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.

Effects of housing beef cow-calf pairs on drylot or pasture in the Midwest on production parameters and calf behavior through feedlot receiving

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E Myerscough ◽  
Lucas T Neira ◽  
Keifer H Sexton ◽  
Lucas S Hofer ◽  
Keela M Trennepohl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract The objectives were to analyze the effects of housing cow-calf pairs in drylots (DL) or pasture (PAST) on cow performance and reproduction as well as calf performance and behavior through feedlot receiving. Simmental × Angus (2 yr; 108/yr; 81 ± 15.3 d postpartum) spring-calving cows were stratified by age, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and calf sex and allotted to 6 groups/yr. Groups were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: DL or PAST. Cows in DL were limit-fed at maintenance and calves had ad libitum access to the cow diet in an adjacent pen. Pairs on PAST were rotationally grazed and calves received creep ad libitum three weeks prior to weaning. On d 110 calves were fence-line weaned and behavior was observed on d 111 and 112. On d 116 calves were transported 272 kilometers to a feedlot for a 42-d receiving period. Behavior was evaluated again on d 117 and 118. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS except reproductive data which was analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure. Cows on DL had greater (P ≤ 0.01) BW and BCS at weaning. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.42) detected in reproductive data. Cows on DL had greater (P = 0.02) milk production. Calves on DL had greater BW (P ≤ 0.01) on d 55 and at weaning and greater preweaning average daily gain (ADG). There were treatment × time effects (P = 0.01) for lying and eating on d 111 and 112. More DL calves were eating in the morning and lying in the evening. More (P &lt; 0.01) PAST calves were walking on d 111. Pasture calves vocalized more (P ≤ 0.01) on d 112. On d 117, more (P ≤ 0.05) pasture calves were lying and eating, and DL vocalized more. On d 118, treatment × time and treatment effects were detected (P ≤ 0.02) for lying and walking. More PAST calves were lying and more DL calves were walking. Drylot calves had greater (P ≤ 0.02) BW at the beginning and end of the receiving phase. Pasture calves had greater (P &lt; 0.01) ADG and tended (P = 0.10) to have greater gain efficiency during feedlot receiving phase. In conclusion, housing cow-calf pairs in drylots improved BW, BCS, and milk production of cows but did not affect reproductive performance. Drylot calves had increased BW and ADG during the preweaning phase. Calf behavior at weaning and receiving was influenced by preweaning housing. Pasture calves had improved receiving phase ADG and feed efficiency but were still lighter than drylot calves after 42 d receiving phase.

scholarly journals 76 Does supplemental protein and rumen-protected methionine improve performance and digestibility during late-gestation in beef cows?

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 75-75
Author(s):  
Madeline M Collins ◽  
Michaela K S Lievre ◽  
Kaitlyn V J Lawson ◽  
Ira B Mandell ◽  
Anna-Kate Shoveller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Isoleucine Leucine ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Supplemental Protein

Abstract Methionine (MET) is likely the first limiting amino acid in low-protein forages fed to beef cattle during late-gestation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if supplemental protein and rumen-protected MET improve cow performance and apparent tract digestibility (TTD) during late-gestation. This study used 147 late-gestation Angus crossbred cows and heifers in a 3x2 factorial arrangement for dietary treatments. The cattle were randomly assigned to one of six diets formulated to 90, 100 or 110% of metabolizable protein (MP) requirements (NRC, 2016), with (without) 9 g/d of rumen-protected MET (MetaSmart, Adisseo Inc.). These diets were fed for approximately 8 wks before calving. All data was analyzed as a randomized block design using SAS 9.4 PROC GLIMMIX procedure. Cows fed at 90% MP requirements lost body weight (BW), while cows fed at 100% and 110% MP requirements maintained and (or) gained BW over the trial (P = 0.02). Similarly, cows fed at 90% MP requirements lost more pregnancy corrected BW than cows fed at 100% and 110% MP requirements (P = 0.01). However, supplemental MET did not affect body weight gains (P &gt; 0.07). Cows and heifers fed at 90% MP requirements had reduced TTD for crude protein compared to cattle fed to 110% MP requirements (P &lt; 0.001), MET supplementation did not impact TTD (P &gt; 0.20). Additionally, cattle fed at 90% MP requirements had increased serum cholesterol and reduced urea concentrations compared to cows fed to 100% and 110% MP requirements (P &lt; 0.0001). MET supplementation increased serum concentrations for glucose, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, serine, threonine and valine (P &lt; 0.02). Calf birth weights were not significantly impacted by dietary treatment (P &gt; 0.31). Feeding cows above their MP requirements may improve late-gestation performance and CP digestibility. Supplemental MET may increase amino acid utilization but did not improve beef cow performance or digestibility parameters measured in late-gestation.

