Supplementation strategy during late gestation alters steer progeny health in the feedlot without affecting cow performance

Implementation of minimal supplemental strategies during late gestation has been reported to potentially increase post-weaning progeny health in the feedlot. Therefore, to investigate the effects of nutritional management strategies during late gestation on cow and subsequent steer progeny performance, 103 gestating cows grazing dormant winter range were utilized at Corona Range and Livestock Research Center, Corona, NM. Cows were supplemented with (1) a 36% crude protein (CP) supplement (CSM) fed 3×/wk at a rate of 454 g cow−1 d−1, (2) self-fed supplement comprised of 50% corn gluten meal and 50% mineral (SMP; 28% CP), or (3) cows fed no protein supplement during late gestation (NS). Cows were supplemented for 60 d from December until 2 wk prior to calving. Supplement consumption was 0.45, 0.17, and 0.00 kg/d for CSM, SMP, and NS. After weaning, steers were preconditioned for 45 d and were received and treated as custom-fed commercial cattle at a feedlot in mid-November. Cow BW and BCS were not influenced (P≥0.55) by late gestation management strategy throughout the study. Prepartum supplementation strategies did not influence (P=0.75) subsequent pregnancy rates. Calf BW at weaning, during the feedlot phase, and HCW were not different (P≥0.52) among dam prepartum treatments. A greater percentage of steers from dams fed CSM and NS were treated for sickness than SMP steers (P=0.05). Death loss in the feedlot was greater (P=0.02) for steers from CSM dams. Steer carcass traits and quality were not different (P≥0.17) among prepartum management strategies. Net profit in the feedlot was decreased (P=0.05) in steers from CSM dams compared to steers from SMP and NS dams. In this study, the non-supplement treatment was as effective as SMP treatment for cow performance and profitability in the feedlot. This study indicates that feeding a high ruminally undegradable protein self-fed supplement during late gestation increases calf feedlot health in the feedlot compared to a traditional hand-fed, oilseed-based supplement.