Life Sciences Commons^™

Is There An Economic Advantage To Planting Diverse Summer Annual Forage Mixtures?, Kelly Mercier, Chris Teutsch, Ray Smith, Kenny Burdine, Edwin Ritchey, Eric Vanzant

The Journal of Extension

This study examined economic implications of planting summer annual mixtures of grasses, legumes, and forbs at varying nitrogen rates. No differences in yield occurred between the three mixtures, indicating that mixtures with lowest seed cost will be most economical. Applying N resulted in yield increases of 12.26 lb DM per lb N applied. Although yield responses to N were positive, sensitivity analyses showed that applying N resulted in positive net returns only when hay prices were high and N prices were low. When utilization rates are accounted for, enterprise budgets determined grazing to be 18% cheaper to implement than haying.

Effect Of Holstein And Beef-Dairy Cross Breed Description On The Sale Price Of Feeder And Weaned Calf Lots Sold Through Video Auctions, E. D. Mccabe, M. E. King, K. E. Fike, K. G. Odde

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Objectives were to determine: 1) value of Holstein feeder steer lots compared with steer lots of other breed descriptions, 2) value of beef-dairy cross weaned steer calves compared with either Holstein weaned calves or weaned calves of other breed descriptions, and 3) value of beef-dairy cross weaned calves compared with weaned calves of other beef breed descriptions sold through video auctions.

Study Description:Data on 14,075 feeder steer lots sold in 211 auctions from 2010 through 2018; 763 weaned steer calf lots, and 1,125 weaned steer and heifer calf lots sold via seven auctions in 2020 and 2021 were …

Evaluation Of Grazing Options During Summer For Growing Heifers – Year 2, J. K. Farney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Developing methods to provide high quality forage through most of the year is important for cattle operations. The purpose of this study was to determine forage management options to offset the summer “slump” with fescue. Four grass pasture treatments (10 pastures total; 4 acres each) were used in a completely randomized design and stocked with growing heifers (n = 49; initial wt 473 ± 60 lb). Pasture treatments consisted of novel fescue (FES), crabgrass (CRAB), bermudagrass (BERM), and sorghum-sudan interseeded into novel fescue (SS-FES). Heifers were weighed and grazed pastures from April to September (153 d). Heifers on FES were …

A Limit-Fed, High-Energy Diet Fed During The Growing Phase Does Not Negatively Affect Subsequent Feedlot Growth Performance Or Carcass Merit Compared To Feeding A Traditional Roughage-Based Diet Ad Libitum During The Growing Phase, M. A. Scilacci, E. C. Titgemeyer, S. P. Montgomery, T. J. Spore, A. J. Tarpoff, T. G. O'Quinn, K. Montgomery, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this experiment was to compare the subsequent growth performance and carcass impacts of a high-energy diet limit-fed at 2.2% of body weight (BW) or a traditional roughage-based diet fedad libitumduring the growing phase.

Study Description:Three hundred seventy crossbred heifers (initial BW = 496 ± 44 lb) previously used in a 90-day growing study at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit were transported to a commercial feedlot (Pratt Feeders, Pratt, KS) for finishing where cattle were fed a common diet. The two backgrounding diets included: (1) 45 Mcal of net energy for gain …

Effect Of Ruminally-Protected Lysine Supplementation To Growing Cattle On Growth And Subsequent Finishing Performance, K. J. Hazlewood, M. S. Grant, D. A. Blasi, G. A. Ducharme, E. C. Titgemeyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ruminally-protected lysine supplementation fed during the growing phase to cattle limit-fed a corn-based diet, and to evaluate the subsequent finishing performance.

Study Description:For 77 days, a group of 338 steers limit-fed at 2.4% of body weight daily on a dry matter basis were allocated to treatments providing 0, 3, or 6 g/day of lysine from Smartamine ML (Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA), or containing blood meal plus ruminally-protected methionine from Smartamine M. Growth performance was measured over the growing period. Cattle were then shipped to a commercial feedlot and …

The Effects Of Intensive Early Stocking And Early Weaning On The Onset Of Puberty And Reproductive Success In Beef Replacement Heifers, Chance Fiehler, John Jaeger, Justin Waggoner, Keith Harmoney, K.C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Management practices utilizing genetics, nutrition, and growth have commonly been studied to maximize the lifetime productivity of female beef cattle. However, heifers managed to have their first calf by 24 months of age have the greatest chance of achieving maximum lifetime productivity.

