Effect of late gestation bodyweight change and condition score on progeny feedlot performance

Abstract

Inadequate nutrient intake during late gestation can cause cow bodyweight (BW) loss and influence cow reproductive performance and subsequent productivity of steer progeny. Therefore, a 7-year study with a 3 · 3 ar r angement of treatments was conducted at Corona Range and Livestock Research Centre, Corona, New Mexico to evaluate the effects of cow BW change and body condition score (BCS) during late gestation on subsequent cow pregnancy rates, progeny steer feedlot performance, and health. Cows were retrospectively classified to 1 of 3 BW change groups: (1) cows that lost BW during late gestation (LOSS; mean -26 2 kg); (2) cows that maintained BW during late gestation (MAIN; mean -1 1 kg); or (3) cows that gained BW during late gestation (GAIN; mean 25 2 kg). Cows were also classified to 1 of 3 BCS groups: BCS of 4 (mean BCS = 4.0 0.02; range 4.0-4.5), 5 (mean BCS = 5.0 0.02; range 5.0-5.5), or 6 (mean BCS = 6.0 0.02; range 6.0-6.5). After weaning each year, steers were preconditioned for 45 days and were received and treated as custom-fed commercial cattle at a feedlot in mid-November. Calf weaning BW, initial feedlot BW, final BW, and hot carcass weight were unaffected (P 0.22) by dam's prepartum BW change or BCS. However, steers from GAIN and MAIN tended (P = 0.06) to have increased ADG in the feedlot. Twelfth-rib fat thickness, longissimus muscle area, and days on feed were not influenced (P 0.18) by late gestation BW change or BCS. Calves from BCS 6 cows tended (P = 0.10) to have greater yield grades at harvest in the feedlot. Percentage of steers grading Choice or greater was increased (P < 0.01) in steers from LOSS cows and cows in BCS 4 during late gestation compared with other groups. These data suggest that modest nutrient restriction during late gestation can have a minimal effect on growth and performance of steer progeny from birth through the finishing phase.

BEEF SPECIES–RUMINANT NUTRITION CACTUS BEEF SYMPOSIUM: Sustainable and economically viable management options for cow/calf production through enhanced beef cow metabolic efficiency1

“…However, cows that have been adapted and managed to reproduce in harsh, limited nutrient environments may have the ability to maintain normal fetal growth and development during periods of maternal nutrient restriction. For instance, late gestation BW change from losing 25 kg to gaining 25 kg had no impact on calf weaning BW, BW at feedlot entry, finishing BW, and hot carcass weight (Mulliniks et al, 2016), illustrating that moderate restriction during late gestation did not affect progeny growth from birth throughout the finishing period. Maternal undernutrition in gestating ewes adapted to nutrient restricted environments did not affect fetal plasma concentrations of glucose or fetal growth (Vonnahme et al, 2006) and were able to maintain fetal concentrations of amino acids (Jobgen et al, 2008).…”

“…Thus, livestock that have experienced homeorhetic changes are better adapted to prioritize productivity and may be more efficient at mobilizing and oxidizing adipose tissue supplies (Rhoads et al, 2013). In a 7-yr study, Mulliniks et al (2016) categorized cows by their natural variation in BW change during late gestation as cows that lost 25 kg, maintained BW, or gained 25 kg. Cows that lost or maintained BW during late gestation had greater pregnancy rates the subsequent breeding season.…”

Drivers of grazing livestock efficiency: how physiology, metabolism, experience and adaptability influence productivity

“…During periods of low energy intake, mobilization of maternal nutrient lipid reserves is needed to offset energy imbalances of gestation. In a 7-yr study, Mulliniks et al (2015b) reported overall pregnancy rates were greater in cows either losing or maintaining BW during late gestation compared with cows gaining BW. Although BW change differences were not reported up to and through breeding, this improved reproductive performance may be attributed to a decrease in nutrient requirements in cows losing BW during late gestation and an overall increase in nutrient utilization.…”

Primer Seminario Técnico de Programación Fetal

“…Además, el extracto de etéreo y la humedad del músculo Longissimus fue similar entre los novillos BP y AP (P> 0,10; Cuadro 4). Estos resultados respaldan estudios previos en vacas que fueron restringidas durante la gestación tardía (Underwood et al, 2010;Mulliniks et al, 2016;Stalker et al, 2006;Shoup et al, 2015), gestación media (Mohrhauser et al, 2015) o gestación temprana (Long et al, 2010). Se ha planteado la hipótesis de que la etapa fetal es el período de desarrollo más eficiente para aumentar el marmoleo en la carne de la descendencia (Du et al, 2010).…”