Corn supplementation as a winter-feeding strategy alters maternal feeding behavior and endocrine profiles in mid- to late-gestating beef cows

摘要

Maternal nutritional status is one of the key external factors influencing nutrient partitioning for fetal optimal fetal growth and compromised fetal growth results in impaired lifelong health ( ). In livestock, inadequate maternal nutrition during pregnancy can lead to a decrease in carcass quality of the offspring, including altered fat deposition, muscle fiber type, and reduced meat quality ( ). Gestating beef cows in northern climates often experience maternal nutrient restriction during winter months due to limited grazing opportunities. By increasing the forage quality fed to beef cows during late gestation, improved carcass weights. Evidently, poor carcass outcomes of progeny nutrient restricted can be resolved by improving the forage quality fed to beef cows during late gestation, but if those resources are not available, an alternate feeding strategy could be employed including supplementation strategies. We observed supplementing dried distiller’s grains plus solubles ( ) at 0.3% of BW during late gestation increased roughage intake and calf birth weights ( ). In this study, we hypothesized that mid- to late-gestating beef cows receiving corn supplementation over winter would gain more BW and BCS, increase NE consumption, have a less negative energy balance as evidenced by maternal endocrine and metabolic profiles, and give birth to heavier, faster growing calves. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing corn to gestating beef cows on feed intake and behavior, BW and BCS, endocrine and metabolic profiles, and birth parameters.