Prepartum supplement level and age at weaning: I. Effects on pre- and postpartum beef cow performance and calf performance through weaning1

L. M. Shoup; A. C. Kloth; T. B. Wilson; D. González-Peña; F. A. Ireland; S. Rodriguez-Zas; T. L. Felix; D. W. Shike

doi:10.2527/jas.2014-8564

The effect of cow udder score on cow/calf performance in the Nebraska Sandhills

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txz006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 14-19

Author(s):

Joslyn K Beard ◽

Jacki A Musgrave ◽

Rick N Funston ◽

J Travis Mulliniks

Keyword(s):

Mixed Models ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Calf Performance ◽

Cow Performance ◽

And Performance ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Poor udder and teat confirmation decreases profitability due to decreased calf weaning weight, increased incidence of mastitis and labor, and decreased cow lifetime productivity. Therefore, the objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of beef cow udder score on cow performance and pre- and postweaning progeny performance. In a 5-yr study, crossbred cows at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, NE, were assigned an udder score each year at calving, from 1 to 5, using an udder and teat combination score. Cows were grouped by udder scores and classified as either low udder score (LUS, udder score 1 or 2; n = 223) or high udder score (HUS, udder score 3 or 4; n = 1,742). The udder score combines udder conformation and a teat scoring system. Low udder scores consisted of pendulous udders and large teats, whereas HUS consisted of tight udders and small, symmetrical teats. Mixed models were used to evaluate udder score on cow performance and calf pre- and postweaning performance. Cow body weight (BW) at prebreeding and weaning was greater (P < 0.01) in LUS cows compared with HUS counterparts. Pregnancy rate was not different (P = 0.35) between udder classification groups. Calf BW at birth (P = 0.95), weaning (P = 0.40), and adjusted 205-d BW (P = 0.28) were not different between udder groups. Cow udder score did not influence feedlot entry (P = 0.41) and final BW (P = 0.30), dry matter intake (P = 0.53), average daily gain (P = 0.60), and gain:feed ratio (P = 0.85) of steer progeny. However, steers from HUS dams had greater hot carcass weight (HCW; P = 0.04) and backfat thickness (P = 0.02) compared with LUS counterparts. Results from this study suggest cows with less desirable udder structure may not have a negative impact on calf preweaning growth and performance; however, backfat thickness and HCW in the finishing phase were lower in steers from cows with a lower udder score.

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The effect of sward height on beef cow performance and on the relationship between calf milk and herbage intakes

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100012290 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 363-370 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

I. A. Wright ◽

A. J. F. Russel

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Live Weight ◽

Milk Intake ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Sward Height ◽

Herbage Intake ◽

Continuous Grazing ◽

Weight Gains ◽

Calf Performance ◽

Cow Performance

ABSTRACTGroups of 12 spring-calving cows and their calves were allocated to each of three continuous grazing treatments: cows and calves grazed a 4- to 5-cm sward (LI), cows grazed a 4- to 5-cm sward and their calves grazed an 8- to 10-cm sward (Lh) and cows and calves grazed an 8- to 10-cm sward (Hh). In each case cows and calves grazed separately. Sward height had a large effect on both cow and calf performance and intake. The short swards reduced cow herbage intake proportionately by 0·2 compared with that of the taller sward. Cow live-weight gains were −0·60, −0·59 and 0·42 (s.e.d. 0·103) kg/day on treatments LI, Lh and Hh respectively while calf live-weight gains were 0·80, 0·95 and 1·14 (s.e.d. 0·040) kg/day. Calf milk intakes were 7·05, 5·78 and 9·34 (s.e.d. 0·508) kg/day respectively while daily herbage intakes were 17·2, 22·0 and 19·8 (s.e.d. 1·35) g organic matter per kg live weight for treatments LI, Lh and Hh. There was a negative association between calf herbage and milk organic matter intakes in the treatments where the calves had access to a more generous sward height (treatments Lh and Hh), the regression coefficient being −0·89 (s.e. 0·381), indicating the calves' ability to increase herbage intake in response to a reduction in milk intake. On the LI treatment there was no significant relationship between milk and herbage intakes. The ability of grazing suckled calves to compensate for a reduction in milk intake is thus dependent on sward conditions, and may also depend on herbage digestibility. The increase in herbage intake cannot however compensate fully for a restriction in milk supply.

