Vitamin A in cow-calf production: Impacts of maternal supplementation and status on offspring

Authors: SPEER, HANNAH - University Of Nebraska; Freetly, Harvey; WILKE, KARLA - University Of Nebraska; DREWNOSKI, MARY - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: State University Ag Report
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2023
Publication Date: 1/2/2024
Citation: Speer, H.F., Freetly, H.C., Wilke, K.H., Drewnoski, M.E. 2024. Vitamin A in cow-calf production: Impacts of maternal supplementation and status on offspring. Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. p. 25-27.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The young calf is at greatest risk of vitamin A deficiency when cow vitamin intake is low in late pregnancy. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the relationship between cow and calf vitamin A status and how vitamin A status of cow-calf pairs was influenced by maternal vitamin A supple¬mentation. In general, calves did not have adequate liver vitamin A concentrations despite cows having adequate liver vitamin A stores following calving. Both cow liver stores and cow vitamin A intake during late gestation influence the amount of vitamin A in colostrum, so it benefits the calf if the cow has both adequate liver vitamin A stores and receives adequate supplemental vitamin A in late gestation. Current supplemental vitamin A recommendations provided to cows fed stored feeds for a year or more do not result in adequate beef cow or calf liver vitamin A concentrations.