Effects of Supplement Type on Performance, Reproductive, and Physiological Responses of Brahman-Crossbred Heifers

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of supplement type on performance, reproductive, and physiological responses of grazing yearling beef heifers. Sixty Brahman x British crossbred heifers were stratified by initial body weight (BW) and age, and randomly allocated to 12 pens (five heifers/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) molasses-based supplement offered three times/wk or 2) citrus pulp-based supplement offered three times/wk. Heifers offered a citrus pulp-based supplement had greater BW gain and blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) compared to heifers offered a molasses-based supplement. Reproductive performance and concentrations of blood progesterone did not differ between treatments. Heifers offered molasses-based supplements had greater blood urea nitrogen concentrations. In this study, supplementing grazing yearling heifers with citrus pulp-based supplements increased BW gain without impacting reproductive performance compared to a molasses-based supplement.