Life Sciences Commons^™

Breeding Ewe Lambs To Lamb First As Yearlings, Nyle J. Matthews

Archived Agriculture Publications

Getting the highest possible production from ewes is a goal of every sheep producer. Sheep respond well to management and will usually pay a producer for the extra times he spends in caring for them. Breeding ewe lambs is a practice that can pay dividends but requires the right management to make it work. Many years ago this practice was deemed unwise because it severely affected the young mothers in many ways. Modern research has spelled out requirements in terms of size and management that make a successful, workable program.

Vocal Perception: Brain Event-Related Potentials In A Chimpanzee, Gary G. Berntson, Sarah T. Boysen, Michael W. Torello

Sentience Collection

We describe the first brain event-related potential (ERP) study of cognitive processes in the chimpanzee. In an extension of our studies on the ontogeny of vocal perception, ERP measures were obtained during the presentation of simple nonsignal stimuli as well as conspecific and human vocalizations. We initially confirmed findings from humans and monkeys of the appearance of a long-latency positivity in the ERP waveform to a rare stimulus in an oddball paradigm. This ERP component is reminiscent of the P3a reported in humans under similar (passive) experimental conditions. We further demonstrated that both conspecific and human vocal stimuli having affective …

Ranch Management Practices In The Sandhills Of Nebraska: Managing Production, Sean A. Coady, Richard T. Clark

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

This report represents the second in a two-part series that summarize a comprehensive survey of Nebraska Sandhills range cattle operations. The focus of this report is on management of the production aspects of the ranch business and provides details on pasture and meadow management, hay production, crops, breeding programs, nutritional programs, and maintaining the health of the herd.

An Update On The Biological Control Of Rabbits, Stuart Wheeler

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

When myxomatosis was introduced into Western Australia in the early 1950s, farmers, pastoralists and government alike thought it was an answer to the rabbit problem.

The disease was devastatingly effective in the short term and initially had a 99 per cent kill rate. With time, the virus declined in strength, and the surviving rabbits have multiplied.

There have been many recent reports about new forms of biological control for rabbits and potential improvements in old ones.

This article summarises each of the prospective methods and improvements, and assesses the potential usefulness of each.

A Standardized G‐Banded Karyotype For The Raccoon (Procyon Lotor) Compared With The Domestic Cat, Roscoe Stanyon, Francesca Bigoni, Johannes Weinberg, John Hadidian

Genetics Collection

We propose a standardized karyotype for the raccoon (Procyon lotor; 2n = 38, FN 74) and compare it with that of the domestic cat (2n = 38, FN 72). Numerous chromosomes (12) have similar and sometimes identical G-banding and 14 chromosome pairs have remained intact. Other chromosomes apparently differ by Robertsonian translocations and inversions. The conservation of these karyotypes is remarkable considering that the divergence of procyonids and felids predates 50 million years B.P. However, the common diploid number of 38 is not a primitive retention, as sometimes hypothesized. Instead, cats and raccoons converged on this chromosome number by a …

Assessing Animal Well-Being: Common Sense, Uncommon Science, David Fraser

Assessment of Animal Welfare Collection

The scientific assessment of the well-being of an animal involves finding indicators of three broad criteria: 1) a high level of biological functioning; 2) freedom from suffering in the sense of prolonged fear, pain, and other negative experiences; and 3) positive experiences such as comfort and contentment. The tools available to assess animal wellbeing include a mixture of common sense and cutting-edge science. Measures of animal productivity can help to assess an animal’s level of biological functioning, but they need to be used with care. Among veterinary approaches, pathology detects breakdown in biological functioning, while epidemiology identifies the circumstances under …

Refinements In Rabbit Husbandry, The Bvaawf/Frame/Rspca/Ufaw Joint Working Group On Refinement

Breeding of Laboratory Research Animals Collection

The aims of this report are to identify the needs of domesticated rabbits and to present information on ways in which the current systems of housing rabbits can be improved for the benefit of all concerned: the animal, the scientist, the animal technician and the breeder.

