Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Beef producers in Arkansas and across the Southeastern US, and fellow beef cow-calf researchers and Cooperative Extension personnel in the Southeastern US Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? "Managing Pastures for 300-d Grazing in the South." Forage In-Service Training - SWREC, August 6, 2013. "The SWREC's response to the drought" Drought Management In-Service Training - LRSO Little Rock November 20, 2012 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? University of Arkansas SWREC Field Day. Conducted March 20, 2012. The Livestock and Forestry Research Station Field Day. Conducted April 17, 2012 Arkansas Forage And Grassland Council Annual Fall Conference October 30, 2014; October 31, 2013 300-Days of Grazing in Southern Arkansas: SWREC Field Day, County Cooperative Extention Programs: "The True Value of Hay" Montgomery, Pike, Clark & Garland County Beef Forage Clinic, Cattleman's Livestock Auction Barn, Glenwood, AR, April 22, 2014. "Technology in Beef Production" Livestock and Forestry Research Station Field Day, Batesville, AR, April 15, 2014. "Matching Livestock Management with the Environment for Sustainable Production" Eastern Kentucky Cow-Calf Conference, Morehead, KY, November 2, 2013. "Using 300-d Grazing Principles to Reduce Winter Feeding in Southern Arkansas" Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council fall conference, Conway AR, October 31, 2013. "Matching Livestock Management with Forage Production" MSU and LSU Learn at Lunch Webinar Series (Invited presentation to Mississippi and Louisiana Producers). September 10, 2013 "Managing Pastures for 300-days of Grazing in the South" SW Pasture Renovation Conference, Hope, AR August 13, 2013. "Warm-Season Forage Options" Tri-County Pasture Renovation Meeting, March 7, 2013. "Renovating Pastures Following the Drought" Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference, February 23, 2013 "Interseeding Legumes into Perennial Pastures" Pasture Renovation Conference, February 19, 2013 "Alternative Feeds during a Drought" River Valley Beef Conference, February 12, 2013. "So you planted winter annuals - now what?" Arkansas Forage and Grassland Fall Conference, November 1, 2012. "Safe and Humane Livestock Handling" Arkansas Women in Ag Regional Field Day, SWREC Hope, AR, September 8, 2012 "Utilization and Management of Winter Annual Pastures" Southern Arkansas Winter Annuals Meeting, SWREC Hope, AR, August 27, 2012 "Feeding Alternatives to Hay" South Arkansas Drought Management Meeting, Garland Co., Hot Springs, AR, August 15, 2012 "Feeding Alternatives to Hay" South Arkansas Drought Management Meeting, Columbia Co. Magnolia, AR, August 8, 2012 "Using Cool-Season Annuals to Stretch Short Hay Supplies" River Valley Drought Management Workshop. Russellville, AR, July 10, 2012. "Matching Hay Quality to Animal Requirements" Sebastian County Hay Show, Greenwood, AR, August 21, 2014 "Management of Cool-Season Annuals for Weaned Calves" Washington County Grazing School, Fayetteville, AR, August 6, 2014. "Low Input Production Practices" Howard County Super Thursday Beef Clinic, July 31, 2014. "Forage Finishing Beef" Howard County Super Thursday Beef Clinic, July 31, 2014. "Growth Promoting Technology for Beef Production" Searcy County Cattlemen's Assoc. June 17, 2014. "Adding Value to Calves" Cleveland County Cattlemen's Assoc. May 22, 2014. "Growth Promoting Technologies for Beef Production" Little River County Cattlemen's Assoc. April 28, 2014. "Matching Hay Quality to Beef Cattle Requirements" Nevada County Winter Feeds Meeting. October 17, 2013 "Matching Hay Quality to Beef Cattle Requirements" Drew County Winter Feeds Meeting. October 15, 2013. "Using Cool-Season Annuals for Wintering Beef Cattle." Faulkner County Beef and Forages Meeting. August 28, 2013. "The Response to Drought at the SWREC" Polk County Beef and Forages Meeting, March 5, 2013. "Interseeding Legumes into Bermudagrass Pastures for Growing Beef Cattle" Little River Cattlemen's Association January 28, 2013. "Using the Grower Ration Balancer Program" Howard County Computer Ration Balancing Workshop. Nashville, AR October 30, 2012. "Using the Cowculator Supplementation Spreadsheet Tool" Howard County Computer Ration Balancing Workshop. Nashville, AR October 30, 2012. "Using the Feed Price Comparison Spreadsheet Tool." Howard County Computer Ration Balancing Workshop. Nashville, AR October 29, 2012. "Using the Medicated Feed Additive Spreadsheet Tool." Howard County Computer Ration Balancing Workshop. Nashville, AR October 29, 2012. "Effects of Animal Factors and Hay Quality on Hay Intake and Supplementation Requirements" Van Buren County Hay Show - Crawford, AR September 11, 2012. "Establishment and Management of Cool-Season Annual Pastures" Faulkner Co. Beef Management Meeting, September 10, 2012 "Effects of Animal Factors and Hay Quality on Hay Intake and Supplementation Requirements" Logan County Hay Show - Booneville, AR September 4, 2012. "Using the Grower Ration Balancer Program" Pike County Computer Ration Balancing Workshop, Murfreesboro, AR August 21, 2012. "Important Nutrients and Their Roles