Swath grazing triticale and corn compared to barley and a traditional winter feeding method in central Alberta

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (7) ◽  
pp. 1125-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vern S. Baron ◽  
Raquel R. Doce ◽  
John Basarab ◽  
Campbell Dick
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Feeding Method ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Winter Feeding

Baron, V. S., Doce, R. R., Basarab, J. and Dick, C. 2014. Swath-grazing triticale and corn compared to barley and a traditional winter feeding method in central Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1125–1137. A 5-yr study compared swath-grazed triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack), corn (Zea mays L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with a traditional pen-fed, wintering diet for gestating beef cows on the basis of dry matter (DM) yield, carrying capacity, nutritive value, cow performance and total daily feeding cost. Cows (690±70 kg BW) were fed a control total mixed ration (TMR) or allocated to swath-grazed treatments in 2.5-ha paddocks. Triticale yielded 15% more than corn and corn 32% more than barley. Carrying capacity of triticale (1145 cow-d ha−1) and corn (1004 cow-d ha−1) were similar and both were greater (P<0.05) than control (516 cow-d ha−1) and barley (554 cow-d ha−1). Average utilization for triticale (83.7%) was greater (P<0.05) than corn (74.7%) and barley (71.7%). In vitro true digestibility (IVTD) for corn was highest (682 g kg−1), followed by triticale (620 g kg−1), then barley (570 g kg−1) and the control TMR (571 g kg−1). Average cow mean body condition score (BCS) was higher (P<0.05) for triticale and corn (3.0) than barley (2.9), but lower than the control (3.1). Thus, cow reproductive performance should not be compromised by swath grazing. Total daily feeding costs, averaged over years, ranked (P<0.05) triticale ($0.78 cow-d−1)<corn ($1.05 cow-d−1)<barley ($1.24 cow-d−1)<control ($1.98 cow-d−1).

Alternative fall and winter feeding systems for spring calving beef cows

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. McCartney ◽  
J. A. Basarab ◽  
E. K. Okine ◽  
V. S. Baron ◽  
A. J. Depalme
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Interval Length ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Barley Silage ◽  
Winter Feeding

This study evaluated the effects of early (EW) and late (LW) weaning on calf post-weaning growth performance and carcass characteristics. It also quantified the effects of EW and LW in combination with three winter feeding strategies on cow growth, reproductive performance and cost of production. EW calves were weaned in late August, while LW calves were weaned 56 d later in late October. The three cow winter feeding strategies were: (1) traditional (TD), or straw fed ad libitum and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) silage fed every day; (2) alternate day (AD), or straw fed ad libitum and equivalent amounts of barley silage fed every second day (AD); and (3) swath graze (SG), or swath grazing whole-plant barley, cut in the soft dough stage. The study was conducted over three production cycles (1997/1998, 1998/1999 and 1999/2000). EW calves weighing 213 kg and fed a backgrounding diet (82% barley silage: 18% concentrate) for 56 d, grew 0.36 kg d-1 (EW = 0.61 ± 0.02 kg d-1; LW = 0.97 ± 0.02 kg d-1; P < 0.001) slower from early to late weaning than LW calves (210 kg) on pasture nursing their mothers. Over the next 124–128 d, EW and LW calves fed the backgrounding diet grew similarly at 0.95 ± 0.01 and 0.93 ± 0.02 kg d-1, respectively. Both groups of calves also grew similarly during the finishing phase (EW = 1.56 ± 0.04 kg d-1; LW = 1.53 ± 0.05 kg d-1; P = 0.62), such that at slaughter, EW and LW calves were the same age (461 ± 4 vs. 455 ± 5 d, P = 0.326) and weight (522 ± 5 vs. 515 ± 6 kg, P = 0.390), with similar levels of carcass backfat, yield and quality grade. EW cows weighed 12 to 15 kg more (P < 0.01) in mid-November (first winter feeding), mid-February (pre-calving) and late-May (prebreeding) and tended to have a shorter calving span (49 vs. 62 d, P = 0.07) than the LW cows. Calving interval, calving pattern and cumulative open and cull rates, monitored over three consecutive production cycles, were similar for EW and LW cows. Differences (P < 0.05) in body weight were observed between winter feeding treatments. SG cows had the lowest weight (605 kg) and backfat thickness (4.5 mm) at pre-breeding; AD cows were intermediate (623 kg and 5.1 mm); and TD cows were heaviest (639 kg) with the most backfat (6.4 mm). Calving interval, length of the calving span, calving pattern and cumulative open and cull rates were similar among the winter feeding strategies for cows monitored over three production cycles. Swath grazing required 38.4% less labour than traditional feeding and 20.9% less labour than alternate day winter feeding. Total cash cost over the first 100 d of winter feeding for the SG winter feeding strategy was $70.00 cow-1 less than TD (45.5%) and $56.70 cow-1 less than AD (40.4%) winter feeding strategies. On average, 300 and 314 cow swath grazing d ha-1 were required to cover the cost of feed in the TD and AD winter feeding strategies, respectively. Key words: Beef cows, Western Canadian Parkland, swath grazing, alternate day, early and late weaning

scholarly journals PSII-31 Effects of restricted dietary intake on protein expression of oviductal glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1) in the oviductal ampulla of beef cows

