because of supplementation (P = 0.16). Weaning weight was greater for the offspring of supplemented compared to nonsupplemented cows (P = 0.02). There were no differences in postweaning calf performance (growing lot and feedlot) or carcass characteristics (P > 0.05) due to treatments. Nevertheless, HBCS cows had approximately 10% more live calves at birth and at weaning (P ≤ 0.01) compared to LBCS cows. Consequently, the total weaned calf weight per cow was 26 kg greater for HBCS compared with LBCS (P = 0.004). Pregnancy rate was greater (P = 0.05) for HBCS than LBCS cows (92% vs. 79%, respectively) but not affected by supplementation (P = 0.94). This research demonstrates the potential consequences of not maintaining cows in adequate BCS at calving. Also, though it appears that supplementation of beef cows with DDGS during late gestation has a positive effect on weaning weight, there was no apparent developmental programming effect on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of calves.

Maternal Plane of Nutrition During Late‐Gestation and Weaning Age Alter Steer Calf Longissimus Muscle Adipogenic MicroRNA and Target Gene Expression

“…Overall, steer feedlot performance in terms of ADG was positively influenced by the plane of nutrition of the dam, and coincided with results from a previous study of similar design [12]. However, unlike another study where cow precalving body condition score was manipulated through diet [13], the MPN offspring had better performance during the first-half and lower performance during the secondhalf of the growing phase. More specifically, between 78 and 187 days of age, access to a high-grain diet was advantageous to EW-MPN steers which had a higher growth performance compared with NW-MPN steers.…”

Resynchronization of ovulation with new and reused intravaginal progesterone‐releasing devices without previous pregnancy diagnosis in Bos taurus indicus cows subjected to timed‐artificial insemination

“…The study was carried out on two farms in the state of Paraná, Brazil Cows were kept in an extensive pasture of Brachiaria brizantha and received minerals (Tortuga DSM, Fosbovi Reprodução, São Paulo, Brazil) and water ad libitum. The median body condition score (BCS) was 3.2 (range: 2.5-4.5), and it was evaluated on d0, that is, the beginning of the protocol, using a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = thin; 5 = obese; Bohnert et al, 2014).…”

Effects of prepartum plane of nutrition during mid- or late gestation on beef cow body weight, body condition score, blood hormone concentrations and preimplantation embryo

“…Previous literature supports that cows in moderate BCS (5-6) have increased conception rates (Lents et al 2008;Bohnert et al 2013) and decreased postpartum interval (Lents et al 2008) when compared with cows that are in poor BCS (4). In Exp.…”

“…Considerable evidence exists which implicates that prepartum nutritional management will improve subsequent reproductive performance in beef cattle (Sasser et al 1988;Selk et al 1988;Lents et al 2008). Prepartum nutrition affects BW and BCS (Stalker et al 2006;Bohnert et al 2013) and can alter circulating hormone concentrations (Wiley et al 1991;Lalman et al 1997) that are important in cattle achieving reproductive success. Moreover, the influence of postpartum nutritional management has been reported to influence embryo quality (Nolan et al 1998).…”