One way for a heifer to calve by 24 months of age is to decrease the age at which she reaches puberty. Heifers reaching puberty 1 to 3 months before exposure to breeding maximized conception success, as was shown when heifers bred during their third estrus were 21% more likely to conceive than heifers that were bred during …

Effect Of Feeding Interval On Finishing Performance Of Beef Steers, Chance Fiehler, John Jaeger, Justin Waggoner, Keith Harmoney, K.C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

It has long been accepted that optimal performance in beef cattle occurs when cattle are fed at a similar time each day. In fact, in Frederick Mumford’sSyllabus of Illustrated Lecture on Profitable Cattle Feedingpublished by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1905, Mr. Mumford stated, “Cattle should be fed at certain hours and in the same way. This cannot be varied 15 minutes without some detriment to the cattle.” Little research has been conducted examining interval of feed delivery. Most feedlot research examining feed delivery has focused on the comparison of once or twice daily feed delivery on …

Vegetation And Animal Production In Pastures Sprayed For Western Ragweed Control, Keith Harmoney, John Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) is a common native forb found throughout Kansas native rangelands and in some seeded pastures. Over time, western ragweed can form dense colonies from growth of lateral creeping rootstalks with multiple buds that can initiate new growth and form an upright stem and plant. Past research has shown that western ragweed does not compete with native grass production until ragweed contributes over approximately 35% of the forage dry matter of a pasture area. Cattle have utilized western ragweed in past long-term historical grazing trials. In a previous long-term trial at Hays, KS, western ragweed …

Interseeding Sorghum-Sudangrass Into Perennial Cool-Season Western Wheatgrass Pasture, Keith Harmoney, John Guretzky

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Conversion of pastureland into cropland has occurred at a rapid rate on the Great Plains. A reduction in total acreage of pastureland from this conversion has resulted in a decline of total numbers of beef cows in the same region. One method to mitigate the decline in cow numbers is to increase the carrying capacity of the remaining pastureland acres. To achieve this goal, a study was conducted to introduce warm-season annual grass species into perennial cool-season grass pastures to increase dry matter production during the mid-summer time period that perennial cool-season grasses would be most dormant. An increase in …

Herbicide Activity On Old World Bluestems, Keith Harmoney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two main species of old world bluestems (OWB), yellow bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) and Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii), have encroached on rangelands, pastures, and road right-of-ways in Kansas. Patches of these OWB have been shown to reduce species diversity and abundance at multiple trophic levels, and pose a long-term threat to native plant, insect, rodent, and grassland bird populations. These OWB species are utilized by cattle early in the growing season, directly following prescribed burns, and during droughts when other forages lack water uptake and may go dormant. However, these OWB species mature more quickly than native …

Effect Of Corn Type And Form Of Supplement On Grazing Steers, J. K. Farney, T. Bottorff

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Eighty stocker steers were grazed on bromegrass from April to the beginning of November and were provided five different feeds while on grass during the summer. Treatments evaluated included (1) mineral only; (2) free-choice supplementation in the form of liquid feed (MIX30) or (3) block format (Mintrate 40 Red); and hand-fed supplements of 60% corn:40% dried distillers grains at 0.5% of body weight on a dry matter basis offered daily where the corn was either an (4) isoline corn (ISO; parent genetic line) or (5) Enogen feed corn (ENO; includes alpha-amylase gene). Steers were weighed every 28 days while on …

Impact Of Disclosing Fat Content On Consumer Sensory Evaluation Of Ground Beef From A Similar Source, K. R. Lybarger, K. M. Harr, E. S. Beyer, K. J. Farmer, S. G. Davis, M. D. Chao, J. L. Vipham, M. D. Zumbaugh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the impact of providing consumers with information regarding the fat content of ground beef on the consumer’s eating experience.

Study Description:Ground beef chubs that were 80% lean/20% fat (n= 15/panel type) were obtained, and 0.25-lb patties were fabricated from the chubs. Chubs were assigned randomly to panels. Panelists received samples labeled as the following: 90% lean/10% fat (90/10), 80% lean/20% fat (80/20), 73% lean/27% fat (73/27), lean, extra lean, and one sample with no information given (NONE). Samples were evaluated by consumers (n = 105), who were provided information …

Feed Efficiency Is Better And Activity Is Greater In Growing Cattle Limit-Fed A High-Energy Diet During The Growing Phase Compared To A Traditional Roughage-Based Diet Fed For Ad Libitum Intake, M. A. Scilacci, E. C. Titgemeyer, S. P. Montgomery, T. J. Spore, A. J. Tarpoff, T. G. O'Quinn, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this experiment was to compare performance impacts of a high-energy diet limit-fed at 2.2% of body weight (BW) daily on a dry matter (DM) basis to a traditional roughage-based diet fed forad libitumintake during the growing phase.

