Utilizing cotton by-products to reduce feed costs and improve reproduction in beef cattle

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
301	3310	1010	50%
307	3310	1010	50%

Progress 10/01/02 to 04/30/06

Outputs
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate pre-breeding dietary energy concentration and fat addition on reproductive performance in multiparous cows. In Exp.1, Angus cows (n=27; 26.9 days post-partum) were fed either bermudagrass hay ad libitum (H) or were limit fed a corn based (C) diet for 56 d immediately preceding the breeding season. Treatment diets were ended on the first day of the breeding season and cows were allowed to graze bermudagrass pasture and bred natural service for 75 d. Cow BW loss was greater (P = 0.04) for C (-53 kg) than for H (-8.4 kg) cows. Initial body condition score (BCS; 1=emaciated, 9=obese) was similar (P = 0.96) between cows fed C (5.5) and H (5.5) diets. Likewise, final BCS was similar (P = 0.84) between cows fed C (5.4) and H (5.4) cows. Days to estrus was similar (P = 0.94) between treatments, 52.4 and 52.9 d for C and H; respectively. Insulin concentration was similar at d 0 and 28 (P > 0.85) but greater (P = 0.03) for C than for H cows at d 56. In Exp. 2, Angus cows (n = 40; 11.7 days post-partum) were used to evaluate dietary energy concentration and fat addition from whole cottonseed on reproductive performance. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2x2 factorial and fed for 56 d immediately preceding the breeding season. Diets consisted of bermudagrass hay offered ad libitum with either 2.1 kg/d whole cottonseed (HF) or 2.5 kg/d of corn and soybean meal mixture (HNF), and limit fed corn based diets with (CF) or without (CNF) 2.1 kg/d whole cottonseed. Final BCS was similar (0.79) among treatments, 5.1, 5.0, 5.1 and 5.1 for HNF, HF, CNF, and CF; respectively. Days to estrus was similar (P = 0.11) among treatments. Insulin concentration between C and H diets was similar at d 0 (P = 0.35) and 28 (P = 0.12), but greater at d 56 (P = 0.03) for cows fed C versus H diets. A corn based diet increases insulin concentrations compared with feeding a hay based diet. Overall reproductive performance is not affected by pre-breeding dietary energy concentration or dietary fat addition in mature cows in adequate body condition. The utilization of crop residues to provide winter feed for dry pregnant cows can greatly reduce feed costs. Substantial amounts of potential feed residue remain on the cotton plant after harvest. This includes cotton lint, cottonseed, leaves, and burrs. A trial was conducted to determine the performance and feed costs of wintering cows on cotton stalks or hay.Cows were allowed to graze cotton stalks and performance and feed costs compared to cows fed round baled coastal bermudagrass hay. One acre of cotton stalk residue provided feed for one cow for 44 days. Total weight gain was 48 pounds for the cows fed hay and 15 pounds for cows grazing cotton stalks. Because both groups of cows were in good condition, little weight gain was desired. Likewise body condition was essentially unchanged during the trial for each group. Producers can expect similar performance when feeding mature gestating cows with hay that is at least 8% crude protein and 50% TDN or by grazing cotton stalk residue. If body condition of cows is less than 5, supplemental feed will be needed to increase body condition score.

Impacts
Cottonseed is a widely used supplement in Georgia that contains 18% crude fat. Feeding fat via whole cottonseed will have minimal impacts on reproductive performance of mature cows in adequate (>5) body condition. In addition, feeding diets based on hay or limit-fed corn will have a minimal impact on reproductive performance. Choice of feeds should be primarily based on price of feedstuffs. Cotton stalk residue can be grazed by dry pregnant cows to maintain body weight and body condition score. This residue provides an economical alternative to hay for providing nutrients to cows during the winter months. This will decrease feed costs, which is the largest expense in a cow/calf operation.

Publications

J.E. Rossi. Using cotton by-products in beef cattle diets. 2006. Univ. of GA College of Agriculture and Environmental Science Cooperative Extension. B-1311.
J.E. Rossi, N.M. Long, W.M. Graves, G.M. Hill and B.G. Mullinix, Jr. 2005. Effects of diet energy concentration and fat addition on reproductive performance and hormone profiles of beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):299 (Abstr.).
J.E. Rossi. 2006. Winter Feeding Survival Tips. In: Proceedings of the 2006 Plains Beef Cattle Short Course. Univ. of GA College of Agriculture and Environmental Science Cooperative Extension MP:110.

