Four experiments were conducted to evaluate different technologies and supplementation strategies that may impact beef cattle production in the Northern Great Plains. Our overarching hypothesis was that we can enhance beef cattle performance and production through strategic supplementation of energy and minerals. In experiment 1, steers were fitted with transmission beacons on collars to determine effects of preweaning creep feeder attendance influences on post-weaning performance, feeding behavior, and carcass characteristics. Calves that visited creep feeders more frequently spent more time eating and ate more meals during the first 28 d of the finishing period. In experiment 2, we utilized electronic feeders to monitor mineral intake of cow-calf pairs and found that HIGH (>90 g/d; average 125.4 g/d) intake cows and calves spent more time at the mineral feeder than their LOW (<90 g/d; average 33.5 g/d) intake counterparts. Furthermore, we noted greater concentrations of Se, Cu, and Co in livers of HIGH intake cows compared to LOW intake cows. In experiment 3, we evaluated a slow-release vitamin and mineral bolus in feedlot heifers which failed to influence heifer performance, liver mineral concentrations or carcass characteristics. Overall, heifers performed as expected while on a finishing diet from feeds sourced in the Northern Great Plains. In experiment 4, we further utilized the SmartFeed system to control intake of individual heifers assigned to different treatments in a group pasture scenario. Our results clearly show that the feed controlling portion can be used for precision feeding of individuals in extensive group managed scenarios. Though heifers had similar BW and ADG among treatment groups, treatments that provided supplemental mineral enhanced liver concentrations of Se, Fe, Cu, and Co. Furthermore, the CowManager system was able to detect divergence in highly active behavior among treatment groups, but also reported many false health and estrus-related alerts. Overall, we were able to successfully monitor individual mineral intakes in cow-calf pairs and report differences in energy and mineral supplement intakes in heifers grazing native range. We were also able to corroborate differences in supplement intakes with changes in concentrations of mineral in the liver of animals. / North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES) Precision Agriculture Fund; North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research and Education Graduate Research Assistantship
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ndsu.edu/oai:library.ndsu.edu:10365/31348 |
| Date | January 2019 |
| Creators | McCarthy, Kacie Lynn |
| Publisher | North Dakota State University |
| Source Sets | North Dakota State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text/dissertation, movingimage/video |
| Format | application/pdf, video/mp4 |
| Rights | NDSU policy 190.6.2, https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf |
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