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Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 88-363-S; Cattlemen's Day
Articles 1 - 30 of 48
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Effect Of Depo-Mga On The Prevention Of Pregnancy In Grazing Heifers, L.R. Corah, F.K. Brazle, G.W. Boyd, T. Goehring
Effect Of Depo-Mga On The Prevention Of Pregnancy In Grazing Heifers, L.R. Corah, F.K. Brazle, G.W. Boyd, T. Goehring
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Two field trials were conducted to evaluate various dosage levels of Depo-MGA® for preventing pregnancy in grazing heifers. Injecting Depo-formulated MGA subcutaneously in the ear at dosages of 60, 90 or 120 mg effectively prevented pregnancy for up to 135 days. There was no effect on average daily gain.
Farm, Wholesale, And Retail Beef Price Relationship, Ted C. Schroeder
Farm, Wholesale, And Retail Beef Price Relationship, Ted C. Schroeder
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Analysis of weekly retail, wholesale, and farm beef price data indicated that a time lag exists between price changes at the various market levels. Farm-level slaughter cattle price changes typically lead wholesale beef price changes by 2 to 3 weeks. Similarly, wholesale beef price changes typically lead price changes at the retail level by 3 to 4 weeks.
Kansas Custom Cattle Feeding Practices, Ted C. Schroeder, Gerry L. Kuhl
Kansas Custom Cattle Feeding Practices, Ted C. Schroeder, Gerry L. Kuhl
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
A survey of Kansas custom cattle feedlots was conducted in the fall of 1987. This paper summarizes the survey and discusses some of the custom cattle feeding services and charges being offered.
The Effect Of Physical Characteristics On The Price Of Stocker And Feeder Cattle, F. Brazle, J. Mintert, Ted C. Schroeder, O. Grunewald
The Effect Of Physical Characteristics On The Price Of Stocker And Feeder Cattle, F. Brazle, J. Mintert, Ted C. Schroeder, O. Grunewald
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
A survey of feeder cattle sales was conducted at seven Kansas cattle auctions during 1986 and 1987. A wide variety of physical characteristics was found to influence feeder cattle prices. The price impact resulting from changes in fill and condition varied seasonally. Although calves showing any signs of health problems received severe price discounts, the presence of other undesirable characteristics also resulted in discounts, but to lesser degrees.
Effects Of Sugar, Internal Cooking Temperature, And Hot-Boning On The Characteristics Of Low Fat, Restructured, Value-Added Beef Roasts, S.J. Goll, Melvin C. Hunt, Donald H. Kropf, Curtis L. Kastner
Effects Of Sugar, Internal Cooking Temperature, And Hot-Boning On The Characteristics Of Low Fat, Restructured, Value-Added Beef Roasts, S.J. Goll, Melvin C. Hunt, Donald H. Kropf, Curtis L. Kastner
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Low fat, restructured beef roasts were made from muscles that were conventionally or hot-boned. Differing combinations of salt, phosphate, and glucose were added. Then roasts were cooked to 145 ÌŠF or 200 ÌŠF. Roasts from conventionally boned muscle generally had less warmed-over flavor and higher acceptability scores than those from hot-boned muscle. Adding glucose with salt and phosphate helped suppress warmed-over flavor throughout display and did not reduce flavor acceptability or increase cooking loss. Roasts cooked to 200 ÌŠF had lower warmed-over flavor scores and were more acceptable, but were less cohesive and had higher cooking losses than roasts cooked …
Effect Of Cobactin On The Feedlot Performance And Carcass Traits Of Beef Steers, L. Corah, Ronald V. Pope
Effect Of Cobactin On The Feedlot Performance And Carcass Traits Of Beef Steers, L. Corah, Ronald V. Pope
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The addition of Cobactin to feedlot rations had no significant effect on average daily gain or feed efficiency, but did improve quality grade of steers fed for 110 days.
