Life Sciences Commons^™

Influence Of Chromium Dose And Feeding Regimen On Growth Performance And Carcass Composition Of Pigs Housed In A Commercial Environment, J. T. Gebhardt, J. C. Woodworth, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband, J. Loughmiller, S. S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A study was conducted to determine the effects of increasing chromium propionate (KemTRACE Cr; Kemin Industries Inc., Des Moines, IA) and feeding regimen on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs housed in a commercial environment. There were a total of 1,206 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050; initial BW = 63.2 lb) with 27 pigs/pen and 9 pens/treatment. Pigs were split by gender upon arrival at the facility, with 4 blocks of each gender and a final mixed gender block. Gender blocks were randomly allotted to groups of 5 pen locations within the barn. Diets were corn-soybean meal-dried distillers …

Premium Choice Steaks Purchased From Grocery Outlets Are Generally More Tender Throughout The Year Than Lower Quality Grade Steaks, A. M. Collins, J. A. Unruh, T. A. Houser, S. Stroda

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Consumers typically have the opportunity to select steaks from a variety of marketing categories that relate to quality, price, and expected tenderness. Research on quantifying characteristics of strip steaks from different marketing programs available in self-serve retail display cases and establishing benchmark data for strip steak comparisons for future years is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine mechanical tenderness as well as physical and cooking characteristics of strip steaks purchased from self-serve display cases in grocery store outlets throughout the year.

Delayed Insemination Of Non-Estrual Beef Heifers In 7-Day Co-Synch Timed Artificial Insemination, D. C. Shaw, K. E. Fike, David Grieger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Reproductive performance in cattle is considered to be the most economically important trait and is essential for the success of an operation. In the last decade, timed artificial insemination (AI) in the beef cattle industry has increased in popularity due to the decreased amount of labor required for estrous detection. To increase the use of AI; however, cost and time inputs need to be further decreased. The objective of this study was to determine if fertility could be improved in beef heifers that are not expressing estrus before timed AI by delaying insemination.

Freezing Improves Instrumental Tenderness Of Strip Steaks Purchased At Retail Grocery Stores, A. M. Collins, J. A. Unruh, T. A. Houser, S. Stroda

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

When meat is frozen cell membranes can be damaged, which may lead to lower water holding capacity and higher cooking losses. Several researchers have indicated that freezingLongissimusmuscle (strip loin) steaks may lower Warner-Bratzler shear force, a measurement to objectively measure beef tenderness, compared with steaks not previously frozen. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of freezing on beef tenderness and cooking characteristics of strip steaks purchased from grocery store outlets.

Freezing Strip Loin And Top Round Steaks Improves Warner-Bratzler Shear Force, R. Mcewan, J. A. Unruh, T. A. Houser, T. G. O'Quinn, N. Bloedow, Christopher Vahl, S. Stroda

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Postmortem aging of steaks is a common practice used to improve tenderness of beef steaks. The impact of proteolysis and improvement in tenderness due to aging varies among muscles. When designing research protocols, samples for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) are often frozen for later analysis because of convenience and time limitations. Freezing stops postmortem aging and allows for storage until meat can be cooked for WBSF and/or sensory analysis. However freezing meat may cause damage to cell membranes resulting in lower Warner-Bratzler shear force (improved mechanical tenderness), lower water holding capacity, and greater moisture loss during cooking. Several researchers have …

Palatability Of Ground Beef Increases When Brand Is Disclosed In Consumer Testing, A. K. Wilfong, K. V. Mckillip, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, E. A. Boyle, J. A. Unruh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Of the beef products on the market, ground beef is one of the least expensive and most universal. Ground beef represents the largest volume of protein served in the foodservice industry, at 64%, and is the most popular beef item for consumers when preparing meals in their home (NCBA, 2012). To date, little research has evaluated ground beef palatability despite representing a large sector of the beef market. All ground beef is not the same to consumers. Ground beef from branded beef programs, higher lean points, and primal-specific blends are traditionally sold at retail for higher prices. Branding is used …

