Don C. Adams

Winter grazing system and supplementation during late gestation influence performance of beef cows and steer progeny

ABSTRACT A 2 × 2 factorial study evaluated effects of cow wintering system and last trimester CP supplementation on performance of beef cows and steer progeny over a 3-yr period. Pregnant composite cows (Red Angus × Simmental) grazed winter range (WR; n = 4/yr) or corn residue (CR; n = 4/yr) during winter and within grazing treatment received 0.45 kg/d (DM) 28% CP cubes (PS; n = 4/yr) or no supplement (NS; n = 4/yr). Offspring steer calves entered the feedlot 14 d postweaning and were slaughtered 222 d later. Precalving BW was greater (P = 0.02) for PS than NS cows grazing WR, whereas precalving BCS was greater (P < 0.001) for cows grazing CR compared with WR. Calf birth BW was greater (P = 0.02) for CR than WR and tended to be greater (P = 0.11) for PS than NS cows. Prebreeding BW and BCS were greater (P ≤ 0.001) for CR than WR cows and PS than NS (P = 0.006) cows. At weaning, CR cows were heavier (P < 0.001) than WR cows but had similar BCS (P = 0.74). Cow weaning BW and BCS were not affected (P > 0.32) by PS. Calf weaning BW was less (P = 0.01) for calves from NS cows grazing WR compared with all other treatments. Pregnancy rate was unaffected by treatment (P > 0.39). Steer ADG, 12th-rib fat, yield grade, and LM area (P > 0.10) were similar among all treatments. However, final BW and HCW (P = 0.02) were greater for steers from PS-WR than NS-WR cows. Compared with steers from NS cows, steers from PS cows had greater marbling scores (P = 0.004) and a greater (P = 0.04) proportion graded USDA Choice or greater. Protein supplementation of dams increased the value of calves at weaning (P = 0.03) and of steers at slaughter regardless of winter grazing treatment (P = 0.005). Calf birth and weaning BW were increased by grazing CR during the winter. Calf weaning BW was increased by PS of the dam if the dam grazed WR. Compared with steers from NS cows, steer progeny from PS cows had a greater quality grade with no (P = 0.26) effect on yield grade. These data support a late gestation dam nutrition effect on calf production via fetal programming.

Extended grazing systems for improving economic returns from Nebraska sandhills cow/calf operations

Three winter treatments were cross classified with 2 spring treatments to create 6 feeding and grazing systems utilizing Nebraska sandhills range and subirrigated meadow forage. Systems were evaluated with multiparous crossbred beef cows over 4 years (240 head beginning year 1). Systems were: 1) owing range during winter; 2) grazing subirrigated meadow during winter; and 3) fur feed of meadow bay during winter; in combination with either: a) full feed of subirrigated meadow hay during May, or b) grazing subirrigated meadow during May. From June through November all cows grazed range. The feeding and grazing systems were compared with selected linear contrasts and evaluated with respect to variable input prices. Some differences in cow body weight and body condition occurred but differences were considered small. Throughout the study, cows on all systems generally maintained a body condition score of about 5 (1 to 9 scale) year long. Inputs of hay were reduced by grazing range or subirrigated meadow during winter and during May without affecting pregnancy rate. Weaning weight of calves was increased 5.0 kg by grazing meadow during May compared to feeding hay during May. When opportunity costs were included in the analysis, the most profitable system involved grazing subirrigated meadow during winter and during May. Grazing subirrigated meadow during May enhanced the profitability of all wintering systems.

Winter grazing system and supplementation of beef cows during late gestation influence heifer progeny