In recent years an increasing number of establishments have changed from standard caging to group housing systems, despite the traditionally-held view that mature rabbits cannot be housed together. In this report group housing in floor pens is discussed in detail (Section 2), with both the advantages and disadvantages of this system presented. It is …

Enlarged Posterior Maxillary Teeth In The Scarlet Snake, Cemophora Coccinea (Serpentes: Colubridae), Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Stanley E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Counting In Chimpanzees: Nonhuman Principles And Emergent Properties Of Number, Sarah T. Boysen

Numeracy Collection

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Methionine:Lysine Ratio On Growth Performance And Blood Metabolites Of Growing-Finishing Pigs (1993), L J. Kats, K G. Friesen, B T. Richert, K Q. Owen, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Eighty growing-finishing pigs (40 barrows and 40 gilts) were used in three consecutive growth assays to determine the optimum methionine:lysine ratio for pigs weighing from 48 to 107 lb, 120 to 179 lb, and 191 to 245 lb, respectively. Each growth assay was to be conducted for a 28-d period with a 14-d transition period between assays. Pigs were allotted by weight and placed in pens each containing one barrow and one gilt. Pigs were assigned to one of eight experimental treatments with five replicate pens per treatment. Pigs were fed diets containing either high lysine (1.0, .9, or .8%, …

Influence Of Dietary Lysine On Carcass Characteristics Of High-Lean Growth Gilts Fed From 80 To 160 Lb (1993), K G. Friesen, B J. Kerr, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Michael D. Tokach, John A. Unruh, Donald H. Kropf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seventy-two high-lean growth gilts (initially 75.5 lb BW) were used to determine the influence of dietary lysine on carcass characteristics at 120 and 160 lb. Gilts were randomly selected for slaughter when the average weight of pigs in the pen equaled or exceeded 120 and 160 lb. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block, with initial weight serving as the blocking factor. Six dietary treatments were included, ranging from .54 to 1.04% digestible lysine (.69 to 1.25% total dietary lysine). At 120 lb, hot carcass weight decreased and then increased as did dressing percentage for gilts fed increased …

The Relationship Among Live Hog, Carcass, And Wholesale Cut Prices (1993), G L. Keeler, Michael R. Langemeier, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study examined the relationship between live and carcass prices and the seasonality of live, carcass, and wholesale cut prices. Results using Omaha live prices suggested a unidirectional relationship between live and carcass prices, with farm prices leading carcass prices by 3 weeks. In contrast, the results generated using live prices from the St. Joseph terminal market suggested a bidirectional relationship. Live and carcass prices from 1987 to 1992 were found to be highly correlated. The average monthly price spread between the Omaha live price and the USDA carcass price ranged from $14.02 to $23.18 cwt, with an average spread …

Evaluation Of Carcass Merit Pricing By Pork Packers (1993), Ted C. Schroeder

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Live hog prices must reflect end-use value to convey market information from consumers to producers. Precise end-use value is excessively costly to trace for each carcass given current technology. Pricing structures must be based upon carcass merit information that is correlated with end-use value. This study uses pork carcass cut out data from 794 carcasses to estimate hog carcass values based upon carcass characteristics. Carcass values varied by nearly $20/cwt based on quality differences alone. In addition, considerable differences were present in pricing schedules of different pork packers suggesting that hog producers need to shop around when deciding to which …

Comparison Of Feed-Grade Antibiotics In Starter Diets Containing Spray-Dried Blood Products (1993), K Q. Owen, Steven S. Dritz, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 240 pigs (initially 11.6 lb and 19 d of age) was used to compare four different feed-grade antibiotics or antibiotic combinations in phase I (d 0 to 14 postweaning) and phase II (d 14 to 28 postweaning) starter pig diets. Apramycin and carbadox were compared in the phase I diet. Combinations of tylosin/sulfamethazine and neomycin sulfate/oxytetracycline were compared in the phase II diet. No differences occurred in pig performance for the phase I and phase II periods between the feed-grade antibiotics compared in this growth assay. Therefore, determination of appropriate feed-grade antibiotic inclusion will depend on 1) …