for Livestock Production" Pike County Computer Ration Balancing Workshop, Murfreesboro, AR August 20, 2012. "Using Cool-Season Annual Pasture for Wintering Beef Cattle". Union Co. Cattlemen's Meeting. El Dorado, AR. April 19, 2012. "Effectively Feeding Poultry Litter to Beef Cattle". Polk County Poultry Grower Workshop, March 12, 2012. "Modern Agriculture: Efficiently Feeding the World". Hope Lion Club, March 5, 2012. "Herbicides for Pasture Production" Nevada County Beef and Forages Lunch Meeting, February 10, 2012. "Modern Agriculture: Efficiently Feeding the World". Prescott Kiwanas, January 17, 2012. "Hungry and Nekkid:Don't Forget Where Your Food and Fiber Come From." Kiwanas Ag Day, Hope, November 22, 2011. "Stretching Your Hay" Boone County Cooperative Extension, Harrison. November 16, 2011. "Matching Supplementation Programs to Forage Quality and Cow Nutrient Requirements" Polk County Winter Feed Meeting, Mena, October 27, 2011. "Choosing the Right Mineral Supplement" Crawford County Ranch Tour, Alma, October 14, 2011 "Matching Supplementation Programs to Hay Quality for Beef Cows" Ouachita County Winter Feed Meeting Camden October 11, 2011. "Managing Your Cowherd Through the Drought" Howard County Cattlemen's Meeting, Nashville August, 29, 2011 "Managing Your Cowherd Through the Drought" Nevada County Cattlemen's Meeting, Nashville August, 22, 2011 "Programs at the SWREC" Hope Lions Club, Hope, AR. January 31, 2011 "Stretching hay supplies" Little River County Cattlemen's Association, Ashdown, AR, January 31, 2011. "Utilizing clovers in pastures" Little River Cattlemen's Association, Ashdown, AR. February 22, 2010. "Forage Management for the Hard Times", Montgomery County Cattlemen's Association, April 13, 2010. Mt Ida, AR. "Hay Test Results" Pope County Hay and Forage Testing Meeting. November 17, 2009. "Interpreting Your Hay Test Results", Polk County Hay Testing Meeting. October 29, 2009. "Interpreting Your Hay Test Results" Pike County Hay Testing Meeting. October 27, 2009. "Interpreting Your Hay Test Results" Faulkner County Hay Testing Meeting, October 21,2009. "Soil fertility and pasture management" Falkner Co. Beef Cattle Conference August 4, 2009. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Change in Knowledge: Tall Fescue in a Complementary Grazing Program for Spring Calving Beef Cows in Southern Arkansas. Neither bodyweight nor body condition score of cows were affected by tall fescue endophyte status (toxic versus non-toxic) nor clover addition to toxic endophyte tall fescue when used as a limit grazed supplement to warm-season grass pasture. Calf gains and weaning weights of calves were not affected by endophyte status or clover additions to toxic tall fescue. Pregnancy status at weaning were reduced in toxic endophyte tall fescue compared with non-toxic endophyte infected tall fescue, pregnancy was further reduced in toxic tall fescue interseeded with clovers indicating that reduced forage availability reduced digestible energy intake in these pastures and clovers were not able to offset toxic effects of tall fescue. Weaning weight per cow exposed to a bull was also reduced in cows limit grazing toxic endophyte tall fescue and toxic tall fescue interseeded with clovers. Effect Of Cowsize And Stocking Rate On Calf Growth, Hay Requirements And Cow Herd Efficiency. Over the entire 4-yr period predicted calf weaning weights decreased (P = 0.05) with increasing SR for both large and small cows but calf BW at weaning were decreased to a greater extent in large cows compared with small (-21 kg vs -17 kg, respectively; P = 0.05). There was however a linear effect (P = 0.05) of SR on predicted calf gains = 162 - 0.02 Cow BW - 14.9 SR. Weaning efficiency (WE, kg of calf weaning weight per kg of cow BW at weaning) was affected by a cow BW by SR interaction (P = 0.02), for large cows WE = 0.58 - 0.62 SR + 0.46 SR2 while for small cows WE = 0.53 - 0.24 SR + 0.18 SR2. There were linear increases (P < 0.01) in calf weaning weight per ha and total calf gain per ha with increasing SR, but cow size only affected weaning weight per hectare (increasing 0.24 kg for each kg increase in cow BW (P = 0.05). Hay feeding days, total hay fed per cow, and hay fed per kg metabolic BW increased linearly (P = 0.05) with increasing SR, yet cow BW had no affect (P > 0.13). These data indicate that increasing cow size can increase weaning BW of calves, but does not affect total production per ha and reduces weaning weight efficiency ratios. Increasing SR reduces individual calf BW gain but increases total calf gain per ha, and increased requirements of conserved forages.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Beck, P. A., C. B. Stewart, M. S. Gadberry, S. A. Gunter, C. A. Young, and A. A. Hopkins. 2014. Using tall fescue in a complimentary grazing program for spring calving beef cows in southern Arkansas USA. Prof. Anim. Sci. 30:423-431
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Stewart, B., P. Beck, L. Sullivan, M. Sims, and J. Jennings. 2014. Reducing winter feeding needs in Southern Arkansas through the use of best management grazing principles. J. Anim. Sci. 92 (E-Suppl.1): 544 (Abstr.)