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 376-376
Author(s):  
Lawrence P Reynolds ◽  
Kacie L McCarthy ◽  
Matthew S Crouse ◽  
Cierrah J Kassetas ◽  
Friederike Baumgaertner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
In Vitro Production

Abstract In vitro production of embryos (IVP) results in poor pregnancy rates, with 10 to 40% of embryos transferred surviving to term. Inclusion of oviductal fluid (OF) in the culture media improves success of IVP and pregnancy rates, but factors influencing OF composition are not well investigated. Therefore, we examined the effects of restricted maternal dietary intake on expression of oviductal glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1; or oviductin), a highly conserved glycoprotein involved in fertilization and early embryo cleavage. Multiparous nonpregnant beef cows were randomly assigned to one of 2 intake groups (n = 9 per group) designed to maintain [control (CON)] or lose [0.7 kg/d, negative (NEG)] body weight (BW) for 9 wk; for each cow, initial and final body condition score (BCS; 1–9 scale) and body weight (BW) were determined. Cows were estrus synchronized (Co-Synch + CIDR protocol) and slaughtered 3 d after synchronized ovulation. At slaughter, cross sections of the oviductal ampulla adjacent to the ovary containing the corpus luteum were fixed in neutral buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained using a primary antibody against OVGP1 and fluorescently-labeled secondary antibody. Intensity of immunofluorescent staining for OVGP1 was quantified by image analysis, and differences between intake groups analyzed by t-test. Change (final – initial) in BCS and BW were greater for the NEG compared with CON cows (BCS: -1.06 vs. -0. 50, P&lt; 0.03; and BW: -40.8 vs. -3.6 kg, P &lt; 0.0001). The OVGP1 glycoprotein was expressed in the luminal epithelium of the ampulla, and site of expression did not differ between NEG and CON intake groups. Intensity of staining also did not differ (P &gt;0.30) between NEG and CON intake groups (7.110 vs. 7.153 arbitrary intensity units; SEM = 0.059). Thus, restriction of maternal nutrient intake for 9 weeks did not influence protein expression of OVGP1, a major oviductal glycoprotein.

Mixtures of Persian clover with Italian ryegrass or barley-Italian ryegrass for annual forage

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald J. Thompson ◽  
Darryl G. Stout
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Persian Clover

In the interior of British Columbia, spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum var. italicum Beck.) are intercropped with fertilizer N as a 1-yr break before reseeding irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) was seeded with barley and ryegrass or only ryegrass to determine its effect on seasonal yield and forage nutritive value. All species mixtures were grown with and without a total of 200 kg ha−1 of N to compare N2 fixation by Persian clover with N fertilizer. Averaged over 2 yr, adding Persian clover to barley-ryegrass provided a total yield that was 96% of that obtained by adding fertilizer N to barley-ryegrass. Second cut yield averaged 58% more with clover than with N. However, the grasses yielded more than the grasses with added clover in the third cut. Adding clover to ryegrass provided 94% of the total yield of adding N fertilizer. Persian clover was higher in crude protein and in vitro digestibility of dry matter than ryegrass, so adding clover tended to improve the nutritive value of mixtures. This was most obvious without N, where Persian clover accounted for more of the total forage produced. The study shows that Persian clover is a valuable addition to barley-ryegrass mixtures; it reduces fertilizer needs, improves mid-season yield and improves forage nutritive value. Key words: Persian clover, barley, Italian ryegrass, forage mixtures

Swath grazing oat or grazing stockpiled grass compared to a traditional winter feeding method for beef cows in central Alberta

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vern S Baron ◽  
Duane McCartney ◽  
A. Campbell Dick ◽  
Adele J Ohama ◽  
John Basarab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cows ◽  
Feeding Method ◽  
Winter Feeding

The effect of immaturity and harvesting method on the yield and properties of barley straw

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Kernan ◽  
D. T. Spurr ◽  
W. L. Crowle ◽  
A. K. Sumner
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Protein Digestibility ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Ammonia Treatment ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Harvesting Method ◽  
Method Yield ◽  
Grain Yield And Quality