Pellet Quality Affects Growth Performance Of Nursery And Finishing Pigs (1993), C R. Stark, Robert H. Hines, Keith C. Behnke, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of diet form (meal vs pellet) and amount of fines in pelleted feed on growth performance of nursery and finishing pigs. One hundred twenty-six weanling pigs, with an average initial body wt of 12.5 lb, were used in the 35-d nursery experiment. The same phase I diet (pelleted) was fed to all pigs for 7 d, then the pigs were switched to phase II diet treatments (d 7 to 35 postweaning). Treatments were the same phase II diet fed as: 1) meal; 2) screened pellets (fines removed); and 3) the screened pellets …

Soybean Meal Is Necessary In Diets For Early-Weaned (12 D Of Age) Pigs (1993), K Q. Owen, Steven S. Dritz, Michael D. Tokach, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 192 pigs (initially 8.0 lb and 12 d of age) was used to determine the optimal soybean meal level to be included in starter diets for the 12-d-old weaned pig. The trial was a 28 d growth assay. Pigs were allotted by weight to six replicates of four treatments with six or 10 pigs per pen. From d 0 to 14 postweaning, pigs were fed a common diet or experimental diets containing 5, 10, and 15% soybean meal. These high nutrient dense diets were formulated to contain 1.7% lysine. All pigs were fed a common transition diet …

Optimal Dietary Sequence In A Nursery-Phase Feeding Program For Segregated Early-Weaned (9±1 D Of Age) Pigs (1993), K Q. Owen, L J. Kats, B T. Richert, Steven S. Dritz, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two hundred forty weanling pigs (initially 7.2 lb BW and 9 + 1 d of age) were used to compare four dietary sequences of three diets in a 21-d growth trial. Diet A was formulated to contain 1.7% lysine and contained 7.5% spray-dried porcine plasma and 1.75% spray-dried blood meal. Diet B was formulated to contain 1.4% lysine and contained 2.5% spray-dried porcine plasma and 2.5% spray-dried blood meal. Diet C was formulated to contain 1.25 % lysine and contained 2.5% spray-dried blood meal. The four dietary sequences were as follows AAB, AAC, ABB, and ABC, with each letter indicating …

Influence Of Interleukin-1 On Neutrophil Function And Resistance To Streptococcus Suis In Young Pigs (1993), Jishu N. Shi, M M. Chengappa, D S. Mcvey, Frank Blecha, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen, Michael D. Tokach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nonspecific immunity is usually lower in young pigs than adults. Consequently, enhancing the young pig's nonspecific immune capability may be beneficial for the health and performance of early-weaned pigs. Twenty, 9-d-old, crossbred pigs were allotted by litter and weight into two treatment groups: recombinant bovine interleukin- 1β (rBoIL-1β; 5 μg/kg, intramuscularly at 9 and 10 d of age)) or control. Pigs were weaned at 10 d of age and housed in an isolation facility with ad libitum access to water and a pelleted diet formulated to meet the nutrient requirements and provide maximum growth of early-weaned pigs. Blood samples were …

Valine: A Limiting Amino Acid For High-Producing Lactating Sows (1993), Michael D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 152 lactating sows was used to determine the influence of dietary valine level on sow and litter performance. During lactation, sows were fed corn-soybean meal based diets containing .9% lysine and either .75 or .9% valine. Lactation diet had no influence on litter birth weight, pig survivability, pigs weaned per litter, or daily sow feed intake. However, sows fed the .90% valine diet had increased pig and litter weaning weights. These differences were magnified as number of pigs weaned and sow milk production increased. These results indicate that further research is needed to determine the valine requirement …

Rate And Extent Of Losses From Top Spoilage In Alfalfa Silages Stored In Bunker Silos (1993), D.L. Holthaus, D.R. Bonilla, L. Pfaff, D. Haverkamp, B.S. Dalke, R.N. Sonon, K. Budiongo, K.K. Bolsen, Matthew A. Young