Effect Of Limit-Fed, High Energy Growing Rations On The Performance Of Feedlot Steers, G. Goldy, B. Downey, K. Bolsen, Jack G. Riley
Effect Of Limit-Fed, High Energy Growing Rations On The Performance Of Feedlot Steers, G. Goldy, B. Downey, K. Bolsen, Jack G. Riley
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Steers red high-concentrate limit-fed rations were more efficient during growing than steers fed silage plus grain at 25% of their dry matter (DM) intake, or silage only. The limit-fed cattle also tended to gain faster (P<.10) and were more efficient (P<.05) during the finishing phase and did not have the expected depressed DM intakes compared to cattle fed the other growing-phase rations. Steers fed barely had lower DM intakes (P<.05) but gained more efficiently (P<.05) than those fed grain sorghum.
Evaluating The Availability Of Nutrients For Maintenance And Growth In Ruminants, K. Gross, D. Harmon, T. Avery
Evaluating The Availability Of Nutrients For Maintenance And Growth In Ruminants, K. Gross, D. Harmon, T. Avery
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Two experiments were performed with mature wether lambs to evaluate availability of selected nutrients and volatile fatty acids for maintenance and growth. We used a technique in which known amounts of volatile fatty acids were infused into the rumen and casein into the abomasum. Sampling portal blood allowed measurement of nutrients absorbed across the gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 49, 62, and 21% of the infused acetate, propionate, and butyrate, respectively, were absorbed across the gastrointestinal tract.
Feedlot Performance By Steers Fed Sprout-Damaged Milo, K.P. Coffey, Lyle W. Lomas
Feedlot Performance By Steers Fed Sprout-Damaged Milo, K.P. Coffey, Lyle W. Lomas
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Forty-eight Charolais crossbred steers were fed sprouted or nonsprouted milo for 139 days in a finishing study. Steers fed sprouted milo (51% sprout damage, 60 lb. per bu.) were 28 lb. heavier (P<.10) and gained 8.4% faster (P<.10) while consuming 2.7% less (P>.10) feed per pound of gain. Sprout damaged milo had no significant (P>.10) effect on carcass characteristics. These data indicate that cattle fed sprouted milo should perform as well or better than those fed nonsprouted milo.
Daily Or Weekly Rotational Feeding Of Bovatec®- And Rumensin®/Tylan® To Cattle On A Steam-Flaked Corn Finishing Ration, Robert T. Brandt Jr.
Daily Or Weekly Rotational Feeding Of Bovatec®- And Rumensin®/Tylan® To Cattle On A Steam-Flaked Corn Finishing Ration, Robert T. Brandt Jr.
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
One hundred sixty-five crossbred steers averaging 823 lb were utilized to evaluate the daily or weekly rotational feeding of ionophores. Treatments were (g/ton of feed, 90% dry basis): 1) Bovatec (B; 30), 2) Rumensin plus Tylan (RT; 25 and 10, respectively), 3) treatments one and two in a daily rotation (D), and 4) treatments one and two in a weekly rotation (W). Steers fed RT consumed less (P<.05) dry matter than B, D>or W steers. No differences (P>.15) in daily gain were observed, suggesting that the increased consumption by B, D) and W steers was accompanied by an al teration in passage rate …
Effect Of Tetronasin On Frothy Bloat In Cattle Caused By High-Grain Diet, L.R. Neibarger, Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja
Effect Of Tetronasin On Frothy Bloat In Cattle Caused By High-Grain Diet, L.R. Neibarger, Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Feeding Tetronasin reduced incidence of frothy bloat in cattle fed a high-grain diet. The effective dose was 0.25 mg/kg body weight when administered prior to the onset of frothy bloat. At 0.15 mg/kg body weight, the antibiotic was less effective but the degree of bloat was considerably less than that of steers fed no antibiotic. Tetronasin also reduced the severity of bloat in steers that were already bloating prior to its administration.
The Effect Of Physical Characteristics On Cow Price Differentials In Kansas, F. Brazle, J. Mintert, Ted C. Schroeder, O. Grunewald
The Effect Of Physical Characteristics On Cow Price Differentials In Kansas, F. Brazle, J. Mintert, Ted C. Schroeder, O. Grunewald
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
A survey of cow sales was conducted in the fall of 1986 and spring of 1987 at seven Kansas cattle auctions. Several factors significantly influenced cow prices, including health, estimated dressing percentage, lot size, breed, and time of sale. Changes in dressing percentage explained the major portion of cow price variation.
