Animal Science, Department of
Date of this Version
2013
Citation
Published in 2013 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report.
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of post-weaning development system on heifer ADG, reproductive performance, and subsequent feed efficiency as a pregnant heifer. Heifers were developed on dormant pasture and grazed corn residue or dormant pasture and placed in a drylot. The following winter, a subset of pregnant heifers were placed in a Calan Broadbent individual feeding system during late gestation. Drylot-developed heifers had greater BW from pre-breeding through pregnancy diagnosis and greater overall ADG during development. However, there was no difference in reproductive performance. Pre-calving BW, ADG, and G:F tended to be greater for drylot heifers. Heifers developed on corn residue had reduced BW through early pregnancy; however, reproductive performance was similar to drylot-developed heifers.
Included in
Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons
Comments
Copyright © 2013 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. Used by permission. All rights reserved.