The effects of spring versus summer calving on beef cattle reproductive and growth performance in western Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obioha N. Durunna ◽  
Lynne C. Girardin ◽  
Shannon L. Scott ◽  
Clayton Robins ◽  
Hushton C. Block ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Beef Producers ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Calving Season ◽  
The Impact

Durunna, O. N., Girardin, L. C., Scott, S. L., Robins, C., Block, H. C., Iwaasa, A. D., Khakbazan, M. and Lardner, H. A. 2014. The effects of spring versus summer calving on beef cattle reproductive and growth performance in western Canada. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 259–271. The majority of beef producers in western Canada have adopted a spring calving system. Evaluating alternative calving systems such as summer calving may lead to better use of forage resources to optimize cow-calf productivity. In order to evaluate the impact of calving system on cow-calf productivity, 346 Hereford or Angus crossbred cows were used in a 3-yr research study (2007 to 2009) at Brandon, Manitoba; Swift Current, Saskatchewan and Lanigan, Saskatchewan. Cows were bred to calve from February to May (early-calving system, EC) or from May to August (late-calving system, LC). Each system was evaluated for effect on performance and reproductive efficiency. Forage yield, utilization and nutritive value were assessed. Cow body weights (BW), ultrasound measures of backfat and calf BW were evaluated at precalving, breeding and weaning. There was no difference between calving systems for pregnancy rate (P=0.13) EC (93.0%) vs. LC (95.8%); calving rate (P=0.89) EC (92.0%) vs. LC (91.7%) or proportion of calves born alive (P=0.85) EC (99.5%) vs. LC (99.6%). The average length of calving season was not different (P=0.26) between the two systems. The EC cows had greater (P=0.002) BW losses from calving to breeding but greater (P=0.001) BW gain from breeding to weaning than LC cows. Although calves born in LC had greater birth BW (P=0.003) than EC calves, calf weaning rate (P=0.01) and calf weaning BW (P<0.0001) were greater in EC. The higher weaning rate and higher weaning BW with EC has the potential to increase cow-calf productivity and may be more attractive to beef producers in western Canada.

Impact of calving seasons and feeding systems in western Canada. I. Postweaning growth performance and carcass characteristics of crossbred steers

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obioha N. Durunna ◽  
Hushton C. Block ◽  
Alan D. Iwaasa ◽  
Leanne C. Thompson ◽  
Shannon L. Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Beef Producers ◽  
Meat Colour ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Feeding Systems

Durunna, O. N., Block, H. C., Iwaasa, A. D., Thompson, L. C., Scott, S. L., Robins, C., Khakbazan, M. and Lardner, H. A. 2014. Impact of calving seasons and feeding systems in western Canada. I. Postweaning growth performance and carcass characteristics of crossbred steers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 571–582. Crossbred steers (n=272) weaned from early (EC) and late (LC) calving systems (CS) were used to evaluate the impact of two feeding systems (FS) on postweaning performance and carcass characteristics. The steers were randomly assigned to either a rapid-gain feeding (RF) or a slow-gain feeding (SF) system. The RF steers were managed to have body weight (BW) gain of 1 kg d−1 on a silage-hay diet during the backgrounding period prior to finishing, while the SF steers were first backgrounded on a hay diet (gain of 0.7 kg d−1), then grazed alfalfa–meadow bromegrass pasture and annual cereal swaths prior to finishing. All treatment groups received a conventional diet during finishing until the steers attained a target backfat thickness or BW or both. There was no difference (P=0.48) between the two FS for the average age of the steers at the beginning of the experiment. There was a CS×FS effect (P<0.01) on the age at slaughter, where the steers in the EC-RF, EC-SF, LC-RF and LC-SF were 426, 659, 504 and 606 d, respectively. The longer time on feed for LC-RF steers compared with EC-RF suggests the potential effect of summer ambient temperatures at finishing. The EC-RF group had the least carcass fat thickness (P<0.01), but there was no main or interaction effect (P>0.08) on dressing percentage or lean meat yield. There was a FS effect (P<0.05) on meat colour and marbling texture where SF steers had more desirable meat colour and marbling texture. Beef producers adopting EC-RF would finish their calves earlier but at a lighter weight.

scholarly journals Alternative forage feeds for beef cattle in Northwestern Alberta, Canada: forage yield and nutritive value of forage brassicas and forbs

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-210
Author(s):  
Akim Omokanye ◽  
Guillermo Hernandez ◽  
Herbert A. Lardner ◽  
Buthaina Al-Maqtari ◽  
Kabal Singh Gill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Forage Yield

scholarly journals A Comparison of Pearl Millet and Sorghum–Sudangrass Pastures during the Frost-Prone Autumn for Growing Beef Cattle in Semiarid Region

