EFFECTS OF FEED LEVEL AND YEAR-ROUND ENCLOSED, SEMI-ENCLOSED, OR OUTSIDE CONFINEMENT ON BEEF COW–CALF PERFORMANCE IN NORTHERN ONTARIO

Abstract

Shorthorn cows were confined year-round using three types of shelter (an enclosed barn, IN; a barn with free access to an outside yard, IN-OUT; and outside pens with only windbreak fences for shelter, OUT) and two types of feed (hay and grass silage) provided at three levels (ad libitum, L1 or 75%, L2 or 50%, L3, of ad libitum) until late pregnancy, after which all were fed their respective roughage ad libitum until late August weaning. No interactions were found among years, degree of shelter and feed levels. The average daily intake for hay and the corresponding average daily gain were greater (all differences cited were significant, P < 0.05) than those for silage. The daily intake and weight loss of the OUT cows were greater than those of the IN and IN-OUT cows. All differences among feed levels for daily intake and weight change were significant. Calves of dams fed hay were heavier at birth and grew more quickly. OUT calves were heavier than IN calves at birth, but their daily gain to weaning was considerably less than either IN or IN-OUT calves. Feed levels did not influence calf birth weight, but L1 calves gained more to weaning than L2 and L3 calves. Pregnancy percentages for IN cows were 91.7 (L1), 91.7 (L2) and 75.0 (L3); IN-OUT 88.9, 88.9 and 86.1 and OUT 88.9, 80.6 and 58.3. The general condition of OUT cows, especially those on L3 diet, was poor.