Abstract #738

Section: Beef Species
Session: Beef Species
Format: Oral
Day/Time: Wednesday 2:30 PM–2:45 PM
Location: Panzacola F-1
# 738
Effects of prepartum supplement level on growth performance, feed efficiency, and reproductive performance of female progeny.
Lindsay M. Shoup*1, Thomas B. Wilson1, Dianelys González-Peña1, Frank A. Ireland1, Sandra Rodriguez-Zas1, Tara L. Felix1, Daniel W. Shike1, 1University of Illinois, Urbana, IL.

Objectives were to determine the effect of prepartum dam supplement level on growth performance, feed efficiency, and reproductive performance of female progeny (127 heifers in yr 1, n = 9 dam pastures; 138 heifers in yr 2, n = 9 dam pastures). Mature, multiparous, Angus × Simmental cows (BW = 623 ± 70 kg; BCS = 5.7 ± 0.7) were offered 1 of 3 supplement levels (supplement contained 70% dried distiller’s grains plus solubles and 30% soybean hulls; fed 103 ± 11 d prepartum to 2 ± 11 d postpartum): no supplement (NS), 2.16 kg/d·hd−1 (LS), or 8.61 kg/d·hd−1 (HS) while grazing tall fescue pastures. Heifer progeny were weaned at 187 ± 11 d of age and retained as replacements in a fall-calving system. Experimental unit was pasture (9 per year), and data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. Dam prepartum supplementation did not affect (P = 0.99) heifer progeny BW at weaning. During a 70-d intake and feed efficiency evaluation, starting at 305 ± 31 d of age, DMI, ADG, and RFI were similar (P ≥ 0.14) among heifer progeny, regardless of dam supplement level. Heifer body weight and BCS, at start of 1st breeding season, also did not differ (P ≥ 0.60). Body weight at pregnancy verification, percentage of heifers that conceived to AI in 1st breeding season, and overall pregnancy percentage in 1st breeding season were not different (P ≥ 0.51) among heifer progeny, regardless of dam supplement level. At first calving, calf birth BW and percentage of unassisted births were similar (P ≥ 0.32) among heifer progeny, regardless of dam supplement level. Milk production also did not differ (P = 0.48) among heifer progeny, regardless of dam supplement level. In conclusion, these data suggest that within a fall-calving fescue-based production system, supplementing dams with 2.16 or 8.61 kg/d·hd−1 of a DDGS-based supplement does not affect growth performance, feed efficiency, and reproductive performance of subsequent female progeny.

Key Words: beef heifer development, fetal programming, maternal nutrition