Beef cow reproduction as affected by postpartum nutrition and temporary calf removal

Abstract

Data were collected on 306 multiparous cows over a 3-yr period (1984–1986) to evaluate the effect of postpartum nutrition and temporary calf removal on reproductive performance. All cows calved in a body condition score (BCS) of ≥ 5 and were randomly allotted at parturition to an experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The factors consisted of high or low-flush levels of postpartum nutritional management, with or without temporary calf removal for 48 h prior to the breeding season. The high diet contained 26.0 Mcal metabolizable energy. The low regimen of the low-flush diet contained 14.7 Mcal metabolizable energy, with the flushing regime consisting of a diet of 36 Mcal metabolizable energy. The flushing diet was offered 2 wk prior to breeding through the first 30 d of breeding. Interval to estrus was 45 and 44 d for high and low-flush, respectively (P>0.05), while interval to estrus with temporary calf removal and without temporary calf removal was 47 and 42 d, respectively (P<0.05). Means for the cumulative percent in estrus at 20, 40 and 60 d of breeding, respectively, were high, 93, 97 and 98; low-flush, 95, 96 and 98; with temporary calf removal, 92, 96 and 99; and without temporary calf removal, 96, 97 and 98 (P>0.05). Interval to pregnancy was 81 and 82 d for high and low-flush, respectively (P>0.05), while interval to pregnancy with temporary calf removal and without temporary calf removal was 82 and 81 d, respectively (P>0.05). Cumulative percentages of animals pregnant at 20, 40 and 60 d of breeding, respectively, were high, 59, 83 and 91; low-flush, 59, 80 and 90; with temporary calf removal, 58, 83 and 91; and without temporary calf removal, 60, 80 and 90 (P>0.05). Calf performance in response to dam nutrition and temporary calf removal was not affected at weaning or at intervals prior to weaning (P>0.05). Interactions between nutrition level and removal of calf factors were not significant (P>0.05) for any of the parameters measured. The data suggest cows calving in BCS ≥ 5 have equivalent reproductive performance whether receiving high levels of energy postpartum or low levels of energy early postpartum, followed by a flushing diet fed immediately proceeding and continuing through the first 30 d of breeding. No beneficial effect of temporary calf removal was observed for cows calving with BCS ≥ 5.