Effects of dietary roughage inclusion in limit-fed rations in a confinement cow-calf system on cow performance, hygiene, and behavior as well as calf performance through feedlot receiving

Freeman, Brayden N.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129337 Copy

Description

Title

Effects of dietary roughage inclusion in limit-fed rations in a confinement cow-calf system on cow performance, hygiene, and behavior as well as calf performance through feedlot receiving

Author(s)

Freeman, Brayden N.

Issue Date

2025-05-07

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Shike, Daniel W

Committee Member(s)

• McCann, Joshua C
• Meteer, William T

Department of Study

Animal Sciences

Discipline

Animal Sciences

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• confinement
• drylot
• roughage inclusion

Abstract

The objective was to determine the effects of roughage inclusion in isocaloric and isonitrogenous total mixed rations (TMR) fed to cows in a drylot system on cow performance, calf performance, manure score, hygiene score, and behavior. Spring-born Simmental × Angus cows (5±2 yr; n = 72 in yr 1, and n = 72 in yr 2) and their calves were stratified by cow age, calf sex, and body weight (BW) and assigned to 24 pens over two years (yr 1; n = 12, and yr 2; n = 12) with 6 cow-calf pairs per pen. Pens were randomly allotted to one of two treatments: moderate roughage inclusion (40%) TMR targeting dry matter intake (DMI) of 1.7% of BW (40Rough) or high roughage inclusion (60%) TMR targeting DMI of 2.1% of BW (60Rough). Cow-calf pairs were housed in concrete drylots with open-front buildings with 4.7 m concrete bunks (0.8 m/cow). Cow BW and body condition score (BCS) were collected at d-1, d0, d76, and d77. Pre-wean calf BW were collected on d-1, d0, d76, and d77. Artificial insemination (AI) conception and milk production were also measured. Hygiene and manure scoring were conducted on d40 and 76 by 2 trained evaluators. Hygiene was scored on a 1-4 scale; 1 – no manure, 4 confluent plaque of manure. Cow hygiene was evaluated on the lower leg, udder, and upper leg and flank. Manure from each pen was scored on a 1-5 scale; 1 – very liquid consistency, 5 – firm fecal balls. Calves were weaned on d77 and transported to the University of Illinois Beef and Sheep Field Laboratory (Urbana, IL). A receiving diet was then fed for 42 d post-wean. During the receiving phase, calf BW (d77 and d119), post-wean ADG, DMI, and G:F were measured. Performance data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Reproduction and behavior data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4. The experimental unit was pen. There were no treatment differences in final cow BW (P = 0.27), pre-weaning calf BW (P = 0.72), and final BCS (P = 0.72). There were also no treatment differences in AI conception (P = 0.67), overall pregnancy (P = 0.55), and milk production (P = 0.78). There was a treatment effect detected (P ≤ 0.01) for hygiene of the lower leg and flank, as 40Rough cows had greater scores than 60Rough cows. No difference (P = 0.15) was detected in hygiene of the upper leg. There was a tendency for manure scores to be greater (P = 0.09) for 60Rough cows than 40Rough cows. No treatment effects were observed in calf receiving ADG (P = 0.79), calf G:F (P = 0.28), and final receiving calf BW (P = 0.25). 60Rough calves had a tendency to consume more (P = 0.09) feed than the 40Rough calves in the receiving phase. There were treatment × time effects (P ≤ 0.05) detected for cows eating feed, in the feed area, and in the bedding area for pre-bedding behavior observations. There were treatment × time effects (P ≤ 0.05) detected for cows eating feed, in the feed area, and lying for post-bedding behavior observations. There were treatment × time effects (P ≤ 0.01) detected for calves eating feed, in the feed area, and in the bedding area for pre-bedding behavior observations. There were treatment × time effects (P ≤ 0.01) detected for lying for post-bedding observations. In conclusion, there were no differences in cow or calf performance prior to weaning, but calves from cows fed a bulkier, higher-roughage inclusion TMR tended to have greater intake during the receiving phase. 60Rough cows had greater manure scores, but were not as dirty around their lower leg and flank when compared to 40Rough cows. 60Rough cows and calves were also observed eating feed and in the feed area more later in the day, while more 40Rough cows and calves were seen in the bedding area.

Graduation Semester

2025-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129337

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Brayden Freeman

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