Stochastic Simulation of Pasture-Raised Beef Production Systems and Implications for the Appalachian Cow-Calf Sector

The cost of grazed grass is less than half that of grass silage (O’Kiely, 1994) and incomes from beef production are low and largely dependent on EU support schemes. Thus the income from beef production could be incresed by reducing feed costs through increasing the proportion of grazed grass in the diet and optimising the use of the various support schemes. The objective of this two-year study was to examine the effects on the performance of yearling cattle of turnout to pasture three weeks earlier than normal. This was examined within two suckler beef production systems. One was a standard system similar to that outlined by Drennan (1993) and the second was compatible with the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS).

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Beef heifer fertility: importance of management practices and technological advancements

Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology ◽

10.1186/s40104-020-00503-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sarah E. Moorey ◽

Fernando H. Biase

Keyword(s):

Breeding Season ◽

Production Systems ◽

Transcript Abundance ◽

Antral Follicle ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Management Procedures ◽

Beef Heifer ◽

Fertility Potential ◽

Cow Calf

Abstract The development of replacement heifers is at the core of cow-calf beef production systems. In 2020, the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service reported 5.771 million beef heifers, 500 pounds and over, are under development for cow replacement. A compilation of data from several studies indicate that between 85% and 95% of these heifers will become pregnant in their first breeding season. Several thousands of heifers being raised for replacement may not deliver a calf on their first breeding season and result in economic losses to cow-calf producers. Many management procedures have been developed to maximize the reproductive potential of beef heifers. Such approaches include, but are not limited to the following: nutritional management for controlled weight gain, identification of reproductive maturity by physiological and morphological indicators, and the implementation of an estrous synchronization program. The implementation of management strategies has important positive impact(s) on the reproductive efficiency of heifers. There are limitations, however, because some heifers deemed ready to enter their first breeding season do not become pregnant. In parallel, genetic selection for fertility-related traits in beef heifers have not promoted major genetic gains on this particular area, most likely due to low heritability of female fertility traits in cattle. Technologies such as antral follicle counting, DNA genotyping and RNA profiling are being investigated as a means to aid in the identification of heifers of low fertility potential. To date, many polymorphisms have been associated with heifer fertility, but no DNA markers have been identified across herds. Antral follicle count is an indication of the ovarian reserve and is an indicator of the reproductive health of a heifer. We have been working on the identification of transcriptome profiles in heifers associated with pregnancy outcome. Our current investigations integrating protein-coding transcript abundance and artificial intelligence have identified the potential for bloodborne transcript abundance to be used as indicators of fertility potential in beef heifers. In summary, there is an ongoing pressure for reducing costs and increasing efficiency in cow-calf production systems, and new technologies can help reduce the long-standing limitations in beef heifer fertility.

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Life cycle environmental consequences of grass-fed and dairy beef production systems in the Northeastern United States

Journal of Cleaner Production ◽

10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.11.138 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 142 ◽

pp. 1619-1628 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Nicole E. Tichenor ◽

Christian J. Peters ◽

Gregory A. Norris ◽

Greg Thoma ◽

Timothy S. Griffin

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Production Systems ◽

Beef Production ◽

Northeastern United States ◽

Environmental Consequences

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PSVII-13 Performance and environmental benefits from biochar supplementation in beef cattle grazing systems

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.799 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 448-449

Author(s):

Emily Conlin ◽

Herbert Lardner ◽

Jennifer L Ellis ◽

Ira B Mandell ◽

Katharine M Wood

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Production Systems ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Stable Form ◽

Primary Concern ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

Body Weights ◽

Cow Calf ◽

Rapid City

Abstract Worldwide, beef production systems represent a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG), and enteric methane (CH4) emissions are the primary concern. The objective of this experiment was to determine whether biochar (Oregon Biochar Solution, White City, OR) supplementation can reduce CH4 emissions from grazing beef cows. Biochar is a stable form of carbon produced through the pyrolysis of organic matter (typically forestry waste). Sixty-four cows and their calves were blocked by cow body weight and calf age, and randomly allocated to 8 paddocks, each with 8 cow-calf pairs. Using a crossover design, each paddock was assigned to one of two treatments: (1) biochar supplemented at approximately 3% of estimated dry matter intake (DMI) or (2) control (no biochar). Biochar was incorporated into a pellet containing 45% biochar, 42.5% wheat midds, 10% canola oil, and 2.5% dry molasses and fed in a portable trough once daily. Each period consisted of 28 days: 21 days for biochar adaptation and 7 days for data collection. Enteric gas emissions from each paddock were measured using C-Lock GreenFeed trailers (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD, USA) with pasture DMI estimated using paddock entry/exit quadrats during each sampling week. Enteric CH4 emissions expressed as g CH4/d were 249 and 260 ± 50.3 g (P ≥ 0.37) for control and biochar, respectively. Similarly, g CH4/kg DM and g CH4/kg BW were not affected (P ≥ 0.44) by biochar supplementation on pasture. Biochar supplementation did not affect estimated DMI or cow/calf body weights (P ≥ 0.15). Results suggest that biochar was ineffective for reducing methane emissions from grazing beef cows; however, measures of animal performance were not affected by biochar consumption. Further work is required to determine if type or higher inclusions of biochar can reduce CH4 emissions from beef cattle.

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