Alternative fall and winter feeding systems for spring calving beef cows

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. McCartney ◽  
J. A. Basarab ◽  
E. K. Okine ◽  
V. S. Baron ◽  
A. J. Depalme
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Interval Length ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Barley Silage ◽  
Winter Feeding

This study evaluated the effects of early (EW) and late (LW) weaning on calf post-weaning growth performance and carcass characteristics. It also quantified the effects of EW and LW in combination with three winter feeding strategies on cow growth, reproductive performance and cost of production. EW calves were weaned in late August, while LW calves were weaned 56 d later in late October. The three cow winter feeding strategies were: (1) traditional (TD), or straw fed ad libitum and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) silage fed every day; (2) alternate day (AD), or straw fed ad libitum and equivalent amounts of barley silage fed every second day (AD); and (3) swath graze (SG), or swath grazing whole-plant barley, cut in the soft dough stage. The study was conducted over three production cycles (1997/1998, 1998/1999 and 1999/2000). EW calves weighing 213 kg and fed a backgrounding diet (82% barley silage: 18% concentrate) for 56 d, grew 0.36 kg d-1 (EW = 0.61 ± 0.02 kg d-1; LW = 0.97 ± 0.02 kg d-1; P < 0.001) slower from early to late weaning than LW calves (210 kg) on pasture nursing their mothers. Over the next 124–128 d, EW and LW calves fed the backgrounding diet grew similarly at 0.95 ± 0.01 and 0.93 ± 0.02 kg d-1, respectively. Both groups of calves also grew similarly during the finishing phase (EW = 1.56 ± 0.04 kg d-1; LW = 1.53 ± 0.05 kg d-1; P = 0.62), such that at slaughter, EW and LW calves were the same age (461 ± 4 vs. 455 ± 5 d, P = 0.326) and weight (522 ± 5 vs. 515 ± 6 kg, P = 0.390), with similar levels of carcass backfat, yield and quality grade. EW cows weighed 12 to 15 kg more (P < 0.01) in mid-November (first winter feeding), mid-February (pre-calving) and late-May (prebreeding) and tended to have a shorter calving span (49 vs. 62 d, P = 0.07) than the LW cows. Calving interval, calving pattern and cumulative open and cull rates, monitored over three consecutive production cycles, were similar for EW and LW cows. Differences (P < 0.05) in body weight were observed between winter feeding treatments. SG cows had the lowest weight (605 kg) and backfat thickness (4.5 mm) at pre-breeding; AD cows were intermediate (623 kg and 5.1 mm); and TD cows were heaviest (639 kg) with the most backfat (6.4 mm). Calving interval, length of the calving span, calving pattern and cumulative open and cull rates were similar among the winter feeding strategies for cows monitored over three production cycles. Swath grazing required 38.4% less labour than traditional feeding and 20.9% less labour than alternate day winter feeding. Total cash cost over the first 100 d of winter feeding for the SG winter feeding strategy was $70.00 cow-1 less than TD (45.5%) and $56.70 cow-1 less than AD (40.4%) winter feeding strategies. On average, 300 and 314 cow swath grazing d ha-1 were required to cover the cost of feed in the TD and AD winter feeding strategies, respectively. Key words: Beef cows, Western Canadian Parkland, swath grazing, alternate day, early and late weaning

Comparison of in vivo and in silico growth performance and variability in pigs when applying a feeding strategy designed by simulation to control the variability of slaughter weight

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 1939 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Brossard ◽  
B. Vautier ◽  
J. van Milgen ◽  
Y. Salaun ◽  
N. Quiniou
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
In Silico Simulation ◽  
Ad Libitum

Variability in bodyweight (BW) among pigs complicates the management of feeding strategies and slaughter. Including variability among individuals in modelling approaches can help to design feeding strategies to control performance level, but also its variability. The InraPorc model was used to perform simulations on 10 batches of 84 crossbred pigs each to characterise the effect of feeding strategies differing in amino acid supply or feed allowance on the mean and variation in growth rate. Results suggested that a feed restriction reduces the coefficient of variation of BW at first departure for slaughter (BW1) by 34%. Growth performance obtained from an in silico simulation using ad libitum and restricted feeding plans was compared with results obtained in an in vivo experiment on a batch of 168 pigs. Pigs were offered feed ad libitum or were restricted (increase in feed allowance by 27 g/day up to a maximum of 2.4 and 2.7 kg/day for gilts and barrows, respectively). A two-phase feeding strategy was applied, with 0.9 and 0.7 g of digestible lysine per MJ of net energy (NE) in diets provided before or after 65 kg BW, respectively. Actual growth was similar to that obtained by simulation. Coefficient of variation of BW1 was similar in vivo and in silico for the ad libitum feeding strategy but was underestimated by 1 percentage point in silico for the restriction strategy. This study confirms the relevance of using simulations performed to predict the level and variability in performance of group housed pigs.

