Replacement Heifer Development Alternatives: Food Costs and Expected Reproductive Performance PDF Download

Author: Vern Fogle
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Beef cattle
Languages : en
Pages : 338

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Author: Leah Heron Schmitz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Heifers
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
Experiments were conducted to evaluate a broad range of factors that may influence growth and reproductive performance of replacement heifers. In Exp. 1, 109 Angus crossbred heifers were used to determine the effects of hormonal implants administered during the suckling phase on replacement heifer growth and reproductive performance. Implanted heifers had greater WW (P = 0.03) and BW at breeding (P = 0.09); however, onset of puberty and conception rates did not differ between treatments (P = 0.67). In Exp. 2, 81 Angus crossbred heifers were utilized to evaluate use of irrigated cool-season annual forage in post-weaning development. Heifers were assigned to triticale or native range pastures, plus protein supplement. In yr 1, heifers gained 0.09 and 0.27 kg/d (P = 0.21) when grazing native range and triticale, respectively. In yr. 2, heifers grazing triticale gained 0.76 compared to 0.42 kg kg per d (P = 0.03) for native range. In Exp. 3. 129 Angus crossed and Brangus heifers were assigned to either; CAKE, which consisted of a 1.9 cm pellet (20% CP, as fed basis) or Dried Distillers Grains plus Solubles, There was no difference in animal growth performance (P > 0.25), or in reproductive traits (P = 0.60). A two-year study (Exp. 4), in which 133 Angus-crossed heifers were fed different levels of supplement in order to achieve varying amounts of gain before breeding. Treatments were: 1) heifers were fed to achieve a high rate of gain for 28 d, then low for the next 28 d (HL); 2) Low rate of gain for 28 d then high gains for the last half of the 56 d period (LH); or a moderate rate of gain throughout the 56 d feeding period (MOD). There was no difference (P > 0.36) in animal performance or reproductive status across all treatments. Experiment 5 was designed to evaluate the use of irrigated warm-season annual forage as a means of developing heifers in the post-breeding period. Twenty-four Angus-crossed heifers were assigned to graze either sorghum x sudangrass or pearl millet 45 d after the breeding season. There was no difference (P > 0.52) between treatment groups in bred heifer performance. Similar performance between forages suggests that either is a reasonable choice for growing young pregnant beef heifers.

Author: Wade H. Shafer
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1468436201
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and dis seminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS) * at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the ac tivity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all concerned if the printing and distribution of the volume were handled by an international publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Corporation of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 23 (thesis year 1978) a total of 10,148 theses titles from 27 Canadian and 220 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for theses titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work. While Volume 23 reports these submitted in 1978, on occasion, certain universities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.

Author: Keely E. Oswald
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Beef cattle
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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In the majority of management scenarios, it is imperative that beef replacement heifers calve at two years of age. In order to achieve this goal, yearling heifers should reach 60 to 65% of their mature body weight by 13 months of age. Feed costs represent 75 to 80% of the total costs incurred by a beef producer in the development of replacement heifers. At current beef prices, it takes at least three live calves before the heifer development period is paid. Feed costs have become more problematic and volatile in recent years. Increasing pressure for the use of grains in brewing and for ethanol production has inflated feed prices. Demand for grain has also resulted in more ground being taken out of forage production which has resulted in much higher hay prices. However, the increased use of feedstuffs by fermentation industries results in by-product feeds that can be utilized best by beef cattle. Utilization of these by-product feedstuffs by cattle not only results in cheaper feed, and therefore production costs, but also enhances the sustainability of the fermentation industry. The objective of this research was to evaluate puberty onset and subsequent reproductive performance in heifers fed a traditional ration with grass hay to rations in which grass hay was substituted with either grass-seed straw or a grass seed straw-brewer's grain silage. Eighteen heifers (initial body weight = 561±11.4 lbs and age = 278±2.4 d) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: grass hay (HAY), grass seed straw (STRAW), or grass seed straw-brewer's grain silage (SILAGE). Heifers were individually fed twice daily using Calan gates for 22 weeks. Heifers were weighed and 10-ml blood samples were recovered weekly. Plasma was recovered by centrifugation and stored at -20° C until analyzed for progesterone and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations. Puberty onset was defined as plasma progesterone exceeding 1 ng/ml. At week 21, heifers were estrous-synchronized using a CIDR-Select Synch protocol. Heifers displaying estrus were inseminated 12 h after onset with one straw of frozen semen. Heifers not displaying estrus were injected with PGF2[subscript alpha] 10 d after the initial PGF2[subscript alpha] injection in the CIDR-Select Synch protocol and subsequently observed for estrus and inseminated as described. Mean ages and weights of heifers were similar (P>0.10) across all treatments at the start of the feeding period. Heifer ages at puberty did not differ (P>0.10) due to treatment. Average daily gain of heifers during the feeding trial fed SILAGE were lower (P0.0005) than heifers fed either HAY or STRAW, However, no differences (p0.10) were found in body weight at puberty onset. However, body weights of heifers fed SILAGE were lower (P0.05) than heifers fed either HAY or STRAW at the starts of the breeding and calving seasons. No differences (P0.10) in services per conception, calving ease scores, calf vigor scores, or calf birth weights were observed between treatments. These results suggest that heifers fed the less expensive, by-product STRAW ration have weight gain and reproductive performance similar to heifers fed a traditional HAY ration. Although heifers fed the SILAGE diet had lighter body weights, a negative impact on reproductive measurements was not observed, suggesting the ration was adequate to support reproductive performance similar to a traditional HAY ration.