Does Knowing Brand Or Usda Grade Of Beef Strip Steaks Affect Palatability For Consumers?, A. K. Wilfong, K. V. Mckillip, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, E. A. Boyle, J. A. Unruh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In consumers’ eyes, not all beef is considered equal. In addition to USDA quality grades, close to 150 branded beef programs are approved for the segregation and marketing of beef products (USDA, 2015). This large number of product categories allows consumers to have a choice in the products they purchase. Blind sensory panel testing of beef, where consumers are not shown the brand or information about a product, has been used for many years. While important to determine palatability characteristics of beef when evaluated blind, consumers do not select, purchase, and consume beef without additional product information. Evidence suggests that …

Enhancement Increases Consumer Acceptability Of Beef Strip Loin Steaks, K. R. Vierck, K. V. Mckillip, A. K. Wilfong, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, J. A. Unruh, E. A. Boyle, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Juiciness, tenderness, and flavor have been well documented as the primary drivers for beef eating satisfaction and are large contributors to consumer purchasing decisions. Increased marbling, and therefore increased quality grade, in beef products has been the industry tool for predicting eating experience. In order to increase consumer eating satisfaction, the pork industry has implemented widespread use of enhancement technology in fresh pork products to allow products to remain juicy and tender, despite potential overcooking. Using this enhancement technology in the beef industry could allow lower quality beef (USDA Select and lower) to provide better eating experiences for consumers. A …

How Do Alternative Pressures Affect The Accuracy Of The Pressed Juice Percentage (Pjp) At Predicting Consumer Juiciness Rating?, M. M. Kline, A. K. Wilfong, K. V. Mckillip, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, E. A. Boyle, J. A. Unruh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Texture is the most important sensory trait when evaluating meat products (Gomes et al., 2014). In beef products, tenderness and juiciness interact to form overall texture and mouthfeel. As a result, beef juiciness is one of the most important factors in creating a satisfactory beef eating experience. A recent study by Woolley (2014) developed an instrumental technique for measuring beef juiciness and predicting consumer beef juiciness satisfaction. The method utilizes a texture analyzer to compress cooked beef samples for a period of 8 seconds at 17.6 lb of force and quantifies the percentage of moisture lost as Pressed Juice Percentage …

Pressed Juice Percentage Can Accurately Sort Beef Into Categories Of Predicted Juiciness, K. V. Mckillip, A. K. Wilfong, J. M. Gonzalez, T. A. Houser, E. A. Boyle, J. A. Unruh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

There are three main factors that contribute to meat palatability: tenderness, juiciness, and flavor (Bratzler, 1971). These three individual factors all play a role in the overall palatability perceived by a consumer. If a product fails for juiciness, there is a greater chance that it will fail in overall acceptability (Emerson et. al, 2013). In the past, research has established a method of segregating steaks based on tenderness acceptability. Researchers have been able to institute thresholds to be able to accurately explain at what shear force a steak will be rated tender by consumers. Similar methods have not been evaluated …

Breeding Objectives Indicate Value Of Genomics For Beef Cattle, M. D. Macneil

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Genomics may have much to offer in the implementation of breeding objectives. Advantages of genomic prediction include increased accuracy of expected progeny differences (EPDs) for traits that have been components of routine genetic evaluations. Perhaps more importantly, genomic prediction makes it possible to include traits that are too costly or too difficult to measure, and traits that are measured too late in life or are sex-limited such that candidates for selection cannot have EBV with high accuracy at the time when selection decisions are made. Genomically enhanced EPDs may also allow for a marked reduction in generation interval, thus accelerating …

Breed And Gender Interact To Affect The Sale Price Of Beef Calves Sold Through Video Auctions From 2010 Through 2014, E. D. Mccabe, M. E. King, K. E. Fike, K. L. Hill, G. M. Rogers, K. G. Odde