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate pre-breeding dietary energy concentration and fat addition on reproductive performance in multiparous cows. In Exp.1, Angus cows (n=27; 26.9 days post-partum) were fed either bermudagrass hay ad libitum (H) or were limit fed a corn based (C) diet for 56 d immediately preceding the breeding season. Treatment diets were ended on the first day of the breeding season and cows were allowed to graze bermudagrass pasture and bred natural service for 75 d. Cow BW loss was greater (P = 0.04) for C (-53 kg) than for H (-8.4 kg) cows. Initial body condition score (BCS; 1=emaciated, 9=obese) was similar (P = 0.96) between cows fed C (5.5) and H (5.5) diets. Likewise, final BCS was similar (P = 0.84) between cows fed C (5.4) and H (5.4) cows. Days to estrus was similar (P = 0.94) between treatments, 52.4 and 52.9 d for C and H; respectively. Insulin concentration was similar at d 0 and 28 (P > 0.85) but greater (P = 0.03) for C than for H cows at d 56. In Exp. 2, Angus cows (n = 40; 11.7 days post-partum) were used to evaluate dietary energy concentration and fat addition from whole cottonseed on reproductive performance. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2x2 factorial and fed for 56 d immediately preceding the breeding season. Diets consisted of bermudagrass hay offered ad libitum with either 2.1 kg/d whole cottonseed (HF) or 2.5 kg/d of corn and soybean meal mixture (HNF), and limit fed corn based diets with (CF) or without (CNF) 2.1 kg/d whole cottonseed. Final BCS was similar (0.79) among treatments, 5.1, 5.0, 5.1 and 5.1 for HNF, HF, CNF, and CF; respectively. Days to estrus was similar (P = 0.11) among treatments. Insulin concentration between C and H diets was similar at d 0 (P = 0.35) and 28 (P = 0.12), but greater at d 56 (P = 0.03) for cows fed C versus H diets. A corn based diet increases insulin concentrations compared with feeding a hay based diet. Overall reproductive performance is not affected by pre-breeding dietary energy concentration or dietary fat addition in mature cows in adequate body condition. The utilization of crop residues to provide winter feed for dry pregnant cows can greatly reduce feed costs. Substantial amounts of potential feed residue remain on the cotton plant after harvest. This includes cotton lint, cottonseed, leaves, and burrs. A trial was conducted to determine the performance and feed costs of wintering cows on cotton stalks or hay.Cows were allowed to graze cotton stalks and performance and feed costs compared to cows fed round baled coastal bermudagrass hay. One acre of cotton stalk residue provided feed for one cow for 44 days. Total weight gain was 48 pounds for the cows fed hay and 15 pounds for cows grazing cotton stalks. Because both groups of cows were in good condition, little weight gain was desired. Likewise body condition was essentially unchanged during the trial for each group. Producers can expect similar performance when feeding mature gestating cows with hay that is at least 8% crude protein and 50% TDN or by grazing cotton stalk residue. If body condition of cows is less than 5, supplemental feed will be needed to increase body condition score.

Impacts
Fat is a precursor to reproductive hormones and these hormones can be elevated by adding fat to the diet and can subsequently affect reproductive performance. Cottonseed is a widely used supplement in Georgia that contains 18% crude fat. Feeding fat via whole cottonseed will have minimal impacts on reproductive performance of mature cows in adequate (>5) body condition. In addition, feeding diets based on hay or limit-fed corn will have a minimal impact on reproductive performance. Choice of feeds should be primarily based on price of feedstuffs. It is not known if feeding fat from whole cottonseed will impact reproductive performance in cows that are in poor body condition prior to breeding. Cattle producers can also decrease feed costs by utilizing cotton by-products other than cottonseed. Cotton stalk residue can be grazed by dry pregnant cows to maintain body weight and body condition score. This residue provides an economical alternative to hay for providing nutrients to cows during the winter months. This will decrease feed costs, which is the largest expense in a cow/calf operation.

Publications

J.E. Rossi, N.M. Long, W.M. Graves, G.M. Hill, and B.G. Mullinix, Jr. 2005. Effects of diet energy concentration and fat addition on reproductive performance and hormone profiles of beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 83: Suppl. 1(abstr)
J. Rossi. 2006. Utilization of cotton by-products in beef cattle diets University of Georgia Extension Bulletin.

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Mature Angus (n = 40) postpartum cows were used to determine effects of dietary energy concentration and fat addition on reproductive performance. Cows were allotted by weight, body condition score, and calving date into four groups. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2x2 factorial and fed for 56 d immediately preceding the breeding season. Diets consisted of bermudagrass hay offered ad libitum with either 4.6 lb/day whole cottonseed (HF) or 5.5 lb/day of a corn and soybean meal mixture (HNF), and limit fed corn based diets with (CF) or without (CNF) 4.6 lb/day whole cottonseed. In addition, cows had ad libitum access to a salt and mineral supplement. Cows were weighed on two consecutive days at the beginning and end of the experiment. Calves were also weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment. Cows were body condition scored at the beginning and end of the study. Cows will monitored for estrus activity by monitoring concentrations of progesterone in 10-ml blood samples. Plasma samples were taken twice weekly during the experiment via jugular venipuncture. Initiation of estrus was defined as two consecutive blood samples of progesterone greater than 1.0 ng/ml. An additional blood sample was be collected on days 0, 28, and 56 and the serum collected for analysis of insulin and glucose. Cows fed the hay diets gained 22 lbs and cows fed the corn based diets lost 30 lbs during the trail. However, there were no differences (P = 0.43) among treatments in body condition score (1= thin, 9=obese) change during the trial. Average body condition score for cows was maintained above five and averaged 5.05 at the start of the trial and 5.0 at the completion of the trial. Calf weight gain was not affected by treatment (P = 0.48) and was approximately 2.5 lbs per day for each treatment. Days to first estrus was not affected by fat addition (P = 0.55), but was affected by dietary energy concentration (P = 0.06). Cows fed the hay based diets exhibited estrus 46 days postpartum, whereas cows fed the corn based diets exhibited first estrus 58 days postpartum. However, pregnancy rates were not affected by treatment and averaged 80, 70, 80 and 90% for HNF, HF, CNF, and CF; respectively. Calving interval data collection is not completed at this time. Insulin concentration between corn and hay diets was similar at d 0 (P = 0.35) and 28 (P = 0.12), but greater (P = 0.03) at d 56 (P < 0.01) for cows fed corn versus hay based diets. Feed costs were approximately $1.25 per for cows fed hay based diets and $1.35 per day for cows fed the corn based diets. A corn based diet increases insulin concentrations compared with feeding a hay based diet. Overall reproductive performance is not affected by pre-breeding dietary energy concentration or dietary fat addition in mature cows in adequate body condition.

