Herbage mass and allowance and animal genotype affect daily herbage intake, productivity, and efficiency of beef cows grazing native subtropical grassland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Do Carmo ◽  
Teresa C M Genro ◽  
Andrés F Cibils ◽  
Pablo M Soca
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
Cow Calf

Abstract The beef sector in Campos grasslands must increase animal productivity without external inputs while reducing environmental impact. The objective of this study was to estimate herbage intake [g/metabolic body weight (MBW)/d] of straightbred (Hereford/Angus) and crossbred (F1 of Hereford x Angus) beef cows grazing subtropical native grassland with High and Low herbage allowance (HA, 5 vs 3 kg DM/kg BW) during gestation and lactation and its relationship with biological efficiency of cow-calf productivity. Herbage intake (estimated via n-alkanes C32:C33 ratio) was measured during early (Ge1, -163 d prior calving) and mid to late [Gm1 (-83) and Gm2, (-90 d prior calving)] gestation and lactation (L0, L1 and L2, 60, 47 and 31d following calving) periods in 24-36 cows, selected to create 8 groups (4 per block) of HA x cow genotype treatment. Cows grazed native grassland year-round, under High and Low HA (except in winter). We analyzed the effect of cow genotype (straightbred vs. crossbred cows) and HA (High vs. Low) on herbage mass and height, daily herbage intake rate (DMI), cow body condition score (BCS), calf average daily gain (ADG) and body weight at weaning (BWW) and g of calf weaned/kg DMI. High allowance improved DMI during lactation periods (High 115.6 vs Low 94.1±5.3 P<0.05 g/MBW/d). Crossbred cows decreased DMI during gestation (crossbred 81 vs. straightbred 94±4.3 P=0.05 g/MBW/d) compared to straightbred cows. Crossbred and High HA improved biological efficiency, 40.0 vs. 26.2 and 36.0 vs. 29.7 g of calf/kg DMI respectively. High allowance increased herbage mass and sites with greater canopy height which allow greater DMI, positively associated with cow BCS at weaning, calf ADG, BWW, and g of calf/kg DMI. Crossbred cows reduced DMI during gestation showing no greater annual DMI. Animal productivity and biological efficiency can be improved using High HA and crossbred cows, which should decrease the environmental impact of cow-calf systems.

scholarly journals PSIX-13 Influence of herbage allowance and beef cow genotype on herbage intake during mid-gestation in Campos grassland

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 397-397
Author(s):  
Martin Do Carmo ◽  
Cristina Genro ◽  
Andres Cibils ◽  
Pablo Soca
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cows ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Stocking Rates

Abstract The objective of this study was to measure herbage intake rate (g/kgBW0.75/d) of purebred (Pu, Hereford/Angus) and crossbred (Cr, F1 of Hereford/Angus) beef cows grazing under high (Hi) and low (Lo) annual herbage allowance (HA, mean 5 vs 3 kgDM/kgBW) but equal winter herbage allowance (3 kgDM/kgBW). Herbage intake was measured in 32 gestating cows (from -96 to -76 and -92 to -77 days to calving in y1 and y2 respectively) via n-alkanes C32. Cows were placed in one of 8 groups within 2 blocks (each block four paddocks) of HA x cow genotype treatment. In mid-gestation average herbage mass (±SE) was Hi = 1410 vs Lo = 710 ±230 kg DM/ha (P < 0.05) in y1, and Hi = 850 vs Lo = 570 ±230 kg DM/ha (P = 0.38) in y2. Cow genotype did not affect herbage mass, and CP (8.6±0.37%) and ADF (40.6±1.2%) concentration were not affected by HA. Cow BW (kg±SE) in Hi vs. Lo HA was 478 vs 452 ± 20(P = 0.35) for y1 and 456 vs 393 ± 17(P < 0.05) for y2, while cow BW in Cr vs Pu was 477 vs 453 ± 17 (P = 0.34) and 448 vs 407 ± 17 (P = 0.09) for y1 and y2, respectively. Herbage allowance affected herbage intake (g/kgBW0.75/d) in y2, Hi = 77 vs Lo = 70 ±0.3 (P < 0.05) but not in y1 (Hi = 103 vs Lo = 97 ±0.3, P = 0.19) while Cr cows had lower herbage intake Pu = 108 vs Cr = 92 ±0.3 Cr (P < 0.05) and Pu = 79 vs Cr = 68 ±0.3 (P < 0.05) y1 and y2, respectively. Intake rates were affected by HA and animal genotype. High HA increased intake rates 10% and Cr cows decreased 17% herbage intake rate. Our results provide mechanistic criteria to manage stocking rates on Campos cattle ranches.