Author: Alex Santos
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Beef cattle
Languages : en
Pages :

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The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effects of a dietary fat supplementation on growth, reproduction and performance characteristics of replacement beef heifers reared in different management systems (pasture and dry lot conditions). The objectives were (1) to quantify changes in body composition traits and growth performance of replacement beef heifers fed different levels of fat in the supplemented diet, (2) to determine the reproductive performance of heifers supplemented with dietary fat in either a ryegrass pasture system or a dry lot system, and (3) to determine the value of real-time ultrasound technology (RTU) as an alternative technology to assist producers in the decision making process within replacement beef heifer programs. Over the three year study, we observed that both high (3 - 5%) and low (1.5 - 2.5%)levels of dietary fat supplementation of replacement heifers did not have a negative affect in reproductive performance and body composition traits significantly, compared to controls (pasture-base, no supplementation. However, a positive response with respect to some body composition traits was observed in animals fed the higher level of dietary fat in 2004 and 2005 studies. Overall, growth of animals grazing ryegrass outperformed animals supplemented with dietary fat in a dry lot system; yet when dietary fat supplementation was integrated with a ryegrass pasture system, besides the positive effects in body composition traits metabolic changes in relevant reproduction hormones were observed with the addition of dietary fat treatment. Finally, the use of information on body composition traits of replacement beef heifers through the use of real-time ultrasound technology in the decision-making process resulted in a small financial return in these studies. However, the use of this alternative technology in a replacement beef heifer program may have additional value beyond the limited feeding periods reported here. These may include, a greater ability to predict heifer fertility as linked to growth and developmental characteristics (e.g., body composition traits), yet this requires further study.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dairy cattle
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Author: Aalt A. Dijkhuizen
Publisher: Purdue University Press
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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A guide to the field of animal health economics and its underlying methodology. Supplied with this book is a diskette, containing practical exercises (in computer spreedsheets) on the various methods and techniques in animal health economics, including production function analysis.

Author: Subcommittee on Beef Cattle Nutrition
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309069343
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 249

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Book Description
As members of the public becomes more concious of the food they consume and its content, higher standards are expected in the preparation of such food. The updated seventh edition of Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle explores the impact of cattle's biological, production, and environmental diversities, as well as variations on nutrient utilization and requirements. More enhanced than previous editions, this edition expands on the descriptions of cattle and their nutritional requirements taking management and environmental conditions into consideration. The book clearly communicates the current state of beef cattle nutrient requirements and animal variation by visually presenting related data via computer-generated models. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle expounds on the effects of beef cattle body condition on the state of compensatory growth, takes an in-depth look at the variations in cattle type, and documents the important effects of the environment and stress on food intake. This volume also uses new data on the development of a fetus during pregnancy to prescribe nutrient requirements of gestating cattle more precisely. By focusing on factors such as product quality and environmental awareness, Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle presents standards and advisements for acceptable nutrients in a complete and conventional manner that promotes a more practical understanding and application.

Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309069971
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Book Description
This widely used reference has been updated and revamped to reflect the changing face of the dairy industry. New features allow users to pinpoint nutrient requirements more accurately for individual animals. The committee also provides guidance on how nutrient analysis of feed ingredients, insights into nutrient utilization by the animal, and formulation of diets to reduce environmental impacts can be applied to productive management decisions. The book includes a user-friendly computer program on a compact disk, accompanied by extensive context-sensitive "Help" options, to simulate the dynamic state of animals. The committee addresses important issues unique to dairy science-the dry or transition cow, udder edema, milk fever, low-fat milk, calf dehydration, and more. The also volume covers dry matter intake, including how to predict feed intake. It addresses the management of lactating dairy cows, utilization of fat in calf and lactation diets, and calf and heifer replacement nutrition. In addition, the many useful tables include updated nutrient composition for commonly used feedstuffs.

Author: Robert Jarrige
Publisher: John Libbey Eurotext
ISBN: 9780861962471
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
Deals with feed evaluation systems, the nutrient requirements of ruminant livestock and the feeding value of a wide range of feedstuffs. This book lists about 800 typical forages, 65 crop residues and 120 concentrate and by-product feeds. It is suitable for teachers, specialist scientists and industrialists.