An integrated approach to crop/livestock systems: Wintering beef cows on swathed crops

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 232-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.F. Karn ◽  
D.L. Tanaka ◽  
M.A. Liebig ◽  
R.E. Ries ◽  
S.L. Kronberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Residue ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Western Wheatgrass ◽  
Feeding Costs ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Weight Gain Data ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Feed Costs

AbstractGrain and livestock production have gradually been separated, as farmers have tended to specialize in one or the other. Some producers and scientists are beginning to question whether this is the best approach. An integrated crop/livestock project was initiated in 1999 to investigate potentially beneficial synergies to both enterprises. The cattle portion of this project involved wintering dry pregnant cows on swathed crop residue and drilled corn produced in a 3-year crop rotation, with all crops present each year. Swath grazing was initiated in mid-November of 1999, 2000 and 2001, and terminated in mid-February each year. Two replications of ten Hereford cows were rotationally grazed on swathed oat/pea and triticale crop residue and swathed drilled corn (RGSC). Comparison treatments were: cows grazing swathed western wheatgrass (SWWG) and cows fed hay in a drylot. Cows on the RGSC treatment were also fed a 20% crude protein supplement of oat/pea and triticale grain. Drilled corn was swathed in late September and western wheatgrass in early October. Three-year average winter-long weight gains for the RGSC cows were slightly lower (P<0.10) than those for drylot cows. Body condition scores generally followed the same pattern as weight gain data. Reproductive and calf performance data were not significantly different among wintering treatments. Average daily feed costs per cow over the three winters were US$0.49, 0.65 and 0.73 for RGSC, SWWG and baled hay in a drylot, respectively, providing a potential daily savings of US$0.24 per cow with the RGSC treatment compared to bale feeding in a drylot. Swath grazing did not appear to have any adverse affects on mid-aged beef cow performance and could potentially reduce winter feeding costs and manure handling problems. The main problem with swath grazing is potentially deep snow and icing of the swaths.

scholarly journals 80 Evaluation of extended release eprinomectin efficacy on multiparous beef cow performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 11-11
Author(s):  
Laine Zammit ◽  
Jermey G Powell ◽  
Reagan N Cauble ◽  
Toby D Lester ◽  
Callan Lichtenwalter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extended Release ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Calving Season ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Fall Calving

Abstract Internal parasitism inevitability prompts economic loss in beef cattle production by decreasing growth performance and reproductive traits. Previous studies have conflicting results on the macrocyclic lactones (ML) efficacy against internal parasitism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of milbeymycin and avermectin sub groups of ML on cow performance. Multiparous fall calving, crossbred beef cows (n = 106) were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 anthelmintic treatments: 1) Negative control (CON), in which cows did not receive an anthelmintic, 2) Injectable moxidectin (MOX) and 3) Injectable extended release eprinomectin (ERE). Body weights (BW), body condition scores (BCS), and fecal egg counts (FEC) were taken throughout the duration of the calving season to weaning on d0, d80, d162, and d217, with weaning occurring on d217. Performance data were analyzed using the MIXED procedures of SAS, and pregnancy data were analyzed using the GENMOD procedures of SAS. Significance was fixed at P &lt; 0.05 and tendencies were established from 0.05 ≤ P ≤ 0.10. There was no effect of anthelmintic treatment on cow BW (P ≥ 0.57) or cow BCS (P ≥ 0.22) during the 217 d study; however, CON cows tended to have lower BCS (P = 0.08) throughout the duration of the study. Cows treated with ERE had fewer FEC compared to MOX and CON groups (P ≤ 0.001) and tended to improve pregnancy rates (c2 = 0.0546). Calf weaning weight was similar among treatments averaging 216, 225, and 223 kg regarding CON, MOX, and ERE cow treatments, respectively.

Marginal cost of the calving interval in beef cows is not uniform

2017 ◽  
Vol 183 (5) ◽  
pp. 160-160
Author(s):  
Didier Raboisson ◽  
Philippe Citerne
Keyword(s):  
Marginal Cost ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Replacement Rate ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Feeding Costs ◽  
Calving Intervals

To understand the profitability of reproduction management measures, an economic assessment based on a beef cow life simulation was proposed. It accounted for the discounted feeding costs of the dam and its calves for the different periods of their lives up to their sale and for the overall production from calves adjusted by mortality and culling. The calibration was proposed for various combinations of typical French and European situations. The maximal cash flow was observed for the lowest calving interval, corresponding to the maximal number of calves produced. The marginal cost of the calving interval was not uniform: on average, it was twice as high at a calving interval of 360 days (€1/day) as at 500 days (€0.5/day). It was also higher when age at first calving was lower and when culling was late or the replacement rate was low. The results were sensitive to the costs of the calves’ diets and to the market prices for calves. These assessments may assist the evaluation of the profitability of various measures taken in the field when faced with deteriorating calving intervals in beef production.