A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to evaluate effects of dam winter grazing system and supplementation in the last third of gestation on subsequent BW gain, feed efficiency, and reproduction in heifer progeny. Crossbred cows (yr 1, n = 109; yr 2, n = 114; yr 3, n = 116) grazed range (WR) or corn residue (CR) during winter and within grazing treatment received 0.40 kg/d of 31% CP (DM basis) cubes (PS) or no supplement (NS). Heifer calves (yr 1, n = 56; yr 2, n = 56; yr 3, n = 54) grazed dormant pasture for 114 d postweaning and were individually fed for 87 d before a 45-d natural service breeding. Dam PS reduced (P = 0.04) heifer birth date and CR tended to increase (P = 0.07) heifer birth BW. Both PS and CR increased (P ≤ 0.05) heifer weaning BW; however, adjusted 205-d weaning BW was only lighter (P = 0.03) if the dam grazed WR with NS. Heifers from PS dams tended to be younger (P = 0.09) at puberty than NS, and there was a trend (P = 0.11) for more heifers to be pubertal by breeding if the dam grazed WR with PS compared with other treatment groups. Heifers from WR-NS dams tended to weigh less (P ≤ 0.09) at breeding and at pregnancy diagnosis than WR PS. There was a trend (P = 0.13) for pregnancy rate to be greater for heifers born to PS dams. Individually fed heifer DMI was not affected (P = 0.25) by treatment; however, heifers from dams that grazed CR with PS gained the least BW (P = 0.04) during individual feeding and had the smallest (P = 0.03) G:F. In contrast, there were no differences (P > 0.15) in feed efficiency when expressed as residual feed intake. The first calf birth and weaning BW of the heifer was unaffected (P > 0.15) by dam treatment. Heifers from dams that grazed WR with NS tended to have lighter (P = 0.09) BW before the second breeding season but similar (P = 0.97) pregnancy rates. Cows grazing CR with NS produced the most valuable heifer calf at weaning; however, heifers from cows that grazed WR with NS cost the least to develop per pregnant heifer. Winter grazing system and late gestation supplementation affected heifer progeny BW, feed efficiency, and fertility.

Forage maturity effects on rumen fermentation, fluid flow, and intake in grazing steers.

Eight ruminaily fist&ted steers were observed on native range from 4 May 1981 to 5 Nov. 1981 to determine effects of advancing forage maturity on rumen fermentation, fluid passage, fluid volume, and forage intake. Effects of these factors are poorly defined for cattle on the Northern Great Plains but are essential for developing management strategies for optimum animal production. On 6 different dates, the steers were given an intraruminai dose of cobalt ethylenediaminetetrarcetate (CoEDTA), and sampies of rumen fluid were drawn at 4-hour intervals over a 24-hour time period. Rumen fluid samples were analyzed for volatile fatty acid, ammonia-N, cobalt concentration, and pH. CoEDTA was used as a marker to estimate rumen fluid passage and volume. Forage intake was determined by total fecal collection and in vitro digestibility of the forage. Total ruminai vohttiie fatty acid, molar proportions of individual volatile fatty acid, pH, and ammonia-N concentrations varied (PCO.01) within each of the six 24-hour periods, but the changes were dependent on dafe. Advancing forage maturity was associated with reduction in individual and total rumilui volntiie fatty acid, ammonia-N, pH, and fluid dilution rate. Rumen fluid volume increased with increasing forage maturity. Variation in organic matter intake was small (p>O.OS) over the ranee of forane maturities studied. We concluded that variation in Rumen fermentation in cattle is the primary source of energy (Annison and Armstrong 1970) and protein (Bull et al. 1979, Owens and Bergen 1983) metabolites. Rumen fermentation is influenced by rumen fluid dilution and pH and by forage maturity (Harrison et al. 1975, Russell et al. 1979, McCollum et al. 1985). Also, rumen fluid dilution rate and pH are influenced by factors such as forage maturity (McCollum and Galyean 1985) and level of intake (Adams and Kartchner 1984). Therefore, an understanding of forage intake and quality, rumen fermentation, and liquid flow kinetics may provide insight for development of management strategies to optimize animal production on rangeland, e.g., for supplementation and season of use of rangeland for various classes of livestock. A few studies (McCollum and Galyean 1985, McCollum et al. 1985) have evaluated these variables on rangelands but not for the Northern Great Plains. Therefore, objectives of our study were to test the hypothesis that rumen fermentation and liquid flow in cattle change with plant growth during spring and summer and with plant dormancy in summer and fall and to characterize changes that occur in rumen variables for cattle grazing Northern Great Plains rangeland. Materials and Methods mgen fluid iassage, volume, and fermentation depended on forage maturity, and protein supplementation may be beneficial durEight ruminaiiy fistuiated Angus X Hereford steers with an lng late summer-early fail to increase or sustain animal production. average initial weight of 251 kg and 5 esophageal-fistulated steers with an average weight of 350 kg were allowed to graze freelv on

Estimation of fecal output with an intra-ruminal continuous release marker device.

