Digital Commons Network^™

Trends In The Environmental Health Job Market For New Graduates, Jason W. Marion, Timothy J. Murphy Phd, Anne Marie Zimeri Phd

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The question of whether the job market can support future graduates of environmental health programs remains an important and difficult question for environmental health programs, current and prospective students, parents, and other stakeholders. Our previous report using 2014 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics demonstrated anticipated growth and higher than average pay in the profession through at least 2022 for baccalaureate degree holders (Marion & Sinde, 2015). Growth in the profession does not necessarily translate into job availability if the market is saturated with job candidates. While university programs produce graduates, local health departments (LHDs) have suffered tremendous …

Trap-Neuter-Return Programs And The Importance Of Associated Public Awareness, Nicolette Sliwa

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

The focus of this paper is to describe a typical Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program and highlight the major pros and cons surrounding this somewhat controversial method of managing the overwhelming free-roaming cat population. The effects of the species’ overabundance on the environment and human health are also discussed. Citing studies completed on TNR programs around the globe as well as mathematical models, the effectiveness of this method is compared to other, currently used alternatives. Finally, it has been suggested that the general awareness level a neighborhood possesses about the true goals of TNR programs has a potentially significant impact on the …

Israel : Translocation Of Rabies, Sarah Baker

Global Public Health

Israel is now faced with a steady growing public health threat as canine rabies has reemerged in the northern region of Israel. While the steady increase in cases is of notable alarm, moreover the close contact most often shared between dog and human populations is of much more concern from a public health prospective. Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccinating dogs has proven to be the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people. Additionally, education on bite prevention and rabid animal behaviors for both children and adults is an essential extension of the long term rabies vaccination program that …

Acknowledgements

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Appreciation is expressed to the following firms, associations, or agencies who provided grant support for research in the beef cattle program.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant/ USDA/NIFA Foundation Program: Animal Reproduction

The Beef Checkoff , Centennial, Colo

Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, Neb.

CSIRO, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Dickson, ACT, Australia

Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, Ind.

Huvepharma Inc. Peachtree City, GA

Dr. Kenneth and Caroline McDonald Eng Foundation San Antonio, Tex.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition. Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Centennial, Colo.

2017 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report (Complete)

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Contents

Cow/Calf: Effect of Heifer Development System on Reproduction and Subsequent Gain as a Pregnant Heifer • Impact of Heifer Development System in Two Breeding Seasons • Timed Insemination vs. Modifi ed Estrus Detection in Beef Heifers • Growth and Reproductive Performance of Yearling Beef Heifers Implanted with Revalor G in the Nebraska Sandhills • Development of Terminal and Maternal Economic Selection Indices in Beefmaster Cattle • Effects of Wintering System on Cow and Calf Performance in a Summer- Calving Intensive Production System • Methods to Increase Productivity of Spring Calving Production Systems in the Nebraska Sandhills

Growing: Effect of …

The Effect Of Supplementing Mannan Oligosaccharide Or Finely Ground Fiber, During The Summer On Body Temperature, Performance, And Blood Metabolites Of Finishing Steers, Bradley M. Boyd, Terry L. Mader, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, Henry Hilscher, Gene Wijffels, John B. Gaughan, Megan Sullivan, Judy Cawdell- Smith, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred beef steers (12 pens, n=96) were used to determine the effect of adding Agrimos or 5% ground (1 in.) wheat straw compared to a control on body temperature, panting score and performance. Th ere were no differences in final BW, ADG, and DMI among treatments. Feed conversion was increased for cattle fed 5% additional ground straw when compared to control and Agrimos. Hot carcass weight, dressing %, LM area, and marbling score were not different among treatments. Cattle fed the control had greater 12th rib fat depth and USDA yield grade than cattle fed straw or Agrimos. Both average …

Effect Of Salt Reduction On The Quality And Shelf Life Characteristics Of Deli-Style Roast Beef, Chad G. Bower, Regan E. Stanley, Samodha Fernando Fernando, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Concerns with excessive sodium intake have led to increased pressure on meat processors to reduce added salt in meat products. Quality characteristics and microbial growth were evaluated on deli- style roast beef slices formulated to contain varying concentrations of added salt. Salt concentration had no effect on microbial community composition, however increasing salt slowed microbial growth over time. Increasing salt increased cooking yield and decreased water activity. Salt reduction negatively impacts the texture, yield, and shelf life of deli- style roast beef, however salt concentrations within this range do not significantly alter spoilage flora community composition.

