Impact of Winter Supplementation of May Calving Cows and Heifer Development System in Two Different Breeding Seasons on Subsequent Growth and Reproduction

Authors

Shelby A. Springman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Alicia C. Lansford, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Jacqueline A. Musgrave Musgrave, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
John Nollette, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Andy Applegarth, 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

In Exp. 1, May-calving cows were utilized to evaluate the effects of winter supplementation on heifer progeny. Cows grazed either dormant upland winter range with or without a protein supplement or grazed dormant meadow with or without a protein supplement. In Exp. 2, replacement heifers from March and May calving herds were offered ad libitum meadow hay and 4 lb/d supplement or grazed meadow and offered 1 lb/d supplement from mid-January to mid-April. Calf weaning BW and ADG from birth to weaning was less for calves from cows grazing winter range with no supplement compared with all other dam treatments. Heifer development system did not impact final pregnancy rates. Therefore, a reduced input winter heifer development system is a viable option in both early and late summer breeding seasons. However, winter supplementation of May-calving dams did influence heifer progeny ADG from birth to weaning.