Swath grazing triticale and corn compared to barley and a traditional winter feeding method in central Alberta

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (7) ◽  
pp. 1125-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vern S. Baron ◽  
Raquel R. Doce ◽  
John Basarab ◽  
Campbell Dick
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Feeding Method ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Winter Feeding

Baron, V. S., Doce, R. R., Basarab, J. and Dick, C. 2014. Swath-grazing triticale and corn compared to barley and a traditional winter feeding method in central Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1125–1137. A 5-yr study compared swath-grazed triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack), corn (Zea mays L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with a traditional pen-fed, wintering diet for gestating beef cows on the basis of dry matter (DM) yield, carrying capacity, nutritive value, cow performance and total daily feeding cost. Cows (690±70 kg BW) were fed a control total mixed ration (TMR) or allocated to swath-grazed treatments in 2.5-ha paddocks. Triticale yielded 15% more than corn and corn 32% more than barley. Carrying capacity of triticale (1145 cow-d ha−1) and corn (1004 cow-d ha−1) were similar and both were greater (P<0.05) than control (516 cow-d ha−1) and barley (554 cow-d ha−1). Average utilization for triticale (83.7%) was greater (P<0.05) than corn (74.7%) and barley (71.7%). In vitro true digestibility (IVTD) for corn was highest (682 g kg−1), followed by triticale (620 g kg−1), then barley (570 g kg−1) and the control TMR (571 g kg−1). Average cow mean body condition score (BCS) was higher (P<0.05) for triticale and corn (3.0) than barley (2.9), but lower than the control (3.1). Thus, cow reproductive performance should not be compromised by swath grazing. Total daily feeding costs, averaged over years, ranked (P<0.05) triticale ($0.78 cow-d−1)<corn ($1.05 cow-d−1)<barley ($1.24 cow-d−1)<control ($1.98 cow-d−1).

Feeding level and oral stereotypies in dairy cows

1996 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Redbo ◽  
M. Emanuelson ◽  
K. Lundberg ◽  
N. Oredsson
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Eating Time ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Ad Libitum

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of feeding strategy on the performance of oral stereotypies, such as tongue-rolling and bar-biting, and other behaviours in lactating dairy cows. Thirty–seven cows of the Swedish Red and Wliite breed were randomly assigned into three treatments with different feeding strategies. Cows in treatment (AL) were given food ad libitum during the whole experimental period, which lasted from weeks 3 to 26 post partum. The second group (AL–R) was given food ad libitum during weeks 3 to 14 post partum, thereafter they were given food at a restricted level. The third group (R) was given food at a restricted level during the whole experiment period. All cows were offered a total mixed ration consisting of 650 g concentrate and 350 g forage per kg twice a day and their individual daily food intakes were registered. Behavioural recordings were made for 4 h on a fixed day every 2nd week, where each individual cow was observed every 2nd minute.During the complete experimental period, 27 out of the 37 cows showed stereotypies; 13 cows in group R, 10 in group AL–R and four in the AL group. The proportions of cows showing stereotypies were not independent of feeding treatment within the respective periods (P < 0·01). The stereotypy levels, counted as the mean frequency of recordings per treatment period, increased significantly between period 1 (lactation weeks 3 to 14) and period 2 (weeks 17 to 26) in group AL–R (P < 0·01) and in group R(P < 0·01), but not in the AL group. In period 2 the R cows had significantly higher stereotypy levels than the cows in the AL–R group (P < 0·01). Group R decreased the time spent eating between the periods (P < 0·001), with the same tendency in group AL–R. The AL group had longer eating time in period 2 than the AL–R (P < 0–001) and the R (P < 0·001) cows. The AL cows had a higher frequency of rumination than the other treatments in period 2 (P < 0·01). Both the AL–R and the R cows increased their activity levels between the periods (P < 0·001 for both). There were also differences between treatments in period 2, where the AL cows were less active than the AL–R (P < 0·05) and the R cows (P < 0·01).It is concluded that oral stereotypies in dairy cows are highly affected by feeding strategy, where restrictive feeding of a mixed food induces significant increases of stereotypies. The results of this investigation clearly indicate that restricted feeding of a diet with high levels of concentrate has a negative effect on the well being of lactating cows.

