Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #322164
Title: Effect of late gestation bodyweight change and condition score on progeny feedlot performance

Author
item MULLINIKS, J - University Of Tennessee
item SAWYER, J - Texas A&M University
item HARRELSON, F - New Mexico State University
item MATHIS, C - New Mexico Extension Service
item COX, S - New Mexico State University
item LOEST, C - New Mexico State University
item Petersen, Mark

Submitted to: Animal Production Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/2015
Publication Date: 10/14/2015
Citation: Mulliniks, J.T., Sawyer, J.E., Harrelson, F.W., Mathis, C.P., Cox, S.H., Loest, C.A., Petersen, M.K. 2015. Effect of late gestation bodyweight change and condition score on progeny feedlot performance. Animal Production Science. doi. 10.1071/ANI5025.

Interpretive Summary: Inadequate nutrient intake during late gestation can cause cow BW loss and influence cow reproductive performance and subsequent productivity of steer progeny. Therefore, a 7-yr study with a 3 × 3 arrangement of treatments was conducted to evaluate the effects of cow BW change and BCS during late gestation on subsequent cow pregnancy rates, progeny steer feedlot performance, health, and profitability. Typically cows receive nutrient supplements to reduce the impact of the combined stressors. It is generally assumed that cows and their unborn calves respond more positively to greater amounts of supplement fed. 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.

Technical Abstract: Inadequate nutrient intake during late gestation can cause cow BW loss and influence cow reproductive performance and subsequent productivity of steer progeny. Therefore, a 7-yr study with a 3 × 3 arrangement of treatments was conducted at Corona Range and Livestock Research Center, Corona, NM to evaluate the effects of cow BW change and BCS during late gestation on subsequent cow pregnancy rates, progeny steer feedlot performance, health, and profitability. 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 d and were received and treated as custom fed commercial cattle at a feedlot in mid-November. Calf weaning, initial feedlot, final BW, and HCW were unaffected (P > 0.22) by dam’s prepartum BW change or BCS. However, feedlot ADG exhibited a tendency (P = 0.06) for steers from GAIN and MAIN to have increased gains. Marbling score, 12-rib fat thickness, LM 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 after finishing 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. 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.