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 541
Author(s):  
Leonard M. Lauriault ◽  
Leah H. Schmitz ◽  
Shad H. Cox ◽  
Eric J. Scholljegerdes
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Agricultural Science ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Hydrocyanic Acid ◽  
Science Center ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Sorghum Sudangrass

Sorghum–sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense (Piper) Stapf.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) provide adequate nutritive value for growing beef cattle; however, unlike pearl millet, sorghum–sudangrass produces hydrocyanic acid (which is toxic to livestock) when frosted. Forage yield, nutritive value, and weight gain of growing cattle grazing sorghum–sudangrass and pearl millet were compared during the frost-prone autumns of 2013 and 2014, at New Mexico State University’s Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center in Tucumcari, NM USA, in randomized complete block designs each year with two replicates. No differences existed between pearl millet and sorghum–sudangrass forage yield, although there was a year–forage interaction for fiber-based nutritive value components because of maturity differences across years between the forages when freeze-killed. Pearl millet allowed for extending grazing of available forage for an additional 14 and 24 d in 2013 and 2014, respectively, compared to sorghum–sudangrass during the frost-prone autumn periods. During that period, when sorghum forages produce potentially toxic levels of hydrocyanic acid, animals grazing pearl millet accumulated an additional average of 94.9 kg live-weight gain ha−1 (p < 0.001). These factors afford producers an opportunity to increase returns on the similar investments of establishing and managing warm-season annual forage crops each year, and allow more time to stockpile cool-season perennial and annual forages for winter and early spring grazing, or to reduce hay feeding.

scholarly journals Ammonia Volatilization, Forage Accumulation, and Nutritive Value of Marandu Palisade Grass Pastures in Different N Sources and Doses

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1179
Author(s):  
Darlena Caroline da Cruz Corrêa ◽  
Abmael da Silva Cardoso ◽  
Mariane Rodrigues Ferreira ◽  
Débora Siniscalchi ◽  
Pedro Henrique de Almeida Gonçalves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Ammonium Sulfate ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Urea Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
The Impact

The reduction in ammonia (NH3) losses from volatilization has significant implications in forage production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of N fertilizers (urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate) and four doses (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N ha−1) on N losses by NH3 volatilization, accumulation, and forage chemical composition of Urochloa brizantha cv Marandu. Two field experiments were conducted to measure NH3 losses using semi-open chambers. The forage accumulation and chemical composition were evaluated in the third experiment; the response variables included forage accumulation, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Compared to urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate reduced NH3 losses by 84% and 87% and increased total forage accumulation by 14% and 23%, respectively. Forage accumulation rate and CP increased linearly with the N levels, while NDF contents decreased linearly with the N levels. In both experiments, NH3 losses and forage characteristics were different according to the rainfall pattern and temperature variations. Our results indicate that the use of nitric and ammoniacal fertilizers and the application of fertilizer in the rainy season constitute an efficient fertilizer management strategy to increase forage yield and decrease losses from volatilization of NH3.

scholarly journals The impact of cow size on cow-calf and postweaning progeny performance in the Nebraska Sandhills

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L Ziegler ◽  
Jacki A Musgrave ◽  
Tanya L Meyer ◽  
Rick N Funston ◽  
Elliott J Dennis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Calving Season ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Progeny Performance

Abstract Optimizing beef production system efficiency requires an understanding of genetic potential suitable for a given production environment. Therefore, the objective of this retrospective analysis was to determine the influence of cow body weight (BW) adjusted to a common body condition score (BCS) of 5 at weaning-influenced cow-calf performance and postweaning steer and heifer progeny performance. Data were collected at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, NE, on crossbred, mature cows (n = 1,607) from 2005 to 2017. Cow BCS at calving, prebreeding, and weaning were positively associated (P &lt; 0.01) with greater cow BW. Increasing cow BW was positively associated (P &lt; 0.01) with the percentage of cows that conceived during a 45-d breeding season. For every additional 100-kg increase in cow BW, calf BW increased (P &lt; 0.01) at birth by 2.70 kg and adjusted 205-d weaning BW by 14.76 kg. Calf preweaning average daily gain (ADG) increased (P &lt; 0.01) 0.06 kg/d for every additional 100-kg increase in cow BW. Heifer progeny BW increased (P &lt; 0.01) postweaning with every additional 100-kg increase in dam BW. Dam BW did not influence (P ≥ 0.11) heifer puberty status prior to breeding, overall pregnancy rates, or the percentage of heifers calving in the first 21 d of the calving season. Steer initial feedlot BW increased by 7.20 kg, reimplant BW increased by 10.47 kg, and final BW increased by 10.29 kg (P ≤ 0.01) for every additional 100-kg increase in dam BW. However, steer feedlot ADG was not influenced (P &gt; 0.67) by dam BW. Hot carcass weights of steers were increased (P = 0.01) by 6.48 kg with every additional 100-kg increase in cow BW. In a hypothetical model using the regression coefficients from this study, regardless of pricing method, cow-calf producers maximize the highest amount of profit by selecting smaller cows. Overall, larger-sized cows within this herd and production system of the current study had increased reproductive performance and offspring BW; however, total production output and economic returns would be potentially greater when utilizing smaller-sized cows.