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In recent years, the sale prices of beef calves have increased on average, in part due to tighter supply of beef calves and generally strong demand for beef products by consumers. Historically, research has demonstrated beef calf sale price to be influenced by a variety of calf management factors and characteristics. The opportunity to comprehensively evaluate some of these factors amidst recent dynamic changes in the beef industry has been available through analysis of sale prices of beef calves sold as lots via a livestock video auction service. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of breed, …

Effects Of Intensive Late-Season Sheep Grazing Following Early-Season Steer Grazing On Population Dynamics Of Sericea Lespedeza In The Kansas Flint Hills, J. Lemmon, W. H. Fick, J. A. Alexander, G. W. Preedy, C. A. Gurule, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata; SL) is a high-tannin, invasive forb in the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem. In Kansas, sericea lespedeza infests 980 square miles of pasture, primarily in the Flint Hills region. Sericea lespedeza infestations reduce native grass production by up to 92% through a combination of aggressive growth, prolific reproduction, canopy dominance, and chemical inhibition (allelopathy). Herbicides retard the spread of sericea lespedeza, but application is laborious and expensive; moreover, herbicides are lethal to ecologically-important, non-target plant species.

Increased grazing pressure on sericea lespedeza by domestic herbivores may slow its spread and facilitate some measure of biological control. …

Effects Of Growing-Season Prescribed Burning On Vigor Of The Noxious Weed Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza Cuneata) In The Kansas Flint Hills, J. A. Alexander, W. H. Fick, J. Lemmon, C. A. Gurule, G. W. Preedy, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sericea lespedeza (SL) was introduced into the United States from Asia in the late 19th century. Early land managers recognized that SL was adaptable; tolerant of shallow, acidic or low-fertility soils; and resistant to insects and disease. This combination of traits made SL a widely-used plant for reseeding strip-mined lands, highway right-ofways, dams, and waterways in the US for nearly a century.

Regrettably, SL is highly fecund. Individual plants are capable of producing up to 850 lb of seed per acre annually. Vigorous seed production allows SL to rapidly infiltrate native grasslands that are adjacent to reseeding projects; seed can …

Effects Of Altering Supplementation Frequency During The Pre-Partum Period Of Beef Cows Grazing Dormant Native Range, C. J. Mcmullen, J. R. Jaeger, J. W. Waggoner, K. R. Harmoney, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spring-calving beef cattle that are grazing low-quality (<7% crude protein) dormant forage typically are unable to meet their maintenance requirements for protein. Providing a protein supplement (>30% crude protein) is recommended to decrease losses of body weight and body condition. Nutrient supplementation when forage quality is poor or limited is one of the largest expenditures for forage-based beef cattle operations. The expansion of the ethanol industry has afforded many producers in corn and sorghum-producing regions an alternative to traditional oilseed-based protein supplements. The availability and nutrient profile of distiller’s grains with solubles (DDG) has made it popular as a supplement for cows that are grazing dormant lowquality forages.

Decreasing supplementation frequency reduces costs for labor and fuel. Previous …

Supplemental Zinc Sulfate Affects Growth Performance Of Finishing Heifers, C. L. Van Bibber-Krueger, J. S. Drouillard

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Zinc is an essential mineral required for normal function of more than 300 enzymes in microorganisms, plants, and animals. Zinc-requiring enzymes participate in metabolism of nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates, all of which are essential for growth of cattle. In addition, zinc is necessary for normal development and function of the immune system. The requirement for zinc in finishing cattle diets has been established at 30 ppm (NRC, Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, 2000), though concentrations recommended by consulting nutritionists and feed manufacturers span a far broader range. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding …

Acknowledgments, The Livestock And Meat Industry Council, Inc.

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Listed below are individuals, organizations, and firms that have contributed to the beef research program through financial support, product donations, or services. We appreciate your help!