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An integrated approach to crop/livestock systems: Wintering beef cows on swathed crops

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1079/raf2005108 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 232-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

J.F. Karn ◽

D.L. Tanaka ◽

M.A. Liebig ◽

R.E. Ries ◽

S.L. Kronberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Residue ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Western Wheatgrass ◽

Feeding Costs ◽

Calf Performance ◽

Weight Gain Data ◽

Cow Performance ◽

Feed Costs

AbstractGrain and livestock production have gradually been separated, as farmers have tended to specialize in one or the other. Some producers and scientists are beginning to question whether this is the best approach. An integrated crop/livestock project was initiated in 1999 to investigate potentially beneficial synergies to both enterprises. The cattle portion of this project involved wintering dry pregnant cows on swathed crop residue and drilled corn produced in a 3-year crop rotation, with all crops present each year. Swath grazing was initiated in mid-November of 1999, 2000 and 2001, and terminated in mid-February each year. Two replications of ten Hereford cows were rotationally grazed on swathed oat/pea and triticale crop residue and swathed drilled corn (RGSC). Comparison treatments were: cows grazing swathed western wheatgrass (SWWG) and cows fed hay in a drylot. Cows on the RGSC treatment were also fed a 20% crude protein supplement of oat/pea and triticale grain. Drilled corn was swathed in late September and western wheatgrass in early October. Three-year average winter-long weight gains for the RGSC cows were slightly lower (P<0.10) than those for drylot cows. Body condition scores generally followed the same pattern as weight gain data. Reproductive and calf performance data were not significantly different among wintering treatments. Average daily feed costs per cow over the three winters were US$0.49, 0.65 and 0.73 for RGSC, SWWG and baled hay in a drylot, respectively, providing a potential daily savings of US$0.24 per cow with the RGSC treatment compared to bale feeding in a drylot. Swath grazing did not appear to have any adverse affects on mid-aged beef cow performance and could potentially reduce winter feeding costs and manure handling problems. The main problem with swath grazing is potentially deep snow and icing of the swaths.

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Effects of frequency of supplementation of low-quality gestation diets on beef cow performance from mid-gestation through lactation and preweaning calf performance

Applied Animal Science ◽

10.15232/aas.2019-01933 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 237-248

Author(s):

J.J. Devos ◽

K.M. Spence ◽

C.T. Warren ◽

N.N. Ferriman ◽

F.S. Schenkel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cow ◽

Calf Performance ◽

Cow Performance

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38 Effects of combining nose flap weaning with short-term creep feeding of beef calves on cow and calf performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.070 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 39-40

Author(s):

Kendi Tjardes ◽

Katy Lippolis

Keyword(s):