Review: The composition and availability of straw and chaff from small grain cereals for beef cattle in western Canada

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. McCartney ◽  
H. C. Block ◽  
P. L. Dubeski ◽  
A. J. Ohama
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Leaf Sheath ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Nutrition Research ◽  
Cereal Grain

Small cereal grain residues are heterogeneous feeds consisting of several botanical fractions: chaff, grain, leaf blade, leaf sheath, internode and node. These parts vary in composition, digestibility, resistance to comminution, intake potential and energy availability. Large differences in the nutritional quality of straw and chaff may occur from year to year and between locations due to effects of environmental conditions on botanical composition and cell anatomy. Stage of maturity, harvest method and weathering will influence composition and quality of the most nutritious parts of cereal residues, the leaf and chaff. In addition, cultivars and species differ in the proportion, anatomy and digestibility of botanical fractions. As a result, the quality of crop residues is highly variable with an economic value that is difficult to accurately assess. Cereal straw and chaff are of low economic value as they are low in nutritive value, where nutritive value is the product of nutrient intake, digestibility, and efficiency of use. However, due to availability, cereal crop residues have the potential to be a substantial feed resource for beef cows. Previous reviews have not focused on straw and chaff nutrition research relevant to use by beef cattle in western Canada. This review includes discussions on yield and nutritive value with a focus on identifying information deficiencies, including the lack of detailed production statistics for determining residue yields on a regional bases and the need for more detailed nutrient composition to update regional feed data bases for western Canada. Key words: Straw, chaff, nutrient quality, beef cattle

scholarly journals Evaluation of Stylosanthes scabra Accessions as Forage Source for Ruminants: Growth Performance, Nutritive Value and In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1939
Author(s):  
Thamsanqa Doctor Empire Mpanza ◽  
Abubeker Hassen ◽  
Abiodun Mayowa Akanmu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Stylosanthes Scabra

Feed shortage is the main cause of poor production performance in livestock under smallholder farmer’s in South Africa. Therefore, this study evaluated the growth performance, nutritive value and in vitro ruminal fermentation of Stylosanthes scabra accessions in climatic condition of Pretoria, South Africa as potential forage sources in order to improve feed quality and subsequently livestock production. Stylosanthes scabra accessions were planted in 6 m2 plots following a complete randomized block design with three replicates per accession. The plants were allowed to grow to full maturity after which forage was harvested and yield, chemical composition, phenolic compounds, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristic were determined. Forage yield of accessions ranged between 4.3 to 5.3 t ha−1 in dry matter (DM), and only twelve accessions were identified to be adaptable over the three-year evaluation under rain-fed. Accessions 140, 9281, 11,252, 11,595, 11,604 and 11,625 were consistent in terms of forage yield over the three years. Significant differences among accessions were observed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), IVOMD, metabolizable energy, metabolizable energy yield, gas production, total phenols, total hydrolysable tannins and total condensed tannins. Principal component and clustering analysis showed that accessions 11,255 and 11,625 are distinct in their characteristics as compared to the rest of the accessions, and both accessions are suitable forage source for animals since they contain low NDF with good forage production and crude protein content. However, there is a need for further study to integrate these accessions into the feeding systems in order to improve livestock production.