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Producers in southern Arkansas and across the Southeastern United States and Southern Plains, county Extension agents in Arkansas and surrounding states, and researchers in beef production Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Results of this research was presented to beef producers at the Eastern Oklahoma Beef Cattle Summit, at the 2013 SWREC Beef and Forages Field day, the Arkansas Forage and Grasslands Annual meeting, and to the Southwest Arkansas Cow Calf Conference. The research 'Effect of Cow-Size and Stocking Rate on Calf Growth, Hay Requirements and Cow Herd Efficiency' was also presented to the American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting, February, 2013. in Orlando, FL. Two Cooperative Extension agent in-service trainings were conducted that highlighted the results of these research studies. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results of this research was presented to beef producers at the Eastern Oklahoma Beef Cattle Summit, at the 2013 SWREC Beef and Forages Field day and to the Southwest Arkansas Cow Calf Conference. The research 'Effect of Cow-Size and Stocking Rate on Calf Growth, Hay Requirements and Cow Herd Efficiency' was also presented to the American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting, February, 2013. in Orlando, FL. Ten presentations were delivered to county and multicounty Extension audiences during 2013. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? One of the major expenses in managing a beef herd is winter feeding and supplementation. In the South we are blessed with mild winters and ample rainfall resulting in an environment suitable for nearly year-round forage production, causing one to consider reasons for the high winter feeding costs of many producers in Arkansas. Research conducted at the University of Arkansas Southwest Research & Extension Center indicates that cows fed low quality grass hay can successfully be maintained through the using small grain and annual ryegrass pasture limit grazed 6 hours per day for 2 to 3 days per week in place of a concentrate based supplement. This research from the SWREC has shown when limit grazing cool-season annual grasses as a supplement in a complementary forage system, energy and CP supplementation is not required and hay requirements are reduced 23% for gestating and lactating beef cows, these complimentary forages are useful to reduce cow carrying costs because they supply green growing forage at a time when forage is usually not available. Rotational grazing can increase the harvest efficiency of grazing livestock by 100%, with this increase in harvest efficiency stocking rates of cow herds may be increased or extra forage could be stockpiled for use in later seasons when forage would be limiting. This research is proposed in order to determine 1) the effects rotational grazing management, stockpiling, and complimentary forages and 2) evaluate increased stocking rate of rotationally grazed pastures on cow and calf performance, feeding requirements of conserved forages and whole herd economics.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Over 3-yr, spring calving beef cows (n = 108, yr 1; n = 72, yr 2 and 3; initial fall BW = 480 ± 8.6 kg, BCS = 5.5 ± 0.07; age = 6 ± 2.6 yr) grazed 6 warm-season grass pastures (4.8 ha) in the summer and limit-grazed tall fescue (Festuca arundicea) pastures (2.4 ha) during the winter and spring. Limit-grazed pastures were: non-toxic endophyte infected tall fescue (NE), toxic endophyte infected tall fescue (TEF), or toxic endophyte infected tall fescue established with white, red, and crimson clovers (TECL). Cow BCS at calving tended to be less (P = 0.09) for NE than TEF and TECL, but was greater (P = 0.02) for NE than TEF and TECL in April, before breeding, and TEF tended (P = 0.08) to have greater BCS than TECL. At weaning, BCS of NE was less (P = 0.05) than TEF and TECL. Pregnancy percentage was greater (P = 0.02) for NE than TEF and TECL and was greater (P = 0.05) for TEF than TECL. Calf BW was unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.17), but weaning BW per cow exposed to a bull was greater (P = 0.02) for NE than TEF and TECL. The results of this experiment indicate that improvements in pregnancy rates with non-toxic endophyte infected tall fescue led to increased calf BW at weaning per cow exposed to a bull, an important profitability indicator. Including clovers in TE pastures did not improve calf performance or pregnancy rates compared with TEF. Objective 2: Eight 4 ha mixed warm-season grass pastures at the University of Arkansas SWREC Cow-Calf Unit were stocked with spring calving cows at 4 stocking rates (SR, 1, 1.5, 2, or 2.5 cow calf pairs per ha) over 4 yr. Cows were segregated into large (BW = 555 ± 41.9 kg) and small (BW = 440 ± 24.8 kg) BW groups. Each pasture received 112 kg/ha N as ammonium nitrate in May and was broadcast seeded to annual ryegrass in mid October each fall along with 112 kg/ha N as ammonium nitrate. Forage availability of pastures was estimated monthly by rising plate meter during the grazing period. At time of rising plate data collection, forage grab samples were collected for estimation of diet quality. Data were analyzed by regression to determine the effects of cow size and stocking rate on calf performance, cow BW change, calf gain and weaning weight per ha, and hay feeding requirements. Over the entire 4-yr period predicted calf weaning weights decreased (P = 0.05) with increasing SR for both large and small cows but calf BW at weaning were decreased to a greater extent in large cows compared with small (-21 kg vs -17 kg, respectively; P = 0.05). There was however a linear effect (P = 0.05) of SR on predicted calf gains = 162 - 0.02 