Interval feeding of supplements has been shown to be an efficient method of feeding supplements to adult beef cows. Less is known about the use of “every other day feeding” for growing weaned replacement heifers. The objective of this University of Florida study was to examine the effects of daily versus three day/week supplementation on growth, age at puberty, estrous synchronization response, and pregnancy rates of yearling Brangus and Angus heifers consuming bermudagrass (12.9 percent crude protein) round bale silage.
Sixty heifers (30, Angus; 30, Brangus) were sorted by initial body weight, breed, and age and randomly allocated to 12 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) distillers grains and soybean meal supplemented daily; or 2) distillers grains and soybean meal supplemented three days/week. The total weekly intake of supplement was designed to be identical for both treatment groups. The heifers started at about 600 pounds and received the equivalent of about four pounds of distillers grains and 1/2 to one pound of soybean meal per day. The diets were calculated to produce about 1.5 pounds/day average daily gain. Supplement consumption and bermudagrass round bale silage offered were similar for both treatments.
Heifers supplemented daily had similar average daily gain as compared to heifers supplemented three days/week (1.82 vs. 1.79 lb/day). The number of heifers reaching puberty by breeding tended to be greater for daily fed heifers. Synchronized pregnancy rates and total 28 day AI pregnancy rates were also similar for both treatments. Dried distillers grains had no negative impact on the development of Brangus or Angus heifers. In this study, three days/week supplementation of developing heifers had no effect on heifer growth rates or pregnancy rates as compared to daily supplementation. As producers look at interval or daily feeding with ethanol by-product feeds, they need to have the feed tested for sulfur content. Excessive sulfur intake may cause a toxicity called “polioencephalomalacia”. When one considers labor and fuel costs, the interval feeding protocol should be less expensive.
Livestock
Examining supplements for growing replacement heifers
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Use ear tags to their fullest potential
Numbered ear tags appear in the ears of a high percentage of cows and calves in southwest Missouri. They are obviously put there for a reason but some producers may not be using the full potential of those tags for herd management.
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Leveling the bovine-fertility playing field
Research from the University of Missouri reproductive scientist identifies faulty sperm and takes them out of the equation for artificial insemination (AI) of cattle.
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Economics of de-worming spring born calves
A much higher value of added gain means that management practices that may have been marginal in profitability in the past now have tremendous advantages. One such practice is the de-worming of spring born calves.
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Some clues to beef herd rebuilding
In the aftermath of last year’s drought, it is taking some time to determine where the industry is with respect to stopping herd liquidation and beginning the process of herd rebuilding.
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Show-Me-Select heifer sale slated
The sale of fall-calving, Show-Me-Select heifers will be held at 7 p.m., May 18, at the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage.
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Forage testing can save money
Soil test may save fertilizer dollars and forage testing may save supplement costs for livestock.
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Beef demand will be market driver over next few months
Part of the concern right now is overall demand for beef. Beef exports have been generally flat compared to last year, as has the dollar index.
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Water management leads to healthy herds
Water is a crucial aspect of any cattle operation, and with last year’s drought still fresh in their memories, producers should be prepared if history repeats itself.
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Pasture erosion control important
It’s already evident that streambanks can be protected with cost-effective measures such as one- and two-sided fencing. Streambanks can re-establish vegetation all by themselves.
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Management Intensive Grazing Schools begin in April
Several Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) Schools will be held in southwest Missouri during 2012 at a variety of locations.
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Use ear tags to their fullest potential