Insulin secretion, body composition and pig performance are altered by feeding pattern

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Newman ◽  
Jeffery A. Downing ◽  
Peter C. Thomson ◽  
Cherie L. Collins ◽  
David J. Henman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Plasma Insulin ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Entire Male

Three studies investigated the effect of feeding strategy on production performance and endocrine status of growing pigs. For Experiment 1, 20 entire male pigs (70.0 ± 4.6 kg) were allocated randomly to individual pens in one of four climate-controlled rooms. Pigs were fed for 23 days either ad libitum or entrained to feed bi-phasically for two 90-min periods. For Experiment 2, 20 entire male pigs (41.2 ± 3.5 kg) were housed as per Experiment 1. Pigs were fed for 49 days either ad libitum or fed bi-phasically for two 60-min periods. For Experiment 3, 100 female pigs (66.1 ± 3.5 kg) were randomly allocated to individual pens within a commercial piggery and fed for 42 days either ad libitum or bi-phasically for two 60-min periods. Ear vein catheters were inserted into 10 pigs from each group and hourly blood samples were collected for 24 h in Experiments 1 and 2 and for 11 h in Experiment 3. Plasma insulin, non-esterified fatty acid and glucose concentrations were determined in Experiments 1 and 2, and glucose and insulin concentrations in Experiment 3. Feed intake and performance were recorded in all experiments and carcass composition was assessed by computed tomography for Experiment 2. There were no differences in final liveweight between the two treatment groups for all experiments. Pigs fed for two 90-min periods (Experiment 1) showed no difference in feed intake when compared with feeding ad libitum. Pigs in Experiment 2 fed for two 60-min intervals consumed 2.49 kg/pig.day compared with those fed ad libitum that consumed 2.68 kg/day (P = 0.057). In Experiment 3, pigs fed twice daily consumed 2.82 kg/pig.day compared with 2.91 kg/pig.day in ad libitum-fed pigs (P = 0.051). Bi-phasic fed pigs in Experiment 2 had improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion efficiency compared with pigs fed ad libitum. For all experiments, there was no difference in plasma glucose concentrations between the two treatments. In all three experiments, the circulating insulin concentrations for pigs fed ad libitum remained at a constant level throughout the sampling period. However, plasma insulin concentrations for the bi-phasic fed pigs significantly increased ~1 h after both feeding periods during all three experiments. Insulin secretion of pigs fed for two 90-min periods differed from that of pigs fed for two 60-min periods. Plasma insulin concentration increased five-fold following feeding for 60 min, compared with that in pigs fed for 90 min, which increased two-fold. Bi-phasic-fed pigs from Experiment 2 had reduced (P < 0.05) total carcass fat and significantly increased muscle when compared with pigs fed ad libitum. The data showed that feeding pigs at two succinct periods aligned insulin secretion to the time of feeding. Pigs fed for 60 min, unlike those fed for 90-min intervals, had reduced feed intake in comparison to those fed ad libitum. This may suggest that the duration of the feeding bout is important for this response and this may in turn influence both energy balance and the way energy is partitioned.

scholarly journals Podolian cattle: reproductive activity, milk and future prospects

2018 ◽  
pp. 200-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Cosentino ◽  
Carmine D'Adamo ◽  
Salvatore Naturali ◽  
Giovanni Pecora ◽  
Rosanna Paolino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Interval Length ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Fire Propagation ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
High Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Consumer Test ◽  
Reproductive Career

In the present study, an original article about Podolian cattle and its milk was performed. In detail, the following factors on reproductive career of Podolian cattle in semi-extensive and extensive rearing were analysed: age of calving, gestation lenght, calving interval length, abortions percentage, conception and calving period. Chemical and phisycal parameters (protein, fat and lactose), somatic cell count, lisozyme content and antiradical activity, with ABTS and DPPH assays, of Podolian milk in semiextensive and extensive rearing were evaluated. Finally, suggestions on future prospects of Podolian milk use were proposed: the preparation of hand soap with 5 percentage of podolian milk and the potential role of this breed for prevention and propagation of fire. The data concerning the reproductive career, milk and envinromental role of 677 cows registered in the Herdbook were analysed. The results showed that the 58.56% of the cows manifested a calving interval of 11-14 months. The reproductive activity occurred in spring; over 70% of the cows calved in the period February-April. The chemical-physical aspects of milk are in agreement with literature. It presents an high antioxidant activity values for each group (97.03% and 97.50% for ABTS and 52.09% and 52.60% for DPPH, semiextensive and extensive system respectively). The consumer test shows that the subjects appreciated the soap containing 5% of Podolian milk for different aspect. The data about environmental role were obtained from Podolian cows reared in fifteen grazing areas were monitored for five years during the summer pasture, when the Podolian cattle graze on green grazing areas located in Basilicata region (South of Italy). Therefore, an efficient management of grazing by Podolian cattle could be an important tool to prevent the fire propagation.

