Evaluation of Level of Milk Potential on Nutrient Balance in 2- and 4- Year- Old May- Calving Range Cows Grazing Sandhills Upland Range

A modeling study evaluated the effects of milk production level on nutrient balance in May- calving cows grazing Sandhills upland range during the breeding season. Forage quality of upland range peaks in June and steadily declines in July until November. With timing of forage quality decline and increasing nutrient demands due to lactation, cows were in a negative energy balance in late June and early July prior to deficiency of metabolizable protein. Supplementation to meet energy deficiencies in June and July and MP deficiencies in July with distiller grains that is high ruminally undegradable protein and high fiber energy may be needed in May- calving cowherds. Selection for milk over 23 lb at peak lactation creates deficiencies early post- calving and increases the need for additional supplementation to correct the nutrient deficiency. In an effort to match cow type to environment in the Sandhills and optimize performance, producers should consider selecting against high milk potential

Function and dysfunction of fatty acid mobilization: a review

Western populations have a growing obesity epidemic due in part to excessive nutrient intake from high-fat diets, which are increasingly common. Overindulgence of nutrients is associated with a greater incidence of metabolic dysfunction and a greater risk for obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other metabolic disorders that lower quality of life. Research in humans and animal models has improved our understanding of how excess circulating free fatty acids negatively impact the ability of muscle and other tissues to regulate nutrient uptake and utilization. It is generally accepted by the scientific community that excess circulating fatty acids lead to insulin resistance, but there is little clarity regarding the underlying mechanisms. In the present review, we will outline the current understanding of the characteristics associated with fatty acid mobilization and fatty acid utilization within specific tissues. We will also discuss the potential mechanistic role of hyperlipidemia on metabolic dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes

Evaluation of Lactation Demands on Nutrient Balance in Two Calving Seasons in Range Cows Grazing Sandhills Upland Range

A modeling study evaluated the effects of milk production level on nutrient balance in March-and May-calving cows grazing Sandhills upland range during the breeding season. Forage quality of upland range peaks in June and steadily declines in July until November. In March-calving cows, metabolizable protein (MP) and energy were deficient by July 1 in all milking potential cows, which is exacerbated in greater milking potential cows. May-calving cows with 20 to 30 lbs of milk are predicted to enter the breeding season with a deficiency in MP and energy. In an effort to match cow type to environment in the Sandhills, producers should be selecting against high milk potential. With timing of forage quality decline and the start of breeding season in July, selecting for moderation in milk production becomes even more important in May-calving herds. Supplementation to meet MP deficiency with high ruminally undegradable protein supplements may be need in later breeding cows and younger cows in both March-and May-herds

The Nebraska Ranch Practicum

The Nebraska Ranch Practicum is a multi-disciplinary, hands-on educational program designed to give participants the skills and education needed to succeed in today\u27s ranching industry. The Practicum was established in 1999 as a “three-season” program designed to integrate information producers encounter throughout the beef production year into a framework for decision making. The Practicum seeks to improve decision-making skills, enhance stewardship of natural resources, improve skills critical for evaluation of ranching enterprises, and enhance ranch sustainability

Evaluation of Level of Milk Potential on Nutrient Balance in 2- and 4- Year- Old May- Calving Range Cows Grazing Sandhills Upland Range

A modeling study evaluated the effects of milk production level on nutrient balance in May- calving cows grazing Sandhills upland range during the breeding season. Forage quality of upland range peaks in June and steadily declines in July until November. With timing of forage quality decline and increasing nutrient demands due to lactation, cows were in a negative energy balance in late June and early July prior to deficiency of metabolizable protein. Supplementation to meet energy deficiencies in June and July and MP deficiencies in July with distiller grains that is high ruminally undegradable protein and high fiber energy may be needed in May- calving cowherds. Selection for milk over 23 lb at peak lactation creates deficiencies early post- calving and increases the need for additional supplementation to correct the nutrient deficiency. In an effort to match cow type to environment in the Sandhills and optimize performance, producers should consider selecting against high milk potential

