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Influence of Winter Nutrition on Beef Cow Reproduction¹

Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506

Abstract

Winter supplemental energy and protein requirements for beef cows grazing dormant winter range in the Kansas Flint hills were studied from 1968 through 1973 (three 2-year trials). Sorghum grain (1.4 kg/day) was a superior supplement to soybean meal (.7 kg/ day) in improving weaning weight and reproduction when fed with 1.4 kg alfalfa hay per day. Additional improvement was obtained when the amount of sorghum grain was doubled (2.7 kg/day). When a part of the winter feed was delayed until after calving, 2- and 3-year-old cows rebred later but older cows were not affected. When daily feed was increased 100 days before the start of the breeding season, 3-year-old cows reproduced satisfactorily (2-year-old cows were not included on this supplement).

Increasing the amount of winter supplement increased cow weight during the feeding period and the following grazing period. Cows that rebred lost less weight in winter and gained more in summer. In general, calf birth and weaning weights increased with amounts of winter feed provided the dam.

¹ Contribution No. 511-J, Department of Animal Science and Industry, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station.