The effect of precipitation received during gestation on progeny performance in Bos indicus influenced beef cattle

Abstract

The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the effect of precipitation level during key fetal development periods on beef progeny performance. The hypothesis that was precipitation level during different periods of gestation would program subsequent calves for an environment similar to that experienced in utero resulting in altered growth and reproductive performance. Data were collected on Brangus cows (n = 2,429) over a 46-yr span at the Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center. Recorded precipitation values were used to calculate average precipitation associated with total gestation (April–March), early gestation, (July–September), and late gestation (December–February). These values were used to classify treatments: low (z value ≤ –1.00), average (z value –0.99 to +0.99), and high (z value ≥ +1.00) for each time period. Calves experiencing high precipitation throughout gestation had heavier body weight (BW) at birth (P = 0.02), weaning (P = 0.05), and adjusted 205-d BW (P = 0.04) than those experiencing low precipitation . Female progeny gestated during low precipitation throughout gestation were more likely to remain (P < 0.0001) in the herd and calve after the age of 8 yr when compared to heifers experiencing high precipitation levels in utero (38% vs. 16% ± 5%, respectively). In addition, a greater percentage (P < 0.0001) of heifers experiencing low precipitation levels during the early gestation period produced a calf within the herd after 8 yr of age. Similarly, calves experiencing low precipitation during those same time points also had a greater number of calves while in production (P < 0.0001) when compared to the average and high precipitation groups. These results indicate that selection of heifers exposed to lower than average precipitation levels in utero may result in increased herd retention and productivity.

Improving Beef Progeny Performance Through Developmental Programming

“…(2) produce a calf within the herd after 8 years of age; and (3) produced a greater number of calves while in production compared to average and high precipitation groups. These results indicate that selection of heifers exposed to lower than average precipitation levels in utero may result in increased herd retention and productivity (Beard et al, 2019). Collectively, the findings described herein indicate that maternal nutrition impacts reproductive development of female progeny and the effect of specific maternal nutritional strategies deserves further investigation.…”

“…Suboptimal maternal nutrient status also results in disruptions within the neuroendocrine system of the female offspring, leading to altered reproductive function (O'Neil et al, 2019). However, other studies have reported contrasting outcomes to heifer progeny due to long-term exposure to nutrient restriction during gestation (Roberts et al, 2009;Beard et al, 2019). Beard et al (2019) summarized 46 years of data to determine the effects of precipitation level during key fetal development periods on beef progeny performance.…”

“…However, other studies have reported contrasting outcomes to heifer progeny due to long-term exposure to nutrient restriction during gestation (Roberts et al, 2009;Beard et al, 2019). Beard et al (2019) summarized 46 years of data to determine the effects of precipitation level during key fetal development periods on beef progeny performance. Female progeny gestated during low precipitation throughout gestation were more likely to: (1) remain in the herd and calve after the age of 8 years;…”

“…In addition, stressors experienced during gestation may elicit opposite outcomes to offspring performance during shorter vs. longer periods of evaluation. For example, a retrospective study investigated the effects of precipitation during key stages of gestation on progeny performance (Beard et al, 2019). Calves experiencing low precipitation during gestation were lighter at birth and weaning but had greater longevity and percentage of females calving after 8 years of age compared to those experiencing high precipitation levels during gestation (Beard et al, 2019).…”

“…For example, a retrospective study investigated the effects of precipitation during key stages of gestation on progeny performance (Beard et al, 2019). Calves experiencing low precipitation during gestation were lighter at birth and weaning but had greater longevity and percentage of females calving after 8 years of age compared to those experiencing high precipitation levels during gestation (Beard et al, 2019). Thus, it is plausible that some maternal gestational nutrition-induced benefits to offspring performance reported herein may not be long-lasting throughout the remaining productive life of the progeny.…”