The influence of pre- and post-calving nutrition on beef cow and calf performance

G.H. Scales, J.R. Stevenson and M.P. Platt

Winchmore Irrigation Research Station, Ashburton

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1977, 37: 96-102

Three experiments were conducted with pregnant mixed-age beef cows in a high country environment from 1973 to 1975. The 1973 experiment compared three rates of liveweight gain in winter (high, medium and low) and two rates of gain in spring (high and medium). Although different levels of winter nutrition had little effect on cow or calf performance, a high plane of spring nutrition increased weaning weights by up to 25 kg (P<0.01) relative to medium plane cows. Conception rates and the proportion of cows diagnosed pregnant were also increased but differences failed to attain significance. The 1974 and 1975 experiments compared high-low and low-high systems of wintering when followed by a high level of spring nutrition. Satisfactory cow and calf performance was obtained under both systems.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 24-08-2000