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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #237854
Title: Increasing glucogenic precursors in range supplements improves reproductive efficiency and profitability in young postpartum range cows in years 2000 to 2007

Author
item MULLINIKS, J - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item COX, S - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item KEMP, M - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item ENDECOTT, R - MONTANA STATE UNIV
item Waterman, Richard
item PETERSEN, MARK - ARS - NEW HIRE

Submitted to: Western Section of Animal Science Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2009
Publication Date: 6/15/2009
Citation: Mulliniks, J.T., Cox, S.H., Kemp, M.E., Endecott, R.L., Waterman, R.C., Petersen, M.K. 2009. Increasing glucogenic precursors in range supplements improves reproductive efficiency and profitability in young postpartum range cows in years 2000 to 2007. Western Section of Animal Science Proceedings #14. Journal of Animal Science 87(E-Suppl 3):141.

Interpretive Summary: n/a

Technical Abstract: Reproductive efficiency in young beef cows is often compromised due to a mismatch of physiological demands and suboptimal environmental conditions. Studies conducted at the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center from 2000 to 2007 evaluated 3 postpartum supplement strategies increasing in glucogenic precursors (GP). Reproductive variables, milk production, and serum metabolites were used to assess supplement effectiveness and economics associated with young beef cow production (n = 379) on native range. Supplements were individually fed at 1135 g/d (2003-2004) 2×/wk or 908 g/d (all other yr) and provided: 1) 327 g CP, 109-118 g undegradable intake protein (UIP), 44-47 g GP (CON); 2) 327-341 g CP, 142-157 g UIP, 57-70 g GP (BP); 3) 327 g CP, 151-173 g UIP + 40 – 100 g of propionate salt (NutroCal, Kemin Industries, Inc.), 93-141 g GP (P). Blood samples were collected 1×/wk (2000) or 2×/wk (2001-2007) for progesterone analysis to estimate days to first estrus. Cows were exposed to bulls for 60 d or less and pregnancy was confirmed by rectal palpation at weaning. Number of days to first estrus after calving decreased and pregnancy rates increased linearly (P < 0.02) with increasing supplemental GP. Milk production exhibited a quadratic (P = 0.04) response to increasing GP with cows fed B producing the most amount of milk (5920, 6812, and 6217 ± 421 g/d for CON, BP, and P, respectively). Total kg of calf weaned per cow exposed for the supplemental year and subsequent year was greater (P = 0.07) for cows fed P than the other supplements (418, 410, and 435 ± 40 kg for CON, BP, and P, respectively). These data suggest feeding young cows additional GP in the form of propionate salts allows for repartitioning of nutrients away from milk production and towards reproduction.