Monthly Archives: October 2021

Canola Supplementation in Late Gestation Cows Increases Calf Growth

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The growth performance of beef calves may be improved using prenatal supplementation of canola in cows

Researchers from USask found that canola-fat based pellet supplementation in the diet of beef cows led to greater growth of their calves from birth to slaughter. This may be due to the permanent alteration in the expression of a gene that is responsible for growth and muscle development. The aim of this project is to determine an optimal level of canola-fat inclusion in the prenatal diet that optimizes calf growth. Understanding the biological and epigenetic pathways that underlie connections between prenatal nutrition and postnatal growth and development can lead to increased predictability of calf performance and novel strategies to improve postnatal growth.

Download the full project summary here.

For more information on this project, please contact Livestock Gentec:

Phone: 780.248.1740
lsgentec@ualberta.ca

Institution: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Primary Investigator: Carolyn Fitzsimmons

Co-Primary Investigator: Bart Lardner (USaskatchewan)

Term: 2021 - 2026

Funding: $137,000 from BCRC

Challenges in Sustaining Beef and Temperate Grasslands in Alberta

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Developing tools to help producers select cattle and manage grazing to maintain productivity and build public trust in sustainability

Grazing is regarded as the most beneficial use of temperate grasslands from both an agricultural and ecological point of view. However, scientists and consumers are often conflicted about the environmental footprint of beef production and the complex relationship between cow-calf production and grassland conservation. The aim of this project is to understand how the variation in pastures, forage grasses, cattle genetics and pasture microbes work together to influence sustainable beef production. Tools will be developed to help producers decide which cattle are better for the grasses on their land and to align forage availability with cattle nutritional needs. The environmental benefits of grazing grasslands will be measured to help build public trust in the beef industry

Download the full project summary here.

For more information on this project, please contact Livestock Gentec:

Phone: 780.248.1740
lsgentec@ualberta.ca

Institution: University of Alberta

Primary Investigator: John Parkins

Co-Primary Investigator: Cameron Carlyle (UAlberta)

Term: 2021 - 2023

Funding: $197,936 from New Frontiers in Research Fund