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Alfalfa silages were made in pilot- and farm-scale silos, and five sealing treatments were compared. After 90 days, sealing dramatically reduced DM losses at the 5 and 10 in. depths in the farm silos and at the 0 to 12, 12 to 24, and 24 to 36 in. depths in the pilot silos. Extending the storage period to 180 days in pilot silos had no effect on DM losses for sealed or delay sealed silages, but DM losses for unsealed silages continued to increase at all three depths. Placing a roof over the unsealed, farm-scale silo increased the silage DM …

Use Of Cystorelin® And Artificial Insemination In Repeat-Breeding Beef Heifers After Estrous Synchronization (1993), J.P. Holz, P.L. Houghton, M.F. Spire

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was administered to a group of 13- to 14- month-old Angus and Angus crossbred repeat-breeding heifers at the time of the second or third artificial insemination to determine its effect on conception rates. Little benefit was derived from the use of GnRH at either second or third service in highly developed repeat-breeding heifers.

Reproductive Performance Of Yearling Beef Heifers After Estradiol Benzoate And Estrous Synchronization (1993), R.P. Bolze, C.W. Peters

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Injectable estradiol (estradiol benzoate) was evaluated for its effect on the reproductive performance of yearling beef heifers whose estrous cycles were synchronized using the melengestrol acetate/prostaglandin F 2 α (MG- 2 A®/PG) system. Estradiol was injected 40 h after prostaglandin. Heifers were inseminated artificially (AI) 12 h after first observed heat during a 35-d AI period followed by 28 d of bull exposure. Estradiol had no effect on heat response or first-service pregnancy rate to AI during the synchronized period (5 d) and had no significant effect on overall AI pregnancy rate (35 d), cumulative pregnancy rate (63 d), or …

Use Of Visual Appearance As An Indicator Of Degree Of Doneness In Ground Beef Patties (1993), K.E. Warren, Melvin C. Hunt, M.A. Hague, Donald H. Kropf, Sally L. Stroda

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Outbreaks of food-borne illness have emphasized the need for proper cooking of ground beef patties. Because of difficulties in measuring internal temperature of ground beef patties, visual indicators usually are used to estimate degree of doneness. As internal temperature increases from 130 to 170 ÌŠF, the internal appearance is expected to change from very red to brown and juice color from red to clear. Based on ground beef patties from three sources, we found that internal color over-estimated internal temperature. Expressible juice decreased in redness as internal temperature increased but did not run clear even at temperatures over 160 ÌŠF. …

Value-Added Beef Processing: Increasing The Value Of Beef Shanks Using Baadertm Processing Technology (1993), R.E. Campbell, Melvin C. Hunt

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Using a BaaderTM desinewing machine on beef shanks can increase the value of a beef carcass by $1 to $5 by improving palatability and texture and reducing fat. By varying belt pressure and drum opening size and passing shanks twice through the desinewer, we obtained commercially acceptable yields. Maximum lean yield was 93% of the shank using 5 mm drum holes for both passes. With 3 mm drum holes, very lean produced on the first pass. Using desinewed lean and flaking the sinew with an Urschel Commitrol®, we produced low-fat (10%) ground beef patties. Patties from desinewed lean alone and/or …

Large Round Bale Hay Wastage By Various Feeding Methods (1993), R.K. Taylor, G.W. Warmann, B.M. Plaschka, Dale A. Blasi, Glenn E. Newdigger Jr.

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The amounts of wheat or hybrid sudan hay wasted with three large round bale feeding methods were evaluated at two ranch locations. The feeding methods were: 1) bale processor (Hay Forage Industries BP 25®) used to shred forage into bunks; 2) the same processor used to shred forage onto the ground; and 3) unrolling large round bales on the ground. Estimated forage wastages or refusals from unrolling, shredding onto ground, and shredding into bunks were 23, 13, and 8% with wheat hay and 22, 16, and 11% with sudan hay, respectively. These results demonstrate the potential for substantial savings of …

Can "Natural" Flavorings Enhance The Flavor Of Low-Fat Ground Beef? (1993), C.F. Carmack, Melvin C. Hunt, Donald H. Kropf, J.R. Schwenke, Curtis L. Kastner

