One Big Reason to Supplementary Feed During the Breeding Season
Bulls whose mothers were supplemented in the first trimester passed their BBSE at an earlier age, upwards of a month earlier.
Whether you’re a grazier or a stud breeder, this research paper on the benefits of checking your heifers’ peri-conception and first-trimester diet will be of interest.
Over the last 23 years, QSML’s Dr Viv Perry and an extensive team of local and international researchers have been investigating the effects of protein supplementation during early pregnancy on fetal and calf development.
Whilst there are plenty of research papers on this topic from the team already (see our research page), the most recent paper from their six-year study is the first to investigate the effects of dietary protein in the heifer on bull progeny fertility to adulthood. The study, undertaken with S. Kidman and Co heifers, focused on protein supplementation during the breeding season (including 60 days before mating) and the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Supplementary feeding during the breeding season has a positive effect on male progeny fertility
- Ensuring your heifers have enough protein during the breeding season, and right through their first 3 months of pregnancy, can directly affect the later sexual development of the bull calves.
- Whilst the fetus at that stage is very small, supplementation does assist in fetal development.
- Bulls whose mothers received supplements during the first trimester went on to pass their BBSE at an earlier age.
- This means they are fit for sale earlier and can start working earlier, upwards of a month earlier.
What does this mean for you?
To get the positive effects of protein supplement, your pregnant heifers should receive enough protein during mating (the breeding season) and early pregnancy (to 90 days).
The heifers in this trial were supplemented daily to achieve 12% CP in the diet (including a non-degradable protein source, soya meal), compared to the low (7% CP) unsupplemented group.
Read the full results of the trial.
This study was generously funded by the Australian Research Council, S. Kidman and Co and Ridley Agriproducts.