Comparison Of Titanium® 5 Ph- M Versus Titanium® 5 Plus Nuplura® Ph With The Presence Or Absence Of Monensin On Health And Performance Of Newly Received Feedlot Calves Fed Ramp®, Robert M. Jones, Curtis J. Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Mallorie F. Wilken, Rick Stock, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A receiving study was conducted to evaluate the effects of RAMP® with Rumensin® concentration (0 or 25.0 g/ton) given with one of two viral vaccinations (Titanium® 5 PH- M or Titanium® 5 plus NUPLURA® PH) on steer growth performance and morbidity. There were no significant vaccine by diet interactions observed. Neither vaccine treatment nor Rumensin® level affected intake, gain, or feed conversion. Vaccine type did not affect first pull (P = 0.19) or second pull morbidity rates (P = 0.52). These findings suggest that neither vaccine type nor Rumensin® concentration had any effect on steer growth performance or morbidity rate.

Evaluation Of 0 Or 300 Mg Of Optaflexx® On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Steers Fed To Different Degrees Of Finish, Robert M. Jones, Curtis J. Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Mallorie F. Wilken, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A feedlot study evaluated the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx®) dosage (0 or 300 mg/steer daily) and days on feed (118, 139, 160, 174 DOF) as a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial (steers fed 174 d were not fed Optaflexx) on performance of big yearlings. No interaction was observed between Optaflexx and days on feed. Feeding Optaflexx improved live final BW, carcass- adjusted ADG, carcass- adjusted feed conversion, and calculated yield grade. Increasing days on feed linearly increased live final BW, carcass-adjusted feed conversion, HCW, dressing percent, and marbling score but not ADG. Furthermore, a quadratic increase in LM …

Corn Residue Quality Throughout The Grazing Season, Shelby E. Gardine, Gavin L. Harsh, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, Jana L. Gramkow, Andrea K. Watson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Changes in in vitro organic matter digestibility and digestible organic matter of corn residue were evaluated throughout the fall grazing and spring grazing seasons. In vitro organic matter digestibility and digestible organic matter were greatest at the beginning of fall grazing and declined over time. Slight weathering resulted in lower quality corn residue available at the beginning of spring grazing compared to the beginning of fall grazing. The in vitro organic matter digestibility of available residue declined 21% over the fall grazing season and 51% throughout the spring grazing season. As the availability of nutrients declines over time, adjustments in …

Effect Of Backgrounding System On Steer Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Jordan L. Cox, Kristin E. Hales, Kristen M. Ulmer Ulmer, Richard J. Rasby, Steven D. Shackleford, Chad Engle, John Rieckman, Harvey C. Freetly, Mary Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The impact of 3 backgrounding systems: grazing corn residue with distillers grains supplementation at 0.86% BW/d, grazing an oats-brassica forage, or feeding a grower ration in a drylot on finishing performance and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Backgrounding phase gains were greatest for steers fed a grower ration in the drylot (3.58 lb/d), intermediate for steers grazing oats-brassica forage and then fed the grower ration for short period (2.65 lb/d), and least for steers grazing corn residue while supplemented distillers grains and then fed the grower ration for short period (2.22 lb/d). These backgrounding treatment differences did not affect ADG during …

Delineating Complex Forage Mixtures Using Plant-Wax Markers, Napoleón Vargas Jurado, Hannah C. Hamilton, Ronald M. Lewis

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Plant waxes provide a marker profile of individual plants that, when sufficiently distinct, can be used to estimate the diet composition of grazing cattle. They also may provide a tool for reliably predicting feed intake. The traditional method (nonnegative least squares) to use these markers to predict diet composition has limitations. A newer statistical approach (Bayesian linear unmixing) deemed more efficient was tested with simulation. Samples from 8 forage species in Nebraska were analyzed for their plant- wax marker contents. Those concentrations were used to simulate 1000 diets for 4 mixtures containing 2, 3, 5 or 8 plants. The efficiency …