Incidence Of Pregnancy In Feedlot Heifers At Slaughter, S.B. Laudert
Incidence Of Pregnancy In Feedlot Heifers At Slaughter, S.B. Laudert
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Nearly 83,000 heifers were observed at slaughter during 1986 and 1987 to determine their reproductive status. Slightly less than 4 percent were found to be pregnant. Highest incidences of pregnancy were found during the winter months of November through March. Lowest incidences were found during August, September. and October.
Experimental Induction And Monitoring Of Liver Abscesses In Cattle With Ultrasonography, K.F. Lechtenberg, T.B. Avery, Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja
Experimental Induction And Monitoring Of Liver Abscesses In Cattle With Ultrasonography, K.F. Lechtenberg, T.B. Avery, Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
We have demonstrated that ultrasonography can be used to visualize liver abscess in live cattle. We have also developed a nonsurgical method of catheterizing the bovine portal vein and experimentally inducing liver abscesses by inoculating the portal vein with Fusobacterium necrophorum bacteria.
Evaluation Of Interseeded Grain Sorghum And Soybeans As 8 Silage Crop, S.H.M. Esmail, K. Bolsen, S. Azimi, John E. Shirley
Evaluation Of Interseeded Grain Sorghum And Soybeans As 8 Silage Crop, S.H.M. Esmail, K. Bolsen, S. Azimi, John E. Shirley
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Interseeded grain sorghum and soybeans were harvested at late-boot, milk, and late-dough maturity stages of the sorghum (62, 77, and 91 days post-planting, respectively). Maximum dry matter yield occurred at the late-dough stage and interseeded silages had higher crude protein contents than the control, late-dough) grain sorghum silage. All silages underwent normal homolactic fermentations and were well preserved. Cellulose and acid detergent fiber contents were also higher in the mixtures than in the control silage, but fiber values decreased as maturity advanced. Digestibilities of most nutrients were similar in the rations, but when considered with chemical composition and yield data, …
Effect Of Fat Source On Performance And Carcass Quality Of Finishing Steers, Robert T. Brandt Jr.
Effect Of Fat Source On Performance And Carcass Quality Of Finishing Steers, Robert T. Brandt Jr.
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Two trials that utilized 356 steers were conducted to evaluate the effects of various fat sources (3.596 of ration dry matter) on performance and carcass traits of finishing cattle fed flaked milo diets. In trial 1, soybean oil, bleachable tallow, and yellow grease (blend of tallow and restaurant grease) were compared to a nonfat control. Feeding fat increased (P<.05) daily gain, feed efficiency, carcass weight, and dressing percent of steers. Soybean oil and yellow grease also tended to increase 12th rib backfat thickness and marbling. Feed costs of gain were improved only by yellow grease. However, when increased carcass yield and quality were considered, there was a significant economic return from all fat sources. In trial 2, fat treatments were acidulated soybean soapstock (SBSS), tallow, a blend of 7096 SBSS:3096 tallow, and yellow grease. Feeding tallow or the SBSS: tallow blend improved (P<.05) feed efficiency by 7.796 compared to the nonfat control. Pooled across source, feeding fat increased (P<.10) backfat thickness and marbling. Compared to the control, feed cost of gain was reduced 6 cents/l b by the SBSS:tallow blend. However, when increased carcass value was accounted for, net returns of $3.50 to $6.00 per head were seen for SBSS, tallow, and SBSS:tallow priced at 13, 17, and 13 cents per lb, respectively. The SBSS:tallow blend provided greater performance than was predicted by observed performance of steers fed SBSS or tallow separately, an indication of associative response. In trial 2, intake and gain were lowest for yellow grease, resulting in a negative economic return, which is in complete disagreement with results obtained in trial 1.
Effect Of Grain Source And Brewer's Grain On The Performance And Serum Cholesterol Concentration Of Finishing Steers, G. Goldy, Jack G. Riley
Effect Of Grain Source And Brewer's Grain On The Performance And Serum Cholesterol Concentration Of Finishing Steers, G. Goldy, Jack G. Riley
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The inclusion of brewer's grains at 20% of the ration dry matter increased dry matter intake, resulting in poorer feed efficiency. Brewer's grain appeared to increase serum cholesterol. Serum cholesterol increased as days on feed increased, similar to other reported studies. Steers fed grain sorghum had greater dry matter intakes and poorer feed efficiencies than those fed barley or wheat. Analysis of tissue samples has not been completed at this time, which prohibits drawing any conclusions as to the effect on tissue cholesterol concentrations.