The effects of immaturity and harvesting method of barley grain on residue yields and nutritive properties were investigated at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1983, 1984, and 1985. Three barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars (Betzes, Harrington, and Scout), were harvested at kernel moisture contents (KMC) ranging from 56% to 12% using the traditional swathing/air drying/threshing method and the direct combining/artificial drying method. Residue nutritive changes that resulted from varying swathing height and from ammonia treatment were also studied. Harvesting immature barley increased the yield and nutritive value of the residue but reduced grain yield and quality. In 1984, direct combining at 35% KMC yielded 40% more residue but only 5% less grain than swathing. Nutritive value of the residue, determined by equivalent crude protein (ECP) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), increased with higher KMC at harvest and was usually greater for direct combined than for swathed residue. Harvesting at a higher stubble height in 1985 increased residue nutritive value. Ammonia treatment of residue from all KMC's and harvesting methods increased ECP by an average of 77% in 1983 and 144% in 1984, and the IVOMD by 19% both years. KMC at harvest had little effect on improved nutritive value resulting from ammoniation. Key words: Barley, harvesting method, yield, immaturity, nutritive value, kernel moisture content, residue, straw, protein, digestibility

Effects of body condition at calving, post-partum nutrition and calf access on the interval from calving to first ovulation in beef cows: Cow performance and metabolism

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 4-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Sinclair ◽  
G. Molle ◽  
R. Revilla ◽  
J. F. Roche ◽  
G. Quintans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Follicular Wave ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Lh Release ◽  
Cow Performance

The prolonged interval from calving to first ovulation in beef cows is primarily due to the suckling-mediated inhibition of pulsatile LH release. Undernutrition both before and after calving also suppresses LH release, reduces ovarian follicular growth and delays ovulation. The interactive effects of these factors on the interval from calving to first ovulation in beef cows were quantified by studying the incidence of ovulation, following acute calf isolation and once-a-day suckling (restricted access), after emergence of the fourth follicular wave post partum in cows in differing body condition at calving and offered low or high planes of nutrition after calving.The experiment was a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design, in which the factors were body condition score at calving (Low v. Moderate), feeding level after calving (0.6 v. 1.0 MJ ME/d/kg M0.75), and restricted (once-a-day) v. ad libitum access and suckling. The experiment, duplicated at each of the four participating sites, involved 16 Simmental, 16 Sarda, 16 Brown Swiss and 16 Hereford x Friesian multi-parous cows. Follicle growth was monitored daily from day 21 post partum until the earlier of second ovulation or Day 90 post partum using transrectal ovarian ultrasonography.

Winter weathering effects on corn grown for grazing in a short-season area

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-341
Author(s):  
V. S. Baron ◽  
H. G. Najda ◽  
D. H. McCartney ◽  
M. Bjorge ◽  
G. W. Lastiwka
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Short Stature ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Early Maturity ◽  
Winter Grazing

Winter grazing can reduce over-winter feeding costs of beef cows and, recently, the selection and marketing of corn (Zea mays L.) varieties for grazing has increased the interest of Alberta beef producers. The objective of this study was to compare grazing corn varieties with early conventional corn hybrids for winter grazing potential. Five corn varieties (one grazing, one short-stature and three conventional types) were compared for whole-plant yield and forage quality at Lacombe and Brooks, AB, at four harvest times (two in September, one in December and one in January), in each of 2 yr. Forage quality analyses were in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM), neutral (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude protein concentration. Averaged over varieties and years, yield decreased (P ≤ 0.05) by 13% between September and January at Lacombe, and by 39 and 16% at Brooks in 1999 and 2000, respectively. At Brooks, yield losses from September to January, averaged over years were 38 to 18% for a grazing and a conventional variety, respectively. At Lacombe, IVDOM concentration declined (P ≤ 0.05) by 6.3 and 3.6% between September and January during 1999 and 2000, respectively; NDF concentration increased (P ≤ 0.05) by 10% over the same interval for both years. At Lacombe there were no differences among varieties for nutritive value by January harvests. Trends for reduced forage quality with harvest were not clear at Brooks but the grazing-type variety had higher (P ≤ 0.05) NDF and ADF concentrations than the other varieties after the first harvest. In general, projected energy and crude protein concentrations of corn during winter exceeded minimum requirements an were adequate, respectively, for non-lactating, pregnant beef cows. Grazing and short stature corn varieties were not superior to early conventional corn genotypes for winter grazing potential. Thus, choice of variety for winter grazing should be made on the basis of cost of production and early maturity. Key words: Weathering, corn, Zea mays L., nutritive value, yield loss, winter grazing potential

Swath grazing potential of spring cereals, field pea and mixtures with other species

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 1051-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvid Aasen, Vern S. Baron ◽  
George W. Clayton ◽  
A. Campbell Dick ◽  
Duane H. McCartney
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Cereal Species ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
One Year

