A System for Wintering Spring-Calving Bred Heifers Without Feeding Hay

Authors

Tim W. Loy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Don C. Adams, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Dillon Feuz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jacqueline A. Musgrave, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Burke Teichert, Rex Ranch, Ashby, NE

Date of this Version

January 2004

Comments

Published in 2004 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2003 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Two systems for wintering pregnant, March-calving heifers were compared over two years on a commercial Nebraska ranch. The ranch’s standard management system (CON) included grazed forage, supplement and hay. The alternative system (TRT) relied on grazed forage and higher levels of supplement, with no hay. Treatment effects on weight and body condition changes differed between years. Calves nursing TRT heifers tended to gain more weight. Two-year-old pregnancy rates did not differ. Partial budget analysis suggests the TRT system reduced expense by $7 per heifer, while maintaining a high level of performance.