A trial was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the 1996 NCR beef model to predict DMI and ADG of pregnant cows under western Canadian conditions. Over two consecutive years, 90 Angus (587±147 kg) cows assigned to 15 pens (N=6) were fed typical diets ad libitum, formulated to stage of pregnancy. Data collection included pen DMI and ADG (corrected for pregnancy), calving date, calf weight, body condition scores and ultrasound fat measurements, weekly feed samples and daily ambient temperature. DMI and ADG for each pen of cows in each trimester was predicted using the computer program Cowbytes based on the 1996 NRC beef model. The results indicate that in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of both years the model under predicted (P≤0.05) ADG based on observed DMI. Ad libitum intake was over predicted (P≤0.05) during the 2nd trimester, and under predicted (P≤0.05) during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. A second evaluation was carried out assuming thermal neutral (TN) conditions. In this case, it was found that during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters there was an over prediction (P≤0.05) of ADG relative to observed. Under these same TN conditions, the ad libitum intake of these cows was under predicted (P≤0.05) for both the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. These results suggest current energy equations for modelling environmental stress, over predict maintenance requirements for wintering beef cows in western Canada. The results also suggest that the cows experienced some degree of cold stress, but not as severe as modelled by the NRC (1996) equations. Further research is required to more accurately model cold stress felt by mature cattle, and their ability to acclimatise to western Canadian winter conditions.

A trial was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the 1996 NCR beef model to predict DMI and ADG of pregnant cows under western Canadian conditions. Over two consecutive years, 90 Angus (587±147 kg) cows assigned to 15 pens (N=6) were fed typical diets ad libitum, formulated to stage of pregnancy. Data collection included pen DMI and ADG (corrected for pregnancy), calving date, calf weight, body condition scores and ultrasound fat measurements, weekly feed samples and daily ambient temperature. DMI and ADG for each pen of cows in each trimester was predicted using the computer program Cowbytes based on the 1996 NRC beef model. The results indicate that in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of both years the model under predicted (P≤0.05) ADG based on observed DMI. Ad libitum intake was over predicted (P≤0.05) during the 2nd trimester, and under predicted (P≤0.05) during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. A second evaluation was carried out assuming thermal neutral (TN) conditions. In this case, it was found that during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters there was an over prediction (P≤0.05) of ADG relative to observed. Under these same TN conditions, the ad libitum intake of these cows was under predicted (P≤0.05) for both the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. These results suggest current energy equations for modelling environmental stress, over predict maintenance requirements for wintering beef cows in western Canada. The results also suggest that the cows experienced some degree of cold stress, but not as severe as modelled by the NRC (1996) equations. Further research is required to more accurately model cold stress felt by mature cattle, and their ability to acclimatise to western Canadian winter conditions.

Master of Science / Animal Sciences and Industry / John R. Jaeger / Cattle consuming low-protein forage (<7% CP) require additional supplemental protein to maintain BW and BCS. Daily delivery of protein supplements places undue financial burden on cattle producers. Supplementing cows as infrequently as once every 6 d) has resulted in similar changes cow BW and BCS when compared to daily supplementation. As calving season nears, producers may wish to increase supplementation frequency. The responses to a change in supplementation frequency during the third trimester of gestation have not been widely investigated. Therefore, our objective in Study 1 was to evaluate the effect of altering supplementation frequency during late gestation on performance of spring-calving cows grazing low-quality, dormant native range and supplemented with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDG). Angus × cows (n = 238; mean age = 6 ± 2.5 yr; average initial BW = 618 ± 56.2 kg; average initial BCS = 5.7 ± 0.03) were stratified by age, BW, BCS, and assigned randomly to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) DDG daily (D1); 2) DDG once every 6 d (D6); 3) DDG daily from d 1 to d 60 and then every 6 d (D1-D6); 4) DDG every 6 d from d 1 to d 60 and then daily (D6-D1). Treatments were initiated 100 d prior to expected onset of calving. Cow BW and BCS were measured every 28 d. Cows were sorted daily before supplementation at 0830 h. Supplement delivery was calculated to meet dietary CP requirements. Increasing supplementation frequency 28 d prepartum negatively affected final BW and BW change from d 61-88 for the D6-D1 supplementation group (P < 0.05) compared to other supplementation groups. Cow BW change for the study (d 1-88) was also less (P < 0.02) for the D6-D1 group compared to other groups but was also affected (P < 0.01) by year. Under the conditions of our study, increasing supplementation frequency 28 d before calving was not a viable means of increasing prepartum cow performance. The development of replacement heifers is a significant expense for cow-calf producers. Reducing the cost of heifer development programs while achieving high pregnancy rates is an industry-wide goal. Therefore, our objective in Study 2 was to determine if DDGS was a viable replacement for an oilseed meal-based protein supplement when developing heifers on low-quality, dormant native range. Treatments consisted of daily supplementation of either 1.65 kg DM DDG (DDG; 0.57 kg CP) or 1.37 kg DM of a 73.6% soybean meal and 26.4% rolled sorghum grain mixture (SBM-S; 0.56 kg CP). Treatments were administered from 1/15 until 4/8 (84 d). Initial BW and BCS were not different between treatments (P ≥ 0.29). Final BW and BCS also did not differ (P ≥ 0.55) between treatments; moreover, rates of BW and BCS change were not different (P ˃ 0.30) between treatments. Proportions of heifers pubertal before ovulation synchronization, first service conception rates, and final pregnancy rates were not affected (P > 0.40) by treatment. Under the conditions of our study supplemental CP fed at a rate of approximately 0.56 kg daily was sufficient to promote growth and BCS change adequate for optimal reproductive performance; moreover, supplement ruminal degradability of CP did not influence heifer performance over an 84-d development period.

