evaluation of forage-based weaning systems in spring born cross-breed beef calves ronnie...
TRANSCRIPT
Evaluation of Forage-Based Weaning Systems
in Spring Born Cross-Breed Beef Calves
Ronnie Helmondollar
Randolph Co
WVU Extension service
Objective
Evaluate different supplements that may be used when weaning calves in a forage-based system
Determine the effect of early weaning on cow condition score
Why?
• Preconditioned calves have more market value than non-weaned calves
• The biggest expense in a weaning program is feed cost
• Cow Condition is a secondary benefit
Treatments
• Three treatments
– Commercial Pellet (Treatment I)
– Ground Corn/mineral premix (Treatment II)
– Pasture and mama (Treatment III)
Methods
• Weights were taken at:– Pre-weaning vaccination (Early August)
• Calves were blocked by sex, AOD and weight
– Weaning (Early September)• Randomly assigned to treatments within blocks
– Post Weaning (45 days- mid-October)• Treatment three calves were weaned at this time
Cow weights, BCS and ultrasound measurements were recorded at each of the three weigh periods
Weaning Management
• Vaccination– IBR, BVD I & II, PI3, Lepto– Clostridial – Haemophilus somnus – Pasturella– Dewormed, external parasites
– Dry lot until moved to pasture plots – 5-7 days
Paddocks
• Aftermath hay field – orchard grass, clover, fescue, bluegrass
• Strip grazed – polywire was moved once a week or sooner if needed
• Supplements were bunk feed once a day
Results
Treatment
35
40
45
50
55
Wei
gh
t ch
ang
e (k
gs)
1 2 3
Treatment
Effect of Treatment on Calf Weight Change
a
b b
Year
32
36
40
44
48
52
Wei
gh
t C
han
ge
(kg
s)
1 2 3
Year
Effect of Year on Calf Weaning Weight Change
a
b
c
Treatment x yearEffect of Treatment by Year on Calf Weaning
Weight Change
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
Year1 Year2 Year3
Wei
gh
t ch
ang
e (k
gs)
TRT1 TRT2 TRT3
**
†
Sex of calf
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
Wei
ght C
hang
e (k
gs)
Heifer Steer
Effect of sex of Calf on Weaning Weight Change
a
b
Sex x yearEffect of Sex of Calf by Year on Calf Weaning
Weight Change
202530354045505560
Year1 Year2 Year3
Wei
gh
t C
han
ge
(kg
s)
Heifer Steer
* *
Age of Dam
32
36
40
44
48
52
Wei
gh
t C
han
ge
(kg
s)
2 3 4
Age of Dam
Effect of Age of Dam on Calf Weaning Weight Change
a
bb
Cow information
Effects of Cow Age by Period on BCS Profile
4
4.5
5
5.5
6
6.5
EarlyWeaning
NormalWeaning
Pre-calving Postpartum Breeding EndBreeding
BC
S
2 3 4 5 ≥ 6
Effects of Cow Age by Treatment on BCS Profile
4.5
4.7
4.9
5.1
5.3
5.5
5.7
5.9
6.1
6.3
2 3 4 5 ≥ 6
BC
S
Control Early-Weaned
Effects of Cow Treatment by Period on BCS Profile
4
4.5
5
5.5
6
6.5
EarlyWeaning
NormalWeaning
Pre-calving Postpartum Breeding End Breeding
BC
S
Control Early-Weaned
Effects of Cow Treatment by Period on Ribfat Profile
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
EarlyWeaning
NormalWeaning
Pre-calving Postpartum Breeding
Rib
fat
(mm
)
Control Early-Weaned
Economic analysis of feeding energy supplement on pasture backgrounding programs
Treatment
Mean weight gain (kg)
Mean cost of weight gain ($)
Mean value
of gain* ($)
Mean cost of marginal gain ($)
Mean marginal value of gain*($)
Net return per kg
1 52.27 21.45 91.87 0.411 1.76 1.349
2 46.32 12.89 81.58 0.278 1.76 1.482
3 46.70 --- --- --- ---
Discussion
• Calves can be weaned in a forage system without sacrifice weight gain
• Steer calves gain more than heifer calves
• AOD can have an effect on weight gain
• Weather differences can effect weight gain
Discussion cont’d
• BCS can be improved by weaning calves
• BCS changes are maintained into the next breeding season
• Corn has a net advantage over a pelleted feed (processing corn will add to the cost of using corn)
Collaboration
• WVDA Land Division - Huttonsville Unit cows and calves were used as part of this project.
• Students from WVU Animal Science unit assisted with data collection
Thank you!!Thank you!!
Questions?Questions?