Length of the weaning period affects postweaning growth, health, and carcass merit of ranch-direct beef calves weaned during the fall

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most economically devastating feedlot disease. Risk factors associated with incidence of BRD include (1) stress associated with maternal separation, (2) stress associated with introduction to an unfamiliar environment, (3) poor intake associated with introduction of novel feedstuffs into the animal\u27s diet, (4) exposure to novel pathogens upon transport to a feeding facility and commingling with unfamiliar cattle, (5) inappropriately administered respiratory disease vaccination programs, and (6) poor response to respiratory disease vaccination programs. Management practices that are collectively referred to as preconditioning are thought to minimize damage to the beef carcass from the BRD complex. Preconditioning management reduces the aforementioned risk factors for respiratory disease by (1) using a relatively long ranch-of-origin weaning period following maternal separation, (2) exposing calves to concentrate-type feedstuffs, and (3) producing heightened resistance to respiratory disease-causing organisms through a preweaning vaccination program. The effectiveness of such programs for preserving animal performance is highly touted by certain segments of the beef industry. Ranch-of-origin weaning periods of up to 60 days are suggested for preconditioning beef calves prior to sale; however, optimal length of the ranch-of-origin weaning period has not been determined experimentally. The objective of this study was to test the validity of beef industry assumptions about appropriate length of ranch-of-origin weaning periods for calves aged 160 to 220 days and weaned during the fall

Prepartum supplementation influences response to timed artificial insemination by suckled mature beef cows

Fat supplementation before calving (i.e., prepartum) can alter reproductive performance of beef cows. These effects do not seem to be related to energy or protein content of the supplement. Chemical structures of some plant fats are similar to chemical structures of certain reproductive hormones; moreover, some fats are precursors to prostaglandin production. Prepartum vegetable fat supplementation has been associated with improved reproductive performance by cows and heifers managed for artificial insemination (AI) breeding. The biological basis for this effect is not clearly understood but is believed to reflect the influence of fat supplements on cyclicity, body weight, body condition, and other factors. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of supplementing whole fuzzy cottonseed or whole raw soybeans on pregnancy rates following ovulation synchronization and timed AI of mature beef cows

Effects of prepartum ruminally protected choline supplementation on performance of beef cows and calves

Beef Cattle Research, 2011 is known as Cattlemen’s Day, 2011Prepartum supplementation of spring-calving beef cows is a vital part of cow-calf enterprises, often affecting subsequent reproductive success. Most research in the area of prepartum supplementation has focused on provision of either energy or protein; only modest attention has been given to the use of supplemental micronutrients. One such micronutrient is choline. Choline is classified generally as a B vitamin and is an essential nutrient. Phosphatidylcholine and other choline-containing lipids maintain the structural integrity of cellular membranes and play a vital role in metabolism of dietary fat. Choline-containing phospholipids are also important precursors for intracellular-messenger molecules and cell-signaling molecules critical to the reproductive process. Choline is commonly found in feedstuffs and forages but is highly degradable in the rumen. For choline supply to be increased effectively, it must be offered in a form that is resistant to ruminal digestion. This can be achieved by encapsulating choline in lipid. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of prepartum ruminally protected choline supplementation on cow and calf performance

Forage intake by pregnant and lactating first-calf heifers

Forage dry matter intake by mature cows usually decreases during the final 4 to 8 weeks of gestation and then increases dramatically during the first 4 to 8 weeks of lactation. Rapid fetal growth during late pregnancy causes a physical impingement of the rumen. This reduction in ruminal capacity can cause prepartum reduction in forage intake. The rumen recovers its normal volume after calving. The increase in forage intake typical of the postpartum period is driven by milk production. Little research has focused on forage intake patterns by first-calf beef heifers during late gestation and early lactation. It is unknown if forage intake by growing heifers is similar to that of mature cows; moreover, poorly understood intake potential of heifers during the time preceding the second breeding season might contribute to the characteristically high rate of reproductive failure by these animals. Our objective was to measure the effects of advancing gestation and lactation on dry matter intake by first-calf heifers

Length of the weaning period does not affect post-weaning growth or health of lightweight summer-weaned beef calves

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most economically devastating feedlot disease. Risk factors associated with incidence of BRD include: 1) stress associated with maternal separation; 2) stress associated with introduction to an unfamiliar environment; 3) low feed intake associated with the introduction of novel feedstuffs into the diet; 4) exposure to novel pathogens upon transport to a feeding facility and commingling with unfamiliar cattle; and 5) inappropriately administered respiratory disease vaccination programs. Management practices collectively referred to as preconditioning are thought to minimize carcass damage resulting from BRD. Preconditioning management attempts to eliminate or reduce risk factors for respiratory disease by: 1) employing a relatively long ranch-of-origin weaning period following maternal separation, 2) exposing calves to concentrate-type feedstuffs, and 3) improving resistance to respiratory pathogens through a pre-weaning vaccination program. The effectiveness of such programs for preserving animal performance is highly touted by certain segments of the beef industry. Ranch-of-origin weaning periods of up to 60 days are suggested for preconditioning beef calves prior to sale; however, the optimal length of the weaning period has not been determined experimentally. The objective of this study was to test the validity of beef industry assumptions about the appropriate length of ranch-of-origin weaning periods for summer-weaned calves aged 100 to 160 days

Behavior of beef cows grazing topographically rugged native range is influenced by mineral delivery system

Poor grazing distribution is a major problem on rangelands of the western United States. Grazing animals tend to congregate in areas near water, shade, and level terrain. These areas typically become overgrazed, while less preferred areas of pasture remain undergrazed. Solutions to localized overgrazing include cross-fencing and water development; however, most land managers are unwilling to bear the expense associated with these strategies. Most types of supplements, including mineral supplements, have potential to lure cattle into under-utilized areas of range and pasture. Cows spend up to 40% of their time within 650 yards of self-fed supplements, but relationships between terrain use, mineral supplement delivery method, and mineral supplement consumption remain unclear

Length of the ranch-of-origin weaning period Does not affect post-receiving growth or carcass merit of ranch-direct, early-weaned beef calves

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most economically devastating feedlot disease. Risk factors associated with incidence of BRD include (1) stress associated with maternal separation, (2) stress associated with introduction to an unfamiliar environment, (3) low intake associated with introduction of novel feedstuffs into the animal’s diet, (4) exposure to novel pathogens upon transport to a feeding facility and commingling with unfamiliar cattle, and (5) inappropriately administered respiratory disease vaccination programs. Management practices that are collectively referred to as preconditioning are thought to minimize damage to the carcass from the BRD complex. Preconditioning management can reduce the aforementioned risk factors for respiratory disease by (1) using a relatively long ranch-of-origin weaning period following maternal separation, (2) exposing calves to concentrate-type feedstuffs, and (3) producing heightened resistance to respiratory disease-causing organisms through a preweaning vaccination program. The effectiveness of such programs for preserving animal performance is highly touted by certain segments of the beef industry but poorly documented in peerreviewed scientific literature. Ranch-of-origin weaning periods of up to 60 days are suggested for preconditioning beef calves prior to sale; however, optimal length of the ranch-of-origin weaning period has not been determined experimentally. The objective of this study was to test the validity of beef industry assumptions about the appropriate length of ranch-of-origin weaning periods for calves aged 100 to 160 days and weaned during the summer