L’apport de graines oléagineuses dans la ration de la vache laitière pendant 1 à 3 mois pourrait améliorer la qualité nutritionnelle du lait, mais également pénaliser dans certains cas les performances zootechniques. Peu de données sont disponibles sur les effets de ces stratégies alimentaires sur de plus longues périodes. L’objectif de cette thèse est de quantifier au cours de 2 lactations consécutives, les effets de supplémentations en lin ou en trois différentes formes de colza de rations à base d’herbe conservée en hiver et pâturée en été sur les performances zootechniques de la vache laitière et la composition fine en acides gras du lait. Les effets des suppléments étudiés persistent au sein de chaque période (hiver et été) et sont répétables d’un été à l’autre. Ils sont par ailleurs similaires à ceux observés lors d’études de durée plus courte (1 à 3 mois). Ces stratégies ne permettent pas d’améliorer les performances zootechniques et diminuent parfois le taux protéique du lait, notamment en hiver. Toutefois, elles réduisent les teneurs du lait en acides gras saturés au profit de l’acide oléique et, dans le cas du lin de l’acide α-linolénique. Ces modifications peuvent être considérées comme une amélioration de la qualité nutritionnelle du lait. Cependant, le lin extrudé et le tourteau de colza gras augmentent les acides gras trans et les suppléments diminuent souvent l’acide ruménique du lait au pâturage. La distribution des isomères des acides gras insaturés cis et trans du lait dépend du type de graine et du niveau d’amidon de la ration, mais pas de la forme d’apport du colza, qui influence toutefois l’amplitude des effets observés. Par ailleurs, l’analyse détaillée du profil en acides gras du lait a permis de mieux comprendre le métabolisme des acides linoléiques et linoléniques conjugués, en lien avec la lipogenèse mammaire. / Addition of oilseed supplements to dairy cow diets for 1 to 3 months may improve the milk nutritional quality, but detrimental effects on animal performance may also occur. However, data is scarce on long-term effects of these nutritional strategies. The objective of this thesis was to quantify the effects of extruded linseed and three forms of rapeseed-derived supplements on dairy cow performance and detailed milk fatty acid composition, during 2 consecutive lactations. Basal diet was conserved grass during winter and pasture during summer. Oilseed supplements effects persist within each period (winter and summer) and are repeatable between the 2 summer periods. Long-term effects observed over 2 consecutive lactations are similar to those observed during short-term (1 to 3 months) studies. These oilseed-derived supplements not improve dairy cow performance, but decrease the milk protein content in some instances, especially during winter period. Nevertheless, oilseed supplementations reduce milk saturated fatty acid content and increase milk content in oleic acid and with linseed in α-linolenic acid. Such changes could be considered as an improvement of the milk nutritional quality. However, extruded linseed and fat-rich rapeseed meal increase milk trans fatty acid content, and oilseed supplements often decrease milk rumenic acid at pasture. Isomer distribution of cis and trans unsaturated fatty in milk fat is dependent on the oilseed nature and diet starch content, but not on the rapeseed form. However, rapeseed form modifies the magnitude of observed effects. Furthermore, the detailed analyses of milk fatty acid profile allowed to explore conjugated linoleic and linolenic fatty acids metabolism, and their relationship with mammary lipogenesis.