The protein supplementation during the winter and the reproductive capacity of beef cattle in Rio Grande do Sul

The influence of supplemental linseed oil meal was studied in 92 cows with and without calves. The cows were maintained under range conditions on native pasture, and were supplemented during the winter, for a period of three years. Four hundred and eighty nine head of cattle were used as controls. Cattle without calf were significantly more fertile than those with calf, during the first and second years of supplementation. Comparing the reproductive capacity of the cattle with calf, the cows that received supplementation were significantly more fertile during the second and third year. There was no significant difference in the reproductive capacity of the cattle without calf between the control and treatment groups during the three year study. The authors conclude that there is an increase in the reproductive capacity of the cattle in lactation by supplementation with linseed oil meal. There is no reason to believe that supplementation of cattle without calf is needed.