Supplementing Gestating Beef Cows Grazing Cornstalk Residue

Authors

Jason M. Warner, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jeremy L. Martin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Zachary C. Hall Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Luke M. Kovarik, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Kathryn J. Hanford, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Richard J. Rasby, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Mark Dragastin, Dalbey-Halleck Research Unit

Date of this Version

2012

Comments

Published in 2012 Beef Cattle Report (2012) p. 5-7. Copyright © 2012 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

A 5-year study evaluated the effects of protein supplementation to beef cows grazing cornstalks in late gestation on both cow and calf weight, and the reproductive performance of heifer progeny. Supplementation improved cow BCS at the end of cornstalk grazing. Calf weight, cow pregnancy rates, and reproductive traits of subsequent heifer progeny were not impacted by supplementation. Supplementing mid- to late-gestation beef cows grazing cornstalks has minimal impact on cow performance or fetal programming of heifer progeny.