Summary
This field trial compared three post-weaning nutritional regimens in 60 Angus crossbred heifers: forage-based restricted gain, high-concentrate accelerated gain, and a stair-step approach alternating between these two strategies. The stair-step regimen achieved intermediate growth rates whilst delaying puberty less severely than the restricted-gain control and delivering superior calving rates compared to the accelerated-gain control. The findings suggest that variable nutrient supply during post-weaning development may optimise both reproductive maturation and subsequent maternal productivity in replacement beef cattle.
Regional applicability
These findings may be applicable to UK beef heifer management systems, particularly in suckler herds reliant on replacement females. However, the study was conducted on Angus crossbreds in a specific climate; UK practitioners should consider differences in forage quality, grazing seasons, and herd genetics when implementing similar nutritional strategies.
Key measures
Average daily gain (kg/d); puberty attainment (plasma progesterone); pregnancy rate; calving rate; heifer body weight and condition score at calving; calf birth weight; milk production (weigh-suckle-weigh); mammary artery haemodynamics
Outcomes reported
The study measured average daily gain, puberty attainment via plasma progesterone, pregnancy rate, calving rate, body weight and condition at calving, calf birth weight, and milk production in primiparous beef cows. Effects of three post-weaning supplementation regimens on reproductive development and subsequent maternal productivity were evaluated.
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