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Drylot Feeding Patterns for the Reproducing Beef Cow

U.S. Department of Agriculture,¹ Beltsville, Maryland 20705

Abstract

ACCORDING to Hafez (1962) and Asdell (1955) there is very litle information on the feeding patterns of cows during different phases of the reproductive cycle. However, physical and behayioral changes associated with the estrual cycle, gestation, parturition, and lactation are common knowledge (Hafez, 1962). One result of these changes is an increased nutritive requirement during gestation and lactation. It seems probable that feeding behavioral changes also occur. Knowledge of such changes might be used to improve the net production of the beef cow.

To determine feeding behavior during the reproductive cycle, beef cows were fed a complete mixed and pelleted ration and daily feeding patterns were recorded during phases of the estrous cycle, gestation, parturition, and lactation.

Methods

Animals (table 1) were kept in sheltered 3 x 3.7 m pens with free access to paved outdoor 3 x 18.2 m exercise lots, water, and feed. The ration fed contained 45% timothy hay, 45% alfalfa hay, 8% cottonseed meal, 1% mineralized salt and 1% bone meal. The hay was ground through a 3.2 mm screen and the mixed diet was extruded through a 9.5 mm die. Time at the feeder was recorded by means of photoelectric cells and a time operation recorder (Putnam, Lehmann and Davis, 1967).

¹ Animal Science Research Division, A.R.S.