Pregnancy Rates To Artificial Insemination In Yearling Beef Heifers Is Not Influenced By Injectable Trace Mineral, S. K. Johnson, M. W. Holman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Heifers that conceive early in their first breeding season have a long-term advantage in future reproductive success and production. Reproductive performance is more likely to be maximized if nutritional requirements are met, including those for trace minerals. Reproductive response to supplementation of trace minerals has been variable. Bioavailability of source, mineral antagonisms, intake, and long-term animal nutrient status may all contribute to that variability. A recent study found pre- and post-partum bolus injections of trace mineral increased pregnancy rate to AI in mature beef cows. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of an injectable trace mineral …

Comparing Standing Heat And Estrotect Heat Detection Patches, S. K. Johnson, J. R. Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A recent survey showed that 66% of producers surveyed used some amount of heat detection in their artificial insemination program, and 74% of producers that used heat detection aids had tried Estrotect (Rockway, Inc.; Spring Valley, WS) heat detection patches. The peel-and-stick application made Estrotect more popular than types that required adhesive application. The patches are designed so that when the animal is mounted the top surface layer is removed, much like scratching a lottery ticket. After several mounts the entire layer is removed, leaving a bright-colored surface behind. A new type of patch, Standing Heat (Standing Heat, LLC; Dannebrog, …

Effectiveness Of Heat Detection Patches For Determining Cyclicity Status In Peripubertal Heifers, S. K. Johnson, J. R. Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Response to most estrous synchronization programs is improved in cycling females, compared to pre-pubertal heifers or anestrus cows. Cycling status is often monitored for research purposes by measuring progesterone concentrations in serum. Producers may want to use information on cyclicity status when determining which estrous synchronization program to use or as a component of their heifer selection.

Heat detection patches are routinely used to aid or reduce time needed for heat detection. The most data on their use is for a 3 to 5-day period after estrous synchronization. Little information is available on retention of patches for longer time periods …

Using Estrus-Detection Patches To Vary Time Of Insemination Improves Pregnancy Rates Compared With One Single Timed Insemination, S. L. Hill, D. M. Grieger, K C. Olson, J. R. Jaeger, J. S. Stevenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Timed artificial insemination (TAI) of beef cows at a predetermined time is a management tool that reduces labor costs associated with conventional heat detection before insemination. Multiple research trials have examined timing of the individual components of the developed protocols associated with TAI. The 7-day CO-Synch + progesterone insert (controlled internal drug release; CIDR) protocol has been shown to initiate ovulation effectively in cycling and noncycling suckled beef cows, often producing pregnancy rates greater than 50% in beef cows. In the current research, we examined using two targeted insemination intervals depending on the occurrence of estrus. We hypothesized that by …

Performance Of Beef Replacement Heifers Supplemented With Dried Distillers Grains Or A Mixture Of Soybean Meal And Ground Sorghum Grain, C. J. Mcmullen, J. R. Jaeger, K. R. Harmoney, J. W. Waggoner, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The feed, labor, and equipment costs of developing heifers in a confined feeding system are relatively high. High Plains beef producers can reduce input costs by developing heifers on dormant native range; however, heifers are typically unable to consume sufficient crude protein (CP) from the low-quality (<7% CP) forage base.

Insufficient dietary protein reduces forage digestion and performance potential of growing heifers. Supplementing protein when forage quality was poor has previously been reported to increase forage intake and forage digestibility, which resulted in acceptable levels of performance.

An efficient means of supplying supplemental protein to heifers consuming low-quality forage is through the use …

Effects Of Altering Supplementation Frequency During The Pre-Partum Period Of Beef Cows Grazing Dormant Native Range, C. J. Mcmullen, J. R. Jaeger, J. W. Waggoner, K. R. Harmoney, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spring-calving beef cattle that are grazing low-quality (<7% crude protein) dormant forage typically are unable to meet their maintenance requirements for protein. Providing a protein supplement (>30% crude protein) is recommended to decrease losses of body weight and body condition. Nutrient supplementation when forage quality is poor or limited is one of the largest expenditures for forage-based beef cattle operations. The expansion of the ethanol industry has afforded many producers in corn and sorghum-producing regions an alternative to traditional oilseed-based protein supplements. The availability and nutrient profile of distiller’s grains with solubles (DDG) has made it popular as a supplement for cows that are grazing dormant low-quality forages.

