A Comparison of Rumensin and Bovatec Fed in Wintering Rations to Beef Calves

While research has shown both Bovatec and Rumensin to be very useful feed additives in backgrounding and finishing diets, there is limited research available comparing the two products under similar feeding and environmental conditions, particularly those in southwestern North Dakota. In addition, economics have not been applied in comparisons to show which product provides the greatest dollar return on investment. This article addresses the aforementioned

A Comparison of Beef Cattle Breeding Methods to Improve Performance

Artificial insemination and crossbreeding are two methods of cattle breeding in an attempt to increase to performance. This article discusses a five year study that was designed to compare both crossbred and straightbred breeding management systems using both natural and artificial insemination methods. The major factors which contribute to a reduction in profitability are conception rate, faculty, equipment, semen and flushing feed expenses and labor. Crossbreeding under those conditions of this experiment, resulted in heavier weaning weights and a higher gross and net return per head of cattle

System for Feeding Early Weaned Beef Calves

The purpose of this paper was to compare calf rations suitable for an early weaned calf program that have been either commercially prepared or formulated from home grown ingredients

Drylot Wintering of Pregnant Beef Cows Supplemented With Either a 12 Percent Crude Protein Heat Processed Molasses Block or Dry Rolled Barley

The topic was the drylot wintering of pregnant beef cows supplemented with either a 12% crude protein heat processed molasses block or dry rolled barley. When supplies of high quality grains are available, it can be fed to pregnant cows. When supplies are scare and other factors beet molasses may be substituted for feed, A study of two different feed supplements, one with 12% HPM Block and the other with dry rolled barley, are covered with two cow tests groups

A Comparison of Barley Distillers Dried Grain, Sunflower Oil Meal and Soybean Oil Meal As Protein Supplements in Backgrounding Rations

The focus of this article is to evaluate the capabilities of SFOM and BDDG as replacement protein supplements when compared SBOM in heifer backgrounding rations and to document the economics of feeding each supplement type. The feeding of protein by-products to backgrounded heifer calves on a pound of protein basis resulted in nearly equal gains among heifers fed either SBOM, BDDB or SFOM

The Brood Cow Efficiency Study - A Progress Report

The topic of this paper is a two year long study of brood cow efficiency that was designed to evaluate diverse crossbred cow types under the environmental conditions common to southwestern North Dakota.The effect of reproductive efficiency on the cow/calf enterprise is of utmost importance and is expressed as the pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed to bulls during the breeding season

Estrus synchronization of replacement beef heifers by using GnRH, prostaglandin F2α (PGF), and progesterone (CIDR): a multi-location study

Our objectives were to determine whether a fixed-timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol could yield similar fertility rates to a protocol requiring detection of estrus and whether an injection of gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) at CIDR (vaginal insert containing progesterone) insertion enhances pregnancy rates. Replacement beef heifers (n=2,077) from 12 locations were assigned randomly to each of four estrussynchronization protocols. All heifers received a CIDR for 7 days, and an injection of prostaglandin F2α (PGF) on the day of CIDR removal. For treatment EAI, heifers were observed for estrus for 84 hours after PGF administration and were inseminated 6 to 12 hours after observed estrus. Any heifer not detected in estrus was injected with GnRH, followed by TAI. For treatment GnRH+EAI, heifers were treated as those for EAI, but also received GnRH at the time of CIDR insertion. For treatment TAI, heifers received a single TAI at 60 hours after PGF administration. For treatment GnRH+TAI, heifers were treated as those for TAI, but also received GnRH at CIDR insertion. The percentage of heifers cycling at the initiation of estrus-synchronization was 91%; the percentage of cycling heifers among locations ranged from 78 to 100%. Overall pregnancy rates among locations ranged from 38 to 74%. Pregnancy rates were 57.3, 54.5, 53.1, and 49.1% for GnRH+EAI, EAI, GnRH+TAI, and TAI, respectively. Although no statistically significant differences in pregnancy rates among treatments were observed, the GnRH+EAI treatment achieved the numerically greatest pregnancy rates. In addition, the GnRH+TAI protocol provides an alternative that allows producers to synchronize heifers without detection of estrus

Metanálise da relação entre espessura de toicinho e variáveis corporais e reprodutivas de porcas gestantes e lactantes Meta-analysis of relation among backfat thickness, body and reproductive variables of gestating and lactating sows

Um estudo de metanálise avaliou a relação entre a espessura de toicinho e as variáveis de condição corporal de porcas gestantes e lactantes. A base de dados contemplou 14 artigos publicados de 2000 a 2006 em revistas indexadas. A metanálise foi realizada através de análises gráfica, de correlação e de variância. A correlação da espessura de toicinho (ET) com o peso vivo foi de 0,16 (P<0,01), com a massa protéica de 0,48 (P<0,01) e com a concentração de leptina de 0,88 (P<0,01). A correlação da variação da espessura de toicinho na lactação (ETl) com o peso vivo foi de -0,21 (P<0,01), com variação do peso vivo na lactação de 0,34 (P<0,01) e com variação da massa lipídica na lactação de 0,70 (P<0,01). A correlação entre a ET e o número de leitões nascidos vivos foi de 0,46 (P<0,01), e entre a ETl e o PV dos leitões aos sete dias foi de 0,95 (P<0,01). A ET foi influenciada pelo peso vivo e pela massa protéica na gestação, enquanto a ETl é influenciada pela variação do peso vivo e pela massa lipídica na lactação. As concentrações de leptina ao parto estão correlacionadas positivamente com a ET. A ET é influenciada pelo número total de leitões nascidos vivos e pelo peso vivo dos leitões ao nascimento, enquanto a ETl é influenciada pelo peso vivo dos leitões aos sete dias e pelo ganho de peso vivo da leitegada. Há relação significativa entre espessura de toicinho e variáveis de condição corporal de porcas gestantes e lactantes.<br>A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the association between backfat thickness and sow body condition in gestation and lactation. The database assembled 14 publications from 2000 to 2006. The meta-analysis was accomplished by graphical analysis, correlation, and analysis of variance. The correlation between backfat thickness (BT) and body weight was 0.16 (P<0.01), with protein mass was 0.48 (P<0.01) and leptin concentration was 0.88 (P<0.01). The correlation between the backfat variation during and in lactation (VBTl) and body weight was -0.21 (P<0.01), with body weight variation in lactation was 0.34 (P<0.01) and with fat mass variation in lactation was 0.70 (P<0.01). The correlation between BT and born alive litter size was 0.46 (P<0.01), between VBTl and piglets body weight at seven days of age was 0.95 (P<0.01). In the gestation, the BD was influenced by the body weight and protein mass. However, in lactation the VBTl was influenced by the body weight variation and fat mass. The leptin concentration at farrowing was positively correlated with backfat depth. The BT was influenced by born alive litter size and piglets birth weight. The VBTl was influenced by piglets weight at seven days old and litter weight gain. In conclusion, there is a significant relation between backfat thickness and body variables of the sows in gestation and lactation