Cow BW – 14.9 SR (R2 = 0.04, P = 0.01). Weaning efficiency (WE, kg of calf weaning weight per kg of cow BW at weaning) was affected by a cow BW by SR interaction (P = 0.02), for large cows WE = 0.58 – 0.62 SR + 0.46 SR2 while for small cows WE = 0.53 – 0.24 SR + 0.18 SR2. There were linear increases (P < 0.01) in calf weaning weight per ha and total calf gain per ha with increasing SR, but cow size only affected weaning weight per hectare (increasing 0.24 kg for each kg increase in cow BW (P = 0.05). Hay feeding days, total hay fed per cow, and hay fed per kg metabolic BW increased linearly (P = 0.05) with increasing SR, yet cow BW had no affect (P > 0.13). These data indicate that increasing cow size can increase weaning BW of calves, but does not affect total production per ha and reduces weaning weight efficiency ratios. Increasing SR reduces individual calf BW gain but increases total calf gain per ha, and increased requirements of conserved forages.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Gunter, S. A., P. A. Beck, and D. M. Hallford. 2013. Effect of supplementary selenium source on the blood parameters in beef cows and their nursing calves. Biological Trace Element Res. Online doi: 10.1007/s12011-013-9620-0
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Williamson, J. A., R. R. Reuter, J. A. Apple, C. B. Stewart, H. C. Gray, and P. A. Beck. 2013. Growth promoting implants and nutrient restriction prior to feeding: effect on finishing performance, carcass composition, carcass quality, and consumer acceptability of beef. J. Anim. Sci. (submitted MS# E-2013-7170)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Beck, P. A., K. D. Poe, C. B. Stewart, P. K. Capps, H. C. Gray. 2013. Effect of brown midrib gene and maturity at harvest on forage yield and nutritive quality of sudangrass. Grassland. Sci. 59:52-58. doi: 10.1111/grs.12007
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Beck, P. A., C. B. Stewart, H. C. Gray, M. S. Gadberry, A. A. Hopkins. 2014. Using Tall Fescue in a Complementary Grazing Program for Spring Calving Beef Cows in Southern Arkansas. Prof. Anim. Sci. (submitted)
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
P. Beck, B. Stewart. H. Gray, and S. Gadberry. 2013. Effect of Cow-Size and Stocking Rate on Calf Growth, Hay Requirements and Cow Herd Efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. 91 (E-Suppl.1): 18
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Tall Fescue in a Complementary Grazing Program for Spring Calving Beef Cows in Southern Arkansas. Six bermudagrass pastures (7.3 ha/pasture) located at the SWREC Cow Calf Unit were stocked with 18 cows / pasture in year one and 12 cows/pasture in years 2 and 3. One-third of total pasture area (2.4 ha) was planted to either toxic or novel endophyte tall fescue. On October 7-10, 2008, 2 pastures of toxic endophyte AGRFA 144 were interseeded with white, red; and Crimson clovers. In early November of each year, 108 gestating beef cows selected from a group of 200 cows (4 to 5 months bred, average age 7 yr) were allocated to 6 groups by body weight, parity, and body condition score. Cows were fed low quality warm-season grass hay (9% CP and 54% TDN). Beginning in December, tall fescue pastures were limit grazed by cows residing in the bermudagrass base pasture for 1 to 4 days per week for 8 hours depending on forage availability and cow needs. Tall fescue pastures continued to be limit grazed until the growth of fescue and/or clovers slows, clovers were allowed to bloom and produce seed, and tall fescue pastures were flash grazed as needed through the summer to reduce shading from encroaching warm-season grasses. At calving (February and March) BCS of the cows, birth weight of the calves, calving ease, and vigor of the calves were assessed (bull calves castrated at this time). Cow body weight and body condition score were assessed in early January, April, May, July and October. The experiment was analyzed using PROC MIXED (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) as a completely randomized design with the effect of treatment and the covariates of cow age and calving date in the model. Effect Of Cowsize And Stocking Rate On Calf Growth, Hay Requirements And Cow Herd Efficiency. Eight 4 ha mixed warm-season grass pastures at the University of Arkansas SWREC Cow-Calf Unit were stocked with spring calving cows at 4 stocking rates (SR, 1, 1.5, 2, or 2.5 cow calf pairs per ha) over 4 yr. Cows were segregated into large (BW = 555 kg) and small (BW = 440 kg) BW groups. Each pasture received 112 kg/ha N as ammonium nitrate in May and was broadcast seeded to annual ryegrass in mid October each fall along with 112 kg/ha N as ammonium nitrate. Forage availability of pastures was estimated monthly by rising plate meter during the grazing period. At time of rising plate data collection, forage grab samples were collected for estimation of diet quality. Data were analyzed by regression to determine the effects of cow size and stocking rate on calf performance, cow BW change, calf gain and weaning weight per ha, and hay feeding requirements. Events: University of Arkansas SWREC Field Day. Conducted March 20, 2012. The Livestock and Forestry Research Station Field Day. Conducted April 17, 2012 PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Producers, county agents and researchers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Change in Knowledge: Tall Fescue in a Complementary Grazing Program for Spring Calving Beef Cows in Southern Arkansas. Neither bodyweight nor body condition score of cows was affected by tall fescue endophyte status (toxic versus non-toxic) nor clover addition to toxic endophyte tall fescue when used as a limit grazed supplement to warm-season grass pasture. Calf gains and weaning weights