Effect of Level of Supplemental Winter Feed on Calf Weight and on Milk Production of Fall-Calving Range Beef Cows1

Abstract

Fall-calving Hereford beef cows were fed different levels of supplemental winter feed on native grass pasture or in drylot with prairie hay as roughage during the winter. The difference in winter feed level for cows on native grass was accomplished by feeding an average daily quantity of 2.5 to 2.8 lb. of cottonseed meal to the low-level group and 1.8 to 2.6 lb. of cottonseed meal plus 3.8 to 4.8 lb. ground milo to the high-level group. The respective feed levels in drylot were 1.4 lb. cottonseed meal and 1.8 lb. cottonseed meal plus 4.8 lb. of ground milo. Winter weight losses of cows were decreased and spring weights of their calves were increased by the higher level of supplemental feeding. These differences in calf weights were significant in two of three trials. Weaning weights were significantly different only in one trial. Estimates of milk production were obtained by weighing calves before and after nursing. Milk production generally decreased during the winter, reaching a low point in March or April. A marked recovery in milk flow occurred with availability of spring grass and then declined until weaning in July. The increase in milk production in the spring was greatest for cows wintered on the low level. All milk yields were low but were generally increased by the higher level of supplemental winter feed, although the difference was significant only in one trial. The correlations between milk production of cows and average daily gains of their calves were high (0.75 to 0.91) and significant in six of nine groups. Other correlations were considerably lower and variable. Average daily gain or weaning weight of calves may be a good criterion for selecting range beef cows for milk production.