Serum Cholesterol Concentrations In Yearling Bulls, G. Goldy, W. Olsen, Jack G. Riley
Serum Cholesterol Concentrations In Yearling Bulls, G. Goldy, W. Olsen, Jack G. Riley
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
A wide range in serum cholesterol concentrations was observed within and between all four breeds of yearling bulls studied. The significance of this observation is unknown at this time. Addition research is necessary to determine the heritability of serum cholesterol, and the relationship between serum cholesterol of sires and the tissue cholesterol of their progeny.
Glucose, Starch, And Dextrin Utilization In The Small Intestine Of Steers, K.K. Kreikemeier, D.L. Harmon, T.B. Avery, Robert T. Brandt Jr.
Glucose, Starch, And Dextrin Utilization In The Small Intestine Of Steers, K.K. Kreikemeier, D.L. Harmon, T.B. Avery, Robert T. Brandt Jr.
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Glucose infused into the abomasum of Holstein steers resulted in higher arterial glucose concentrations and increased net glucose absorption than either starch or dextrin infusions. Increasing infusion rates above 20 g/hr for both starch and dextrin resulted in no further increases in net glucose absorption. Even though the enzymatic starch and dextrin hydrolysis became saturated above 25 g/hr, the amount of starch and dextrin disappearing in the small intestine increased with higher infusion rates. This was accompanied by increased volatile fatty acid concentrations in the ileal fluid with starch and dextrin infusions, but not when glucose was infused. These data …
Effect Of Commercial Inoculants On Fermentation Of 1987 Silage Crops, K. Bolsen, A. Laytimi, R. Hart, L. Nuzback, F. Niroomand, L. Leipold, H Ilg
Effect Of Commercial Inoculants On Fermentation Of 1987 Silage Crops, K. Bolsen, A. Laytimi, R. Hart, L. Nuzback, F. Niroomand, L. Leipold, H Ilg
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Fourteen commercial silage inoculants were evaluated in 32 trials using nine different crop species harvested in 1987 and ensiled in PVC laboratory silos. Microorganism profiles of the crops showed high numbers of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in all but one trial. Most inoculants supplied relatively high numbers of LAB per gram of crop--52 of the 66 inoculant samples supplied more than 10 (100,000) viable LAB per gram. The forage crops--wheat, bromegrass, sudangrass, and alfalfa--were highly responsive to the inoculants. When compared to untreated silages, treated silages had lower pH, acetic acid, ethanol, and ammonia-nitrogen values and higher lactic acid content. …
Effect Of Environmental Temperature And Inoculants On The Fermentation Of Alfalfa And Forage Sorghum Silages, K. Bolsen, A. Laytimi, L. Nuzback, R. Hart
Effect Of Environmental Temperature And Inoculants On The Fermentation Of Alfalfa And Forage Sorghum Silages, K. Bolsen, A. Laytimi, L. Nuzback, R. Hart
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The inoculants, TriLac ®and Ecosyl® increased the rate and efficiency of the ensiling process in both high (50%) and low (32.5%) dry matter alfalfa, regardless of temperature. In both alfalfa trials, the inoculated silages had significantly lower pH, acetic acid, ethanol, and ammonia-nitrogen values and higher lactic acid values than their control counterparts. The inoculants worked equally well when fermentation was at 60 or 90 F. Although similar effects were obtained with forage sorghum, the differences were not as pronounced as those for the alfalfa silages.