PSXI-19 Impact of toxic-infected tall fescue renovation strategies on second-year hay yield, botanical composition, and nutritive value

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 344-345
Author(s):  
Charlotte L Talbott ◽  
Deidre D Harmon ◽  
Matt H Poore ◽  
Alan J Franluebbers ◽  
Carolyn A Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Second Year

Abstract Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) (TF) pastures to novel endophyte tall fescue (NE) is a solution to mitigate the negative associated effects of toxic fescue in beef cattle. However, beef cattle producers are uncertain of the payback period for costs associated with renovation techniques in terms of farm profitability and agronomic performance. In 2018, three renovation strategies were implemented in a randomized complete block design in Bahama, NC. Strategies included: 1) control (C), 2) renovation to NE after one season of a single specie cover crop (1-SM), 3) renovation to NE after three seasons of a single specie cover crop (3-SM), and 4) renovation to NE after three seasons of a multi-specie cover crop (3-CM). Each treatment plot (0.81 ha) was evaluated for botanical composition and hay was harvested in May and August of 2020. Round bales from each treatment were weighed to determine yield and core sampled to determine nutritive value. Data were analyzed using proc GLIMMIX of SAS v9.4. Combined forage yield was greater (P = 0.0226) for 3-CM (8,816 kg/ha) compared to 3-SM (7,191 kg/ha) and C (6,920 kg/ha), but did not differ from 1-SM (7,775 kg/ha). Crude protein concentration was greater (P = 0.035) for C (10.2%) in comparison to 3-SM (9.35%) in harvest 1, but was not different (P = 0.93) in harvest 2. Percentage of fescue in the sward was greatest (P = 0.0002) for 3-SM and least for C (84.9 and 62%, respectively). Similarly, presence of undesirable plants was greater (P &lt; 0.0001) for C (37.5%) than 1-SM, 3-CM and 3-SM (23.7, 15.2 and 12.7%, respectively). Percentage of bare ground did not differ among treatments (P = 0.31). Data suggest agronomic performance for 3-CM and 3-SM was improved compared to C in years following pasture renovation.

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.): renewed interest as a forage legume for western Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 748-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Bhattarai ◽  
B. Coulman ◽  
B. Biligetu
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Forage Legume ◽  
Temperate Grasslands ◽  
Onobrychis Viciifolia ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Diversity Studies ◽  
Seed Characteristics

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is a perennial forage legume that has received renewed interest in western Canada because of its desirable forage characteristics. The objective of this review is to summarize previous studies on the agronomy, forage yield, nutritive value, seed characteristics, and diseases and pests of sainfoin. In addition, the review also focuses on the genetic diversity and registered cultivars of sainfoin and their potential use in temperate grasslands. Past studies have reported that sainfoin has a high nutritive value, and high voluntary intake and palatability to grazing animals. In western Canada, dry matter (DM) yield of sainfoin is 80%–95% that of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Unlike other legumes such as alfalfa, sainfoin does not cause bloat in grazing animals due to the presence of condensed tannins. Sainfoin is suitable for monoculture or binary mixtures with either grasses or alfalfa. Genetic diversity studies revealed that sainfoin germplasm generally has high variation within populations. Genetic variation among plants provides an opportunity to develop improved cultivars with desirable characteristics. However, compared with the other forage legumes, sainfoin is still an underdeveloped forage crop with few cultivars being available in western Canada. New sainfoin cultivars with high DM yield and persistence under regional growing conditions are required.

scholarly journals 121 The impact of changing consumer preferences on production and management practices at cow-calf level

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 49-49
Author(s):  
Robbi H Pritchard
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Calving Season ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Changes in cow-calf operations and management need to be deliberate and focus on consumer preferences that are substantive and enduring. For the sake of argument these preference changes could include: 1) continued erosion of the image of the cattle industry; 2) growth in demand of high quality grade beef, likely branded, and available at an affordable price; 3) production systems that yield improvements in cattle health, have a lesser environmental impact, and demonstrate prudent animal care and well-being; 4) Specification systems that may or may not include stipulations such as grass fed or non-implanted. At the ranch level there will be continued pressure to pursue rapid, efficient growth, marbling, structural soundness, and immunocompetence via genetic selection. A major step to reduce health problems is to reduce co-mingling. To achieve this goal breeding programs will change to improve the genetic and phenotypic uniformity and possibly the heterosis of the calf crop on each ranch. The National calving season needs to be more uniformly distributed throughout the year. New, more relevant cattle performance metrics will be developed. Calves that fit a branded production stream will have more value. Production streams that require Verified processes will be inequitably distributed across herd size because of associated costs, forcing smaller herds to either coop, vertically integrate, or accept generic cattle prices. Because of the diversity of environments and corresponding compatible bio-types of cows, identifying the profitable combination of specific branded systems with the genetics, calving season, labor, resource management and nutrition program of the ranch is very complicated. It will be increasingly necessary to put incremental response assessments in the context of the greater production-product system. Successful adaptors will place a much greater reliance on strong technical support in the areas of genetics, nutrition, growth, animal handling, documentation, and branded production streams.

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