Life Sciences Commons^™

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 …

Sudden Death Syndrome And Soybean Planting Date, Eric Adee, C. R. Little, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The effect of soybean planting date on the severity of sudden death syndrome (SDS) and yield were evaluated in two studies at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field in 2015. One study was established to promote SDS and the other to minimize SDS. In both studies the severity of SDS was greatest with the earlier planting dates, except for the more tolerant variety. The yield was greatest with the earlier planting date, except for the most susceptible variety. The severity of SDS was not as great as had been observed in previous years.

Evaluating The Interaction Between Chelated Iron Source And Placement On Phosphorus Availability In Soybean, C. L. Edwards, D. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In agriculture, chelating agents are used to supplement micronutrients, such as iron (Fe). However, little research has been conducted at the field-scale level to evaluate chelating agent effects on phosphorus (P). The objectives of this study were to evaluate three commercially available chelated Fe sources on early soybean growth and nutrient uptake. The study was conducted at six locations in 2014 and 2015. The experimental design was a randomized, complete block with a factorial treatment arrangement. The two factors included fertilizer source and fertilizer placement. The fertilizer sources were P only, EDTA-Fe, HEDTA-Fe, and one glucoheptonate product, Cee*Quest N5Fe758 (CQ-758), …

Large-Scale Dryland Cropping Systems, A. Schlegel, L. Haag, D. O'Brien

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was conducted from 2008 to 2015 at the Kansas State University Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, Kansas. The crop rotations evaluated were continuous grain sorghum (SS), wheat-fallow (WF), wheat-corn-fallow (WCF), wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF), wheat-corn-sorghum-fallow (WCSF), and wheat-sorghum-corn-fallow (WSCF). All rotations were grown using no-till practices except for WF, which was grown using reduced-tillage. Precipitation capture efficiency was not greater with more intensive rotations. Wheat yields were not affected by length of rotation. Corn and grain sorghum yields were about 60% greater when following wheat than when following corn or grain sorghum. Grain sorghum yields were almost twice as great …

Evaluation Of The Effects Of Flushing Feed Manufacturing Equipment With Chemically- Treated Rice Hulls On Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Cross Contamination During Feed Manufacturing, J. T. Gebhardt, J. C. Woodworth, C. K. Jones, Phillip Charles Gauger, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband, M. Muckey, R. A. Cochrane, M. Niederwerder, C. R. Stark, J. Bai, Qi Chen, Jianqiang Zhang, Alejandro Ramirez, Rachel J. Derscheid, Rodger G. Main, S. S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Various strategies have been proposed to mitigate potential risk of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) transmission via feed and feed ingredients. Wet decontamination has been found to be the most effective decontamination of feed mill surfaces; however, this is not practical on a commercial feed production-scale. Another potential mitigation strategy, easier to implement, would be using chemically-treated rice hulls flushed through the feed manufacturing equipment. The objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of MCFA- or formaldehyde-treated rice hull flush batches as potential PEDV mitigation strategies during feed manufacturing. Feed without evidence of PEDV RNA contamination was inoculated …

Lessons Learned From Managing Electronic Sow Feeders And Sow Body Weight Data, L. L. Thomas, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

As the swine industry is transitioning from individual gestation stalls to different styles of group housing, new challenges are being presented for collecting data in the gestation barn. Electronic sow feeders (ESF) are computerized feeding stations that track and dispense feed for each sow that enters the feeding station. Individual intakes for sows can be recorded, which creates an opportunity for conducting nutrition studies in gestation. A research study was conducted on a commercial sow farm in central Nebraska, where sows were group-housed with ESF. A total of 74,114 feed intake observations and 663,204 sow weights were recorded during the …

Effects Of Increasing Zn From Zinc Sulfate Or Zinc Hydroxychloride On Finishing Pig Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Economic Return, C. Carpenter, K. Coble, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, J. Usry

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,008 pigs [TR4 (Fast × L02 PIC; initially 70.6 lb BW)] were used in a 103-d growth study to determine the effects of Zn source and level on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economic return. The 6 dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of Zn source (ZnSO_⁴; Agrium Advance Technology, Loveland, CO, or Zn hydroxychloride; Intellibond-Z®; Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) and level (50, 100, or 150 ppm added Zn). The trace mineral premix was formulated to contain no added Zn. There were 21 pigs per pen and …

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!