of calves were not affected by endophyte status or clover additions to toxic tall fescue. Pregnancy status at weaning was reduced in toxic endophyte tall fescue compared with non-toxic endophyte infected tall fescue, pregnancy was further reduced in toxic tall fescue interseeded with clovers indicating that reduced forage availability reduced digestible energy intake in these pastures and clovers were not able to offset toxic effects of tall fescue. Weaning weight per cow exposed to a bull was also reduced in cows on limit grazing toxic endophyte tall fescue and toxic tall fescue interseeded with clovers. Effect Of Cowsize And Stocking Rate On Calf Growth, Hay Requirements And Cow Herd Efficiency. Over the entire 4-yr period predicted calf weaning weights decreased (P = 0.05) with increasing SR for both large and small cows but calf BW at weaning were decreased to a greater extent in large cows compared with small (-21 kg vs -17 kg, respectively; P = 0.05). There was however a linear effect (P = 0.05) of SR on predicted calf gains = 162 - 0.02 Cow BW - 14.9 SR. Weaning efficiency (WE, kg of calf weaning weight per kg of cow BW at weaning) was affected by a cow BW by SR interaction (P = 0.02), for large cows WE = 0.58 - 0.62 SR + 0.46 SR2 while for small cows WE = 0.53 - 0.24 SR + 0.18 SR2. There were linear increases (P < 0.01) in calf weaning weight per ha and total calf gain per ha with increasing SR, but cow size only affected weaning weight per hectare (increasing 0.24 kg for each kg increase in cow BW (P = 0.05). Hay feeding days, total hay fed per cow, and hay fed per kg metabolic BW increased linearly (P = 0.05) with increasing SR, yet cow BW had no affect (P > 0.13). These data indicate that increasing cow size can increase weaning BW of calves, but does not affect total production per ha and reduces weaning weight efficiency ratios. Increasing SR reduces individual calf BW gain but increases total calf gain per ha, and increased requirements of conserved forages.
Publications
- Gunter, S. A., Whitworth, W. A., Montgomery, T. G., and Beck, P. A. 2012. Cool season annual pastures with clovers to supplement wintering beef cows nursing calves. J. Anim. Sci. Biotech. 3:25. Available online: doi:10.1186/2049-1891-3-25.
- Beck, P., Stewart, B. Gray, H., and Gadberry, S. 2013. Effect of Cow-Size and Stocking Rate on Calf Growth, Hay Requirements and Cow Herd Efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. 91 (E-Suppl.1): in press (Abstr.).
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Forage and Supplementation Systems (Objective 1). Six bermudagrass pastures (7.3 ha/pasture) located at the SWREC Cow Calf Unit were stocked with 18 cows per 7.3 ha pasture in year 1; 15 cows per pasture in year 2; and 15 cows per pasture in year 3. One-third of total pasture area (2.4 ha) was planted to either toxic (n=4) or novel endophyte (n=2) tall fescue. On October 7-10, 2008, 2 pastures of toxic endophyte AGRFA 144 were interseeded with white, red; and Crimson clovers. In early November of year 1, gestating beef cows selected from a group of 200 cows (4 to 5 months bred, average age 5.6 yr of age) were allocated to 6 groups by body weight, parity, and body condition score, in subsequent years open (non-pregnant) cows were replaced using cows of similar breeding and age. Cows were fed low quality warm-season grass hay (9% CP and 54% TDN). Beginning in December, tall fescue pastures were limit grazed by cows residing in the bermudagrass base pasture for 1 to 4 days per week for 8 hours depending on forage availability and cow needs. Tall fescue pastures were limit grazed until the growth of fescue and/or clovers slowed in the late spring of each year, clovers were then allowed to bloom and produce seed, and tall fescue pastures flash grazed as needed through the summer to reduce shading from encroaching warm-season grasses. At calving (February and March) BCS of the cows, birth weight of the calves, calving ease, and vigor of the calves was accessed. Cow body weight and body condition score was assessed in early January, April, May, July and October. The experiment was analyzed using PROC MIXED (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) as a completely randomized design with year as a repeated measure. Cow-Size and Stocking Rate (Objective 2). Eight 4 ha mixed bermudagrass/dallisgrass pastures located at the SWREC Cow Calf Unit were stocked with 56 mature beef cows. Cows were segregated into large (579 +/- 7.1 kg) and small (468 +/- 7.1 kg) body weight groups and stocked at 4, 6, 8, or 10 cows per pasture in early May. Cows remained on pastures until calves were weaned in early October in year 1 when flooded pasture conditions forced destocking of pastures, cows were fed in 2 groups, segregated based on mature bodyweight (ie maintaining large and small bodyweight groups. Cows were left on original pastures during the winter of years 2 and 3. During the winter of each year hay (9% CP and 54% TDN) was offered ad libitum to each group of cows, until annual ryegrass in pastures was ready for grazing in the spring of each year. Data were analyzed by regression to determine the effects of cow size and stocking rate on calf performance, cow BW change, and calf gain per ha. PARTICIPANTS: Paul Beck, principal investigator, is a ruminant nutritionist and forage management specialist with the University of Arkansas Southwest Research and Extenion Center. Shane Gadberry, a ruminant nutritionist Livestock Extension Specialist in the Little Rock State Office, is involved with these projects as a co-investigator. Brett Barham, a Breeding and Genetics Specialist in the Cooperative Extension Service Little Rock State Office is involved with these projects as a co-investigator. Whitney Whitworth, a reproductive physiologist at the University of Arkansas - Monticello and SEREC is involved with these projects as a co-investigator. Brandon Stewart, BS Agricultural Science Southern Arkansas University, is a Program Technician involved with day to day management of the cow-calf herd and research. Hannah Gray, BS Animal Science/Agriculture education University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, has joined the Southwest Research and Extension Center as a Program Technician and is involved with day to day management of forages and nutrition laboratory and forage management studies. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for these projects is the beef producers of southwest Arkansas and the Southeastern United States. These beef producers are reached through direct educational meetings, one-on-one counsultation, etc and through train the trainer activities such as county agent in-service training. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
In the 3 years of this study the spring calving cows grazing warm-season grass-based forage system got no added benefit in cow gain, calf weaning weight, or cow body weight from using non-toxic endophyte infected tall fescue compared to toxic endophyte infected tall fescue or toxic-endophyte tall fescue with clovers. There was a tendency for greater BCS at calving for cows on non-toxic tall fescue compared with toxic-endophyte tall fescue. There were significantly greater BCS at the end of the calving season for cows on non-toxic endophyte infected tall fescue, which corresponds with increases in breeding percentages (82%, 65%, 67%, for non-toxic fescue, toxic fescue, and toxic fescue with clovers, respectively), as well as greater weaning weight per cow exposed to a bull (175, 152, and 119 kg of weaning weight/cow exposed, for non-toxic fescue, toxic fescue, and toxic fescue with clovers, respectively). COW SIZE AND STOCKING RATE: Predicted calf weaning weights increased by 0.11 kg for each kg increase in cow BW, but stocking rate had a quadratic effect of SR on calf weaning weight = 246 + 0.05 Cow BW - 226 SR +150 SR2. The change in cow BW during the grazing period decreased linearly with increasing SR and decreased with increasing cow size. Weaning efficiency (kg of calf weaning weight per 100 kg of cow BW at weaning) decreased by 0.38 per kg of cow BW. There were linear increases in calf weaning weight per ha and total calf gain per ha with increasing SR, but cow size had no effect on either. These data indicate that increasing cow size can increase weaning BW of calves, but does not affect total production per ha and reduces weaning weight efficiency ratios. Increasing SR reduces individual calf BW gain but increases total calf gain per ha.
Publications
- Barham, B., Beck, P., Gadberry, S., Apple, J., Whitworth, W., and Miller, M. 2012. Effect of age entering the feedlot and implant potency on animal performance, carcass quality, and consumer acceptance of beef. Prof. Anim. Sci. 28:30-31.
- Beck, P., Barham, B., Gadberry, S., Apple, J., Whitworth, W., and M. Miller, W. 2012. Effect of age entering the feedlot and implant regimen on finishing system profitability. Prof. Anim. Sci.28:32-40.
- Beck, P. A. 2011. Matching livestock management to forage production. Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council. Conway, AR. November 3, 2011.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Forage and Supplementation Systems (Objective 1). Six bermudagrass pastures (7.3 ha/pasture) located at the SWREC Cow Calf Unit were stocked with 18 cows per 7.3 ha pasture in year 1 and 15 cow per pasture in year 2. One-third of total pasture area (2.4 ha) was planted to either toxic or novel endophyte tall fescue. On October 7-10, 2008, 2 pastures of toxic endophyte AGRFA 144 were interseeded with white, red; and Crimson clovers. In early November of each year, gestating beef cows selected from a group of 200 cows (4 to 5 months bred, average age 5.6 yr of age) were allocated to 6 groups by body weight, parity, and body condition score. Cows were fed low quality warm-season grass hay (9% CP and 54% TDN). Beginning in December, tall fescue pastures were limit grazed by cows residing in the bermudagrass base pasture for 1 to 4 days per week for 8 hours depending on forage availability and cow needs. Tall fescue pastures were limit grazed until the growth of fescue and/or clovers slows, clovers were then allowed to bloom and produce seed, and tall fescue pastures flash grazed as needed through the summer to reduce shading from encroaching warm-season grasses. At calving (February and March) BCS of the cows, birth weight of the calves, calving ease, and vigor of the calves was accessed. Cow body weight and body condition score was assessed in early January, April, May, July and October. The experiment was analyzed using PROC MIXED (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) as a completely randomized design with the effect of treatment and the covariates of cow age and calving date in the model. Cow-Size and Stocking Rate (Objective 2). Eight 4 ha mixed bermudagrass/dallisgrass pastures located at the SWREC Cow Calf Unit were stocked with 56 mature beef cows. Cows were segregated into large (579 +/- 7.1 kg) and small (468 +/- 7.1 kg) body weight groups and stocked at 4, 6, 8, or 10 cows per pasture in early May. Cows remained on pastures until calves were weaned in early October in year 1, but were left on original pastures during the winter of year 2. Data were analyzed by regression to determine the effects of cow size and stocking rate on calf performance, cow BW change, and calf gain per ha. EFFECT OF CREEP FEEDING AND TYPE OF CREEP FEED ON PRE- and POST WEANING PRODUCTION AND SUBSEQUENT CARCASS QUALITY. Calves from the SWREC and SEREC cowherds were offered 1) No Creep, 2) Corn-Based