scholarly journals The effect of cow udder score on cow/calf performance in the Nebraska Sandhills

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Joslyn K Beard ◽  
Jacki A Musgrave ◽  
Rick N Funston ◽  
J Travis Mulliniks
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Models ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Poor udder and teat confirmation decreases profitability due to decreased calf weaning weight, increased incidence of mastitis and labor, and decreased cow lifetime productivity. Therefore, the objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of beef cow udder score on cow performance and pre- and postweaning progeny performance. In a 5-yr study, crossbred cows at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, NE, were assigned an udder score each year at calving, from 1 to 5, using an udder and teat combination score. Cows were grouped by udder scores and classified as either low udder score (LUS, udder score 1 or 2; n = 223) or high udder score (HUS, udder score 3 or 4; n = 1,742). The udder score combines udder conformation and a teat scoring system. Low udder scores consisted of pendulous udders and large teats, whereas HUS consisted of tight udders and small, symmetrical teats. Mixed models were used to evaluate udder score on cow performance and calf pre- and postweaning performance. Cow body weight (BW) at prebreeding and weaning was greater (P &lt; 0.01) in LUS cows compared with HUS counterparts. Pregnancy rate was not different (P = 0.35) between udder classification groups. Calf BW at birth (P = 0.95), weaning (P = 0.40), and adjusted 205-d BW (P = 0.28) were not different between udder groups. Cow udder score did not influence feedlot entry (P = 0.41) and final BW (P = 0.30), dry matter intake (P = 0.53), average daily gain (P = 0.60), and gain:feed ratio (P = 0.85) of steer progeny. However, steers from HUS dams had greater hot carcass weight (HCW; P = 0.04) and backfat thickness (P = 0.02) compared with LUS counterparts. Results from this study suggest cows with less desirable udder structure may not have a negative impact on calf preweaning growth and performance; however, backfat thickness and HCW in the finishing phase were lower in steers from cows with a lower udder score.

The effect of sward height on beef cow performance and on the relationship between calf milk and herbage intakes

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Intake ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Performance

ABSTRACTGroups of 12 spring-calving cows and their calves were allocated to each of three continuous grazing treatments: cows and calves grazed a 4- to 5-cm sward (LI), cows grazed a 4- to 5-cm sward and their calves grazed an 8- to 10-cm sward (Lh) and cows and calves grazed an 8- to 10-cm sward (Hh). In each case cows and calves grazed separately. Sward height had a large effect on both cow and calf performance and intake. The short swards reduced cow herbage intake proportionately by 0·2 compared with that of the taller sward. Cow live-weight gains were −0·60, −0·59 and 0·42 (s.e.d. 0·103) kg/day on treatments LI, Lh and Hh respectively while calf live-weight gains were 0·80, 0·95 and 1·14 (s.e.d. 0·040) kg/day. Calf milk intakes were 7·05, 5·78 and 9·34 (s.e.d. 0·508) kg/day respectively while daily herbage intakes were 17·2, 22·0 and 19·8 (s.e.d. 1·35) g organic matter per kg live weight for treatments LI, Lh and Hh. There was a negative association between calf herbage and milk organic matter intakes in the treatments where the calves had access to a more generous sward height (treatments Lh and Hh), the regression coefficient being −0·89 (s.e. 0·381), indicating the calves' ability to increase herbage intake in response to a reduction in milk intake. On the LI treatment there was no significant relationship between milk and herbage intakes. The ability of grazing suckled calves to compensate for a reduction in milk intake is thus dependent on sward conditions, and may also depend on herbage digestibility. The increase in herbage intake cannot however compensate fully for a restriction in milk supply.

scholarly journals PSXI-7 Comparison of Range-Based and Irrigated Cow-Calf Systems – Grazing Season Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 385-386
Author(s):  
John B Hall ◽  
James E Sprinkle ◽  
Melinda Ellison ◽  
Sandra Goddard ◽  
Bret Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Models ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Sagebrush Steppe ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Natural Service

