Four multiparous, ruminally fistulated Angus x Hereford cows (average BW = 568 kg) were bred to the same bull and used to monitor periparturient changes in DMI, ruminal capacity, and digestion and fermentation characteristics. Cows were individually fed alfalfa hay (16.0% CP, 51.3% NDF) at 130% of the average DMI of the previous 5-d period. Ruminal capacity and DM fill were measured once every ...

Precise calving monitoring is essential for minimizing the effects of dystocia in cows and calves. We conducted two studies in healthy cows that compared seven clinical signs (broad pelvic ligaments relaxation, vaginal secretion, udder hyperplasia, udder edema, teat filling, tail relaxation, and vulva edema) alone and in combination in order to predict the time of parturition. The relaxation of...

In three consecutive years, spring-calving Hereford and Hereford x Angus cows (n = 348) were used to determine effects of level of supplemental energy or protein before and after calving on cowherd performance. Beginning on November 1, cows were individually fed 1.22 kg/d of a 40% CP (PROTEIN) or 2.44 kg/d of a 20% CP supplement (ENERGY) until calving. After calving, cows remained on the same s...

Genetic and phenotypic (co)variances for mature equivalent yield of 4% FCM and calving interval were simultaneously estimated by REML for grade Holstein cows in first and second parity. Data were 305d mature equivalent lactation records and calving dates for 299,441 daughters of 2489 AI sires first calving from 1970 to 1985 in California, New York, or Texas. Data were divided into three time pe...

A total number of 1243 records of calving cases of 585 dairy Friesian cows during 8 consecutive years from 1997 to 2004 collected from Sakha Animal Production Research Station belonging to Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center were used to study the effect of sire, live body weight (LBW) and age of dam and calving season on twinning rate and its consequent effects on...

Understanding spatiotemporal variability in prey accessibility is important for disentangling predator-prey interactions and is relevant to management interventions to reduce predation. Recently, caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Newfoundland declined by 66%, with calf predation by black bears (Ursus americanus) implicated as a major proximate mechanism of the decline. Most predation occurs when c...

The search for ways to select for improved beef cow efficiency has become the holy grail of the beef cattle seedstock industry. Increases in beef production have often been possible due to enhancements in the reproduction indexes (e.g. calving frequency, age at first calving, calving interval), nutrition concepts (e.g. strategic supplementation, type of forage as well as quantity and quality), ...

A 4-yr study using 217 cows/yr (3/4 Red Angus, 1/4 Simmental) evaluated effects of calving date and wintering system on cow and calf performance from birth to harvest. Cows were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments: 1) March (Mar) calving cows wintered on native range, 2) Mar calving cows wintered on corn residue, 3) June (Jun) calving cows wintered on native range, 4) Jun calving cows wintered on cor...

Calving records collected between 2000 and 2008 at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, NE, were used to determine the effect of estrous synchronization on calving distribution and the impact of time of calving on carcass characteristics. Calves born between 2000 and 2006 resulted from non-synchronized 60 d breeding seasons between 1999 and 2005 (n = 2075). Calves born in 2007 and 2008...