Written collaboratively by Dr. Jessica Nora Drum, Dr. Rebecca Swanson, and Dr. Ana Clara B. Menezes.
As cattle producers, particularly in spring-calving herds, prepare for winter, much of their focus centers on maintaining body condition in late-gestation cows. However, feed costs are often the largest expense in a cow-calf operation, and winter nutrition decisions require balancing economics with cow performance. Beyond keeping cows in adequate condition until calving, winter feeding during late gestation offers a key opportunity to influence the next generation's development and future performance.
Recent research from regional institutions, including studies involving Dr. Rebecca Swanson and Dr. Ana Clara Baiao Menezes at South Dakota State University, continue to demonstrate that the nutritional environment experienced by a fetus can affect developmental processes long before birth. This concept, known as fetal programming, suggests that management decisions made during gestation may have lasting consequences for offspring growth, metabolism, health, and productivity (Hurlbert et al., 2026; Jardon et al., 2025; Kennedy et al., 2026; R. Swanson et al., 2022a; R. M. Swanson et al., 2026; Wehrbein et al., 2026a, b).
The Importance of Late Gestation
The final third of pregnancy is one of the most critical periods as rapid fetal growth occurs, increasing the demand for nutrients. Any changes in nutrient availability must be managed through the placenta, which serves as the bridge between the cow and her developing calf. The placenta is not simply a passive connection. It actively regulates the transfer of amino acids, fatty acids, and other nutrients needed for fetal growth (Kennedy et al., 2026 ; Swanson et al., 2022).
A recent study co-authored by Dr. Rebecca Swanson examined how nutrient restriction during mid to late gestation affects nutrient transfer between the dam and fetus. Researchers found that reducing maternal nutrition altered fetal fatty acid profiles and changed the expression of genes involved in placental nutrient transport. These findings demonstrated that the placenta adapts to nutritional challenges and may respond by modifying how nutrients are delivered to the developing fetus (Kennedy et al., 2026).
The same research group previously reported that late-gestation nutrient restriction influenced maternal and fetal amino acid concentrations as well as placental amino acid transport systems ( Swanson et al., 2022b). Together, these studies reinforce an important principle: the nutritional environment experienced during pregnancy can directly influence fetal development.
Feeding the Calf Before It Is Born
For producers, fetal programming can sometimes feel like an abstract concept. Yet the practical message is straightforward: The quantity and quality of nutrients available during gestation influence organ development, muscle formation, metabolism, and the overall developmental trajectory of the calf. In other words, winter nutrition is not simply about maintaining cow condition through the winter but also about supporting calves that will not be born for several months.
Research continues to suggest that conditions experienced before birth may influence performance well beyond the neonatal period. Although scientists are still working to understand all of the biological mechanisms involved, the fetuses appear to respond to changes in nutrient availability during critical stages of development.
Precision Feeding and Winter Management
Maintaining performance while improving feed efficiency is a major goal for beef operations. Researchers at South Dakota State University, led by Dr. Ana Clara B. Menezes and her research team, recently evaluated a precision-feeding strategy for beef cows during late gestation and early lactation (Wehrbein et al., 2026a,b). In the study, researchers found that cows receiving a limit-fed, energy-dense diet consumed less feed and water, and produced less total daily methane emissions than cows consuming a traditional forage-based diet. Additionally, limit-feeding a high-concentrate corn-based diet upregulated genes related to immune function, inflammatory signaling, and energy metabolism in the placenta. Further, colostrum yield was increased, as were milk fat yield and energy-corrected milk (Wehrbein et al., 2026b). Importantly, calf growth through weaning was not negatively affected. From an economic standpoint, the study demonstrated that producers could save approximately $29 per cow when winter-feeding corn concentrate diets. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that improving efficiency does not necessarily require sacrificing productivity. Precision nutrition strategies during late gestation can help producers reduce feed costs and resource use while maintaining cow performance and calf growth, highlighting that targeted nutritional management yields both biological and economic benefits for beef operations.
Looking Beyond One Generation
Emerging research suggests that the effects of maternal nutrition may extend beyond a single calf crop. A recent study from the Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy at North Dakota State University, co-authored by Dr. Ana Clara B. Menezes, evaluated vitamin and mineral supplementation provided to heifers throughout pregnancy and assessed outcomes in subsequent generations. Researchers observed differences in growth, metabolism, and developmental characteristics among descendants of supplemented females (Hurlbert et al., 2026). Building on these insights, Dr. Menezes’ research team is currently investigating how maternal supplementation with dried distillers grains or canola meal during late gestation and early lactation impacts the long-term performance, health, and immunity of both daughters and granddaughters. Preliminary results indicate that maternal canola meal supplementation may foster a stronger and faster neonatal immune response. While the underlying biological mechanisms continue to be explored, these initial findings reinforce that strategic nutritional management during pregnancy can yield benefits across multiple generations.