scholarly journals Effects of different restricted feeding strategies on performance of growing and finishing dairy bulls offered grass silage and barley based diets

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katariina Manni ◽  
Marketta Rinne ◽  
Erkki Joki-Tokola ◽  
Arto Huuskonen
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Dairy Bulls

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of restricted feeding strategies on performance of growing and finishing dairy bulls. The feeding experiment comprised in total 32 Finnish Ayrshire bulls with an initial mean live weight (LW) of 122 kg and age of 114 days. Feeding treatments were silage ad libitum and daily barley allowance of 93 g kg-1 LW0.60 (A); restricted feeding (R) at 0.80 × A; increasing feeding (I) similar to R until LW of 430 kg and thereafter similar to A; and decreasing feeding (D) similar to A until LW of 430 kg and thereafter similar to R. Restricted feeding strategies decreased daily dry matter intake and LW gain and increased the time to reach the target carcass weight (300 kg). Bulls on I exhibited compensatory growth. There were no significant differences in feed efficiency between the treatments. The present experiment indicates that silage intake ad libitum and supplemented with concentrate resulted in most effective beef production.

scholarly journals Replacing grass silage with pea-barley intercrop silage in the feeding of the dairy cow

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. PURSIAINEN ◽  
M. TUORI
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Intake ◽  
Barley Silage

The effect of replacing wilted grass silage (GS) with pea-barley intercrop silage (PBS) on feed intake, diet digestibility and milk production was studied with 8 multiparous Ayrshire-cows in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. Proportion of PBS was 0 (PBS0), 33 (PBS33), 67 (PBS67) or 100 (PBS100) % of silage dry matter (DM). The DM content was 559 and 255 g kg-1 for GS and PBS. Crude protein content was 131 and 170 g kg-1 DM, respectively. Pea-barley silage was more extensively fermented than GS with total fermentation acid content of 120 vs. 12 g kg-1 DM. Silage was fed for ad libitum intake and supplemented with on the average 13 kg concentrate per day. Silage DM intake was 9.2 (PBS0), 9.7 (PBS33), 9.0 (PBS67) and 7.1 (PBS100) kg per day (Pquadr. < 0.05). The energy corrected milk yield [30.3 (PBS0), 29.8 (PBS33), 30.3 (PBS67), 31.3 (PBS100) kg per day] was not significantly affected by the treatment. Milk protein concentration decreased linearly (P < 0.05) in response to feeding PBS. It is concluded that PBS can replace up to two thirds of wilted, moderate quality GS in the feeding of dairy cows because in this experiment pure pea-barley silage reduced silage intake.

Effect of offering three amounts of maize stover to dairy cows on intake and selection

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 ◽  
pp. 85-85
Author(s):  
J. N. Methu ◽  
E. Owen ◽  
A. Abate ◽  
M. Scarr ◽  
J. Tanner
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Leaf Sheath ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Maize Stover ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Friesian Cows

Several studies with barley straw (e.g. Wahed et al, 1990) and sorghum stover (e.g. Osafo, 1993) have shown improvements in intake with increasing ‘ad libitum’ amounts offered. Furthermore, these studies have demonstrated that sheep and goats offered barley straw or sorghum stover in long, unprocessed form, increase intake by selecting for leaf and leaf sheath, and against stem. This phenomenon offers a simple feeding strategy to use selective feeding behaviour to improve intake and hence production. The aim of the present experiment was to study the effect of offering increasing amounts of long maize stover on intake and selection by dairy cows.Six, early- to mid-lactation Ayrshire and Friesian cows (live weight, M, 430 kg) were used in a double 3x3 Latin square design with 24-day (d) feeding periods. Cows were offered long (unchopped) maize stover at low, medium or high ‘ad libitum’ rates, i.e. 31, 59 or 87 g dry matter (DM)/kg M.d. Cows also received 3.2 kg DM/d of cotton seed cake (339 g/kg DM crude protein) in two meals at milking (0700 h and 1800 h). Stover was offered in one meal daily, at 0700 h, after collecting refusals from the previous day. Amounts of stover offered and refused were weighed daily. Samples of offered stover (0.5 kg) and refused stover (0.5 kg) were analysed for DM daily. All refused stover and 4.0 kg samples of offered stover were botanically fractionated, daily, into stem (S), leaf (L), sheath (Sh) and husk (H). Milk yield was recorded daily and cows weighed at the start and end of each period.