Efficacy of a continuous release marker device (CRD) containing chromium oxide to estimate fecal output was evaluated in two 12-day grazing trials with beef steers (n = 10, trial 1; n = 7, trial 2). Trial 1 was conducted on mature green irrigated tall wheatgrass (Elytrigia pontica [Podp.] Holub) pasture during September. Trial 2 was conducted on dormant native range during December. Fecal output was determined by total fecal collection (TFC) and the CRD for each steer. Fecal output estimates from the CRD were based on a chromium release rate (980 mg/day) provided by the manufacturer. Estimates of daily fecal dry matter output (kg) in trial 1 were 2.70 and 2.69, and in trial 2 were 3.19 and 2.89 from the TFC and CRD, respectively. Differences between TFC and CRD were not significant in trial 1 (P = 0.59) but were significant in trial 2 (P < 0.01). When averaged over days and animals, estimates of daily fecal dry matter from CRD were within 1% of TFC in trial 1 and 10% of TFC in trial 2. Estimates of daily fecal dry matter from CRD were influenced by sampling day and steer (P < 0.01); however, there was no consistent pattern to day or animal variation. Multiple days and animals are required for both TFC and CRD. We conclude that CRD provides an acceptable estimate of daily fecal output. However, to improve accuracy, TFC can be used on a subsample of animals as a double sampling technique to adjust estimates derived from CRD.

Effects of Weaning Date and Prepartum Protein Supplementation on Cow Performance and Calf Growth

Abstract Two experiments evaluated effects of weaning date on cow body condition score (BCS) and calf growth. In Experiment 1, 134 March-calving cows were used in a four-year experiment. Calves were weaned 18 August or 7 November and cows were fed 0 or 0.45 kg protein supplement (42% crude protein) three days per week from 1 December to 28 February while grazing upland range in a 2 by 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. In Experiment 2, spring calving cows (year 1, n = 97; year 2, n = 104) were assigned randomly to one of eight weaning dates at 2-week intervals from 19 August to 25 November. In Experiment 1, weaning in August increased cow BCS precalving (P < 0.001) and prebreeding (P < 0.001), but not pregnancy rates (P = 0.56). Cows fed supplemental protein had greater BCS precalving (P < 0.001) and prebreeding (P = 0.001) than nonsupplemented cows, but pregnancy rates were similar (P = 0.27). Calves born to cows fed supplemental protein prepartum had greater weaning weight than calves born to nonsupplemented cows regardless of whether weaning occurred in August (P = 0.001) or November (P < 0.001). Effects of weaning date on feedlot performance interacted with supplementation treatment. Calves born to cows fed supplement that were weaned in November generated the greatest net returns. In Experiment 2, BCS decreased linearly (P < 0.001) as date of weaning was delayed from August to November. Nursing calf gain increased cubically (P < 0.0004) and weaned calf gain from August to November increased quadratically (P < 0.002). Protein supplementation did not affect cow pregnancy rate, but calves born to cows fed protein supplement had greater pre- and postweaning gains. Cow BCS decreased as weaning date was moved later in the year but cow pregnancy rate was not affected by weaning date.

Range or meadow regrowth and weaning effects on 2-year-old cows.

Eighty 2-year-old spring calving primiparous cows were assigned to 2 weaning and 2 grazing treatments (20 cows/treatment) from 7 September to 7 November in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Grazing treatments were native sandhills range or subirrigated meadow regrowth. Weaning treatments were weaning on 7 September or 7 November. Calves weaned on 7 September grazed subirrigated meadow regrowth after weaning. Crude protein of diets from esophageally fistulated cows averaged 7.6% on range and 12.3% on subirrigated meadow on an organic matter (OM) basis. In vitro organic matter digestibility was 55.1% on range and 61.1% on subirrigated meadow. No year X grazing treatment or weaning X grazing treatment interactions were detected (P > 0.10) for any traits measured. Forage organic matter consumed by cows differed between years: 7.7 kg day-1 in 1991 and 105 kg day-1 in 1992; but was similar (P>0.10) for all grazing and weaning treatments. Cows grazing meadow gained more body weight and body condition than cows grazing range. Dry cows gained more weight and body condition (p 0.10). We concluded that dry cows and cows that grazed subirrigated meadow regrowth during September and October increased body condition score over lactating cows and cows grazing range, respectively. Calf body weight gains were greatest for nursing calves on subirrigated meadow, but grazing weaned calves on subirrigated meadow was an effective alternative for calf growth to calves nursing cows on range.