Practical Take-Home Messages
As producers evaluate feeding programs this fall and winter, several key principles emerge:
- Maintain adequate body condition throughout gestation.
- Recognize that late gestation is a critical period for fetal development.
- View winter feeding programs as an investment in both the cow and her unborn calf.
- Consider feeding strategies that improve efficiency without compromising performance.
- Maintain an effective vitamin and mineral program throughout gestation.
- Remember that maternal nutrition may influence offspring performance long after birth and potentially across generations.
Conclusion
A healthy calf starts well before calving season. Research from South Dakota State University, North Dakota State University, and collaborating institutions continues to demonstrate the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy. Whether through supporting placental function, optimizing nutrient delivery to the fetus, or improving the efficiency of winter-feeding systems, nutrition remains one of the most powerful management tools available to beef producers.
The concept of fetal programming reminds us that winter feeding is about more than meeting the needs of a pregnant cow today. It is also about helping shape the performance, health, and productivity of tomorrow's calf crop.
References
- Hurlbert, J. L., Bochantin-Winders, K. A., Slavick, K. R. M., Pucetti, P., Da Silva, J. T., Menezes, A. C. B., Kirsch, J. D., Swanson, K. C., Sedivec, K. K., & Dahlen, C. R. (2026). Gestational vitamin and mineral supplementation in F0 beef heifers: Impacts on F1 heifer nutrient digestibility, metabolic balance, and F1 dam and F2 fetus development. Journal of Animal Science, 104, skag196.
- Jardon, G. H., Kovarna, M. R., Heldt, J. S., Wall, E. H., & Menezes, A. C. B. (2025). Effects of Botanical Blend of Turmeric, Capsicum, and Pepper Extracts on Colostrum and Milk Yield and Quality, Passive Transfer of Immunity, and Performance of Beef Cow–Calf Pairs. Veterinary Sciences, 12(3), 250.
- Kennedy, K. M., Contreras-Correa, Z., Messman, R. D., Swanson, R. M., Sidelinger, D. R., King, H., Wang, S., Dinh, T., & Lemley, C. O. (2026). Maternal melatonin supplementation during late-gestation nutrient restriction alters placental fatty acid transporter expression and fetal fatty acid profiles in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science, 104, skag090.
- Swanson, R., Contreras-Correa, Z., Dinh, T., King, H., Sidelinger, D., Burnett, D., & Lemley, C. (2022a). Melatonin Supplementation Alters Maternal and Fetal Amino Acid Concentrations and Placental Nutrient Transporters in a Nutrient Restriction Bovine Model. Metabolites, 12(12), 1208.
- Swanson, R., Contreras-Correa, Z., Dinh, T., King, H., Sidelinger, D., Burnett, D., & Lemley, C. (2022b). Melatonin Supplementation Alters Maternal and Fetal Amino Acid Concentrations and Placental Nutrient Transporters in a Nutrient Restriction Bovine Model. Metabolites, 12(12), 1208.
- Swanson, R. M., Davila Ruiz, B. J., Hurlbert, J. L., Diniz, W. J. S., Banerjee, P., Dahlen, C., Crouse, M. S., Hauxwell, K. M., Caton, J. S., & Reynolds, L. (2026). Livestock models of maternal nutrition and developmental programming. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 17, e14.
- Wehrbein, M. A., Podversich, F., Menendez, H. M., Smith, Z. K. F., Rusche, W. C., & Menezes, A. C. B. (2026). Optimizing Nutrient and Water Utilization During Late Gestation and Early Lactation in Beef Cows: The Power of Limit-Feeding a Precision Energy Diet. AgriEngineering, 8(5), 196.
- Wehrbein, M.A.; Jardon, G.H.; Podversich, F.; Diniz, W.J.S.; Swartz, T.H.; Menezes, A.C.B. 2026. Effects of winter-feeding a high-concentrate corn-based diet on cotyledonary gene expression, colostrum and milk quality and yield, and colostrum immunoglobulin concentrations in beef cows. Journal of Animal Science.
