Nutrition at early stages of life determines the future growth and reproductive performance of beef calves

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipe Moriel
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Early Exposure ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
Metabolic Imprinting ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Future Growth

Metabolic imprinting is the process by which calf nutrition, during first few months of life, may permanently affect the metabolism and performance of beef steers and heifers. Early-exposure to high-concentrate diets may enhance growth performance of beef steers, as well as, enhance the growth performance and accelerate puberty achievement of beef heifers. Identifying strategies that can enhance calf performance during early postnatal life may provide unique opportunities to optimize feed resources and increase the profitability of beef cattle operations.

Forage management and concentrate supplementation effects on performance of beef calves

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joao M. B. Vendramini ◽  
Philipe Moriel
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Creep Feeding ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Metabolic Imprinting ◽  
Beef Cattle Production ◽  
And Performance

Proper grazing management is the most effective practice to provide adequate forage quantity and quality to cow–calf systems, and optimise beef-calf performance in tropical and subtropical regions. Supplementation of beef calves is not a commonly used management practice in beef-cattle production, primarily because calves can benefit from the cow’s milk production to offset some limitations in forage quantity and quality. Creep-feeding and supplementation of early weaned calves are the two main strategies to supplement beef calves. Creep-feeding can be used to overcome limited herbage allowance, improve calves uniformity, supply extra nutrients for calves, provide adaptation to concentrate diets before weaning, and increase weaning weight. Early weaning is an effective management practice to increase the likelihood of re-breeding of first-calf beef heifers in the south-eastern USA; however, it was observed that concentrate supplementation is necessary for early weaned calves to achieve desirable levels of gain on pasture in tropical and subtropical regions. In addition, concentrate supplementation during early stages of a calf life may permanently change calf development and performance in a process called ‘metabolic imprinting’. The metabolic imprinting concept in production agriculture is in the early stages of knowledge and further research should elucidate the benefits of this management practice in beef-cattle production.

scholarly journals PSXIV-24 Immune function and growth performance in beef calves supplemented during backgrounding with live yeast and yeast cell wall in combination with supplemented dams

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 446-447
Author(s):  
Reagan Cauble ◽  
Elizabeth Palmer ◽  
Jeremy Powell ◽  
Matthew Cravey ◽  
Jana Reynolds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Yeast Cell ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Yeast Cell Wall ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Yeast Product ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Live Yeast

Abstract Live yeast and yeast cell wall products potentially improve health and performance in cattle during the stocker and feedlot phases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate yeast-product supplementation during late gestation through 88 d of age, and(or) a 42-d backgrounding period on immune function and growth performance. Late gestation cows (n = 97) were assigned randomly to treatment: 1) supplement without yeast (CON) or 2) supplement with yeast products (YP). At weaning, calves from each dam treatment (CON or YP) were pooled by dam treatment and stratified based on BW, sex, dam parity, and sire and split into 8 pens within dam treatment. Pens were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 backgrounding treatments (CON or YP) such that a total of 4 pens/treatment existed. Treatments included: 1) dam YP, calf YP, 2) dam YP, calf CON, 3) dam CON, calf YP, and 4) dam CON, calf CON. Calves were fed 2 kg/d of grain and yeast (5 g/d) was provided in a top-dress (ground corn plus YP). Weaning weights (P = 0.99) and backgrounding ADG (P = 0.29) did not differ. Total ruminal VFA concentrations, sampled on d 0 and 42 post-weaning, were increased in calves from dams supplemented with YP (P = 0.04). There were no effects of treatment (P ≥ 0.32) on molar proportions of acetate and propionate. Haptoglobin (P ≥ 0.49) and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (P ≥ 0.46) were not influenced by treatment but were affected by day (P < 0.01). While there was no effect of YP (P = 0.73) on BVD titers, there was a day effect (P < 0.01) where titers were greatest on d 28 and least on d 0. Post-weaning yeast supplementation in combination with dam supplementation did not improve calf immune function or performance during a 42-d backgrounding period.

scholarly journals 207 Effects of increasing dietary metabolizable protein in lightweight beef calves

