Abstract
The objective of the experiment was to study the effects of two pre partum and four post partum feeding levels on the performance of 28 Hereford-Ayrshire and 30 Limousine-Ayrshire spring-calving mature cows in calf to Limousin and their calves from the beginning of indoor feeding until the end of grazing under Finnish climatic conditions. A 2 H 2 factorial design experiment consisted of a low (L) and moderate (M) pre partum feeding levels based on hay and straw and two post partum concentrate feeding levels, 1.5 and 3.5 kg/d (1 and 2, respectively). The treatments were replicated across the genotypes. For feeding level L the amount of roughage offered was restricted to proportionately 0.7 on a dry matter (DM) basis of feeding level M. Milled barley was offered at 1.3 kg DM/d to all cows 72 days pre calving. The experiment was divided into two parts, an indoor feeding (215 days) and grazing period (114 days). The indoor feeding period included three periods, from start of the study to the beginning of additional concentrate feeding (P1) and feeding additional concentrate supplements both pre (P2) and post calving (P3). On feeding level M cows had a daily intake of 9.1 and 10.4 kg DM during periods P1 and P2, respectively. During period P3 intake was 10.4 and 12.0 kg DM for 1 and 2. Corresponding values for feeding level L were 6.7, 8.0, 8.0 and 9.7 kg DM, respectively. At the onset of grazing, cows on feeding level M were 47 kg heavier (P
Highlights
Body condition at calving has a major role in reproductive performance of suckler cows, since it regulates the duration of post partum anoestrus (Wiltbank et al 1962, Selk et al 1988)
Two thirds of the annual energy and protein requirements of the beef cow are necessary for maintenance, requirements that are closely related to animal live weight
65% of the total feed consumed in the typical life time of a beef cow, is needed to get calves to the age of weaning (Gregory 1972)
Summary
Body condition at calving has a major role in reproductive performance of suckler cows, since it regulates the duration of post partum anoestrus (Wiltbank et al 1962, Selk et al 1988). The objective of the present experiment was to study under suckled-calf production in Finland and regions with similar climatic conditions the effects of two pre partum feeding levels based on hay and straw and four post partum feeding levels on the performance of HerefordAyrshire and Limousine-Ayrshire crossbred mature cows and their Limousin calves from the beginning of November until the end of grazing on September. 65% of the total feed consumed in the typical life time of a beef cow, is needed to get calves to the age of weaning (Gregory 1972). For these reasons restriction on intake is often recommended in order to reduce feeding costs, especially in marginal areas such as Finland with long indoor feeding periods and short grazing periods
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