Decreasing supplementation frequency reduces costs for labor and fuel. Previous …

Purpose, Acknowledgments, Contributors, K. R. Harmoney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Roundup is the major beef cattle education and outreach event sponsored by the Agricultural Research Center–Hays. The 2016 program is the 102nd staging of Roundup. The purpose is to communicate timely, applicable research information to producers and extension personnel.

The research program of the Agricultural Research Center–Hays is dedicated to serving the people of Kansas by developing new knowledge and technology to stabilize and sustain long-term production of food and fiber in a manner consistent with conservation of natural resources, protection of the environment, and assurance of food safety. Primary emphasis is on production efficiency through optimization of inputs in …

Swine Day 2016 Full Report, R. D. Goodband, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

It is with great pleasure that we present the 2016 Swine Industry Day Report of Progress. This report contains updates and summaries of applied and basic research conducted at Kansas State University during the past year. We hope that the information will be of benefit as we attempt to meet the needs of the Kansas swine industry.

Assessing Training Methods To Educate Dairy Workers, L. Mendonca, B. E. Voelz, A. Scanavez

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Training employees is fundamental for dairy producers to achieve efficiency in order to increase profitability. Training videos offered online are becoming more common and recommended to train employees. The goals of this survey were to evaluate the comfort level of dairy employees in using computers and tablets, and preferred training delivery methods. A total of 71 employees from 6 dairies were interviewed. Interviews were conducted in the preferred language of the interviewee – English or Spanish. Of the respondents, 52 and 65.6% of employees consider computers and tablets easy to use, respectively. More than half of the employees reported that …

Evaluation Of Weather Information From On-Farm And Meteorological Stations To Assess Heat Stress In Dairy Cows In Southwest Kansas, A. Scanavez, L. Rocha, B. E. Voelz, L. Hulbert, L. Mendonca

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Heat stress represents a challenge for the dairy industry. In order for producers to implement appropriate management practices, it is crucial for researchers to assess the extent of heat stress to which cows are exposed during the summer. Temperaturehumidity index (THI) may be used to determine the severity of heat stress that cows are exposed to during the summer. The objective of this study was to evaluate climate conditions by calculating THI using information from: 1) an official meteorological station, 2) loggers at the pen-level, and 3) loggers at the cow-level from a commercial dairy located in southwest Kansas. Temperature-humidity …

Foreword, Dairy Research 2016, B. Bradford

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kansas State University is pleased to present the 2016 Dairy Research Report of Progress.

Increasing Estrus Expression In Lactating Dairy Cows, J. A. Sauls, B. E. Voelz, J. Stevenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This report summarizes the use of various hormones in an attempt to induce greater estrus expression of lactating dairy cows. Average detection of estrus (<50%) in most U.S. dairy herds has been identified as a problem limiting reproductive efficiency. Detection of estrus plays an important role in reproductive management in U.S. dairy herds despite the adoption of fixed-time artificial insemination programs. When estrus was detected by an activity monitoring system or a rump-mounted device, supplementing cows with progesterone before induction of luteolysis resulted in greater intensity of estrus when compared with controls. In addition, administering estradiol cypionate at 24 h after induced luteolysis resulted in greater frequency of estrus expression compared with cows treated with testosterone propionate or controls when assessed by an activity monitor. Activity monitoring systems achieved heat-detection rates of approximately 70% (80% with estradiol) and are likely cost effective for herds achieving less than that level of heat detection.

Additional Small Dose Of Prostaglandin F2Α At The Time Of Ai Fails To Improve Pregnancy Rates Of Lactating Dairy Cows, J. Stevenson, J. A. Sauls, L. Mendonca

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In two experiments we tested the hypothesis that administering 10 mg of prostaglandin F_2α(PGF) to lactating dairy cows concurrent with timed artificial insemination would increase pregnancy outcome. In three herds with 2,135 inseminations, we failed to demonstrate a positive effect on pregnancy per AI. Although a trend was observed in experiment 1, with more cows in experiment 2, the PGF treatment failed to improve pregnancy outcomes.