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Natural flavorings were evaluated for use in low-fat ground beef, which frequently lacks flavor intensity. Three lean sources, A-maturity (young), E-maturity (mature cow), and imported (cow) beef round muscles, were used to formulate 7% and 25% fat ground beef. A-maturity fat was added to adjust fat levels. Controls (no added flavors) were prepared for each lean source. No additives were used in 25% fat controls, but 7% fat controls contained water (10%), carrageenan (.5%), and encapsulated salt (.38%). Four "natural" flavorings; Dried Cream Extract (DCE, Cumberland Packing Co., Inc.); Natural Prime Beef Base WONF #224545 and #224546 (224545, 224546, Tastemaker); …

Effects Of Hybrid, Growing Condition, Storage Time, And Pioneer 1174® Silage Inoculant On Agronomic Performance And Nutritive Value Of Whole-Plant Corn And Grain Sorghum Silages (1993), R. Suazo, R.N. Sonon, K.K. Bolsen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 1989, two Pioneer corn hybrids, 3377 and 3389, were grown under irrigation and harvested at 80% milk line kernel maturity. Voluntary intakes and ADF digestibilities were similar for all hybrid, inoculant, and storage time combinations; however, DM digestibility was higher for 3377 silage than for 3389, and DM, CP, and NDF digestibilities were higher at the 50- than the 250-day storage time. The inoculant did not influence either voluntary intake or digestibility. In 1990, the same corn hybrids and DeKalb DK 42Y and Pioneer 8358 grain sorghum hybrids were grown under both irrigated and dryland conditions. Whole-plant DM contents …

A Laboratory System For Modeling Hay Storage (1993), W.K. Coblentz, J.O. Fritz, K.K. Bolsen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A simple system is described that uses a hinged metal baling unit and a hydraulic press to make 4.0 x 4.3 x 5.3 inch wire-tied, laboratory- scale, hay bales. A comparison of densities of conventional, small, alfalfa bales (15x18x37 inches) and laboratory bales was made over a wide range of moisture levels (15 to 36%) and conventional bale densities (10 to 25 lb/ft3). Laboratory bale densities were regressed against conventional bale densities and agreement was excellent. The system is inexpensive to build and easy to use and can be reproduced easily.

Effect Of Density Of Steam Flaked Milo On Animal Performance, Mill Production Rate, And Subacute Acidosis (1993), Robert T. Brandt Jr., A.S. Freeman, T.P. Eck, Christopher D. Reinhardt, Keith C. Behnke

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In Trial 1, 336 yearling steers (755 lb) were fed diets containing milo flaked to 22 (L), 25 (M), or 28 (H) lb/bu. The steers fed L consumed 3.2% less dry matter than cattle fed H (P<.05) and had 6.9% lower gains (P<.05). Feed efficiency tended (P=.15) to favor cattle fed H. The H milo was flaked 27% faster than M and 67% faster than L (P<.0001), resulting in lower production cost for the heavy flakes. In Trial 2, six ruminally cannulated steers were fed the same diets used in Trial 1 in a replicated 3x3 Latin square. After adaptation to the respective diets, the cattle were fasted and then overfed to simulate a drastic intake fluctuation. The L diet was fermented more rapidly than the H diet, resulting in greater ruminal pH depression (P<.10) following overconsumption. Under the conditions of this experiment, flaking milo more intensively than 28 lb/bu (58.7% starch gelatinization) resulted in decreased consumption, lower mill efficiency, and increased propensity for acidosis in finishing steers.

Endophyte-Infected, Tall Fescue Hay Utilization By Exercised, Yearling Horses (1993), J.S. Pendergraft, M.J. Arns, R.H. Raub, K.K. Bolsen, F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fescue toxicity causes substantial production losses in sheep, cattle, and horses. These losses are attributed to an endophyte, Acremonium coenophialum. However, our results indicate that Quarter horse yearlings can be fed endophyte-infected tall fescue hay for at least 106 days with no detrimental effects on either growth or exercise performance. However, these findings have not been substantiated in other classes of horses or in horses consuming endophyte-infected fescue for longer durations.