Profitability of Developing Beef Heifers on Stockpiled Winter Forages

We estimate the profitability of developing heifers on one stockpiled cool-season grass and two stockpiled warm-season grasses during the winter months by comparing distributions of net present value (NPV) over an 11-year useful life. Furthermore, distributions of payback period and the break-even price for each calf over the heifer’s production life were generated for each forage species. These results are compared across forages as well as to a simulated drylot system for heifer development. Data comes from a grazing experiment in Tennessee, where heifers grazed big bluestem and Indian grass combination (BBIG), switchgrass (SW), or endophyte-infected tall fescue (TF) pastures. Total cost of producing the first calf from a heifer using the three forage-based systems was $1,079/ head to$1,149/head, with TF being the most expensive forage-based heifer development system, and the total cost to produce a calf from heifers developed in a drylot system ranged from $574 to$644/head higher than the forage-based systems. The NPV of heifers developed on forage ranged from $264 to$468/head, while heifers developed in a drylot system had an NPV of –$876/head. Payback period was estimated in years of age, and heifers in forage-based systems became profitable at 3–4 years of age, whereas heifers developed in a drylot were 9–10 years of age before they covered their investment cost. The results indicate that SW was the lowest risk and the most profitable forage species relative to TF. These findings suggest that low-input forage-based systems may be more profitable than drylot heifer development systems in the southeastern United States

The Impact of Prepartum Supplementation Strategy on Cow-Calf Performance in May-Calving Mature Cows

Implementation of minimal supplemental protein strategies during late gestation may have the potential to minimize any negative postweaning progeny performance while decreasing feed costs. A 3-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mid- to late-gestation supplementation strategies on reproduction, cow body weight, and calf performance in May-calving mature range cows grazing upland native range. Supplementation was provided 2x weekly with treatments being 1) 05 lb per day of a 30% CP distillers-based supplement, 2) 1 lb per day of a 30% CP distillers-based supplement, 3) a negative control as a flexible supplementation strategy. The Flex strategy was developed to allow for brief and intermittent supplementation at 1 lb/d based on periods of acute environmental stress, such as snow cover, and is best described as flexible supplementation. Mid- to late-gestation supplementation strategy in May-calving cows had no effect on pregnancy rates or pre- and postnatal calf growth. Considering the cost for prepartum supplementation, feeding a protein supplement just during environmentally stressful periods during gestation appears to be a viable alternative to more conventional methods and reduces winter feed costs

The Effect of Late Gestation Supplementation Strategy on Cow-Calf Performance in March-Calving Mature Cows

Implementation of supplemental protein strategies during late gestation has been shown to positively affect postweaning progeny performance. A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of late gestation supplementation strategies on reproduction, cow body weight, and calf performance in March-calving mature range cows grazing dormant upland range. Supplementation was individually fed and provided daily with treatments being: 1) no supplementation, 2) 2 lb per day of a 30% CP distillers-based supplement, 3) 2 lb per day of a 30% CP distillers-based supplement with the inclusion of 160 mg/cow daily of monensin, 4) 2 lb per day of a 30% CP distillers-based supplement with the inclusion of 40 g/cow daily of propionate salt. Cows that received any of the 3 supplemental protein treatments gained similar BW; whereas cows that received no supplement gained the least BW during late gestation. Supplementation strategy did influence subsequent reproductive performance with CaProp and Supp cows having the greater pregnancy rates. late gestation supplementation did not influence subsequent calf BW at birth, weaning, and entry into the feedlot. However, late gestation strategy tended to influence steer BS at finishing with offspring from NoSupp dams had the lightest finishing BW. Average daily gain, DMI, and F:G were not influenced by dam\u27s late gestation supplementation strategy. Overall, protein supplementation in general had a positive impact on overall cow-calf performance compared to no protein supplementation. However, cows that were fed protein supplement or protein supplement with the inclusion of propionate salts had increased subsequent pregnancy rates

Predicting Live Body Wight of Yearling Beef Heifers Using 3D Imaging

This study was conducted to determine the accuracy of using 3D imaging technology as a method to predict shrunk body weight (BW) of growing yearling beef heifers. Red Angus x SImmental heifers (n = 69, BW = 726 ± 62 lbs; 12 months of age) were utilized for data collection. A time-of-flight depth camera (Azure Kinect, Microsoft) was used to collect depth videos as heifers walked out of the chute. Ideal image frames were identified from videos and used to determine the body volume of each heifer. Prediction of BW using images produced an R2 (estimate of model fit) = 0.89 and SEM (standard error of the mean, estimate of variation) = 7.28 lb. These results indicate it is possible to accurately predict heifer BW using dorsal depth images. This presents producers with the potential to improve management of grazing livestock without the need for moving cattle across a scale, which can reduce cattle stress and labor costs