Impact of Post-Weaning Beef Heifer Development System on Average Daily Gain, Reproduction, and Feed Efficiency

Authors

Stetson P. Weber, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Adam F. Summers, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Tonya L. Meyer Meyer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Richard N. Funston, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2012

Comments

Published in 2012 Beef Cattle Report (2012) p. 39-40. Copyright © 2012 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

This experiment evaluated the impact of post-weaning heifer development system on ADG, reproduction, and subsequent feed efficiency during late gestation. Shortly after weaning, heifers were developed on one of two winter grazing systems: corn residue (CR) followed by winter range, or winter range followed by drylot (DL). Heifer BW was greater for DL heifers prior to breeding, at breeding, and prior to first parturition. There were no differences in reproductive performance despite CR heifers having lower BW at breeding. Feed efficiency was similar during late gestation between CR and DL heifers. Extending winter grazing decreased BW without impacting reproductive performance.