Factors influencing pine needle consumption by grazing cattle during winter.

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson) needles cause abortions in pregnant cows. We examined pine needle consumption by cattle in 2 trials in eastern Montana. Trial 1 compared pregnant and open cows (n=4) from January to March 1989; trial 2 compared pregnant cattle (n=4) that received either 9 kg alfalfa hay head-1 day-1 or 1.4 kg alfalfa pellets head-1 day-1 from December 1989 to February 1990. Diets were estimated using both bite counts and fecal analysis. During trial 1, bite counts revealed pregnant and open cows consumed 45 and 42% of their grazing diets as pine needles (P>0.1). Fecal analysis showed that pregnant cows consumed more pine needles than did open cows (36% vs. 27%, respectively) (P<0.05). During trial 2, cattle consumed < 1% of their diets as pine needles. In trial 1 cattle consumed less pine litter and consumed more needles from trees as snow depth increased. Consumption of needles from trees increased as ambient temperature declined; no needles were consumed from trees when the minimum daily temperature exceeded -5 degrees C. During both trials, grazing times decreased as temperatures declined, and increased as snow depth and wind speed decreased. We conclude that weather is a major factor influencing needle consumption; other interrelated factors may be forage availability, snow cover, and grazing time. Pine needle consumption, and the risk of abortion, in pregnant cattle appears to be greatly diminished during mild winter weather.

First limiting nutrient for summer calving cows grazing autumn-winter range.

Two trials were conducted in 1994, 1995, and 1996 to determine the first limiting nutrient for summer calving cows grazing Sandhills range. In Trial 1, 48 lactating summer calving cows grazing native range during the breeding season were assigned to 1 of 4 supplement treatments: 1) control-no supplement, 2) energy, 3) degradable intake protein (DIP), and 4) DIP + undegraded intake protein (UIP). Cows were group-fed supplements in 8 pastures (2 pastures/treatment). The trial began 4 September and ended 4 November each year. Diet samples from esophageally fistulated cows averaged 7.5% crude protein and 54.5% in vitro organic matter digestibility. Supplemented cows lost less body condition compared to control cows (P = 0.04). Cow and calf weight gains were increased by supplemental DIP or DIP + UIP combination compared to energy supplement (P = 0.09 and 0.08, respectively). Forage intake and digestibility were not different among treatments (P > 0.20). Milk production was lower for non-supplemented than supplemented cows (P = 0.10). Trial 2 began 5 November and ended 10 January in 1994-1995, 1995-1996, and 1996-1997. Treatments and pastures were the same as described in Trial 1, however, only 40 cows were used. In Trial 2, diet samples from esophageally fistulated cows averaged 6.2% crude protein and 52.3% in vitro organic matter digestibility. No differences (P > 0.10) in body condition score were detected. Total organic matter intake was lower for control compared to supplemented treatments (13.5 vs.15.5 kg day(-1); P < 0.10). We concluded that DIP was the first limiting nutrient for summer calving cows during the breeding season and during autumn-winter lactation after the breeding season.

Grass hay as a supplement for grazing cattle. I. Animal performance.

Regrowth grass hay produced on subirrigated meadows in the Nebraska Sandhills was evaluated as a supplement for gestating beef cows grazing winter range. Ninety-six crossbred spring calving, gestating beef cows were used in a winter supplementation study on upland Sandhills range from 5 November to 27 February in 1990 and again in 1991. Cows were divided into 4 treatments (24 cows/treatment): 1) control (range forage only, no supplement); 2) range forage and 2.2 kg cow-l day-1 of meadow regrowth hay (15.5% crude protein); 3) range forage and 1.2 kg cow-1 day-1 of a 30% wheat grain and 70% soybean meal:30% wheat supplement (36.0% crude protein); and 4) range forage with supplements in treatments 2 and 3 fed on alternate days. Meadow hay and soybean meal:wheat supplements provided 0.32 kg of crude protein/cow daily. Supplemented cows gained 3 to 53 kg body weight/year and maintained body condition, while control cows lost an average of 24.5 kg body weight/year and lost body condition. Intake of range forage was less (P 0.05) for all treatments. We concluded that subirrigated meadow regrowth grass hay was an effective alternative to traditional soybean meal-based supplements for maintaining body weight and body condition of gestating beef cows grazing winter range.