scholarly journals 267 Supplementing Ca salts of soybean oil to late-gestating beef cows: Impacts on performance and physiological responses of the offspring

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 192-192
Author(s):  
Alice Brandão ◽  
Reinaldo F Cooke ◽  
Kelsey Schubach ◽  
Bruna Rett ◽  
Osvaldo Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soybean Oil ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Matter Basis

Abstract This experiment compared performance and physiological responses of the offspring from cows supplemented with Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO) or prilled saturated fat (CON) during late gestation. Non-lactating, pregnant Angus × Hereford cows (n = 104) that conceived during the same fixed-time artificial insemination protocol, using semen from 2 sires, were used in this experiment. Cows were ranked by pregnancy sire, body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS). On d 180 of gestation (d -15), cows were randomly assigned to receive (dry matter basis) 415 g of soybean meal per cow daily in addition to 1) 195 g/cow daily of CSSO (n = 52) or 2) 170 g/cow daily of CON (n = 52). Cows were maintained in 2 pastures (26 cows/treatment per pasture), and received daily 12.7 kg/cow (dry matter basis) of grass-alfalfa hay. From d 0 until calving, cows were segregated into 1 of 24 feeding pens thrice weekly and received treatments individually. Cow BW and BCS were recorded, and blood samples were collected on d -15 of the experiment and within 12 h after calving. Calf BW was also recorded and blood sample collected within 12 h of calving. Calves were weaned on d 290 of the experiment, preconditioned for 35 d (d 291 to 325), and transferred to a feedyard where they remained until slaughter. Upon calving, CSSO cows and calves had greater (P &lt; 0.01) plasma concentrations of linoleic acid and total ω - 6 FA compared with CON cohorts. No differences in calf birth BW, weaning BW, and final preconditioning BW were noted (P ≥ 0.36) between treatments. Average daily gain and final BW in the feedlot were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in steers from CSSO cows compared with CON. The incidence of calves diagnosed with BRD that required a second antimicrobial treatment was less (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows, resulting in reduced (P = 0.05) need of treatments to regain health compared with CON (Table 5). Upon slaughter, longissimus muscle area was greater (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows compared with CON. Collectively, these results suggest that supplementing CSSO to late-gestating beef cows stimulated programming effects on postnatal offspring growth and Page 2 of 15 For Peer Review health. Therefore, supplementing late-gestating beef cows with CSSO appears to optimize offspring welfare and productivity in beef production systems.

scholarly journals 158 Provision of artificial shade before weaning influences performance of Angus and Brangus cow-calf pairs

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 129-130
Author(s):  
Gleise Medeiros da Silva ◽  
Tessa M Schulmeister ◽  
Federico Podversich ◽  
Federico Tarnonsky ◽  
Maria E Zamora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Paspalum Notatum ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
The Impact