Study Description:Three hundred seventy crossbred heifers (initial BW = 496 ± 44 lb) were used in a receiving and growing study at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit in the spring of 2020. Animals were fed once daily at 7:00 a.m. Bunks were visually observed, and feed refused was estimated.Ad libitumfeed refusal was targeted …

Digestibility Of Dry Matter Is Better And Manure Output Is Lower In Growing Cattle Limit-Fed A High-Energy Diet During The Growing Phase Compared To A Traditional Roughage-Based Diet Fed For Ad Libitum Intake, M. A. Scilacci, E. Titgemeyer, S. P. Montgomery, T. J. Spore, A. J. Tarpoff, T. G. O'Quinn, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Evaluate the impact on intake and digestion of a high-energy diet limit-fed at 85% of thead libitumdaily consumption of a roughage-based diet on a dry matter (DM) basis compared to a traditional roughage-based growing diet in growing cattle.

Study Description:Eight ruminally cannulated crossbred Angus heifers (body weight = 450 ± 24 lb) were used in a cross-over design with two consecutive 15-day periods at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit. Two dietary treatments were fed: (1) 45 Mcal of net energy for gain (NE_g) per 100 lb of DM fed forad libitum …

Syngenta Enogen Corn Fed As Corn Grain And Corn Silage In Diets Containing Corn Coproducts Did Not Enhance Growth Performance Of Growing Heifers, M. A. Scilacci, M. A. Johnson, E. C. Titgemeyer, S. P. Montgomery, A. J. Tarpoff, E. D. Watson, W. R. Hollenbeck, Dale Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Evaluate the effect of feeding corn grain and corn silage from Syngenta Enogen corn hybrids (EC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC., Downers Grove, IL) or conventional corn hybrids in diets containing either wet distillers grain (WDG; ICM Biofuels, St. Joseph, MO) or Sweet Bran (WCGF; Cargill Animal Nutrition, Blair, NE) on growth performance in growing cattle.

Study Description:Three hundred eighty-four crossbred heifers [initial body weight (BW) = 582 ± 42 lb] were used in a completely randomized design, 81-day receiving and growing study, with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of four dietary treatments. Experimental diets were formulated to contain …

Syngenta Enogen Corn Fed As Corn Grain And Corn Silage In Diets Containing Corn Coproducts Did Not Enhance Diet Digestibility In Growing Heifers, M. A. Scilacci, M. A. Johnson, E. C. Titgemeyer, S. P. Montgomery, A. J. Tarpoff, E. D. Watson, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Evaluate the effect of feeding corn grain and corn silage from Enogen corn (EC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC., Downers Grove, IL) or conventional corn (CON) in diets containing either wet distillers grain (WDG; ICM Biofuels, St. Joseph, MO) or Sweet Bran [proprietary wet corn gluten feed (WCGF); Cargill Animal Nutrition, Blair, NE] on intake and digestibility in growing cattle.

Study Description:Eight ruminally cannulated crossbred heifers (initial body weight = 816 ± 94 lb) were used in an intake and digestibility study designed as a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. Four consecutive, 15-day periods consisted of 10 days for …

Field Trial Assessing The Use Of Sex-Sorted Semen In Beef Cattle, K. W. Aubuchon, J. A. Odde, C. Bronkhorst, E. M. Bortoluzzi, M. J. Goering, K. E. Fike, K. G. Odde

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective was to evaluate the reproductive performance of sex-sorted semen on beef cows and heifers.

Study Description:For this trial, 320 Angus and SimAngus cows and heifers from four groups were used. Group 1 yearling heifers (n = 101) were synchronized using the melengestrol acetate plus prostaglandin F_2α(MGA-PGF_2α) protocol and Groups 2, 3, and 4 cows (n = 219) were synchronized using the 7-Day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol. Insemination was done with semen from an Angus sire (Group 1 yearling heifers and Group 2 young cows) sorted to contain>90% X-bearing sperm, or a …

Impacts Of A Post-Transport/Pre-Processing Rest Period On The Growth Performance And Serum Metabolites Of Cattle Entering A Feedlot, P. L. Dahmer, Z. T. Buessing, N. B. Stafford, M. E. Reeb, C. A. Zumbaugh, A. J. Tarpoff, K. G. Odde, J. S. Drouillard, M. Theurer, T. Jones, C. K. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a post-transport rest period on receiving calf growth performance and blood serum metabolites as indicators of immune function.