scholarly journals The Effect of Feeding Roughages of Varying Digestibility Prepartum on Energy Status and Metabolic Profiles in Beef Cows around Parturition

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 496
Author(s):  
Mikaela Jardstedt ◽  
Elisabet Nadeau ◽  
Mette Olaf Nielsen ◽  
Peder Nørgaard ◽  
Anna Hessle
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Rapeseed Meal ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Energy Status ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Catabolic State

Resource efficient winter-feeding of mature pregnant beef cows requires knowledge of how different roughage-based feeding strategies affect cow intake and energy status. Four diets based on traditional timothy-meadow fescue silage (TM), festulolium silage plus urea (FE), reed canarygrass silage (RC) or barley straw supplemented with urea and rapeseed meal (BR), were fed ad libitum for 16 weeks prepartum to 36 Hereford cows. Postpartum, cows were fed the same diet before release on pasture. Individual data on cow intake, changes in body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and plasma metabolites, calf birth and weaning weights were recorded. The TM and FE diets resulted in increased BW and BCS prepartum (p < 0.001), while the RC and BR diets resulted in a catabolic state, as indicated by a loss of BCS, lower insulin levels and higher non-esterified fatty acid levels in cows fed BR (p < 0.001). There were no dietary effects on calf parameters (p > 0.29). Feeding RC or BR prepartum might be a possible alternative to traditional timothy-meadow fescue silage if cows are allowed to regain lost BCS during the grazing period. The influence on cow reproductive- and calf performance should be considered before making this management change.

scholarly journals An index framework founded on the future profit potential of female beef cattle to aid the identification of candidates for culling

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fíona L Dunne ◽  
Donagh P Berry ◽  
Margaret M Kelleher ◽  
Ross D Evans ◽  
Siobhan W Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Transition Matrices ◽  
Individual Female ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Carcass Performance ◽  
Expected Longevity ◽  
Profit Potential

Abstract Meticulous culling decisions, coupled with careful breeding decisions, are fundamental to shifting a population distribution in the favorable direction and improving profit per cow. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of easy-to-use dynamic tools to aid in culling decisions in beef cattle. The motivation for the present study was to develop a monetary-based culling tool, here referred to as the Beef Female’s Profit Potential (BFPP), to identify females for culling. The BFPP reflects the expected lifetime profitability of an individual female in a herd for the expected remainder of her lifetime; this profit included that of the beef female herself as well as her progeny. The BFPP index framework was composed of 4 subindexes reflecting the value of an animal: (1) as a nulliparae (this was voided if the cow had already calved), (2) for the remainder of her current parity, (3) summed across each of her expected remaining parities, and (4) when she is retained within the herd and not voluntarily culled. Each subindex was comprised of different components reflecting both genetic and non-genetic effects associated with each female. Transition matrices predicting the expected longevity of each female and their expected month of calving were also utilized in calculating the expected remaining lifetime profitability of each female. The BFPP index was validated on 21,102 beef cows as well as their harvested progeny from 875 herds by stratifying the cows, within herd, into 4 strata based on their BFPP. The mean of the within-herd correlation between the BFPP and the Irish national replacement (i.e., breeding) index was, on average, 0.45 indicating the shortcomings of the breeding index as a culling tool. Cows within the top BFPP stratum had a genetic expectation of accruing almost an additional €36 profit per calving, relative to cows within the worst stratum; when validated on the cow’s own calving interval and survival performance as well as their progeny’s carcass performance, the actual phenotypic value was estimated to be an additional €32 profit per calving. A proportion of this additional profit was due to the harvested progeny of the high BFPP cows having, on average, heavier, more conformed carcasses with less fat cover relative to their poor BFPP contemporaries. This BFPP framework is a useful and easy-to-use tool to aid in producer decision making on the choice of females to voluntarily cull but also on which replacement heifers to graduate into the mature herd.

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