Abstract A completely randomized design study with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments evaluated the impact of artificial shade (SHADE or NO SHADE) and breed (ANGUS vs. BRANGUS) on performance of cows, nursing calves, and subsequent offspring. Twenty-four Angus and 24 Brangus black-hided pregnant cows (579 ± 8 kg BW; 6.5 yr; approximately 85 d of gestation) and their nursing calves were randomly allocated to 12 ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass pastures (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 1.3 ha; n = 4 pairs/pasture), with or without access to artificial shade (NO SHADE BRANGUS [NSB], NO SHADE ANGUS [NSA], SHADE BRANGUS [SB], and SHADE ANGUS [SA]) for 56 d during summer. Body condition score (BCS) of cows and BW of pairs were obtained on d -1, 0, 55, and 56 (weaning weight). Following weaning, calves were randomly allocated to 4 pens (n = 12/pen) equipped with GrowSafe feed bunks for 14 d to measure feed intake (DMI) and efficiency (G:F). A shade × breed interaction (P &lt; 0.05) was observed for average daily gain (ADG) and BCS of cows, with SB being greatest (P ≤ 0.05). Pre-weaning calf ADG tended to be greater (P = 0.10) for SHADE vs. NO SHADE. Weaning weight and BW 14-d post-weaning were lesser for NSB vs. NSA, SA, and SB, whereas no differences in DMI, ADG, or G:F were observed (P &gt; 0.11). Gestation length was greater for SHADE vs. NO SHADE cows (292 vs. 274; P = 0.02), but calf birth weight was not different. Providing artificial shade to pregnant-lactating beef cows positively impacted the growth of Brangus but not Angus cows. However, weaning BW of calves from Angus cows regardless of shade access did not differ from that of Brangus calves with shade. Further research should investigate the potential long-term effects of shade on the subsequent offspring.

PSXIII-17 Supplementing organic-complexed or inorganic Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn to beef cows during gestation: post-weaning responses of offspring reared as replacement heifers or feeder cattle

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 432-432
Author(s):  
Kelsey Harvey ◽  
Reinaldo F Cooke ◽  
Eduardo Colombo ◽  
Bruna Rett ◽  
Osvaldo Sousa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Effects ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Female Progeny ◽  
Feeder Cattle ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Haptoglobin Concentration ◽  
Eden Prairie ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Beef cows and their progeny were used to evaluate the effects of supplementing organic-complexed or inorganic Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn during gestation: on offspring reared as replacement heifers or feeder cattle. Non-lactating, pregnant beef cows (n = 190) were ranked by parity, pregnancy type, body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), at 117 ± 2.2 d of gestation (d 0) and assigned to receive a supplement containing: 1) sulfate sources of Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn (INR; n = 95) or 2) an organic complexed source of Cu, Mn, Co, and Zn (AAC; Availa®4; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN; n = 95). From d 0 to calving, cows were maintained in a single pasture and individually offered treatments three times a week. Calves were weaned at 6 mo of age (d 367) and preconditioned for 45-d. Heifer puberty status was verified weekly (d 437 to d 619) based on plasma progesterone concentrations. Steer calves were shipped to a commercial feedlot on d 493, where they were managed as a single group until slaughter (d 724). Plasma cortisol concentration was greater (P = 0.05) in AAC calves at weaning but tended to be less (P = 0.10) on d 370 compared with INR calves. Mean plasma haptoglobin concentration was greater (P = 0.03) in INR vs. AAC calves during preconditioning, and no treatment effects were noted (P = 0.76) for preconditioning average daily gain (ADG). Puberty attainment was hastened in AAC heifers during the experiment (treatment × day; P &lt; 0.01), despite similar (P = 0.39) ADG between treatments from d 412 to 620. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.24) for steer ADG from d 412 until slaughter, nor for carcass quality traits. Therefore, supplementing Co, Cu, Zn, and Mn as organic complexed instead of sulfate sources to beef cows during the last 5 mo of gestation did not improve performance of steer progeny until slaughter, but hastened puberty attainment in female progeny reared as replacement heifers.

Effect of herbage allowance on productive and reproductive responses of primiparous beef cows grazing on Campos grassland

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 1615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martín Claramunt ◽  
Andrea Fernández-Foren ◽  
Pablo Soca
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Early Postpartum ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Condition Score

