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Effects of Supplemental Energy and Season of Breeding on the Reproductive Performance of Beef Cattle

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Baton Rouge 70803

Abstract

Data were collected on 324 winter bred and 168 spring bred Hereford cows to examine the effects of flushing and season of breeding on their productivity. Winter bred control cows received 23 lb. (10.4 kg) of hay and 2 lb. (.9 kg) of cottonseed meal (CSM) during the 75-day winter test period. Grain flushed cows received the control ration and also were fed 11 lb. (4.9 kg) of ground corn per day the first 30 days of the test period. Cows flushed with supplemental winter pasture were maintained on wheat and ryegrass during the test period. Spring bred control cows were grazed on bermudagrass pasture during the 75-day spring test period. Grain flushed cows received 6 lb. (2.7 kg) of ground corn per day in addition to bermudagrass for the first 30 days of the test period. Winter and spring test periods began on December 1 and April 1, respectively. Sixty day breeding seasons began on December 15 and April 15, respectively.

Grain flushing had no significant (P> .05) effect on calving percent in either season of breeding.

Grain flushing had no significant effect on calf weights at the end of the test period or at weaning. Winter pasture calves were significantly heavier (P< .01) than other winter calves at the end of the test period and at weaning.

Winter bred cows lost significantly (P < .01) more weight on test than spring bred cows, but had significantly higher (P< .01) calving percents. Spring calves were significantly (P < .01) heavier at the end of the test period, but there were no significant (P> .05) differences in adjusted weaning weights.

¹ Instructor and Superintendent, respectively, Dean Lee Ag. Center, LSU-A, Alexandria, La. 71301.

² Instructor and Superintendent, respectively, Dean Lee Ag. Center, LSU-A, Alexandria, La. 71301.

³ Associate Professor, LSU Animal Science Dept., Baton Rouge, La. 70803