Effect of Supplementation during the Breeding Season on a May-calving Herd in the Nebraska Sandhills

Females in their first and second breeding season received either a 32% crude protein (DM) supplement or no supplement throughout the breeding season. Supplementation did not affect heifer BW, BCS, and pregnancy rate at pregnancy diagnosis. Supplementation impacted primiparous cow BW and BCS at pregnancy diagnosis, but did not affect pregnancy rates. Calf birth weight and dystocia rates were unaffected by supplementation for both heifers and primiparous cow. Calves nursing supplemented dams were heavier at weaning. Greater supplementation may be needed to affect pregnancy rate

Effects of Maternal Late Gestation Nutrition on May-Born Heifer Progeny

May-calving dams in late gestation grazed either sub-irrigated meadow with or without supplement or upland range with or without supplement. Supplementation was 1 lb/d of a 33% CP (DM) supplement. Heifer progeny from these dams were followed through their first and second breeding seasons. Both dam grazing and supplement treatment affected heifer progeny BW and BCS. Heifers born to dams who grazed meadow in late gestation attained a greater percentage of mature BW at the start of their first breeding season and increased pregnancy rates as primiparous cows. Grazing of meadow by May-calving dams in late gestation may increase stayability of heifer progeny. Although supplementing the dam during late gestation tended to increase heifer progeny BW at first breeding, the increased risk of dystocia at heifer’s first parturition may negate the benefit

Impact of Cow Size on Cow-Calf and Subsequent Steer Feedlot Performance

This study retrospectively evaluated the effect of cow size on cow-calf performance and post-weaning steer feedlot performance of cows at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman. Cows were categorized at small, medium, or moderate within cow age from 13 years of data. Small cows had decreased reproductive performance, weaned smaller calves, and produced steer progeny with smaller carcass weights. In this dataset and under the environmental and management conditions at Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, overall productivity of the cowherd decreased as cow size decreased with 1,150 to 1,200 lb cow being the most productive cow size

The Effect of Cow Udder Score on Subsequent Calf Performance in the Nebraska Sandhills

Cow records were evaluated over a 5-yr period to investigate how cow udder score affected calf growth and carcass performance. Cows from 2 calving herds, March and May, were classified as bad or good based on udder scores recorded at calving. Calves suckling dams with bad udders performed similarly during the pre-weaning period to good udder counterparts, with no differences in overall steer feedlot performance between udder groups. However, steers suckling good udder cows had heavier carcass weights and greater back fat thickness

Field Evaluations of Insecticide Modes of Action Classes for Control of Horn Flies in Nebraska

Insecticides of different Mode of Action (MoA) classes were tested for their ability to reduce horn fly populations on cattle in Nebraska pastures between 2009 and 2016. Macrocyclic lactone products were the most efficacious, reducing horn fly numbers by an average of 93% over ten location years of testing. Organophosphate and pyrethroid MoA products, tested in 7 and 12 location years, reduced fly numbers by 75% and 73%. Classes tested only once were METI (88% reduction) and a combination of organophosphate + pyrethroid (64%)

Book Review

A. Funston, M. Gil & G. Gilmore (Eds). (2014). Strong starts, supportedtransitions and student success. UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.Reviewed by Birgit Schreiber

Evaluation of Commercial Genomic Tests for Maternal Traits in Crossbred Beef Cattle

DNA samples were collected from beef heifers born at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory and analyzed with a genomic test. Phenotypic data from these females were compiled and used in a regression analysis to evaluate the utility of these genomic scores as predictors for phenotypic outcomes. Th e genomic score for birth body weight (BW) was signifi cantly associated with animal birth BW. Th e genomic score for heifer pregnancy was not a statistically significant predictor of actual pregnancy. Neither dam age or the genomic score for stayability were significant predictors of actual reproductive longevity

Effects of Supplemental Energy and Protein Source on Performance of Steers Grazing Irrigated Corn Residue

Steer calves grazing corn residue (86 d) were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments to evaluate the effects of protein and energy supplements on steer performance. Th e 5 treatments consisted of 1) un-supplemented control (NS), 2) dry rolled corn only (CRN), 3) 89% dry rolled corn/6% molasses/5% urea (C + RDP), 4) 60/40 blend of soy- pass/soybean meal (SP), and 5) dried distillers grains plus solubles (DGS). Supplements were fed to provide equal TDN intake. Average daily gain among treatments was 1.48, 1.32, 0.53, 0.31, and −0.18 lbs. for SP, DGS, C + RDP, CRN, and NS, respectively. Only steers fed SP and DGS produced over- winter gains greater than 1 lb/d, suggesting metabolizable protein requirements must be met for growing calves to utilize residue efficiently

Effects of Late Gestation Supplementation, Synchronization, and Creep Feeding in a Spring Calving Beef Herd in the Nebraska Sandhills

Supplementation during winter grazing increased cow BW and BCS but had no effect on reproduction or calf performance, thus increasing production costs without increasing returns. Using a CIDR for estrus synchronization in a herd with existing acceptable reproductive performance did not increase cow pregnancy rate or advance calving date. Feeding creep feed to calves is an effective means of increasing weaning BW which resulted in increased live and carcass weight. Under the conditions of this study, when additional feed and price slide for heavier calves was considered, feeding creep feed did not result in added profits