Evaluation of beef cow-calf nutrition in Yucatan, Mexico: MS thesis progress report

1
Evaluation of beef cow-calf nutrition in
Yucatan, MexicoMS thesis progress report

• Animal Science
• Kotaro Baba
• January 2006

2
Situation

• Beef cattle farming is the main industry in
  Tizimín
• beef production systems in Yucatan are
  constrained by
• Declining forage quality as the forage production
  system progresses
• Low quality and amount in the dry season
• Long calving intervals and percentage of cows
  calving each year

3
Thesis objectives

• Predict nutrient balances during each stage of
  the reproductive cycle with forages available
  during each stage of the annual forage production
  cycle.
• Use this information to
• Identify weak links and their effect on the
  calving interval
• Identify cost effective management strategies
  that can shorten the calving interval

4
Procedures

• Use panel of experts to describe current
  situation
• Describe each group in the beef herd
• Describe forage composition available during each
  season of the year
• Predict nutrient balances for each group in the
  herd when consuming forages available during each
  forage growth season

5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
Forage growth periods
8
Grasses grazed by forage growth periods

• Season 1 grass ( June 1- July 31)
• Season 2 grass ( August 1-September 30)
• Season 3 grass ( October 1- January 30)
• Season 4 grass ( February 1-May 31)

9
Representative farms

• Farm 1 Calving on June 1
• Farm 2 Calving on August 1
• Farm 3 Calving on October 1
• Farm 4 Calving on February 1

• Physiological stages
• -Early lactation
• -Mid-late lactation
• -Early dry
• -Late Dry
• Parity and age
• - 1 st lactation cows
• - 2nd lactation cows
• -Mature cows
• -heifers

10
Inputs for the CNCPS

• SBW
• -1st 400 kg
• -2nd460 kg
• -Mature500 kg
• Calf BW
• -male 33 kg
• -female 30 kg

• Weaning weight
• -male 210 kg (dry season)
• -female 180 kg (dry)
• - male 220 kg (rainy)
• - female 220 kg (rainy)

11
Inputs for the CNCPS

• Milk production
• early lactation
• -1 st 4 kg
• -2nd4.5 kg
• -mature5kg
• Mid late lactation
• -1 st 3 kg
• -2 nd3.3 kg
• -Mature 3.7 kg

• Milk fat4
• Milk CP3.5
• True protein3.3
• CI
• -1st (rainy) 460 days
• -1st(dry) 500 days
• -The others 420 days

12
BCS change in the rainy season
Rainy season Rainy season
parity calving early lactation Mid-late lactation Early dry late dry
1st 7 6 4 5 6
2nd 6 5 4 5 7
?3 8 7 6 6 7
13
BCS change in the dry season
Dry season Dry season
parity calving early lactation Mid-late lactation Early dry late dry
1st 6 3.5 3 4 5
2nd 5 4 3 4 6
?3 7 5 4 5 6
14
Rations for simulations

• Rations
• -season of the year and physiological period.
• Example,
• Early lactation period 90 days
• Farm 1 (calving on June 1)
• The ration 60 days(June1-July 31 with season 1
  grass) 30 days( August 1- August 31, season 2
  grass)21, (6 kg3 kg for example)

15
Simulation 1 grazed grass composition based on
CNCPS feed library
16
Predicted composition of forages grazed during
each of 4 growth periods

• Assume forage quality progressively declines from
  beginning of growth in rainy season (season 1) to
  accumulated forage grazed in the dry season
  (season 4).
• Used CNCPS feed library to estimate composition
  of forage grazed during each season.

17
Estimated composition of grazed forage during
each of 4 seasons1
Forage CP of DM NDF in DM Lignin in NDF Ash in DM NDF rate /hr Ether extract in DM
Season 1 grass 9 67 6 12.7 8.6 3
Season 2 grass 8 72 7 12 6.8 2.6
Season 3 grass 7 74 8 11.5 4.2 2.2
Season 4 grass 5 77 9 11 3 1.6
1Based on CNCPS Feed Library
18
Simulation 1early lactation with Grasss 1 and 2
Early lactation Mature with season 1 grass Early lactation Mature with season 1 grass
Inputed DMI 9.94 kg
Predicted DMI 9.94 kg
Inputed Milk 5 kg
ME allowable Milk 6.1 kg
MP allowable Milk 5.7 kg
ME Balance 0.33 Mcal
MP Balance -6.82 g
Day to BCS change 694 days
Early lactation Mature with season 2 grass Early lactation Mature with season 2 grass
Inputed DMI 9.46 kg
Predicted DMI 9.46kg
Inputed Milk 5 kg
ME allowable Milk 2.9kg
MP allowable Milk 3.9 kg
ME Balance -3.27 Mcal
MP Balance -112g
Day to BCS change 0
19
Simulation 1early lactation with Grasses 3 and 4
Early lactation Mature with season 3 grass Early lactation Mature with season 3 grass
Inputed DMI 7.37 kg
Predicted DMI 7.37 kg
Inputed Milk 5 kg
ME allowable Milk -3.9kg
MP allowable Milk 0.1 kg
ME Balance -11.06 Mcal
MP Balance -331 g
Day to BCS change 0 days
Early lactation Mature with season 4 grass Early lactation Mature with season 4 grass
Inputed DMI 5.46 kg
Predicted DMI 5.46 kg
Inputed Milk 5 kg
ME allowable Milk -10.7kg
MP allowable Milk -1.5 kg
ME Balance -18.87 Mcal
MP Balance -427g
Day to BCS change 0
20
Farm 1 Mature lactating cows calving on June 1
Early lactation (June 1-August 31) consuming grasses 1and 2 in ratio of 21 Grass1 Grass 2 6.5 kg3.25 kg Grass1 Grass 2 6.5 kg3.25 kg