Study Description:Eighty heifers were purchased from a sale barn and transported 6 hours to the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Research Center where they were processed at one of four times: immediately upon arrival or after a 6-, 24-, or 48-hour rest period. Cattle were then fed for 35 days with growth performance data collected weekly. Blood samples were also collected and analyzed for serum infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) …

Changes In The Perception Of Ground Beef Quality As A Result Of Price Per Pound Labeling, E. S. Beyer, K. M. Harr, K. J. Farmer, S. G. Davis, M. D. Chao, J. L. Vipham, M. D. Zumbaugh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the effect of perceived palatability on ground beef patties by providing consumers with differing price per pound labels.

Study Description:Ground beef chubs (n = 15)of 80% lean/20% fat composition were used for all samples. Patties were formed 11 days after processing into 0.25 lb patties using a commercial patty former.

Samples were cooked to 160°F and served to consumers to determine different quality attributes. Consumers were given the following prices for each sample: Ultra-High - $6.25/lb; High - $5.00/lb; Medium - $3.75/lb; Low - $2.50/lb; Ultra-Low - $1.25/lb or …

Changes In The Perception Of Ground Beef Quality As A Result Of Primal Labeling, L. A. Egger, K. M. Harr, E. S. Beyer, K. J. Farmer, S. G. Davis, M. D. Chao, J. L. Vipham, M. D. Zumbaugh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the effect of providing primal source information to consumers prior to consumption on palatability ratings of ground beef from the same source.

Study Description:Ground beef chubs that were 80% lean and 20% fat (n = 15) were used for testing. Samples were served to consumers as 0.25 lb patties that were cooked internally to 160°F. Consumers were asked to evaluate and assess different palatability traits and evaluated samples identified as ground chuck, ground round, ground sirloin, and store ground along with a sample that offered no information.

Bottom Line:Based …

Exploring The Potential Effect Of Phospholipase A2 Antibody To Extend Beef Shelf-Life In A Beef Liposome Model System, C. K. Chun, R. Welti, M. Roth, M. P. Richards, M. D. Chao

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to utilize a beef liposome model system to investigate if phospholipase-A₂antibody (aPLA2) can be used to inhibit phospholipase-A₂(PLA2) activity to potentially improve beef shelf-life.

Study Description:Phospholipids (PL) from 10 U.S. Department of Agriculture choice beef striploin steaks were extracted and split into six treatments: PL (25 mg of PL); aPLA10 (PL + 25 µg of aPLA2); aPLA20 (PL + 50 µg of aPLA2); PLA2 (PL + 10 µg of PLA2); PLA2+aPLA10 (PL + PLA2 + aPLA10); and PLA2+aPLA20 (PL + PLA2 + aPLA20). The model system was under …

Cattlemen's Day 2022, Beef Cattle Research

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This report includes research on beef cattle management, reproduction, nutrition, and meat science conducted at Kansas State University.

Roundup 2022: Agricultural Research Center-Hays

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Roundup is the major beef cattle education and outreach event sponsored by the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center - Hays. This report communicates timely, applicable research information on beef production and rangeland topics.

Inclusion Of Biuret With Or Without Bovatec In A Commercial Mineral Supplement Did Not Improve Growth Performance Of Yearling Calves Grazing Native Grass: Year 1 Of 2, M. G. Pflughoeft, Z. M. Duncan, Z. L. Debord, K. J. Suhr, W. R. Hollenbeck, F. K. Brazle, A. J. Tarpoff, K C. Olson, D. A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of non-protein nitrogen (NPN; biuret) or NPN + ruminal modifier (biuret + Bovatec, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) inclusion in a commercial mineral mix on growth performance of yearling beef calves grazing in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Study Description:Three hundred ninety-five crossbred steers (initial body weight: 612 ± 77.8 lb) of Texas origin previously backgrounded at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit were used. Three mineral treatments consisting of a basal supplement (control), a basal supplement plus NPN (biuret), and a basal supplement plus NPN and lasalocid (Bovatec) were …

Trained Sensory Panel Evaluation Of The Impact Of Bone-In Versus Boneless Cuts On Beef Palatability, K. J. Farmer, E. S. Beyer, S. G. Davis, K. M. Harr, M. D. Chao, J. L. Vipham, M. D. Zumbaugh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine palatability traits of beef cuts of differing bone status and quality grade.

