Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Saskatchewan
$56,930.00
Alternative trace mineral supplementation strategies for improved cow performance
FY 2022-23
Summary
This study will help to develop best animal management practices to improve cow-calf sector profitability and trace mineral (TM) supplementation programs for improved beef cow performance. This work will provide producers with evidence-based recommendations for mineral supplementation strategies during the breeding season and mitigate some potential reproductive impacts of high sulfate water. Injectable TM solutions are not currently licensed in Canada for cattle; however, use of effective injections may ensure that all cows have adequate TM status entering the breeding season. A reduction on non-pregnant cows would then lead to greater calving rates, increasing the pounds of calf weaned and economic returns to the cow-calf enterprise. A 3 year replicated study will be managed over three breeding seasons and will involve approximately 240 mature beef cows. The study will investigate the benefits of administering a TM injectable (compared to supplement TM free choice alone) on reproductive outcomes. Baseline values of mineral status will be measured 4 wk pre-calving, and cows will be randomly allocated to treatment after blocking by age. At 4 wk pre-calving, 4 wk pre-breeding, and at pregnancy 40 cows per treatment will have a blood sample drawn to determine mineral serum concentration. At 4 wk pre-calving, 4 wk pre-breeding, at breeding, and at pregnancy, a body condition score will be determined for all cows. A 63-d natural breeding program will be managed during the breeding season. Pasture clippings and water samples will be collected pre- and post-calving and monitored for mineral concentration throughout the study period. Blood samples will be analyzed for TM concentration. Ultrasound will be used to determine pregnancy 35 d after breeding. Reproductive performance will be evaluated by measuring overall pregnancy rate and calving rate. Calf weaning weights will also be recorded each yr to determine kg of calf weaned per treatment. Calf birth dates will be recorded to determine differences in calving distribution between treatments.A partial-budget analysis will be used to compare provision of MultiMin 90 with no provision of injectable mineral.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
560426-2020
Name nom
Lardner, Herbert HA
Department département
Animal and Poultry Science
Organization id
16
Institution établissement
University of Saskatchewan
Province en
Saskatchewan
Province fr
Saskatchewan
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2022
Competition year année de concours
2020
Award amount
56930
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
102
Area of application group en
Agriculture and primary food production
Area of application group fr
Agriculture et produits alimentaires primaires
Area of application en
Animal management (animal diseases, breeding)
Area of application fr
Gestion des animaux (maladies animales, reproduction)
Research subject code
5511
Research subject group en
Animal biology
Research subject group fr
Biologie animale
Research subject en
Animal nutrition and husbandry
Research subject fr
Nutrition et élevage des animaux
Installment
inst:3
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
Alternative trace mineral supplementation strategies for improved cow performance
Application summary
This study will help to develop best animal management practices to improve cow-calf sector profitability and trace mineral (TM) supplementation programs for improved beef cow performance. This work will provide producers with evidence-based recommendations for mineral supplementation strategies during the breeding season and mitigate some potential reproductive impacts of high sulfate water. Injectable TM solutions are not currently licensed in Canada for cattle; however, use of effective injections may ensure that all cows have adequate TM status entering the breeding season. A reduction on non-pregnant cows would then lead to greater calving rates, increasing the pounds of calf weaned and economic returns to the cow-calf enterprise. A 3 year replicated study will be managed over three breeding seasons and will involve approximately 240 mature beef cows. The study will investigate the benefits of administering a TM injectable (compared to supplement TM free choice alone) on reproductive outcomes. Baseline values of mineral status will be measured 4 wk pre-calving, and cows will be randomly allocated to treatment after blocking by age. At 4 wk pre-calving, 4 wk pre-breeding, and at pregnancy 40 cows per treatment will have a blood sample drawn to determine mineral serum concentration. At 4 wk pre-calving, 4 wk pre-breeding, at breeding, and at pregnancy, a body condition score will be determined for all cows. A 63-d natural breeding program will be managed during the breeding season. Pasture clippings and water samples will be collected pre- and post-calving and monitored for mineral concentration throughout the study period. Blood samples will be analyzed for TM concentration. Ultrasound will be used to determine pregnancy 35 d after breeding. Reproductive performance will be evaluated by measuring overall pregnancy rate and calving rate. Calf weaning weights will also be recorded each yr to determine kg of calf weaned per treatment. Calf birth dates will be recorded to determine differences in calving distribution between treatments.A partial-budget analysis will be used to compare provision of MultiMin 90 with no provision of injectable mineral.