Growth And Reproductive Performance Of Yearling Beef Heifers Implanted With Revalor G In The Nebraska Sandhills, Benjamin T. Tibbitts, Hazy Rae Nielson, K. H. Ramsay Ramsay, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Th is study evaluated effects of a single stocker implant (Revalor G) on growth and reproductive performance of yearling beef heifers in the Nebraska Sandhills. Crossbred heifers, grazing native Sandhills range, were randomly assigned to either be implanted 82 ± 2 days prior to estrus synchronization, or not implanted, to determine the effects of growth implants on heifer performance. Heifers were bred via artificial insemination followed with clean- up bulls. Implanted heifers gained more and were heavier at the end of the trial, but had a reduced pregnancy rate than non- implanted heifers. Implanted heifers also had a lower pregnancy …

Statistics Used In The Nebraska Beef Report And Their Purpose

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The purpose of beef cattle and beef product research at UNL is to provide reference information that represents the various populations (cows, calves, heifers, feeders, carcasses, retail products, etc) of beef production. Obviously, the researcher cannot apply treatments to every member of a population; therefore he/ she must sample the population. The use of statistics allows the researcher and readers of the Nebraska Beef report the opportunity to evaluate separation of random (chance) occurrences and real biological effects of a treatment. Following is a brief description of the major statistics used in the beef report. For a more detailed description …

Effects Of Distillers Grains Or Fiber On Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli In Steers, Liesel G. Schneider, Curtis J. Bittner, Jordan E. Burhoop Burhoop, F. Henry Hilscher, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Rodney A. Moxley, David R. Smith

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Increased probability for fecal shedding and colonization by Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been observed in previous studies when steers are fed increased inclusions of distillers grains. A feeding study was conducted to determine if distillers grains or fiber from distillers grains in the finishing ration of feedlot steers affected fecal shedding prevalence of seven serogroups of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC- 7). For EHEC O45 and EHEC O103, the greatest prevalence of shedding occurred when steers were fed increased distillers grains For all EHECs except for O111, fecal shedding prevalence was similar between the corn control and either of the corn …

Effect Of Three Initial Implant Programs With A Common Terminal Revalor®- 200 On Feedlot Performance And Carcass Traits Of Weaned Steers, Colton R. Oney, Galen E. Erickson, Andrea K. Watson Watson, Marshall N. Streeter, Robert J. Cooper, Bill D. Dicke, D. J. Jordon, Tony L. Scott

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A commercial feedlot study utilizing 1,350 calf- fed steers (initial BW = 623 lb; ±23 lb) compared three initial implant strategies: Revalor®- IS (day 1), Revalor®- IS (day 1) and Revalor®- 200 (day 67), or Revalor®- XS (day 1). Each initial implant strategy was followed by a terminal Revalor®- 200 implant (day 133) to determine effects on performance and carcass traits. No differences in final body weight, intake, gain, or feed conversion were observed on either a live, or carcass adjusted basis. Th ere were also no differences in hot carcass weight, USDA quality grade, or USDA yield grade. Results …

Methods To Increase Productivity Of Spring Calving Production Systems In The Nebraska Sandhills, Devin Broadhead, L. A. Stalker, Jacki A. Musgrave Musgrave, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feeding supplement to cattle grazing dormant winter range increased cow BW and BCS and calf performance, but not pregnancy rate. Using a CIDR to shorten the post-partum interval in a cow herd with existing acceptable reproductive performance did not improve pregnancy rate. Feeding creep feed to calves increased weaning BW but should be considered within the context of a cost/benefit analysis. Additional years of data collection may be necessary to draw definitive conclusions.

Effect Of Crude Glycerin Concentration On Growing Steer Performance In Forage Diets, Robert G. Bondurant, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effect of increasing crude glycerin concentration was evaluated in a 91- d growing trial utilizing 60 steers. Crude glycerin was included at 0, 4, 8, and 12% of dietary DM in diets consisting of 50% wheat straw; 22.9- 37.0% wet corn bran, and 8.0- 10.1% soybean meal. Crude glycerin replaced wet corn bran and soybean meal was added to maintain dietary CP. Steer ending BW was not different among treatments. Th ere was a quadratic increase in DMI from 0 to 8% crude glycerin and subsequent decrease at 12%. Th ere was no difference in ADG or feed efficiency …

