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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #265180
Title: First parity evaluation of body condition, weight, and blood beta-hydroxybutyrate during lactation of range cows developed in the same ecophysiological system but receiving different harvested feed inputs

Author
item Kelly, Whisper
item Waterman, Richard
item Roberts, Andrew
item ENDECOTT, RACHEL - Montana State University
item Petersen, Mark
item Geary, Thomas
item Alexander, Leeson
item Macneil, Michael

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2011
Publication Date: 6/1/2011
Citation: Kelly, W.L., Waterman, R.C., Roberts, A.J., Endecott, R.L., Petersen, M.K., Geary, T.W., Alexander, L.J., Macneil, M.D. 2011. First parity evaluation of body condition, weight, and blood beta-hydroxybutyrate during lactation of range cows developed in the same ecophysiological system but receiving different harvested feed inputs. Meeting Abstract. #60 On CD.

Interpretive Summary: abstract only

Technical Abstract: Reduction of harvested feed inputs during heifer development could optimize range livestock production and improve economic feasibility for producers. The objective of this study was to measure body condition and weight as well as blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations for primiparous beef heifers born from dams receiving 1.8 or 1.2 kg/d of winter supplementation during late gestation and then developed within an ad-libitum or 20% less feed treatment post weaning. Body weight and BHB concentrations were measured every 7 days from d 21 to 126 post partum and body condition was measured every 14 days from d 21 to 119 post partum. The analysis of variance model included dam nutritional plane, heifer development feed intake, day of collection, and their interaction. Body condition tended to be greater (P = 0.08) during the 126-d trial in first parity heifers that were developed in the ad-libitum treatment group. Body condition was not influenced by dam winter nutrition (P = 0.21). Weekly body weights were greatest (P = 0.0002) in first parity heifers that were developed with ad-libitum feed (433 vs. 379 ± 8.90 kg, respectively for ad-libitum or 20% less feed treatment). Weekly body weights were not influenced by dam winter nutrition (P = 0.63). BHB concentrations did not differ (P = 0.33) between heifers developed differently, but tended (P = 0.09) to be greater in heifers born from dams that received the 1.2 kg/d winter supplementation. These results indicate that by reducing feed during heifer development results in lower first parity body weight and condition, and that dam plane of winter nutrition may influence the metabolism of their offspring.