Abstract The objectives were to compare 1) cow performance, 2) cow fertility, and 3) calf performance in a range-based (RAN) or irrigated (IRR) system over 4 yr. Crossbred beef cows were assigned by age, BW, BCS (1 - emaciated to 9 - obese) and productivity to IRR or RAN. Cows in IRR (n = 170/yr) grazed irrigated cool season perennial pastures (May–October) then grazed crop residues (October-December). Cows in RAN (n = 160/yr) grazed sagebrush steppe range (May–December). Cows were provided hay and supplement (January-mid-March) to achieve BCS 5 by calving. Cows were artificially inseminated (AI). AI sires were distributed across IRR and RAN. Natural service bulls were introduced 8 to 14 d after AI. Cow BW and BCS were recorded at branding (April), pregnancy diagnosis, and end of grazing (December). Pregnancy was diagnosed at 60, 100, and 120 d after AI. Calves were weighed at birth, July, August and weaning (September). Data were analyzed using mixed models with main effect of system. Year (n = 4) was the experimental unit. Cows from the IRR (n = 674) and RAN (n = 638) had similar (P = 0.13) BW at branding but RAN BCS was 0.4 BCS less (P &lt; 0.05). At end of grazing, IRR cows were 96 kg heavier (P &lt; 0.001) and 1.8 BCS greater (P &lt; 0.001) than RAN cows. System did not affect calf birth weight (P = 0.30); however, IRR calves were 20.7 kg heavier (P &lt; 0.003) than RAN calves at weaning. Pregnancy rate was similar (P = 0.64) for IRR and RAN cows (94.7% and 93.6%, respectively). RAN resulted in reduced calf weights and returns per cow (- $60.50) compared to the IRR. In conclusion, producers using sagebrush steppe range will need to operate at a lower cost per cow than irrigated ranches.

Prepartum supplement level and age at weaning: I. Effects on pre- and postpartum beef cow performance and calf performance through weaning1

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (10) ◽  
pp. 4926-4935 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Shoup ◽  
A. C. Kloth ◽  
T. B. Wilson ◽  
D. González-Peña ◽  
F. A. Ireland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cow ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Performance

scholarly journals 210 Effects of supplementing calcium salts of fatty acids during late gestation on beef cow performance and offspring pre-weaning performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 155-156
Author(s):  
Taoqi Shao ◽  
Lucas T Neira ◽  
Daniel W Shike
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Middle Point ◽  
Total N ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Cow Performance

Abstract Objectives were to investigate the effects of late-gestation supplementation of Ca salts of fatty acids to beef cows on cow performance and offspring pre-weaning growth performance. One hundred and ninety fall-calving, Angus Simmental cows were ranked by BW, BCS, and age. Cows were randomly assigned into 12 endophyte-infected, tall fescue pastures (4 pastures/treatment; 15–16 cows/pasture). Cows were fed an isocaloric supplement with soybean hulls mixed with: whole-shelled corn (CON), 155 g/cow/d of EnerGII (SFA/MUFA), or 40 g/cow/d of Strata 120 g/cow/d of Prequel (PUFA) during the last 83 4.9 d of gestation. Cow BW and BCS were measured at the initial, middle point, and end of supplementation, as well as at breeding and weaning. Milk yield was evaluated by weigh-suckle-weigh technique at 675.0 d postpartum. Steers were weaned at 174 5.0 d of age. Growth performance, milk, and blood parameters were analyzed with MIXED and reproductive data were analyzed with GLIMMIX procedures of SAS. The BW and BCS of the cows were not different (P 0.19) from trial initiation through weaning. Birth BW of the steers was not different (P = 0.62). The AI or overall pregnancy rates were not different (P 0.88). There was no difference (P 0.12) in milk yield or components. However, C15:0 and total n-3 fatty acids in milk from dams supplemented with PUFA was greater (P 0.05) than CON, while SFA/MUFA was intermediate and not different than the others. There was no difference (P = 0.83) for weaning BW of the steers. In conclusion, late-gestation supplementation of Ca salts of PUFA had no effect on cow BW, BCS, or milk yield, but increased total n-3 fatty acids in milk. Neither birth BW nor weaning BW of steers were affected by maternal fatty acid supplementation.

Effects of Feeding Graded Levels of Black Spruce Needles and Branches on Beef Cow Performance and Health During Mid to Late Gestation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Lafreniere ◽  
Robert Berthiaume ◽  
Leo Giesen ◽  
Cheryl Campbell ◽  
Dale Gardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Cow Performance

Pregnant beef cows (56; 727 ± 102 kg BW) in second trimester were used to examine black spruce (BSP) needles and branches for replacing alfalfa silage in wintering cow diets. Five dietary treatments assessed BSP inclusion rates (0, 15, 22.5, 30, 37.5% in the diet) for 92 days up until 2 weeks before start of calving using a randomized complete block design (10-12 cows/treatment). There were linear decreases (P < 0.001) in total weight gain, average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intakes (DMI) as amounts of dietary BSP increased. Low DMI feeding BSP may be attributed to palatability issues and lower rates of digestion. Changes in body condition score (BCS) increased(P < 0.003) as dietary BSP increased. These effects are supported by corresponding linear decreases (P < 0.001) for changes in rump fat cover and increases (P < 0.001) in serum non-esterified fatty acids as dietary BSP increased. Post-feeding of test diets, there were no dietary treatment differences (P > 0.42) for calf birth and weaning weights and cow pregnancy and culling rates. Based on this study, incorporation of BSP into gestating cow diets cannot be recommended.

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