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Short Term ◽

Beef Calves ◽

Diarrhea Virus ◽

Creep Feed ◽

Calf Performance ◽

Cow Performance ◽

Term Creep ◽

Viral Diarrhea Virus ◽

Short Term Creep

Abstract One hundred four Angus calves were ranked by gender, BW, age, and dam parity, and assigned to 1 of 4 pre-weaning treatments: 1) nose flaps for 7-d prior to weaning (NF), 2) traditional weaning (TRAD), 3) traditional weaning and creep feed for 3-wk prior to weaning (TRADC), or 4) nose flaps for 7-d prior to weaning and creep feed for 3-wk prior to weaning (NFC). Cow-calf pairs were housed in dry lot pens on d -28. From d -21 to 0, calves in creep treatments were provided free choice access to creep feed. Nose flaps were placed on d -7, and calves were weaned on d 0. Calves were vaccinated and dewormed on d -21 and 0. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.97) in calf BW on d -28 or -21. During the 7-d period that nose flaps were placed, NFC calves had greater (P ≤ 0.0001) ADG than NF and TRAD calves, and tended to have greater (P ≤ 0.10) ADG than TRADC calves. At weaning on d 0, TRADC and NFC calves tended to have greater BW (P = 0.07) and had greater overall change in BW (P < 0.0001) during the pre-weaning period than TRAD and NF calves. Additionally, there was a greater (P ≤ 0.001) increase in BW of NFC and TRADC cows during the pre-weaning period compared to NF and TRAD cows. From d -21 to 0 there was no differences (P > 0.41) in plasma concentrations for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVD). By d 14, the TRADC calves had the greatest plasma concentrations for BVD (P < 0.04). Therefore, providing short-term creep feed prior to placing nose flaps can improve pre-weaning calf and cow performance compared to traditional and nose flap weaning without creep feed supplementation, however, did not improve response to vaccination.

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PSI-3 Effects of housing cow-calf pairs in drylots vs pasture during the summer on cow performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.398 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 228-228

Author(s):

Keiffer Sexton ◽

Megan Myerscough ◽

Wesley Chapple ◽

William T Meteer ◽

Keela Trennepohl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Binary Data ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Dried Distillers Grains ◽

Milk Urea ◽

Cow Performance

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effects of maintaining cows in drylots vs pasture on beef cow performance. Spring-calving, Simmental × Angus cows (n = 108; 84 ± 11 d postpartum) were stratified by age, BW, BCS, calving date, and sex of calves and allotted to 6 groups. Groups were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments for 110 d: drylot (DL) or pasture (PAST). Drylot cows were limit-fed a ration consisting of corn silage, dried distillers grains, hay, corn stalks, corn, and soybean hulls to meet protein and energy requirements. Cows on pasture were rotationally grazed and offered free-choice mineral. On d 0, cows were artificially inseminated (AI). On d 0, 53, and 110 (weaning), cow BW and BCS were measured. On d 54 milk production was estimated using the weigh-suckle-weigh technique. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. All binary data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. On d 0 and 53, cow BW did not differ (P ≥ 0.73) between DL and PAST. On d 110, DL cows had 74 kg greater (P < 0.01) BW than PAST cows. The BCS did not differ (P ≥ 0.66) between treatments. There was no difference in milk production (P = 0.93); however, drylot cows tended (P = 0.10) to have reduced milk fat percentage and had reduced (P < 0.01) milk urea nitrogen. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.34) in AI or overall pregnancy rates between treatments. There was no difference in foot angle or claw set (P ≥ 0.17) of cows at any time point. There was also no difference (P = 0.17) in foot treatments between DL (39%) and PAST (4%). Housing cows in drylots compared to pasture increased BW, but did not affect BCS, milk production, and pregnancy rates.

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80 Evaluation of extended release eprinomectin efficacy on multiparous beef cow performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.024 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 11-11

Author(s):

Laine Zammit ◽

Jermey G Powell ◽

Reagan N Cauble ◽

Toby D Lester ◽

Callan Lichtenwalter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extended Release ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Negative Control ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Body Weights ◽