scholarly journals Biological efficiency of Charolais beef cows of different body sizes

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1737
Author(s):  
Gustavo Duarte Farias ◽  
Liliane Cerdótes ◽  
Ricardo Zambarda Vaz ◽  
João Restle ◽  
Marcia Ferreira Bitencourt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Productive Efficiency ◽  
The Body ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Diagnosis ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Weight Groups

This study aimed to evaluate the production, reproductive performance, and productive efficiency of predominantly Charolais cows and their calves (Straightbred, ¾ C, ¼ N) according to body size at calving. Sixty-three cow-calf pairs were used and classified into three weight groups: Light (331.3±5.8 kg), Moderate (385.9±5.3 kg), and Heavy (424.4±6.2 kg). The classes were formed using half standard deviations above or below the average weight of the cows at calving. For each pair, the body weight was evaluated at calving, at weaning (63 days), at the beginning and at end of the reproductive period, and at 9 months for the calves. Pregnancy rates were similar (P > 0.05) between weight groups. The calves did not differ (P > 0.05) in terms of body weight and weight gain from calving until pregnancy diagnosis (210 days). The heavy cows had greater weight variations from 210 days to 270 days than the light cows. The calf production rate (kg calf/cow kept in herds) did not differ between weight groups. However, in relation to the weight of the cows at 210 days, light cows were 11.28% and 13.02% more productive (P < 0.05), than moderate and heavy cows, respectively. Light cows were more efficient than the other classes of cows at calving and at 210 days old. Our simulations showed that there were more kilograms for sale in herds of light cows (53.085 kg) than moderate and heavy cows (52.310 and 52.870 kg, respectively), while maintaining the structures of the herd constant. The size of the Charolais cow did not influence the weight of calves from calving until 7 months of age or their reproductive performance provided they were weaned early. The need for space for the maintenance of the cow-calf pair increased as the weight of the cows increased. In herds with smaller cows, higher numbers and a higher production of weight for sale are observed than in herds with moderate and heavy cows. Light cows were the most efficient at calving and during pregnancy diagnosis at 210 days.

EVALUATION OF BULL AND COW FERTILITY AT PASTURE IN SINGLE-SIRE MATING

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 799-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. MAKARECHIAN ◽  
A. FARID ◽  
R. T. BERG
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Semen Volume ◽  
Calving Season ◽  
Daily Gain

Pregnancy rates and calving dates of beef cows in 27 single-sire breeding herds mated to yearling or 2-yr old bulls were used in this study. The breed groups of bulls were Hereford and Beef Synthetic and cow herds were Hereford, Hereford cross and Beef Synthetic, respectively. A week before the start of the breeding season the bulls were scored for libido, their scrotal circumferences were measured and semen samples were collected. Semen volume, sperm motility and percent normal cells were evaluated. The average bull to cow ratio was 1:20. Pregnancy rate increased as age and body weight of cows increased, but it was independent of the previous calving date. Calving date was not related to body weight or age of cow, but it was influenced by the previous calving date. Each day delay in calving after the first 5 wk of calving season resulted in a 0.7-day delay in the date of calving during the next calving season. The Beef Synthetic-sired herds had higher pregnancy rates (P < 0.05) than the Hereford-sired herds, but the average calving dates of the two groups were similar. Cows mated to 2-yr-old bulls had 5% higher (P = 0.12) pregnancy rate than those mated to yearling bulls. Five of the herds showed low fertility and late calving, probably due to low fertility of the bulls. Yearling weight and feedlot average daily gain were positively (P < 0.05) related to bull fertility. The number of services performed by a bull during a 10 min libido test and total libido score were also found to be useful in assessing bull fertility, but scrotal circumference or semen traits were not related to fertility of bulls when used in single-sire mating at pasture. Key words: Beef cattle, bull fertility, single-sire mating

scholarly journals Management strategies to improve cow-calf productivity on meadow bromegrass pastures

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Kopp ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg ◽  
W. P. McCaughey
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
The Cost