Inputed DMI 9.75 kg 9.75 kg
Predicted DMI 9.76 kg 9.76 kg
Inputed Milk 5 kg 5 kg
ME allowable Milk 5 kg 5 kg
MP allowable Milk 5 kg 5 kg
ME Balance -0.91 Mcal -0.91 Mcal
MP Balance -44.3 g -44.3 g
Mid-late lactation (Sep 1-January 31) consuming grasses 2 and 3 in ratio of 14 Grass 2 Grass 3 (1.57 kg)(6.28 kg) Grass 2 Grass 3 (1.57 kg)(6.28 kg)

Inputed DMI 7.85 kg 7.85 kg
Predicted DMI 7.85 kg 7.85 kg
Inputed Milk 3.7 kg 3.7 kg
ME allowable Milk -2.7 kg -2.7 kg
MP allowable Milk 0.7 kg 0.7 kg
ME Balance -6.28 Mcal -6.28 Mcal
MP Balance -126 g -126 g
21
Farm 1 Mature lactation cows calving on June 1
Farm 1 early dry mature cows (Feb 1-April 30) consuming grass 4, 100 Grass 4 (100)6.83 kg Grass 4 (100)6.83 kg

Inputed DMI 6.83 kg 6.83 kg
Predicted DMI 6.83 kg 6.83 kg
--- --- ---
ME Balance -14.41 Mcal -14.41 Mcal
MP Balance -193 g -193 g
Farm 1 late dry mature cows (May 1-July 31) consuming grasses 4 and 1in ratio of 12 Grass 4 Grass 1 3.375 kg6.75 kg Grass 4 Grass 1 3.375 kg6.75 kg

Inputed DMI 10.125 kg 10.125 kg
Predicted DMI 10.192 kg 10.192 kg
--- --- ---
ME Balance -3.77 Mcal -3.77 Mcal
MP Balance
22
(No Transcript)
23
Conclusions simulation 1

• Negative energy balance through the entire
  calving interval does not agree with
  observations of panel of experts.
• i) assumptions on milk amount and
  composition?
• ii) Do cows eat more than the predicted
• intake by the CNCPS?
• iii) Forage composition assumed.

24
Simulation 2grazed grass composition based on
data collected by Juarez at Veracruz and Rueda in
Western Brazil
25
Predicted composition of grazed forages
simulation 2

• Assume forage quality progressively declines from
  beginning of growth in rainy season (season 1) to
  accumulated forage grazed in the dry season
  (season 4).
• Used data from Mexico Gulf Coast (Juarez et al.)
  and Brazil Amazon region (Rueda et al.) to
  estimate composition of forage grazed during each
  season.

26
Composition of grass grazed, Brazil Amazon
region1


  NDF Lignin CP NDF rate, /hour
Rainiest 71.7 5.6 7.8 6.6
Less rainy 68.6 6.1 8.1 6.6
mean 70.15 5.85 7.95 6.6

