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Preventing Calf Losses, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Many beef producers and practicing veterinarians noted there were higher than normal calf death losses during the 1993 calving season. We were especially aware of the increased losses here in the western states, but there were also heavy losses in the midwest and east, so the problem was very widespread.

Drug Residues And Food Safety, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Complaints and demands from consumers concerning a product usually occur after an incident involving injury, illness or death. However, this was not the case with the Alar scare with apples and it is not the case with the concern for drug residues in food animal products.

Ec97-2505 Signs And Symptoms Of Pesticide Poisoning, Larry D. Schulze, Clyde Ogg, Edward F. Vitzthum

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Accidental exposure or overexposure to pesticides can have serious implications. The potential for pesticide accidents is real. It has been estimated that more than 36 million pounds of pesticide active ingredients are used annually in Nebraska. While most of these pesticides can be used with relatively little risk (as long as label directions are followed), some are extremely toxic and require special precautions.

The Poison Center, at the Children's Hospital in Omaha, reports that agricultural pesticides are responsible for 4.6 percent of all accidental exposures reported. A recent study surveyed callers to The Poison Center who were exposed to agricultural …

Ec97-275 Effect Of Lactation Length On Sow Reproductive Performance, Donald G. Levis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

As lactation length decreases there is an increase in the weaning-to-estrus interval, a decrease in farrowing rate, a decrease in subsequent litter size and an increase in pigs weaned per sow per year. Because of herd-to-herd differences in the influence of lactation length on reproductive performance, each farm should conduct a preliminary study to evaluate the effect of the lactation length being considered before implementing the “new” weaning age of piglets.

G97-1342 Feeding Value Of Alfalfa Hay And Alfalfa Silage, Terry L. Mader, Todd Milton, Ivan G. Rush, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the feeding value of alfalfa under different harvesting, storage and feeding methods, as compared to other protein sources.

In Nebraska, alfalfa is used primarily as a protein source. However, for cow-calf producers it can sometimes be an economical energy source, depending on the prevailing price of feed grains and other sources of energy.

Alfalfa is generally harvested as dry hay or as silage (65 percent moisture). Ensiling at 45 to 55 percent moisture is also common, particularly if the alfalfa is stored in an upright oxygen-limiting structure. Regardless of harvesting and storage methods, some dry matter and …

Ec97-276 Management Strategies For Pen-Mating Female Pigs, Donald G. Levis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The master control switch of a pork production enterprise is weaning day. Pork production managers have little or no control concerning when a weaned female will cycle or how long she will be in estrus after weaning. When females are pen-mated, the producer needs to use management procedures to prevent an excessive number of estrous females from expressing the standing response at the same time, try to manage estrous females so that they are bred at the proper time, try to manage boars so they maintain an adequate level of fertility, evaluate boars for level of sexual behavior before and …

Ec97-274 Management Of Replacement Gilts For Efficient Reproduction, Donald G. Levis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Successfully introducing replacement gilts into the breeding herd is an important aspect of breeding herd efficiency. To attain herd efficiency, females must ovulate adequate numbers of viable ova, express estrus, show willingness to mate and conceive in a regular manner. If these qualities are properly developed, pregnancy rate and litter size will be maximized. A gilt development and management program needs to be designed for gilts from birth to farrowing their first litter.

G97-1315 Composting Manure And Other Organic Residues, Bahman Eghball

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Composting is becoming more common in Nebraska because of the many advantages it offers. This NebGuide provides information on the composting process and its management and related issues.

The Composting Process

Composting is the aerobic decomposition of manure or other organic materials in the thermophilic temperature range (104-149°F). The composted material is odorless, fine-textured, and low-moisture and can be bagged and sold for use in gardens, or nurseries or used as fertilizer on cropland with little odor or fly breeding potential. Composting improves the handling characteristics of any organic residue by reducing its volume and weight. Composting can kill pathogens …

G97-1323 Best Management Practices To Reduce Atrazine Runoff From Corn Fields In Nebraska, Thomas G. Franti, Fred W. Roeth, Gary L. Zoubek

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide presents best management practices (BMPs) which can be used to reduce atrazine runoff from dryland and irrigationd corn fields in Nebraska. Atrazine is one of the most widely used herbicides in Nebraska. It is used alone or combination with other herbicides for weed control in both dryland and irrigationd corn. Atrazine is popular because of its effectiveness and economy. However, environmental concerns are an increasingly important part of producer decisions regarding weed control, fertility and irrigation management practices. A public concern is reducing atrazine runoff to surface waters. Best management practices (BMPs) reduce the amount of atrazine at …

G97-1313 Designing Preventive Health Management Programs For Cattle Producers, Dicky D. Griffin, Louis Perino, Gary Rupp, Eddie Hamilton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The NebGuide details recommendations for a beef cattle herd immunization program.

This NebGuide presents two flow sheets which detail the recommendations for a beef cattle herd immunization program: the Calf through Weaning Preventive Health Management Flow Sheet and the Heifers, Cows and Bulls Preventive Health Management Flow Sheet. While this NebGuide emphasizes the procedures conducted on cattle at each cattle handling opportunity, it is very important to note the role a high quality nutritional program plays in building a total herd health program. You are encouraged to work with a qualified beef cattle nutritionist and your veterinarian when developing your …

G97-1320 Feeding To Maximize Milk Solids, Rick J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes feeding guidelines to increase production of solids-corrected milk.

Proper feeding management of the dairy herd can improve the economy of production and provide for a healthier cow. Feeding to increase production of milk with maximum levels of milk fat and protein is essential for achieving these benefits.

Milk solid components include fat, protein, lactose, and minerals. Normal values for milk fat range from 3.7 percent (Holstein) to 4.9 percent (Jersey); milk protein ranges from 3.1 percent (Holstein) to 3.8 percent (Jersey). Lactose is usually 4.6 to 4.8 percent for all breeds and minerals (ash) average .74 percent. …