Calving Season ◽

Cow Performance ◽

Fall Calving

Abstract Internal parasitism inevitability prompts economic loss in beef cattle production by decreasing growth performance and reproductive traits. Previous studies have conflicting results on the macrocyclic lactones (ML) efficacy against internal parasitism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of milbeymycin and avermectin sub groups of ML on cow performance. Multiparous fall calving, crossbred beef cows (n = 106) were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 anthelmintic treatments: 1) Negative control (CON), in which cows did not receive an anthelmintic, 2) Injectable moxidectin (MOX) and 3) Injectable extended release eprinomectin (ERE). Body weights (BW), body condition scores (BCS), and fecal egg counts (FEC) were taken throughout the duration of the calving season to weaning on d0, d80, d162, and d217, with weaning occurring on d217. Performance data were analyzed using the MIXED procedures of SAS, and pregnancy data were analyzed using the GENMOD procedures of SAS. Significance was fixed at P < 0.05 and tendencies were established from 0.05 ≤ P ≤ 0.10. There was no effect of anthelmintic treatment on cow BW (P ≥ 0.57) or cow BCS (P ≥ 0.22) during the 217 d study; however, CON cows tended to have lower BCS (P = 0.08) throughout the duration of the study. Cows treated with ERE had fewer FEC compared to MOX and CON groups (P ≤ 0.001) and tended to improve pregnancy rates (c2 = 0.0546). Calf weaning weight was similar among treatments averaging 216, 225, and 223 kg regarding CON, MOX, and ERE cow treatments, respectively.

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Effects of supplementing methionine hydroxy analog on beef cow performance, milk production, reproduction, and preweaning calf performance1

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas2017.1828 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 (12) ◽

pp. 5597-5605 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

A. R. Clements ◽

F. A. Ireland ◽

T. Freitas ◽

H. Tucker ◽

D. W. Shike

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Cow Performance

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Effects of housing beef cow-calf pairs on drylot or pasture in the Midwest on production parameters and calf behavior through feedlot receiving

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab357 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Megan E Myerscough ◽

Lucas T Neira ◽

Keifer H Sexton ◽

Lucas S Hofer ◽

Keela M Trennepohl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Beef Cow ◽

Condition Score ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Cow Calf ◽

Cow Performance ◽

And Behavior

Abstract The objectives were to analyze the effects of housing cow-calf pairs in drylots (DL) or pasture (PAST) on cow performance and reproduction as well as calf performance and behavior through feedlot receiving. Simmental × Angus (2 yr; 108/yr; 81 ± 15.3 d postpartum) spring-calving cows were stratified by age, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and calf sex and allotted to 6 groups/yr. Groups were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: DL or PAST. Cows in DL were limit-fed at maintenance and calves had ad libitum access to the cow diet in an adjacent pen. Pairs on PAST were rotationally grazed and calves received creep ad libitum three weeks prior to weaning. On d 110 calves were fence-line weaned and behavior was observed on d 111 and 112. On d 116 calves were transported 272 kilometers to a feedlot for a 42-d receiving period. Behavior was evaluated again on d 117 and 118. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS except reproductive data which was analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure. Cows on DL had greater (P ≤ 0.01) BW and BCS at weaning. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.42) detected in reproductive data. Cows on DL had greater (P = 0.02) milk production. Calves on DL had greater BW (P ≤ 0.01) on d 55 and at weaning and greater preweaning average daily gain (ADG). There were treatment × time effects (P = 0.01) for lying and eating on d 111 and 112. More DL calves were eating in the morning and lying in the evening. More (P < 0.01) PAST calves were walking on d 111. Pasture calves vocalized more (P ≤ 0.01) on d 112. On d 117, more (P ≤ 0.05) pasture calves were lying and eating, and DL vocalized more. On d 118, treatment × time and treatment effects were detected (P ≤ 0.02) for lying and walking. More PAST calves were lying and more DL calves were walking. Drylot calves had greater (P ≤ 0.02) BW at the beginning and end of the receiving phase. Pasture calves had greater (P < 0.01) ADG and tended (P = 0.10) to have greater gain efficiency during feedlot receiving phase. In conclusion, housing cow-calf pairs in drylots improved BW, BCS, and milk production of cows but did not affect reproductive performance. Drylot calves had increased BW and ADG during the preweaning phase. Calf behavior at weaning and receiving was influenced by preweaning housing. Pasture calves had improved receiving phase ADG and feed efficiency but were still lighter than drylot calves after 42 d receiving phase.

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