Impacts
Fat is a precursor to reproductive hormones and these hormones can be elevated by adding fat to the diet and can subsequently affect reproductive performance. Cottonseed is a widely used supplement in Georgia that contains 18% crude fat. Feeding fat via whole cottonseed will have minimal impacts on reproductive performance of mature cows in adequate (>5) body condition. In addition, feeding diets based on hay or limit-fed corn will have a minimal impact on reproductive performance. Choice of feeds should be primarily based on price of feedstuffs. It is not known if feeding fat from whole cottonseed will impact reproductive performance in cows that are in poor body condition prior to breeding.

Publications

J.E. Rossi. 2004. Utilization of cotton by-products in beef cattle diets. Bulletin (In review)

Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
A trial was conducted at the Southwest Georgia Experiment Station in Plains to determine the performance and feed costs of wintering cows on cotton stalks or hay. Fifty-four cows were divided into two groups and allowed to graze cotton stalks or were fed round baled coastal bermudagrass hay. Cows were due to start calving in mid-January. The cows averaged 1359 lbs and were in a body condition score of 5.5 at the beginning of the trial. The cows grazed 30 acres of cotton stalks for a total of 49 days. Total weight gain was 48 lbs for the cows fed hay and 15 lbs for cows grazing cotton stalks. Body condition score was unchanged during the trial for each group. Producers can expect similar performance when wintering mature gestating cows in good condition on hay or cotton stalks. The amount of cotton stalk residue available for grazing was determined by collecting all of the cotton stalk residue in two, nine square foot areas per acre. The amount of cotton stalk residue was sampled immediately before and after the cows grazed the cotton stalks. At the beginning of the trial, there was 4,487 pounds of cotton stalk residue per acre. At the completion of the trial, there was 2,873 pounds of cotton stalk residue per acre. There was a disappearance of 1,614 pounds per acre. Cows used about a third of the available cotton stalk residue. This estimate can be used by producers to accurately determine harvested feeding needs for the winter. Total feed savings were 28 dollars for the cows grazing cotton stalks. Each acre of cotton stalk residue was worth 26 dollars. A second experiment was conducted with thirty gestating cows to determine effects of wintering cows by grazing either standing or mowed cotton stalk resicue. The cows were divided into three groups by body weight and body condition score. One group was fed round baled bermudagrass hay free-choice and the other two groups were maintained on cotton stalk residue that was either left standing or mowed prior to grazing. Cows grazing the cotton residue were provided hay when no grazing was remaining. Cows were due to start calving in mid-January. The cows averaged 1358 pounds and were in a body condition score of 5.3 at the beginning of the trial. The cows were allowed to graze 10 acres of cotton stalk residue for a total of 30 days. Total weight gain was 56, 55, and 32 pounds for cows consuming hay, standing cotton residue and mowed cotton residue, respectively. Total hay fed per day to each group during the trial was 27, 1.3, and 10.7 pounds for cows consuming hay, standing cotton residue and mowed cotton residue, respectively. Savings from reduced hay feeding totaled 27 dollars for cows grazing standing cotton residue and 17 dollars for cows grazing mowed cotton residue. Mowing cotton stalk residue prior to grazing reduced grazing days per acre by 35 percent compared with gazing standing cotton stalk residue. Therefore, producers should expect about one third fewer grazing days per acre when grazing mowed versus standing cotton stalk residue. However, the mowed cotton stalk residue substantially reduced feeding costs compared with feeding hay free-choice.

Impacts
Dry pregnant cows can be maintained on cotton stalk residue prior to calving. There was no difference in weight gain or body condition score between cows wintered on hay or cotton stalks. Feed savings were $0.58 per cow per day when wintered on cotton stalks versus hay. Cotton stalk residue has the potential to greatly reduce winter feeding costs of spring calving herds.

Publications

No publications reported this period