Difference in Body Weight at Breeding Affects Reproductive Performance in Replacement Beef Heifers and Carries Consequences to Next Generation Heifers

• Published in: Animals (Basel) Vol. 11; no. 10; p. 2800
• Main Authors: Kasimanickam, Ramanathan K., Kasimanickam, Vanmathy R., McCann, Madison L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 26.09.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Age; Beef; beef heifers; Birth weight; Body weight; Breeding; Breeding seasons; Fertility; generations; Genetic crosses; Nutrient deficiency; Nutrition; Offspring; prebreeding; Pregnancy; Puberty; Reproduction; reproductive performance; Seasons; Weaning; United States > US
• ISSN: 2076-2615; 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani11102800

Nutrition imprinting carries consequences across generations. The effect of 55% vs. 65% of mature cow body weight (MBW; 545 kg) at breeding on the reproductive performance of heifers and their offspring was investigated. Angus-cross dam heifers were randomly fed to attain 55% (n = 1622) vs. 65% (n = 1578) of MBW, and offspring (F1) heifers born to dam heifers [55% (n = 1285) vs. 65% (n = 1324)] were fed to attain 65% of MBW. Bodyweight and reproductive indices were recorded throughout the study. In dam heifers, puberty (44% vs. 53%), breeding season pregnancy (86.4% vs. 90.6%) and 21-day calving rates (55.2% vs. 65.4%) did vary, but dystocia rate (8.7% vs. 9.0%) did not differ between 55% and 65% MBW groups. Puberty (49.2% vs. 58.2%), breeding season pregnancy (87.2% vs. 92.8%) and 21-day calving rates (53.8% vs. 64.1%) did differ (p < 0.05), but dystocia rate (8.4 vs. 9.2%) did not differ between F1 heifer groups. In conclusion, 55% of MBW at breeding negatively affected the reproductive performance of heifers and its offspring heifers. The recommendation is to feed heifers a balanced diet to reach 65% of MBW at breeding with consideration of production traits.