Effects of cornstalk maximizer on cow performance and reproduction as well as calf performance and health

Mature Simmental × Angus cows (n=96; 693±7.7 kg) were utilized to evaluate the effects of Cornstalk Calving Maximizer TMR® (CSMAX; US Feeds; Eldora, IA) supplement on cow/calf performance, reproduction, and health in a drylot system. Cows were blocked by age and calving date and assigned to one of 12 pens (8 cows·pen-1). Pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments which were provided from calving through breeding: control (CON; 0.30 kg·cow-1·d-1 wheat midds-based supplement including inorganic trace minerals, n=6) or CSMAX [0.30 kg·cow-1·d-1 of a wheat midds based supplement including: Cu, Zn, Mn, and Co as Bioplex® and Se as Selplex 2000®, 10 g·cow-1·d-1 Intergral A+®, 10 g·cow-1·d-1 Bio-Mos®, and 8 g·cow-1·d-1 Fibrozyme®; All technologies from Alltech, Nicholasville, KY; n=6]. Cow BW and BCS were determined post-calving, breeding, and weaning. Following AI (86±17 d postpartum), bulls were turned out for a 47 d breeding season and cattle were managed as a common group. There was a difference in cow BW at trial initiation (P = 0.05). Cow/calf BW and cow BCS did not differ (P ≥ 0.10) at any other time. Cows supplemented CSMAX tended (P = 0.07) to lose less BW through the supplementation period. Additionally, CSMAX improved diet digestibility (P < 0.01; CSMAX=70%, CON=63%). No differences in AI conception (P = 0.82; CSMAX=68.1% and CON=64.5%), overall pregnancy rate (P = 0.78), or cow/calf health parameters (P ≥ 0.10) were observed. Thus, supplementing drylot, lactating beef cows CSMAX improved dry matter digestibility which tended to decrease weight loss post-partum but this did not translate into an improvement in reproduction.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Animal Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Henley, Parker Allen

Contributors dc:contributor

• Shike, Daniel W.
• Parrett, Douglas F.
• McCann, Joshua C.

• Bio-Mos®
• Chelated trace minerals
• Cow-calf
• Fibrozyme®
• Intergral A+®

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2017 Parker Henley

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/99376

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/99376