1Rueda et al., J. Animal Science 812923-2937.
27
Grass composition, Gulf of Mexico1
NDF of DM LIGNIN of NDF CP of DM NDF rate, /hour
66.8 5.6 9.4 7.3
70.6 5.9 7.8 7.2
74.2 7.5 7.0 5.1
1Juarez et al., J. Dairy Science 822136-2145.
Averaged by 3 NDF ranges 64-69, 70-72,
and 73-75
28
Simulation 2 forage composition assumptions
Forage CP in DM NDF in DM Lignin in NDF Ash in DM CHOB3 Kd/hr Fat(Ether extract)(DM)
Season 1 grass 9 67 5.5 12.7 8.6 3
Season 2 grass 8 70 6 12 6.8 2.6
Season 3 grass 8 71 6.5 11.5 6.2 2.2
Season 4 grass 7 73 7 11 4.4 1.6
29
Simulation 2 (grasses one and two)
Early lactation Mature with season 1 grass Early lactation Mature with season 1 grass
Inputted DMI 10.00 kg
Predicted DMI 10 kg
Inputted Milk 5 kg
ME allowable Milk 6.5 kg
MP allowable Milk 5.9 kg
ME Balance 0.77 Mcal
MP Balance 8.2 g
Day to BCS change 297 days
Early lactation Mature with season 2 grass Early lactation Mature with season 2 grass
Inputted DMI 9.59 kg
Predicted DMI 9.6 kg
Inputted Milk 5 kg
ME allowable Milk 3.9 kg
MP allowable Milk 4.2 kg
ME Balance -2.11 Mcal
MP Balance -91 g
Day to BCS change ---
30
Simulation 2 (grass three and four)
Early lactation Mature with season 3 grass Early lactation Mature with season 3 grass
Inputted DMI 9.47 kg
Predicted DMI 9.47 kg
Inputted Milk 5 kg
ME allowable Milk 3 kg
MP allowable Milk 3.3 kg
ME Balance -3.17 Mcal
MP Balance -146 g
Day to BCS change ---
Early lactation Mature with season 4 grass Early lactation Mature with season 4 grass
Inputted DMI 8.08 kg
Predicted DMI 8.08kg
Inputted Milk 5 kg
ME allowable Milk -1.8 kg
MP allowable Milk 1.1 kg
ME Balance -8.65Mcal
MP Balance -275 g
Day to BCS change ---
31
Simulation 2 (Farm 1 Lactating mature cows that
calved on June 1)
Early lactation (June 1-August 31) consuming grasses 1and 2 in ratio of 21 Grass1 Grass 2 6.58 kg3.29kg Grass1 Grass 2 6.58 kg3.29kg

Inputed DMI 9.87 kg 9.87 kg
Predicted DMI 9.87 kg 9.87 kg
Inputed Milk 5 kg 5 kg
ME allowable Milk 5.7 kg 5.7 kg
MP allowable Milk 5.4 kg 5.4 kg
ME Balance -0.15 Mcal -0.15 Mcal
Day to BCS change 0 days 0 days
Mid-late lactation (Sep 1-January 31) grasses 2 and 3 in ratio of 14 Grass2 Grass3 (1.897kg)7.59kg) Grass2 Grass3 (1.897kg)7.59kg)

Inputed DMI 9.487 kg 9.487 kg
Predicted DMI 9.491 kg 9.491 kg
Inputed Milk 3.7 kg 3.7 kg
ME allowable Milk 2.9 kg 2.9 kg
MP allowable Milk 3.4 kg 3.4 kg
ME Balance 0.1 Mcal 0.1 Mcal
Day to BCS change 2317 days 2317 days
32
Simulation 2 (Farm 1 early and late dry Mature
cows that calved on June 1)
Farm 1 early dry mature cows (Feb 1-April 30) consuming grass 4, 100 Grass 4 (100)9.17 kg Grass 4 (100)9.17 kg

Inputed DMI 9.17 kg 9.17 kg
Predicted DMI 9.174 kg 9.174 kg
---    
ME allowable gain 0 0
MP allowable gain N-A-N N-A-N
ME Balance -4.19 Mcal -4.19 Mcal
Day to BCS change 0 0
Farm 1 late dry mature cows (May 1-July 31) consuming grasses 4 and 1 in ratio of 12 Grass 4 Grass 1 3.43 kg6.86 kg Grass 4 Grass 1 3.43 kg6.86 kg

Inputed DMI 10.29 kg 10.29 kg
Predicted DMI 10.31 kg 10.31 kg
---    
ME allowable gain 0.01 0.01
MP allowable gain Infinity Infinity
ME Balance -1.58 Mcal -1.58 Mcal
Day to BCS change 7356 days 7356 days
33
(No Transcript)
34
(No Transcript)
35
(No Transcript)
36
(No Transcript)
37
(No Transcript)
38
Effect of body condition score on conception

• BCS 4.5-5 is needed for mature cows, 6 for
  heifers at calving, for conception
• (Herd et al, 1995 Randel, 1990)
• Need BCS inputs for Farm 1 and 3 simulations
  whose calving time is in the beginning of the dry
  season.

39
Conclusions.

• The CNCPS simulations are very sensitive to
  forage chemical composition (Juarez et al. J.
  Dairy Science)
• Farm 1 (Calving on June) looks closer to average
  of zero energy balance for the reproductive cycle
  than that of Farm 4(Calving on February 4)
• Farm 4 has two energy balance nadirs

40
Conclusions about forage composition for accurate
simulation

• Need actual values for forage consumed.
• Grass samples need to represent what cows are
  observed to select.
• Need samples for each month of year.
• Analysis should include NDF, lignin, CP, and
  available NDF digestion rate.

41
Goals for shortening the CI

• Reach nadir as soon as possible after calving.
• Have cows in optimum BCS at calving.
• Need to achieve zero energy balance over the
  reproductive cycle.