A 4-yr experiment was conducted to determine the effects of fertilization, incorporation of a legume and use of the Rumensin®-controlled release capsules (CRC) on productivity of cow-calf pairs grazing meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.). Four pasture treatments (T), alfalfa-grass fertilized (AF), alfalfa-grass unfertilized (AU), grass-only fertilized (GF) and grass-only unfertilized (GU), each replicated twice were compared. The eight 3.7-ha pastures were split into five equally sized paddocks and rotationally stocked with first-calf cows in 1995 and 1998, and with mature cows in 1996 and 1997. Half of the cows on each pasture received a Rumensin® CRC 1 wk prior to the start of the pasture season. Cow DMI was not influenced by fertilization or incorporation of a legume. However, cows treated with monensin consumed less (2.3% BW) compared to the control cows (2.5% BW, P < 0.05). Incorporation of alfalfa and fertilization improved pasture quality and resulted in higher CP and lower NDF content in forage selected by the animals. Monensin improved (P < 0.05) cow average daily gain (ADG, kg d-1) when grazing unfertilized grass and alfalfa-grass pastures, but did not influence gains of cows on fertilized pastures. Fertilizer application, legume incorporation and monensin administration did not affect milk yield or milk composition. Despite differences in diet quality, calf ADG for AU, AF, and GF were similar. However, calf ADG was lower for GU pastures (P < 0.05), probably as a result of the high fibre and low protein content of this pasture treatment. Both incorporation of alfalfa and fertilization increased total calf gain (kg ha-1); the greatest improvement was associated with fertilization. There were, however, economic advantages to legume incorporation, as the cost of the additional gain for GF and AF pastures averaged $1.08 and $0.79 kg-1 ha-1, and no extra costs were incurred for AU. Key words: Beef cows, calves, milk yield, pasture productivity, alfalfa, meadow bromegrass

341 Meta-analysis of the Performance Responses of Replacement Heifers and Beef Cows to Monensin

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 191-192
Author(s):  
Mikayla F Moore ◽  
Shane Gadberry ◽  
David Lalman ◽  
Frank White ◽  
Sara Linneen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
P Value ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Cow Calf

Abstract Performance benefits of monensin have been extensively studied in finishing and stocker cattle, but considerably less published work is available evaluating response to monensin supplementation in cow-calf production systems. Feed additives are more difficult to study in cow-calf production systems due to unstable diet characteristics and cow physiological state throughout the production cycle. This meta-analysis investigated the impacts of monensin on performance of extensively raised beef cow-calf and developing replacement heifers. The replacement heifer analysis was conducted with a maximum of 48 treatment means in 18 experiments. The mature cow analysis included 21 publications and 26 mean comparisons. The metaphor package (version 2.4-0; Viechtbauer, 2010) for R (version 4.0.3; www.r-project.org) was used to determine the overall effect size of monensin compared to a negative control. Each study’s n, means, and SEM or P-value was used to calculate the mean difference and estimate of within study variance for responses of interest. For replacement heifers, average daily gain (+0.03 ± 0.008 kg/d), feed efficiency (+0.013 ± 0.008 gain:feed), and percentage cycling before the breeding season (+15.9 ± 5.13%) were increased (P &lt; 0.01), while dry matter intake (-4.3%) and age at puberty (-8.9 ± 1.48 d) were decreased (P &lt; 0.01). Six studies reporting ad libitum forage intake for mature cows showed that monensin decreased (P = 0.008) DMI by 0.85 ± 0.322 kg/day. Six studies showed monesin increased (P = 0.01) milk yield 0.39 ± 0.15 kg/day by mature cows in early lactation. There were no differences in artificial insemination pregnancy nor total pregnancy for either the heifer or mature cow data sets. This analysis also indicates potential for use of monensin in beef cow production systems, but further research is needed to elucidate the effects on DMI and milk production in beef cows.

scholarly journals Effects of timing of weaning on energy utilization in primiparous beef cows and post-weaning performance of their progeny1

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 1198-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aksel Wiseman ◽  
Miles Redden ◽  
Adam McGee ◽  
Courtney Spencer ◽  
Ryan Reuter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Maintenance Energy ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Calf Performance

Abstract Early weaning is used to minimize cow nutrient requirements in situations where feed inputs are scarce or expensive. For many years, maintenance energy requirements have been assumed to be 20% greater in lactating compared with non-lactating beef cows. While not well established, maintenance energy requirements are thought to be greatest in primiparous cows and to decline with age. Consequently, early weaning primiparous cow–calf pairs should improve overall efficiency, particularly in situations where mid-to-late lactation forage or feed nutritive value is low. The objective of this study was to determine the biological efficiency of early weaning and maintenance energy requirements of lactating versus non-lactating primiparous cows. Experiments were conducted in two consecutive years using 90 primiparous cows and their calves (48 in yr 1, 42 in yr 2). Pairs were randomly assigned to one of the six pens (8 pairs/pen yr 1, 7 pairs/pen yr 2) and pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments; (1) early weaning (130 d ± 15.4; EW, n = 6) and (2) traditional weaning (226 d ± 13.1; TW, n = 6). Late lactation cow and calf performance and feed consumption were measured for 92 d (yr 1) and 100 d (yr 2). Cows were limit-fed to meet maintenance requirements, while calves were offered ad libitum access to the same diet in a creep-feeding area. Calves were not allowed access to the cows’ feed. Cow feed intake, body condition score, body weight (BW), milk yield and composition, and calf body weight gain and creep feed intake were recorded. After accounting for lactation and retained energy, there was a trend for greater maintenance energy requirements of lactating primiparous cows (P = 0.07). From the early weaning date to traditional weaning date, calf average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for TW calves. Feed and energy efficiency of the pair was improved for the TW system (P &lt; 0.01). Greater ADG were reported for EW calves during the stocker period (P = 0.03), but there were no differences during the finishing period (P &gt; 0.40). At harvest, BW was greater (P = 0.02) and gain to feed ratio tended (P = 0.06) to be improved for TW calves. The increased TW calf performance offset the additional maintenance costs of their lactating dams, resulting in the TW system converting total feed energy to kilograms of calf BW gain more efficiently.