The effects of two levels of herbage allowance (HA, kg DM/kg liveweight (LW)) on forage mass and chemical composition, cow body condition score, cow LW, stocking rate, productive and reproductive responses were evaluated during two consecutive years. Eighty primiparous spring-calving beef cows were allocated to a completely randomised block design of two HA that had an annual average of 2.5 (low) and 4.0 kg DM/kg LW (high) from –150 to 195 days postpartum. The grazing system was continuous, and the put-and-take method was employed to adjust HA. At 86 ± 12 days postpartum, all cows were submitted to calf suckling restrictions with nose plates (12 days) and dietary flushing (2 kg/cow.day of whole-rice bran for 22 days), 6 days before bull introduction. Forage mass was affected by HA (P = 0.004) and year (P = 0.014); the high HA had a greater forage mass than the low HA (1474 vs 1212 ± 86 kg DM/ha; P < 0.05), and Year 2 had a greater forage mass than Year 1 (1545 vs 1134 ± 78 kg DM/ha; P < 0.05). Stocking rate was affected by HA and season (P = 0.0004) interaction. The stocking rate during autumn and spring was greater in low than high HA, and no differences were identified in winter and summer. The body condition score was improved in high HA during autumn and resulted in a greater winter (mid-gestation) body condition score than the low HA without differences during spring-summer (postpartum). Cow LW was lower during autumn, winter and early postpartum (16 days postpartum) in low HA in Year 1 than high HA of Year 1 and high and low HA cows in Year 2. Furthermore, the probability of total pregnancies (0.88 vs 0.59 ± 0.07; P = 0.01) and the calf weight adjusted to 205 days (194 vs 175 ± 16 kg; P < 0.05) were greater in high HA. Calf weight adjusted to 205 days (Year 1: 192 vs Year 2: 177 ± 16 kg; P < 0.05) and survival curves of postpartum anoestrus (P = 0.01) were affected by year but did not affect the probability of conception, early or total pregnancies. In conclusion, the reproductive and productive responses of primiparous beef cows grazing Campos grasslands were improved in high HA and could contribute to alleviating adverse climatic conditions effects.

scholarly journals Performance of lactating suckler cows of diverse genetic merit and genotype under a seasonal pasture-based system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. McCabe ◽  
N. McHugh ◽  
N.E. O’Connell ◽  
R. Prendiville
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Selection For

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of genetic merit of the national Irish maternal index and genotype (i.e. beef vs. beef × dairy [BDX]) of beef cows and subsequent performance of their progeny. With the exception that high genetic merit cows produced 0.57 kg more milk and tended to have 0.04 of a lower body condition score (BCS), no significant differences were observed between cows of diverse genetic merit. Differences between contrasting cow genotype were apparent. Beef cows were 50 kg heavier and had a BCS 0.27 greater than BDX cows. The BDX cows produced 1.67 kg more milk and had a greater 24-d submission rate than beef cows. Calves generated from BDX cows were 19 kg heavier at weaning and were worth €51 more than progeny generated from beef cows. Beef cow progeny, however, had 0.77 of a greater conformation score at slaughter than BDX. While differences were observed across cows of different replacement strategies, results from the current study showed that genetic selection for national maternal index had no effect on the overall performance of suckler cows in a pasture-based spring-calving system.

scholarly journals Effects of parity order on performance, metabolic, and hormonal parameters of grazing beef cows during pre-calving and lactation periods

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus Fellipe de Lana Ferreira ◽  
Luciana Navajas Rennó ◽  
Isabela Iria Rodrigues ◽  
Edenio Detmann ◽  
Mário Fonseca Paulino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Metabolic Profile ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Esterified Fatty Acids ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Background Metabolic profile evaluation is a tool widely used in ruminant nutrition as metabolic cues that relate nutrition to physiology. Metabolic and hormonal traits change during pre-partum and lactation according to parity in dairy cows, but studies of beef cows under grazing are scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate how metabolic and hormonal traits change over time, their relationship to performance, and determine if these factors differ according to the parity order of grazing beef cows. Thirty-six pregnant Nellore cows (12 nulliparous, 12 primiparous, and 12 multiparous) were used. The study started at 60 d prepartum until 203 d of lactation. Results The initial body weight (BW) and final BW were higher for multiparous cows (P > 0.05). An interaction occurred between parity and day (P < .0001) for body condition score. Nulliparous and primiparous body condition score were reduced from − 60 prepartum to 30 postpartum, then stabilized 60 postpartum (P < 0.05), while multiparous maintained body condition score from − 60 days until 60 days postpartum (P > 0.05). Calf BW, final BW, and average daily gain did not differ between parities (P > 0.05). Effect of day (P < 0.05) was detected for non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, progesterone, and insulin. An interaction was observed between parity and days for glucose, HDL, β-hydroxybutyrate, creatinine and IGF-1 (P < 0.05). Parity affected serum urea nitrogen, total proteins, albumin, and globulins (P < 0.05). Parity and day relative to calving did not impact total T3 and T4 (P > 0.05). Conclusions Hormonal and metabolic profile is strongly influenced by the stage of lactation. Time effects (pre-partum and lactation period) were more pronounced in nulliparous since they displayed more unbalanced metabolic and hormonal traits and lowered BCS pre- and postpartum.