Predicting Feedlot Growth Performance Over The Feeding Period Utilizing Steer Age And Body Weight, Curtis J. Bittner, Andrea K. Watson, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A pooled- analysis of UNL feedlot pens examined the effects of steer age and body weight on feedlot growth performance. For data analysis, pens were divided into 3 subclasses based on steer age (calf- fed, short yearling, or long yearling) and, grouped based upon initial body weight (500 to 1200 lb, in 100 lb increments) within each age class. As initial body weight increased, DMI (lb/d) for the whole feeding period increased quadratically in calf-fed steers and increased linearly in short and long yearlings. A quadratic increase in ADG was observed in calf- feds as initial body weight increased. No …

Relationship Between Dietary Total Digestible Nutrients And Digestible Organic Matter In Beef Cattle Finishing And Growing Diets With Or Without Distillers Grains, Hannah C. Hamilton, Jana L. Gramkow, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Galen E. Erickson, Andrea K. Watson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The relationship between organic matter digestibility and total digestible nutrients is unestablished for diets containing distillers grains. Three cattle digestion studies were used to evaluate the relationship between total digestible nutrients and digestible organic matter. Results suggest digestible organic matter is consistent relative to total digestible nutrients content for traditional, corn based diets. In finishing and growing diets containing distillers grains additional digestible energy supplied by distillers grains is not accounted for when evaluating only digestible organic matter. Measuring digestible energy content of diets used in digestion trials is essential.

Evaluating The Impacts Of Field Peas In Growing And Finishing Diets On Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Hannah L. Greenwell, Karla Jenkins, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Matt K. Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The impact of field peas as a grazing supplement and a component of finishing diets on performance and carcass characteristics was evaluated over two years. During grazing, cattle supplemented with field peas had a greater ending body weight and average daily gain than cattle that received no supplement. However, cattle supplemented with corn had greater average daily gain than both peas and control cattle. Overall, those cattle not supplemented during grazing compensated 53% and 88% when compared to those cattle supplemented corn and peas, respectively. Inclusion of field peas in grower supplement or finishing diets may be advantageous if appropriately …

Pooled Gain Analysis Of Steers Grazing Corn Residue And Supplemented With Distillers Grains, Cody A. Welchons, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A pooled analysis combined data from three trials in which steer calves grazing corn residue were supplemented with distillers grains at varying amounts as a percent of BW. A regression equation was calculated in order to provide an accurate estimate of gain for calves fed distillers grains at various rates. Steers supplemented with distillers grains in a range from 0.3 to 1.1% of BW (1.5 to 6.5 lb / steer daily) had estimated gains that ranged from 1.07 to 1.94 lb / d. Th is prediction equation provides an estimate of gain for calves supplemented with distillers grains at various …

Effect Of Feeding Field Peas On Fresh Beef Quality, Hope R. Voegele, Katherine I. Domenech, Emery K. Kunze Kunze, Felipe A. Ribeiro, Karla H. Jenkins, Jim C. Macdonald, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Th is study was conducted over two years to evaluate the use of field peas during two phases of production (grazing and finishing) on overall fresh beef quality. The backgrounding treatments included: no supplement, field peas, or dry- rolled corn and finishing treatments included the presence or absence of field peas. Loin samples (n = 232) were aged for 14 d and placed under retail display conditions for 7 d. Dietary treatments had no effect on tenderness (WBSF or SSF) or visual discoloration and minimal effects on objective color, lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition. These data indicate field peas …

Effect Of Corn Residue Grazing Or Baling On Subsequent Crop Yield And Nutrient Removal, Kristen M. Ulmer, Jordan L. Cox, Manbir K. Rakkar Rakkar, Robert G. Bondurant, Humberto Blanco-Canqui, Mary Drewnoski, Karla H. Jenkins, James C. Macdonald, Rick J. Rasby

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 2- year study evaluated the effect of corn residue baling or grazing on subsequent yields, as well as, nutrient removal by baling at five locations in Nebraska. Three treatments were applied to each field: baled, grazed, and control (no baling and no grazing). Grain and stover yields were measured by hand harvest at maturity. No differences were observed among treatments for corn yield with baled having yields of 234 bu grain / acre, grazed with 239 bu grain / acre and control with 223 bu grain / acre. Th ere was no difference in stover yield among treatments (8,326, …

