Impact of Pre-and Postpartum Nutrition on March-calving Cow and Progeny Productivity

Authors

Jacki A. Musgrave, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Devin L. Broadhead, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
L. A. Stalker Stalker, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Richard N. Funston, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2018

Citation

2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. University of Nebraska Extension MP105. Lincoln, NE.

Comments

© 2017 The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

March-calving cows were fed hay or grazed corn residue prepartum, and then either fed hay or grazed subirrigated meadow postpartum. Combinations of these different feeding strategies impacted body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) during the pre-and postpartum period; however, resulted in similar pregnancy rates. Although differences were not observed in cow pregnancy rates, a benefit in pre-weaning growth was observed for calves from the dams in postpartum meadow treatment. A tendency for an improvement in marbling score was observed for steers born to cows fed hay prepartum, perhaps indicating a higher plane of nutrition prepartum may improve quality grade.