Effects of oral vitamin E supplementation during late gestation in beef cattle that calved in late winter and late summer

Objective-To determine effects of breed and oral vitamin E supplementation during late gestation on serum vitamin E and IgG concentrations in beef cows that calved in late winter and late summer and in neonatal calves. Animals-73 Angus and 43 Hereford primiparous and multiparous cows and their carves. Procedure-Cows in groups that were homogeneous regarding breed and age distribution were randomly allotted to groups that were orally supplemented (n = 59) or not supplemented (57) with vitamin E beginning 30 days prior to onset of 65-day calving seasons. Supplemental vitamin E was provided in a vitamin-mineral mix offered free-choice until parturition. Results-Cows that calved in late winter and were supplemented orally with vitamin E had higher serum vitamin E concentrations at calving and after calving than did unsupplemented cows; differences between groups before calving were not significant. Carves from supplemented multiparous cows had higher vitamin E concentrations than did calves from unsupplemented cows. Winter-born calves from supplemented Hereford cows had heavier 205-day adjusted weaning weights than did winter-born calves from unsupplemented Hereford cows. Supplementation did not affect vitamin E or IgG concentrations in the herd that calved in late summer and did not affect calf growth. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Oral vitamin E supplementation during late gestation may be economically beneficial in certain cow-calf operations in which late-gestation cows are consuming stored forages.