Creep, or 3) Digestible-Fiber Byproduct Based Creep for 90-days pre-weaning. Upon weaning the calves were place in dry-lot growing pens and fed either a Corn-Based or Digestible Fiber Based-growing diet for 45-days, then shipped to a west Texas feedlot for finishing. Carcass data was collected and shear force, sensory panel, and proximate analysis was conducted on strip loins following slaughter. The data from these research studies were disseminated to area producers, extension personnel, and outside researchers through extension presentations at county level and regional Cooperative Extension meetings, the SWREC Field Day, through individualized consultation, presentations at professional meetings, and peer reviewed journals. PARTICIPANTS: Paul Beck, principal investigator, is a ruminant nutritionist and forage management specialist with the University of Arkansas Southwest Research and Extenion Center. Shane Gadberry, a ruminant nutritionist Livestock Extension Specialist in the Little Rock State Office, is involved with these projects as a co-investigator. Brett Barham, a Breeding and Genetics Specialist in the Cooperative Extension Service Little Rock State Office is involved with these projects as a co-investigator. Whitney Whitworth, a reproductive physiologist at the University of Arkansas - Monticello and SEREC is involved with these projects as a co-investigator. Brandon Stewart, BS Agricultural Science Southern Arkansas University, is a Program Technician involved with day to day management of the cow-calf herd and research. Hannah Gray, BS Animal Science/Agriculture education University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, has joined the Southwest Research and Extension Center as a Program Technician and is involved with day to day management of forages and nutrition laboratory and forage management studies. Mark Morgan, graduate student University of Arkansas Fayetteville. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for these projects is the beef producers of southwest Arkansas and the Southeastern United States. These beef producers are reached through direct educational meetings, one-on-one counsultation, etc and through train the trainer activities such as county agent in-service training. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
FORAGE SUPPLEMENTATION SYSTEMS: In the 2 years of this study the spring calving cows grazing warm-season grass-based forage system got no added benefit in cow gain, calf weaning weight, or cow body weight from using non-toxic endophyte infected tall fescue compared to toxic endophyte infected tall fescue or toxic-endophyte tall fescue with clovers. There was a tendency for greater BCS following calving for cows on non-toxic tall fescue compared with toxic-endophyte tall fescue, which corresponds with increases in breeding percentages (82%, 65%, 67%, for non-toxic fescue, toxic fescue, and toxic fescue with clovers, respectively), as well as weaning weight per cow exposed to a bull (173, 147, and 151 lbs of weaning weight/cow exposed, for non-toxic fescue, toxic fescue, and toxic fescue with clovers, respectively). COW SIZE AND STOCKING RATE: Predicted calf weaning weights increased by 0.11 kg for each kg increase in cow BW, but stocking rate had a quadratic effect of SR on calf weaning weight = 246 + 0.05 Cow BW - 226 SR +150 SR2. The change in cow BW during the grazing period decreased linearly with increasing SR and decreased with increasing cow size. Weaning efficiency (kg of calf weaning weight per 100 kg of cow BW at weaning) decreased by 0.38 per kg of cow BW. There were linear increases in calf weaning weight per ha and total calf gain per ha with increasing SR, but cow size had no effect on either. These data indicate that increasing cow size can increase weaning BW of calves, but does not affect total production per ha and reduces weaning weight efficiency ratios. Increasing SR reduces individual calf BW gain but increases total calf gain per ha. CREEP FEEDING AND CARCASS QUALITY: Creep feeding, regardless of type of creep feed, increased pre-weaning gains of spring-born calves grazing warm-season grass pasture at the SWREC study site; while creep feeding had no influence on performance of fall-born calves grazing coo-season annual pastures at the SEREC study site. Performance of the calves following weaning was not affected by creep feeding, type of creep, or type of preconditioning diet, but creep fed calves from SWREC retained the increased body weight at feedlot entry. Days on feed, finishing performance, carcass quality, shear force, and sensory panel results were not affected by creep feeding, type of creep, or preconditioning diet.
Publications
- Beck, P., Stewart, B., Gray, H., Smith, J., and Gadberry, S. 2010. Effect of cow-size and stocking rate during summer grazing on calf growth and cow herd efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-suppl. 3):17 (Abstr.).
- Gadberry, M. S., Beck, P.A., Simon, K., and Hubbell, D. 2010. Distance to water effects on forage mass pattern for cattle grazing toxic and non-toxic fescue. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-suppl. 3):18 (Abstr.).
- Gadberry, M. S., Beck, P.A., Barham, B., Whitworth, W., and Apple, J. 2010. Does creep feed and backgrounding energy source affect lifetime growth performance and carcass characteristics of nursing calves pastured on annual ryegrass J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-suppl. 2):70-71 (Abstr.).
- Barham, B., Beck, P. A., Gadberry, M. S., Whitworth, W., and Apple, J. 2010. Does creep feed and backgrounding energy source affect lifetime growth performance and carcass characteristics of nursing calves pastured on improved warm-season grasses J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-suppl. 2):71(Abstr.).
