Abstract
Abstract Future climate projections for the Midwest U.S.A. predict increased winter rainfall. The increase in winter rainfall will consequently increase soil moisture and allow for muddy conditions in paddocks. Muddy conditions can directly affect cows during late gestation by compromising insulative properties of the hair coat. It is likely that cold climatic conditions and mud increase a cow’s maintenance requirement during gestation and may affect growth of the fetus. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of muddy conditions on cow body weight (BW) and fetal growth during late gestation. Sixteen multiparous Angus cows (n = 8/treatment) were paired based on initial BW. One cow from each pair was randomly allocated to either the mud (MUD) or control (CON) treatment. Pens in the CON group were bedded with wood chips, while pens in the MUD group were designed to create a muddy lot (average depth of 23.6 ± 5.8 cm). Cows were housed individually and fed the same diet. Each pair was fed based on the NRC recommendations for maintenance and gestation. From day 213 to 269 of gestation, cows were weighed weekly. Conceptus free live weight (CFLW) was then calculated by subtracting the estimated weight of the gravid uterus from the cow’s weekly BW. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements (SAS 9.4). At time of study initiation, cows were of a similar BW (P > 0.05). By day 269 of gestation, the CFLW of the cows in the MUD group weighed 37.4 kg less compared with the CON group (P < 0.01), though calf birth weight was not different (P = 0.72). Cows in the CON group maintained CFLW throughout the treatment period, however, cows in the MUD group did not maintain CFLW during the treatment period.
Accepted Version
Published Version
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