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 167-168
Author(s):  
Miles D Redden ◽  
Joshua C McCann ◽  
Daniel W Shike
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Linear Increase ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Metabolizable Protein ◽  
Quadratic Response ◽  
Collection Period ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract The objective was to assess the effect of increasing metabolizable protein (MP) supply to lightweight beef steers on total tract digestion, N balance, and performance. The 2016 Beef Cattle Nutrient Requirements Model (BCNRM) prediction of MP requirements in lightweight beef steers (less than 250 kg) is limited by available data. Spring-born Angus steers (n = 12; BW = 166 +/- 10.7 kg) were weaned at 97 ± 10 d of age, backgrounded 42 d, implanted with Component TE-IS, stratified by BW, and assigned to one of four treatments in a crossover design with two 19 day periods. Each period included a 12-day adaptation followed by a 6-day collection period of total orts, feces, and urine. Treatment diets were formulated to provide 0.62 (MP1), 0.76 (MP2), 0.89 (MP3), and 1.01 (MP4) kg MP per day. Metabolizable energy was similar across diets (2.14 Mcal/kg). Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS. Dry matter intake was not affected by treatment (P = 0.92) and averaged 5.7 kg per d. Average daily gain (ADG) tended (P = 0.06) to increase quadratically with MP provision with 1.45, 1.72, 1.93, and 1.71 kg per day for MP1, MP2 MP3, and MP4, respectively. Feed efficiency (G:F) also increased quadratically (P = 0.05) at 0.27, 0.32, 0.35, and 0.31 for MP1, MP2 MP3, and MP4, respectively. Greater dietary MP linearly increased (P < 0.01) N intake, N absorption, and urinary N. Fecal N and retained N were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.56). Apparent organic matter digestibility increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01). Increasing MP resulted in a linear increase in N absorption but a quadratic response for ADG, suggesting MP greater than 0.89 kg per d may exceed MP requirements for steers weighing 166 kg and consuming a 2.14 Mcal/kg diet.

Additional nutritional considerations for preconditioning beef calves.

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipe Moriel
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Supplemental Feed ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Protein Supply ◽  
Daily Gain

Calves can be preconditioned using a wide variety of supplemental feed ingredients. However, feed ingredient selection is not the only factor to consider during a preconditioning process. Increasing the protein supply to stressed, preconditioning beef steers led to greater growth performance, and increased immune response to vaccination during a 42-day preconditioning period. Producers should not reduce the frequency of concentrate supplementation during the entire preconditioning period as it might lead to poorer vaccine response and average daily gain (consequently, less calf value at sale). However, a gradual reduction of frequency of supplementation is a supplementation strategy that can overcome these negative effects on growth and immunity, and allows producers to save on feeding and labor costs without producing lighter calves that have weaker immune responses.  

Effect of trace mineral source on mineral status and performance of beef steers fed low- or high-sulfur diets

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 4139
Author(s):  
S. J. Hartman ◽  
O. N. Genther-Schroeder ◽  
S. L. Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Beef Steers ◽  
Trace Mineral ◽  
Mineral Status ◽  
And Performance

scholarly journals 38 Effects of combining nose flap weaning with short-term creep feeding of beef calves on cow and calf performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 39-40
Author(s):  
Kendi Tjardes ◽  
Katy Lippolis
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Term Creep ◽  
Viral Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Short Term Creep

Abstract One hundred four Angus calves were ranked by gender, BW, age, and dam parity, and assigned to 1 of 4 pre-weaning treatments: 1) nose flaps for 7-d prior to weaning (NF), 2) traditional weaning (TRAD), 3) traditional weaning and creep feed for 3-wk prior to weaning (TRADC), or 4) nose flaps for 7-d prior to weaning and creep feed for 3-wk prior to weaning (NFC). Cow-calf pairs were housed in dry lot pens on d -28. From d -21 to 0, calves in creep treatments were provided free choice access to creep feed. Nose flaps were placed on d -7, and calves were weaned on d 0. Calves were vaccinated and dewormed on d -21 and 0. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.97) in calf BW on d -28 or -21. During the 7-d period that nose flaps were placed, NFC calves had greater (P ≤ 0.0001) ADG than NF and TRAD calves, and tended to have greater (P ≤ 0.10) ADG than TRADC calves. At weaning on d 0, TRADC and NFC calves tended to have greater BW (P = 0.07) and had greater overall change in BW (P < 0.0001) during the pre-weaning period than TRAD and NF calves. Additionally, there was a greater (P ≤ 0.001) increase in BW of NFC and TRADC cows during the pre-weaning period compared to NF and TRAD cows. From d -21 to 0 there was no differences (P > 0.41) in plasma concentrations for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVD). By d 14, the TRADC calves had the greatest plasma concentrations for BVD (P < 0.04). Therefore, providing short-term creep feed prior to placing nose flaps can improve pre-weaning calf and cow performance compared to traditional and nose flap weaning without creep feed supplementation, however, did not improve response to vaccination.