Evaluation Of The Value Of Fiber In Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Performance Of Finishing Cattle, Jordan E. Burhoop, Liesel J. Schneider, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher, Jim C. Macdonald, Rodney A. Moxley, David R. Smith, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to determine the value of the fiber in distillers grains plus solubles on cattle performance. Five treatments were evaluated: a corn control diet, 20 or 40% modified distillers grains plus solubles, plus two diets containing corn germ meal and corn bran balanced to equal the fiber content of the two modified distillers grains plus solubles diets. Th ere was a significant improvement in ADG and F:G for cattle fed modified distillers grains plus solubles compared to control. Cattle fed the corn germ meal and bran diets had increased DMI, slightly lower ADG, and poorer F:G …

The Influence Of Diet And Oxidation On Calcium Retention Of The Mitochondria In Fresh Beef, Emery K. Kunze, Nicolas J. Herrera, Katherine I. Domenech-Perez Perez, Michael D. Chao, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feeding dried distillers grains (DG) may influence calcium flux postmortem by disrupting the stability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane, thus leading to a higher post- rigor calcium leakage, resulting in greater activation of calpains and improved tenderness. Mitochondria provide the opportunity to study calcium flux in a controlled, tightly defined environment as a model system for the SR. Cattle were finished on diets containing either 0% DG or 50% DG. Feeding DG increased proportions of PUFA in the SR and mitochondrial membrane. Oxidized mitochondria retained less calcium than non- oxidized mitochondria. Mitochondria from cattle finished on corn tended to …

Effect Of Harvest Method And Ammoniation On Digestibility And Intake Of Corn Residue, Ashley C. Conway, Tasha M. King, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt Breithaupt, Jim C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of three harvest methods, both with and without ammonia treatment, on the in vivo digestibility and intake of baled corn residue were assessed in a digestion trial with lambs. Treatments included three corn residue harvest methods (conventional rake and bale, New Holland Cornrower™ with eight rows or with two rows of corn stalks chopped into the windrow containing the tailings [leaf, husk and upper stalk] from eight harvested rows) and the effects of ammoniation at 5.5% of DM compared to no ammoniation of the residue. Th e 2- Row baled residue (51.7%) had greater dry matter digestibility than …

Effect Of Harvest Method On Digestibility Of Corn Residue, Tasha M. King, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Jana L. Gramkow Gramkow, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Corn residues can be an economical forage source for producers and advanced harvest methods have increased the quality of baled residue. A digestion study was conducted to evaluate the effects of harvest method of corn residues (low- stem, highstem, and conventional) on digestibility in lambs. Samples from total fecal collection were dried 1 of 3 ways to determine effects on digestibility estimates. Corn residue containing low- stem had greatest overall digestibility with high- stem residue being intermediate and conventional harvesting having the lowest digestibility. Drying method had no effect on digestibility estimates.

Impact Of Inoculum Source For In Vitro And In Situ Digestion Procedures Performed On Corn Residue And Grass Samples, Hannah C. Hamilton, Jana L. Harding, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study was conducted to assess the effects of inoculum source at time of incubation on neutral detergent fiber digestibility, dry matter digestibility, and organic matter digestibility of corn residue samples. Digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was greater for both grass and corn residue when inoculum source came from steers consuming a high corn residue diet. Digestibility of dry matter and organic matter were not different between grass and corn residue. It is not necessary to maintain two sets of donors for in vitro or in situ procedures involving corn residue. However, donor diet affects neutral detergent fiber digestibility estimates …

Effects Of Field Pea Supplementation On Digestibility And Rumen Volatile Fatty Acid Concentration Of Diets Containing High And Low Quality Forages, Hannah L. Greenwell, Jana L. Gramkow, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt Breithaupt, Jim C. Macdonald, Karla Jenkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Five ruminally cannulated steers were used to evaluate the effects of supplementation (no supplement, field peas, or dry rolled corn; 0.43% BW) with high and low quality forages on diet digestibility and rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations. Th e inclusion of field peas increased dry matter intake and organic matter digestibility over dry rolled corn and unsupplemented steers. Propionate proportions were less for field peas and control treatments than dry rolled corn, while acetate proportions increased in field peas, and control treatments as compared to dry rolled corn. As a result, acetate to propionate ratio was reduced when dry rolled …