- Gadberry, M. S., Beck, P., Barham, B., Whitworth, W., Montgomery, G., and Apple, J. 2010. Impact of a starch- or fiber-based creep feed and backgrounding diet on calf growth performance and carcass characteristics. 2010 Animal Science Dept. Rep. RS. 585: 89-91.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Forage and Supplementation Systems (Objective 1). Six bermudagrass pastures (7.3 ha/pasture) located at the SWREC Cow Calf Unit are stocked with 18 cows / pasture. One-third of total pasture area (2.4 ha) were planted to either toxic or novel endophyte tall fescue. On October 7-10, 2008, 2 pastures of toxic endophyte AGRFA 144 were interseeded with white, red; and Crimson clovers. In early November of each year, 108 gestating beef cows selected from a group of 200 cows (4 to 5 months bred, average age 7 yr) were allocated to 6 groups by body weight, parity, and body condition score. Cows were fed low quality warm-season grass hay (9% CP and 54% TDN). Beginning in December, tall fescue pastures were limit grazed by cows residing in the bermudagrass base pasture for 1 to 4 days per week for 8 hours depending on forage availability and cow needs. Tall fescue pastures were limit grazed until the growth of fescue and/or clovers slows, clovers were then allowed to bloom and produce seed, and tall fescue pastures flash grazed as needed through the summer to reduce shading from encroaching warm-season grasses. At calving (February and March) BCS of the cows, birth weight of the calves, calving ease, and vigor of the calves was accessed. Cow body weight and body condition score was assessed in early January, April, May, July and October. The experiment was analyzed using PROC MIXED (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) as a completely randomized design with the effect of treatment and the covariates of cow age and calving date in the model. Cow-Size and Stocking Rate (Objective 2). Eight 4 ha mixed bermudagrass/dallisgrass pastures located at the SWREC Cow Calf Unit were stocked with 56 mature beef cows. Cows were segregated into large and small body weight groups and stocked at 4, 6, 8, or 10 cows per pasture in early May. Cows remained on pastures until calves were weaned in early October. When forage availability becomes limiting and hay feeding begins, number and weight of bales will be recorded for each cow group. Performance of the calves will be followed through subsequent stages of production. Post-weaning performance (gain and body weight) will be determined during the stocker phase on small-grain pasture and through the finishing phase. Data were analyzed by regression to determine the effects of cow size and stocking rate on calf performance, cow BW change, and calf gain per ha. The data from this research will be disseminated to area producers, extension personnel, and outside researchers through extension presentations at county level and regional meetings, through individualized consultation, presentations at professional meetings, and peer reviewed journals. PARTICIPANTS: Paul Beck, principal investigator, is a ruminant nutritionist and forage management specialist with the University of Arkansas Southwest Research and Extenion Center. Shane Gadberry, a ruminant nutritionist Livestock Extension Specialist in the Little Rock State Office, is involved with these projects as a co-investigator. Brandon Stewart, BS Agricultural Science Southern Arkansas University, is a Program Technician involved with day to day management of the cow-calf herd and research. Hannah Gray, BS Animal Science/Agriculture education University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, has joined the Southwest Research and Extension Center as a Program Technician and is involved with day to day management of forages and nutrition laboratory and forage management studies. Mark Morgan, graduate student University of Arkansas Fayetteville. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for these projects is the beef producers of southwest Arkansas and the Southeastern United States. These beef producers are reached through direct educational meetings, one-on-one counsultation, etc and through train the trainer activities such as county agent in-service training. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Objective 1: In the initial year of this study spring calving cows grazing warm-season grass-based forage system got no added benefit in cow gain, calf weaning weight, cow body weight or body condition score from using non-toxic endophyte infected tall fescue compared to toxic endophyte infected tall fescue or toxic fescue with clovers. There were numerical increases in breeding percentages both with artificial insemination (66, 37, and 48% bred, for non-toxic fescue, toxic fescue, and toxic fescue with clovers, respectively) and overall (85%, 68%, 69% bred, for non-toxic fescue, toxic fescue, and toxic fescue with clovers, respectively), as well as weaning weight per cow exposed to a bull (373, 309, and 308 lbs of weaning weight/cow exposed, for non-toxic fescue, toxic fescue, and toxic fescue with clovers, respectively). Objective 2: Predicted calf weaning weights increased by 0.12 kg for each kg increase in cow BW, but SR had no effect. There was, however, a quadratic effect of SR on predicted calf gains = 144.1 + 0.05 Cow BW - 55.3 SR +14.1 SR2. The change in cow BW during the grazing period decreased linearly with increasing SR and decreased with increasing cow size = 84.3 - 0.09 Cow BW - 17.4SR. Weaning efficiency (kg of calf weaning weight per 100 kg of cow BW at weaning) decreased by 0.06 per kg of cow BW. There were linear increases in calf weaning weight per ha and total calf gain per ha with increasing SR, but cow size had no effect on either. These data indicate that increasing cow size can increase weaning BW of calves, but does not affect total production per ha and reduces weaning weight efficiency ratios. Increasing SR reduces individual calf BW gain but increases total calf gain per ha.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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