scholarly journals A Very Low CP Level Reduced Diarrhoea and Productivity in Weaner Pigs, but No Differences between Post-Weaning Diets Including Soybean Meal or Soy Protein Concentrate Were Found

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 678
Author(s):  
Julie C. Lynegaard ◽  
Niels J. Kjeldsen ◽  
Julie K. Bache ◽  
Nicolai R. Weber ◽  
Christian F. Hansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Soy Protein ◽  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Nutrient Utilization ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Soy Protein Concentrate ◽  
Protein Concentrate ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
And Performance

Soy protein concentrate improves nutrient utilization and growth performance compared to soybean meal, and diets with a low crude protein (CP) level decreases diarrhoea. The objectives were to (1) test a low CP diet based on different soy products, and (2) to test a very-low CP diet (15.1%) with amino acids (AA) on diarrhoea and productivity. A total of 5,635 weaned pigs (~28 days), were assigned to five dietary treatments; PC (positive control): Standard CP levels (192, 189, 191 g/kg CP) with 2500 ppm ZnO; NC (negative control): Same as PC without ZnO; SP (Soy protein concentrate): Low CP levels (176, 174, 191 g/kg CP); SB (Soybean meal): Low CP levels (177, 176, 191 g/kg CP); and XLA (X-low CP + AA): Very low CP levels (154, 151, 191 g/kg CP) with AA. The PC and XLA diets reduced diarrhoea by 41 and 61%, respectively, compared to the NC group, while no difference between SB and SP were observed. The XLA diet reduced feed intake and daily gain compared with PC and NC, where SP, SB, and XLA had a poorer feed conversion compared with PC. Conclusively, the SP and SB low-protein diets did not reduce diarrhoea or growth performance, whereas the XLA diet decreased both diarrhoea and performance.

scholarly journals Effect of age of suckler beef calves on stress indicators and growth performance in response to Burdizzo castration

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-233
Author(s):  
Gabriela A. Marquette ◽  
Mark McGee ◽  
Andrew D. Fisher ◽  
Kelly Stanger ◽  
Bernadette Earley
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Stress Indicators ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Effect Of Age

scholarly journals Selecting sorting centres to avoid long distance transport of weaned beef calves

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Morel-Journel ◽  
E. Vergu ◽  
J.-B. Mercier ◽  
N. Bareille ◽  
P. Ezanno
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Historical Record ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Long Distance Transport ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Distance Transport ◽  
French Beef ◽  
General Concern

AbstractThe transport of weaned calves from cow–calf producers to fatteners is a general concern for the young bull industry due to its documented negative impact on the welfare, health and performance of the animals. These transfers are often managed by intermediaries who transport weaned calves to sorting centres, where they are grouped into batches before being sent to fattening units. In this study, we present an algorithm to limiting these transfer distances by appropriately selecting the sorting centre through which they must go. We tested the effectiveness of this algorithm on historical data from a French beef producer organization managing 136,892 transfers using 13 sorting centres. The results show a decrease in the transfer distances compared to the historical record, especially for the calves travelling over long distances (− 76 km, i.e. 18% on average for the 33% longest transfers). Moreover, the distribution of calves between the sorting centres proposed by the algorithm reveals differences in their efficiency in minimizing transfer distances. In addition to its usefulness as a management tool for the daily transport of cattle, this algorithm provides prospects for improving the management of the sorting centres themselves.

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