The effect of nutrition on conception rate in beef cows at cumberland house, Saskatchewan

The conception rate of cows in the Cumberland House area of Saskatchewan fed native forage grown in the area was observed to be unacceptably low. Supplementation with 12g of calcium and of phosphorus daily, and provision of cereal silage seemingly improved conception rates. It would appear that phosphorus may have been the first limiting nutrient and that a portion of the improved pregnancy rate was due to phosphorus supplementation. The low energy content of the forage, especially in years when it was badly weathered, was also judged to be a factor in conception rate in the subsequent year. It was also noted that there is a potential widespread phosphorus problem for beef cattle in Saskatchewan based on Feed Testing Service analyses of feeds.