There is little information on the relative suitability of cereal species and field pea or their mixtures for winter swath grazing. The objective of this study was to compare the swath grazing potential of small-grain cereal and field pea (Pisum sativa L.) monocultures, their mixtures, and mixtures with other species, by evaluating forage yield in the fall and changes in nutritive value due to weathering from fall until spring. The monocultures and mixtures were seeded in early summer and swathed in late September with conventional farm equipment for 3 yr. Dry matter yield was measured by harvesting a subplot (1.22 × 3.62 m) across each plot prior to swathing. A cross-section sample of swath was taken for quality determination immediately after swathing, in late November and April. In vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM), protein, and neutral (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations were measured for each sampling time. Generally, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and field pea monocrops produced similar yields, and mixtures did not out-yield monocrops. Yield of the barley/oat mixture was more stable from year to year than the respective monocrops. Addition of field pea to cereals in mixtures increased crude protein slightly and reduced NDF over cereal monocrops, but field pea mixtures did not improve nutritive value compared with the field pea monocrop. In one year with severe weathering conditions, field pea and field pea mixtures lost nutritive value faster than cereal monocrops initially, but had nutritive value similar to the cereal monocrops by April. Mixtures and monocrops lost nutritive value at a similar rate due to weathering. Added costs of growing mixtures rather than monocrops were not offset by superior yield, nutritive value, or resistance to weathering. Key words: Winter swath grazing, cereal and field pea mixtures, weathering, nutritive value

scholarly journals Cow–calf performance, forage utilization, and economics of warm-season annual baleage in beef cattle winter feeding systems1

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 376-384
Author(s):  
Mekenzie H Panhans ◽  
Katie M Mason ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Chris G Prevatt ◽  
Sonia J Moisá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Forage Type ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Winter Feeding

Abstract A 52-d winter feeding trial was conducted to determine animal performance, utilization, and economics of pearl millet (PM) baleage, sorghum × sudangrass (SS) baleage, and “Tifton 85” bermudagrass (B) hay for lactating beef cow–calf pairs. Cone (C) and open-shaped (O) rings were evaluated for potential to minimize forage wastage. The experiment was a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments for each forage type × hay ring (3 cow–calf pairs per treatment; 2 replications per treatment). Animal response measures included cow body weight (BW) change and body condition score (BCS) over the 52-d trial, initial and final calf BW, and cow milk production at the midpoint and end of the study. Forage nutritive value parameters evaluated for each forage type included ash, crude protein (CP), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Forage wastage was estimated for each forage × ring treatment as the percentage of the bale weight remaining in feeding rings at the time of bale replacement. An economic evaluation of the relative costs associated with production and utilization of each forage type was calculated. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.10) in cow BW change or BCS change among forage types, between ring shapes, or an interaction observed for these response variables. Proportion of waste from PM and SS baleage was greater (P &lt; 0.10) than for B hay, although there was no forage type × hay ring interaction or differences between O and C hay ring treatments for forage waste (P ≥ 0.10, respectively). Cow milk production and calf BW gain did not differ among forage type (P ≥ 0.10, respectively); however, beef calves in pens containing the O ring feeder weighed 6 kg more (P ≤ 0.05) than calves whose dams were fed using C rings. The economic analysis implies that it is more costly to feed warm-season annual forage baleage to cow–calf pairs than dry hay, largely due to greater costs of production, lack of difference in animal performance responses, and less utilization of baleage compared with feeding bermudagrass hay in this trial.

Effects of Feeding Graded Levels of Black Spruce Needles and Branches on Beef Cow Performance and Health During Mid to Late Gestation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Lafreniere ◽  
Robert Berthiaume ◽  
Leo Giesen ◽  
Cheryl Campbell ◽  
Dale Gardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Cow Performance

Pregnant beef cows (56; 727 ± 102 kg BW) in second trimester were used to examine black spruce (BSP) needles and branches for replacing alfalfa silage in wintering cow diets. Five dietary treatments assessed BSP inclusion rates (0, 15, 22.5, 30, 37.5% in the diet) for 92 days up until 2 weeks before start of calving using a randomized complete block design (10-12 cows/treatment). There were linear decreases (P < 0.001) in total weight gain, average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intakes (DMI) as amounts of dietary BSP increased. Low DMI feeding BSP may be attributed to palatability issues and lower rates of digestion. Changes in body condition score (BCS) increased(P < 0.003) as dietary BSP increased. These effects are supported by corresponding linear decreases (P < 0.001) for changes in rump fat cover and increases (P < 0.001) in serum non-esterified fatty acids as dietary BSP increased. Post-feeding of test diets, there were no dietary treatment differences (P > 0.42) for calf birth and weaning weights and cow pregnancy and culling rates. Based on this study, incorporation of BSP into gestating cow diets cannot be recommended.

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