The effects of added energy through feed on first estrus after parturition and weight maintenance

During this 80 day study 41 cows were used to determine if the effects of additional energy added through feed could speed up time between parturition and first estrus. There were 21 cows in the treatment and 20 in the control, mixture of polled and horned cows. The treatment group was fed 5 pound per head of a commodity blend with whole oats mixed ration. Both treatment and control were in a mob grazing program with high quality forages, no hay was fed. The BCS and weight was collected the first day. The BCS was between 4-6 and stayed consistent throughout however the weights changed.;This study used estrus synchronization after a 60 days of heat checking. With this there were no heats missed and was able to catch all cows and know exactly when estrus came on the cattle. Cows receiving the treatment gained no more weight than the control group. With the results produced, the forages the control group consumed were high enough in CP and TDN that the energy levels were not enough different. The study showed to feed the additional energy with the quality of forages received by cattle in the study was not economical.