scholarly journals SINH TRƯỞNG VÀ THÀNH PHẦN THÂN THỊT CỦA CÁC TỔ HỢP BÒ LAI GIỮA BÒ CÁI LAI BRAHMAN VỚI CÁC GIỐNG BÒ ĐỰC CHAROLAIS, DROUGHTMASTER VÀ RED ANGUS GIAI ĐOẠN VỖ BÉO NUÔI TẠI TỈNH QUẢNG NGÃI

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linh Nguyễn Thị Mỹ ◽  
◽  
Tuấn Nguyễn Quang ◽  
Phùng Lê Đình ◽  
Dũng Đinh Văn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Crossbred Cattle ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Fattening Period ◽  
Red Angus ◽  
Daily Gain

Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu này là đánh giá khả năng sinh trưởng, thành phần thân thịt xẻ của 3 tổ hợp bò lai hướng thịt giữa bò cái nền Lai Brahman với các giống bò đực Charolais, Droughtmaster và Red Angus giai đoạn vỗ béo nuôi tại tỉnh Quảng Ngãi. Nghiên cứu thực hiện trên 18 bò lai (6 bò/tổ hợp lai) 18 tháng tuổi, thời gian nuôi 3 tháng. Kết thúc giai đoạn nuôi, 4 bò/tổ hợp lai được mổ để đánh giá năng suất thịt. Kết quả cho thấy, các tổ hợp bò lai Charolais × Lai Brahman, Droughmaster × Lai Brahman và bò Red Angus × Lai Brahman có khối lượng lúc 21 tháng tuổi lần lượt là 523,7; 465 và 484 kg/con, tăng khối lượng trung bình sau 3 tháng nuôi của 3 tổ hợp bò lai lần lượt là 1.282; 1.039 và 1.134 g/ngày. Khối lượng thịt xẻ (kg/con) và tỷ lệ thịt xẻ (% khối lượng giết mổ) tương ứng với các tổ hợp bò lai Charolais × Lai Brahman, Droughmaster × Lai Brahman và bò Red Angus × Lai Brahman lần lượt là 312,6; 275,6 và 295,5 kg và 60,6; 60,3 và 62,1%; Tỷ lệ thịt tinh của ba tổ hợp bò lai lần lượt tương ứng là 45,2%; 43,9% và 42,6%. Trong 3 tổ hợp lai thì xu hướng năng suất thịt xẻ của tổ hợp bò lai Charolais × Lai Brahman là cao nhất, tiếp đến là bò lai Red Angus × Lai Brahman, thấp nhất là bò lai Droughtmaster × Lai Brahman. Các tổ hợp bò lai hướng thịt này nên được nhân rộng tại Quảng Ngãi và các địa phương có điều kiện chăn nuôi tương tự. ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine growth performance, carcass composition of 3 beef crossbreds between Brahman crossbred cows and Charolais, Red Angus or Droughtmaster bulls in Quang Ngai. A total of 18 crossbred cattle (6 head/crossbred genotype) were used for fattening from 18 to 21 months of age. After the fattening period, 4 most representative cattle per genotype were slaughtered to evaluate meat performance and carcass composition. The results showed that Charolais × Lai Brahman, Droughtmaster × Lai Brahman and Red Angus × Lai Brahman crossbred cattle had a body weight of 523.7, 465.0 and 484.3 kg at 21 months old, respectively, average daily gain in fattening period of 3 beef crossbred genotypes were 1282, 1039 and 1134 g/day, respectively. The carcass weight and percentage of Charolais × Lai Brahman, Droughmaster × Lai Brahman and Red Angus × Lai Brahman were 312.6, 275.6 and 295.5 kg and 60.6, 60.3 and 62.1%, respectively. The percentage of meat of three crossbreds was 45.2, 43.9 and 42.6% body weight, respectively. Charolais × Lai Brahman had the highest beef performance, then Red Angus × Lai Brahman, and last was . These results could be concluded that the three crossbreds should be raised in Quang Ngai and other localities with similar farming conditions.