Study Description:Paired (n = 12 pairs; 24 total/cut/grade) boneless ribeye rolls, export ribs, and short loins were procured. Short loins were fabricated into boneless strip loins with corresponding bone-in tenderloins, or bone-in strip loins with boneless tenderloins. Post-aging, subprimals were fabricated into steaks that were randomly selected for further analysis. A total of 18 trained sensory panels were conducted at the Kansas State University Meat Science Sensory Lab to determine differences in palatability traits.

Results:In totality, bone …

An Investigation On The Influence Of Various Biochemical Tenderness Factors On Eight Different Bovine Muscles, P. A. Hammond, C. K. Chun, W. Wu, A. A. Welter, T. G. O'Quinn, G. Magnin-Bissel, E. Geisbrecht, M. D. Chao

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Beef tenderness is a complex palatability trait with many tenderness-contributing components. The objective of this study is to understand the relative contribution of each tenderness component to eight different beef muscles.

Study Description:Top sirloin butt, ribeye, brisket, flank, knuckle, eye of round, mock tender, and shoulder clod were collected from 10 U.S. Department of Agriculture high choice beef carcasses and assigned to a 2- or 21-day aging period (n = 160). Protein degradation, collagen content, mature collagen crosslink density, intramuscular lipid content, pH, shear force, and trained sensory panel analysis were determined. A Pearson correlation analysis was used …

Evaluation Of Differing Genetic Potentials On Beef Cattle Resource Use In The Great Plains, A. D. Lakamp, D. G. Aherin, R. L. Larson, I. A. Ciampitti, C. J. Kopsa, R. L. Weaber, J. M. Bormann, M. M. Rolf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to examine the environmental impact and efficiencies of beef cattle with differing genetic potentials in the Great Plains.

Study Description:A 100-head cow-calf herd was simulated for 74 different land regions and six combinations of genetic potential within regions: large, moderate, or small mature size and high (24.2 lb/day) or low (17.6 lb/day) milk production. The simulation determined the average amount of feed required to maintain the herd. Land, water, and methane production were estimated for each combination of land use area and genetic potential. Weaning weight was estimated for each genetic potential …

Reclaiming Old World Bluestem Pasture With Imazapyr Application And Native Grass Overseeding, Keith Harmoney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Old world bluestems (OWB), mainly Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii) and yellow bluestem(Bothriochloa ischaemum)introduced from parts of eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, have been shown to reduce abundance and diversity of some insect and wildlife species compared to native grasses when these OWB grasses form dense stands. These OWBs have been invading native pastures in the southern Great Plains and are rapidly increasing in the amount of area occupied in Kansas. Two landowners purchased pasture property in Ellsworth County, KS, and observed that Caucasian old world bluestem had increased in the pasture significantly over the course …

Comparison Of Finishing Cattle On Self-Feeder Or Total-Mixed Ration, J. K. Farney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Corn-finished cattle are the backbone of the US beef production system. Traditionally cattle are fed a total-mixed ration (TMR) where all feed ingredients are mixed together, delivered, and fed daily to cattle. Previous research evaluated complete self-fed finishing rations where the diet is placed into a self-feeder. With advancements in technology and varieties of corn, the purpose of this study was to determine the differences in finishing cattle gains, feed efficiency, carcass merit, and cost of production on a TMR ration as compared to a self-fed finishing ration. Thirty-five steers and heifers were sorted into 8 pens and assigned to …

Stocker Steer Gains And Fly Numbers As Impacted By Burn Date And Type Of Mineral On Tallgrass Native Range – Year 3, J. K. Farney, M. Frahm

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study aims to evaluate effectiveness of two operational management systems for steer gains and fly control. The first strategy evaluated was pasture burn date of March (MAR) or April (APR). The second management strategy was free-choice mineral with spices (SPICE) or without spices (CON). Eight pastures (n = 281 steers; initial weight 572 ± 75 lb) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment structure. Steers were weighed individually, randomly assigned to treatment, and grazed for 87 days. Weekly, 33% of steers were photographed to count flies and evaluated for hair coat score. Neither the date of pasture …