Impact of supplemental protein source offered to primiparous heifers during gestation on I. Average daily gain, feed intake, calf birth body weight, and rebreeding in pregnant beef heifers

A 3-yr study was conducted to determine the effect of supplemental protein source on ADG, feed intake, calf birth BW, and subsequent pregnancy rate in pregnant beef heifers. Crossbred, Angus-based, AI-pregnant heifers (yr 1, n = 38; yr 2, n = 40; and yr 3, n = 36) were stratified by BW (450 +/- 10 kg) and placed in a Calan Broadbent individual feeding system at approximately d 142 of gestation. Following a 25-d adaptation period, an 84-d feeding trial was conducted. Heifers were offered ad libitum grass hay (8 to 11% CP, DM basis) and no supplement (CON), 0.83 kg/d distillers-based supplement (HI), or 0.83 kg/d dried corn gluten-based supplement (LO). Supplements were formulated to be isocaloric, iso-nitrogenous (28% CP, DM basis), and equal in lipid content but differed in RUP, with HI (59% RUP) having greater levels of RUP than LO (34% RUP). Dry matter intake was also calculated based on feed NE values to account for different energy levels of the supplement compared with the control diet. Control heifers tended (P = 0.09) to consume less total DM than either supplement treatment. However, forage-only DMI was greater (P < 0.01) for CON heifers (9.94 +/- 0.12 kg) compared with HI or LO heifers (8.50 and 8.34 +/- 0.12 kg, respectively). Net energy DMI was less (P < 0.01) for CON heifers (4.98 +/- 0.23 kg) compared with HI or LO heifers (5.43 and 5.35 +/- 0.23 kg, respectively). Control heifers gained less (P < 0.01; 0.59 +/- 0.14 kg/d) than either HI (0.82 +/- 0.14 kg/d) or LO heifers (0.78 +/- 0.14 kg/d), resulting in lower (501 +/- 9 kg) BW (P < 0.01) than HI (519 +/- 9 kg) heifers at the end of the feeding period. Calf birth BW was similar (P = 0.99) among treatments. At pre-breeding, CON heifers weighed less (P < 0.03) than LO heifers. Cow BW was similar (P = 0.48) among treatments at pregnancy diagnosis, and final pregnancy rate was also similar (87%; P = 0.22). Protein supplementation increased ADG in pregnant heifers; however, calf birth BW and subsequent pregnancy rates were similar.