Inoculant-Treated Corn Silages For Growing Cattle, K. Bolsen, B. Kireh, A. Laytimi, J. Hoover, H. Ilg
Inoculant-Treated Corn Silages For Growing Cattle, K. Bolsen, B. Kireh, A. Laytimi, J. Hoover, H. Ilg
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Whole-plant corn silages were treated with Ecosyl® in one trial and Biomate4ll or Silagest® in a second trial. In both trials, the silages were well preserved and moderately stable in air during the feed-out period. Inoculated silages had slightly lower ensiling temperatures than control silages. Laboratory silo results indicated that all silages fermented extremely fast, but inoculated silages did have slightly lower pH and higher lactic acid values during the first 4 days post-filling. Calves fed inoculated silage rations tended to gain faster and more efficiently than those fed control silages. Gain per ton of crop ensiled also favored the …
Whole-Plant Forage And Grain Sorghums And Corn Silages For Growing Cattle, B. Kirch, S. Hamma, K. Bolsen, J. Hoover, Jack G. Riley
Whole-Plant Forage And Grain Sorghums And Corn Silages For Growing Cattle, B. Kirch, S. Hamma, K. Bolsen, J. Hoover, Jack G. Riley
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Two trials were conducted to determine the feeding value of whole-plant forage sorghum, grain sorghum, and corn silages, with and without 25% rolled grain sorghum added to the ration. In general, growing cattle fed corn or grain sorghum silages out-performed those fed forage sorghum silages. Only forage sorghums with moderate grain yields supported gains approaching those from grain sorghum silages. With the addition of 25% rolled grain sorghum, cattle performance from the low and medium grain-yielding forage sorghum silages was improved greatly (gains by 20 to 44%, dry matter intake by 12 to 17%, feed conversion by 4 to 25%). …
Relationship Between Agronomic And Silage Quality Traits Of Forage Sorghum Cultivars, J. White, K. Bolsen, B. Kirch
Relationship Between Agronomic And Silage Quality Traits Of Forage Sorghum Cultivars, J. White, K. Bolsen, B. Kirch
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Results from two trials evaluating 11 forage sorghums as silage crops indicated that silage quality traits of voluntary intake, digestibility, and crude protein content were linearly associated with the agronomic characteristics of days to half bloom and plant height. Intake was negatively associated with plant height (r = -.49); digestibility was negatively associated with days to half bloom (r = -.39) and plant height (r = -.49); and crude protein was negatively associated with days to half bloom (r = - .51) and plant height (r = -. 71). Within the same cultivar, but between years, voluntary intake varied by …
Selecting Forage Sorghum Cultivars For Silage, J. White, K. Bolsen, B. Kirch, L. Pfaff
Selecting Forage Sorghum Cultivars For Silage, J. White, K. Bolsen, B. Kirch, L. Pfaff
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Eighty forage sorghum cultivars were compared in 1986 for agronomic and silage quality traits. Silage yield ranged from 5.3 to 10.0 tons (t) of dry matter (DM) per acre (mean, 7.4 t); grain yield, from 13 to 113 bushels (bu) per acre (mean, 66 bu). Percent lodging was extremely high, with a mean of 51% and only one cultivar free of lodging. Pre-ensiled DM content ranged from 22.2 to 35.4% (mean, 27.4%) and plant height from 85 to 180 inches (mean, 121 inches). Silage quality results showed that in vitro DM digestibility ranged from 44.6 to 62.1% (mean, 53%); crude …
Yield, Chemical Composition, And Feeding Value Of Winter Cereal Silages And Hays: A 3 Year Study, S. Azimi, K. Bolsen, A. Laytimi, S.H.M. Esmail, J. Hoover, Q.K. Ye
Yield, Chemical Composition, And Feeding Value Of Winter Cereal Silages And Hays: A 3 Year Study, S. Azimi, K. Bolsen, A. Laytimi, S.H.M. Esmail, J. Hoover, Q.K. Ye
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Three trials were conducted to compare silage and hay yields and feeding values of winter cereal foraged harvested in the boot and dough stages of maturity. Included were triticale; common rye; Kanby barley; and Centurk, Arkan, and Bounty 205 wheats. As expected, forage dry matter (DM) yields were higher at the dough stage then boot stage, and silage yields tended to be higher than those for hay. In Trials 2 and 3 (1986-87), barley and rye forage yields were lower than wheat yields. In all three years, wet weather conditions made hay-making difficult. In Trial 1, cattle performance from dough …
Effect Of Enzyme And Inoculant Additives On Preservation And Feeding Value Of Wheat And Forage Sorghum Silages, A. Laytimi, K. Bolsen, J. Schurhammer, B. Kirch