scholarly journals 29 The effect of fleshing ability on cow and calf performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 22-22
Author(s):  
Amanda Holder ◽  
Aksel Wiseman ◽  
Adam McGee ◽  
David Lalman ◽  
Claire Andresen
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Condition Score

Abstract Several factors influence the overall maintenance requirements of a mature beef cow including age, gain, lactation, pregnancy, and fleshing ability. However, limited research is available to distinguish what sets a hard-fleshing cow apart from an easy-fleshing cow. Cows that are hard-fleshing maintain a lower body condition score (BCS) throughout the year compared to easy-fleshing counterparts. The objectives of this experiment are to determine the differences in characteristics and production between cows classified as easy- vs. hard- fleshing. Characteristics of interest include feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, body weight changes, BCS changes, and other body composition measurements, as well as calf weaning weight. In this study, 24 spring-calving, mature Angus beef cows were classified as either hard-fleshing or easy-fleshing based on BCS and ultrasound measurements for back fat and rump fat. The intake study took place during the second trimester, cows were assigned to an easy- or hard-fleshing pen based on treatment where they remained for the entirety of the 45-day intake study. Each treatment was replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Milk data collection began one month after calving with monthly milkings from May-August. There were no differences (P = 0.9) in DMI, although hard-fleshing cows had greater DMI calculated on a metabolic body weight basis (P = 0.05). There was a trend (P = 0.12) for hard-fleshing cows to wean heavier calves, although there was no difference in mean milk yield (P = 0.44). Body condition score was positively correlated with protein and carbohydrate content of milk with easy-fleshing cows having greater contents of both (P = 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). Overall, an increase in BCS without an increase in DMI may be beneficial from a reproductive standpoint, though more research in this area is needed.

scholarly journals PSI-18 Effects of supplementing polyunsaturated fatty acids during late gestation on performance of fall-calving cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 247-248
Author(s):  
Trenton L Black ◽  
Taoqi Shao ◽  
Frank A Ireland ◽  
Joshua C McCann ◽  
Daniel W Shike
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pufa Supplement ◽  
Fall Calving

Abstract The objective was to determine the effects of supplementing calcium salts of PUFA or SFA + MUFA during late gestation on performance of fall-calving beef cows through calving. Mature, Simmental x Angus cows confirmed pregnant to a synchronized artificial insemination (AI) and fetal sexed were selected prior to the start of the experiment. At 200 d of gestation, cows (n = 96; BW = 603 ± 72 kg) were stratified by age, AI service sire, fetal sex and BW and allotted to 8 groups. Groups were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments (4 groups per treatment): SFA + MUFA (0.155 kg of EnerGII per cow per day on a DM basis) and PUFA (0.08 kg of Strata and 0.08 kg of Prequel per cow per day on a DM basis). The SFA + MUFA supplement included palmitic and oleic acid. The PUFA supplement included eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and linoleic acid. All cows grazed endophyte-infected tall fescue and were supplemented 2 kg DM per cow per d of soybean hulls for 78 d during late gestation in addition to their treatment supplement. Body condition score and BW were collected at trial initiation, during supplementation, before calving, and after calving. Pen was the experimental unit and BW, BCS, and calf BW were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. The BW and BCS at trial initiation, during supplementation, before calving, and after calving of the cows supplemented PUFA were not different (P ≥ 0.38) than the BW and BCS of cows supplemented SFA + MUFA. Calf birth BW from cows supplemented with PUFA were not different (P = 0.87) than calf birth BW from cows supplemented with SFA + MUFA. Supplementing cows PUFA during late gestation in fall-calving cows did not affect BW, BCS or calf birth BW.

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