Life Sciences Commons^™

Viable Alternative Bedding Materials For Compost Bedded Pack Barns, Brandy L. Collins

Kaleidoscope

No abstract provided.

Design, Acnd Construction Of A Portable Artificial Insemination Chute, Chris Herrera

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project report discusses the design, construction, and evaluation of a portable artificial insemination chute for the use of the Cal Poly Beef Department. The design was based on the suggested modifications from operators of several other chutes currently in use.

The main areas considered for the design were; Ergonomics, cattle safety, factors effecting maximum breeding conception rates, and Portability.

The breeding chute proved superior over traditional chutes in a variety of ways. Improvement occurred in the areas of consideration as follows, user operation was simplified, animal stress was decreased, and maximum breeding efficiency was obtained.

Efficiency Comparison Between Two Systematic Breeding Protocols: Target Breeding And Presynchronization Program At A Large Central Valley Dairy Farm, Blake Alvernaz

Dairy Science

As dairy herd sizes increase, dairymen often initiate systematic breeding programs on their dairy in order to improve their reproduction efficiency. The objective of this study, compares systematic breeding program by comparing reproductive efficiency between two systematic breeding programs Target Breeding (January 1, 2008 to May 31,2009) and Presynchronization (Presynch) Program (January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011) at a large central valley dairy. The traditional Target Breeding program is a systematic breeding program that is solely prostaglandin (PGF_2α) based. The more modern Presynch programs includes both Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) and PGF_2α, that allows for …

Proposal To Implement A Surveillance System At The Cal Poly Dairy, Madelyn Cobb

Dairy Science

The objective of this project is to determine how to implement a cost effective and efficient surveillance system at the Cal Poly Dairy. This system would help monitor labor, feed, and cows while increasing the biosecurity, accountability, and efficiency throughout the Cal Poly Dairy. To make this determination, I researched different types of products and the equipment necessary that will meet the needs of the dairy currently and for future projects. A list of specifications was created that help guide the search for appropriate companies and products for this project. Talking to surveillance experts also helped create a better sense …

Economic Impact Of Stable Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) On Dairy And Beef Cattle Production, David B. Taylor, Roger D. Moon, Darrell R. Mark

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

Stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), are among the most damaging arthropod pests of cattle worldwide. The last estimate of their economic impact on United States cattle production was published 20 yr ago and placed losses at $608 million. Subsequently, several studies of effects of stable flies on beef cattle weight gain and feed efficiency have been published, and stable flies have become increasingly recognized as pests of cattle on pasture and range. We analyzed published studies and developed yield-loss functions to relate stable fly infestation levels to cattle productivity, and then estimated the economic impact of stable flies on cattle …