Effect Of Enzyme And Inoculant Additives On Preservation And Feeding Value Of Wheat And Forage Sorghum Silages, A. Laytimi, K. Bolsen, J. Schurhammer, B. Kirch
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Enzyme and inoculant additives produced more efficiently preserved wheat and forage sorghum silages and improved their feeding value. In general, treated silages had lower pH, acetic acid, and ammonia-nitrogen values and higher lactic acid and lactic to acetic acid ratios than untreated silages. In two of the three trials, cell wall and acid detergent fiber fractions were lower in treated than untreated silages. In Trial 2, the treated sorghum silages were extremely unstable in air and cattle performance was similar for control and treated silages. In Trial 3, gains and feed conversions in steers were improved for those fed treated …
The Effect Of Alfalfa Weevil Control On Alfalfa Hay Yield And Quality, B. Ritter, B. Bauernfeind
The Effect Of Alfalfa Weevil Control On Alfalfa Hay Yield And Quality, B. Ritter, B. Bauernfeind
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
A 2-year-old, irriagated alfalfa field was left untreated or treated with ¼ lb, ½ lb, or 1 lb of Furadan® per acre on April 5, 1986. Alfalfa weevil populations were determined 2,9,16 and 23 days post-spraying. Forage samples were collected at about the 1/10 bloom stage of maturity. All three Furadan levels provided excellent weevil control up to 23 days post-spraying, and all resulted in an increase in dry matter yield. But only the yield of the 1 lb./A. treatment was significantly (P<.15) greater than the untreated forage (1.97 vs. 2.44 tons/A). There was no difference in nutrient composition between the untreated and treated forage. All Furadan treatment resulted in a net economic gain per acre. In this study, between ½ lb and 1 lb Furadan per acre resulted in the greatest weevil control and economic return per acre.
Evaluation Of Mga And Prostaglandin As An Estrous Synchronization Procedure Under Field Conditions, P.L. Houghton, L.R. Corah, T.B. Goehring
Evaluation Of Mga And Prostaglandin As An Estrous Synchronization Procedure Under Field Conditions, P.L. Houghton, L.R. Corah, T.B. Goehring
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
When fed MGA (0.5 mg.hd/day) for 14 days, followed by a prostaglandin injection 17 days later, a total of 736 out of 1112 heifers at 11 locations expressed signs of estrus within 5 days following the PG injection for a 66.2% response to synchronization. Response rates between locations ranged from 33 to 95% (P<.05). In a comparison of prostaglandin forms at 5 locations, using 789 heifers, response to synchronization was similar (P=.66) between Lutalyse® (62.7% response) and Bovilene® (59.6% response). First-service conception rate was compared in 411 heifers at two locations and was higher for Lutalyse (68.996) than Bovilene (59.996) (P<.08). First-service conception rate varied by technician (P<.05) and ranged from 48.7 to 83.6%.
Effect Of Hay Quality And Breed On The Onset Of Puberty And Subsequent Reproductive Performance In Beef Heifers, R.C. Perry, L.R. Corah, R.C. Cochran, J.R. Brethour
Effect Of Hay Quality And Breed On The Onset Of Puberty And Subsequent Reproductive Performance In Beef Heifers, R.C. Perry, L.R. Corah, R.C. Cochran, J.R. Brethour
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The effect of hay quality on the onset of puberty and subsequent reproductive performance was evaluated in 51 3/4 Hereford x 1/4 Angus (HA) heifers and 47 3/4 Hereford x 1/4 Brahman (HB) heifers. Two qualities of alfalfa hay were fed ad libitum. along with an average of 3.1 lbs/hd/day of ground sorghum grain. HB heifers were heavier and carrying more backfat and body condition (P<.05) at the start of the experiment and they maintained their weight advantage through out the experiment. A higher (P<.05) percent of the UB heifers reached puberty by 14 and 15 months of age and became pregnant during a 45 day artificial insemination breeding period. HA heifers reached puberty at a lighter (P<.05) average weight. Heifers fed high quality alfalfa hay were heavier (P<.05) by the start of the breeding season and were carrying more (P<.05) backfat and body condition. A higher percent (P=.08) of the heifers receiving higher quality hay reached puberty by 16 months of age and a higher (P=.10) percent became pregnant during the breeding period. Heifers inseminated at their pubertal estrus had lower (P=.04) first service conception rates than heifers inseminated at their second or later estruses (52% vs. 88%).