Objectives
- Evaluate the pre and postpartum performance of beef cows receiving four levels of fat from canola seed supplementation.
- Evaluate the birth to slaughter performance of progeny of beef cows that received four levels of fat from supplementation during gestation.
- Study biological systems involved in performance change of progeny of beef cows that received four levels of supplement.
- Determine systems costs and net returns for four levels of fat from canola seed supplementation of beef cows.
This research is not only focus on determining the optimum amount of fat from off-grade canola seed supplementation to gestating beef cows, but the economic price point (taking into account prices of traditional feed sources and canola inclusion costs) when canola supplementation is most profitable. The proposed study will generate a new potential use for the large amounts of off-grade canola seed produced every year in Saskatchewan, as well as new information on supplementation strategies for cow-calf producers to reduce feed costs and improve animal performance of the herd.