scholarly journals Low-Intensity, High-Frequency Grazing Strategy Increases Herbage Production and Beef Cattle Performance on Sorghum Pastures

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Thales Baggio Portugal ◽  
Leonardo Silvestri Szymczak ◽  
Anibal de Moraes ◽  
Lidiane Fonseca ◽  
Jean Carlos Mezzalira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Herbage Intake

We assessed the effects of high-intensity and low-frequency (HILF) vs. low-intensity and high-frequency (LIHF) grazing on herbage production and performance of beef cattle grazing sorghum pastures. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with two treatments and four replicates (paddocks), carried out in 2014/15. The management target of 50 and 30 cm for pre- and post-grazing, respectively, a LIHF grazing management strategy oriented to maximize beef cattle herbage intake per unit time, was compared with a HILF grazing management strategy of 80 and 20 cm for pre- and post-grazing, respectively, aiming to maximize herbage accumulation and harvest efficiency. Sixteen Brangus steers of 15-month-old and 265 ± 21 kg of live weight (LW) were randomly distributed to paddocks (experimental units). The LIHF resulted in shorter rest periods when compared with the HILF. The greater leaf lamina mass in LIHF allowed greater sward light interception at post-grazing, resulting in greater total herbage production than HILF (7581 and 4154 kg DM/ha, respectively). The average daily gain (ADG) of steers was greater for the LIHF than for the HILF treatment (0.950 and 0.702 kg/animal, respectively); however, even with a greater stocking rate in the HILF, there was no difference for LW gain per ha, with an average of 4 kg LW/ha/day. Our findings demonstrated that the LIHF strategy that is based on offering to the animals an optimal sward structure to favor the maximum herbage intake rate fosters greater herbage production, harvesting efficiency, and ADG without compromising LW gain per area of beef steers, despite the lower herbage harvested per stocking cycle.

scholarly journals Cow efficiency: modeling the biological and economic output of a Michigan beef herd

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Logan R Thompson ◽  
Matthew R Beck ◽  
Daniel D Buskirk ◽  
Jason E Rowntree ◽  
Melissa G S McKendree
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Present Value ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Lake City

Abstract In recent decades, beef cattle producers have selected cattle for biological traits (i.e., improved growth) to maximize revenue, leading to an increase in average cow body size. However, matching cow size to the production environment would allow producers to maximize productivity and economic returns per unit of land. This may help meet the goals of sustainable intensification, but environmental complexity and varying cow-calf production systems dictates a regional approach. The objective of this experiment was to examine the biological efficiency and economic returns of a Northern Michigan cow-calf system. We hypothesized that biological efficiency and economic returns would decrease with increasing cow body size. Data were collected from a Red Angus cow herd located at the Lake City AgBio Research Center in Lake City, MI from 2011 to 2018 on cow age, weight, and body condition score at weaning, and subsequent 205 d adjusted calf weaning weight (WW), sex, and yearling weight. Biological efficiency was defined as WW as a percentage of cow body weight (DBW). Enterprise budgeting techniques were used to calculate expected net returns from 2011 to 2018 after classifying cows into 11 BW tiers at 22.67 kg intervals beginning at 430.83 kg. Forward-looking net present value (NPV) was calculated using the same tier system, for a 10-yr production cycle with the baseline being a 200 d grazing season. Weaning weight increased with increasing DBW (P &lt; 0.01), but the percentage of cow body weight weaned was reduced by −38.58 × Ln(DBW) (P &lt; 0.01). This led to cows weaning 26.38 kg/ha more with every 100 kg drop in DBW. Expected net returns from 2011 to 2018 did not differ by DBW tier on a per cow basis but did on a per ha basis with a decrease in $10.27/ha with each increase in DBW tier (P &lt; 0.01). Net present value was maximized in the baseline scenario at 453.51 kg DBW and decreased in value as DBW increased. These results suggest that for a Northern Midwestern cow-calf herd, comparatively lighter cows provide a higher economic value on a land basis.

A Comparison of Crossbred and Straightbred Cow-Calf Pairs. II. Biological Efficiency of the Cow-Calf Unit

1984 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 1160-1170 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Wagner ◽  
J. S. Brinks ◽  
J. J. Urick ◽  
O. F. Pahnish ◽  
G. V. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Cow Calf
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