Evaluation Of Tall Fescue Cultivars, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spring 2015 yield was higher for ‘Ky 31 EF’ than for nine of the 19 other entries. Summer production of ‘PBU-B7’ was greater than for five lower-yielding entries. Total 2015 production was greater for ‘PBU-B1’ and Ky 31 EF than for seven other cultivars.

Dairy Research 2016, Full Report, B. Bradford

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

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

East Central Kansas Experiment Field, Eric Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The research program at the East Central Kansas Experiment Field is designed to keep area crop producers abreast of technological advances in agronomic agriculture. Specific objectives are to (1) identify top performing varieties and hybrids of wheat, corn, soybean, and grain sorghum; (2) establish the amount of tillage and crop residue cover needed for optimum crop production; (3) evaluate weed and disease control practices using chemical, no chemical, and combination methods; and (4) test fertilizer rates, timing, and application methods for agronomic proficiency and environmental stewardship.

Kansas River Valley Experiment Field, Eric Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The Kansas River Valley Experiment Field was established to study management and effective use of irrigation resources for crop production in the Kansas River Valley (KRV). The Paramore Unit consists of 80 acres located 3.5 miles east of Silver Lake on U.S. Highway 24, then 1 mile south of Kiro, and 1.5 miles east on 17th street. The Rossville Unit consists of 80 acres located 1 mile east of Rossville or 4 miles west of Silver Lake on U.S. Highway 24.

Soybean: Evaluation Of Inoculation, I. A. Ciampitti, Eric Adee, J. Kimball, G. I. Carmona

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A soybean crop can obtain up to 50 to 75% of its nitrogen (N) requirements from the air when the biological fixation is effectively established (Pedersen, 2007). The overall objective of this project was to quantify the response to inoculation for soybean in a field without previous history of this crop. Following this rationale, a field study was conducted during the 2015 growing season at Ottawa (east central Kansas). The treatments consisted in five different N management approaches: non-inoculated, inoculated × 1, inoculated × 2, inoculated × 3 and non-inoculated but fertilized with 300 lb N per acre as the …

Integrated Grain And Forage Rotations, J. D. Holman, T. Roberts, S. Maxwell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Producers are interested in growing forages in rotation with grain crops. Many produc­ers are interested in diversifying their operations to include livestock or grow feed for the livestock industry. By integrating forages into the cropping system, producers can take advantage of more markets and reduce market risk. Forages require less water to make a crop than grain crops, so the potential may exist to reduce fallow by including forages in the crop rotation. Reducing fallow through intensified grain/forage rotations may increase the profitability and sustainability compared to existing crop rotations.

This study was started in 2013, with crops grown in-phase …

Weed Control With Postemergence Applications Of Status, Armezon, Atrazine, Corvus, Verdict, And Roundup Powermax In Irrigated Corn, R. Currie, P. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

All postemergence herbicides provided greater than 98% control of quinoa, common sunflower, Palmer amaranth, and green foxtail. Crabgrass and Russian thistle were more difficult to control. All postemergence herbicides except Roundup PowerMax (glypho­sate) alone controlled Russian thistle and crabgrass greater than 89%. Diflexx (dicamba) plus Roundup PowerMax was slightly more efficacious on kochia than Status (diflufen­zopyr + dicamba) plus Armezon (topramezone) with atrazine and Roundup Power­Max, and all other herbicides were intermediate for kochia control. Corn yields did not differ between herbicide treatments. However, all herbicides increased grain yields.

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 …

Control Of Individual Honey Locust Trees In Grazed Pasture, K. R. Harmoney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a deciduous tree that produces large brown seed pods and thorny appendages, and is present throughout most of the US. The pods are highly nutritious for livestock and wildlife, and are easily spread by animals in dung pats. Honey locust is typically found in greatest concentrations in the central U.S. in the same general range as historical tallgrass prairie. Fire suppression and introduction of honey locust into shelter belts has allowed honey locust to increase into more arid regions associated with mixed grass prairie. When cut, honey locust is capable of producing abundant …

Annual Summary Of Weather Data For Parsons, M. Knapp

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Weather Data for Parsons, Kansas, 2015.

Personnel, Acknowledgments, L. W. Lomas

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research Center Personnel, Kansas State University Southeast Agricultural Research Center.

Acknowledgments: We thank the following individuals, organizations, and firms that contributed to this year’s research programs through financial support, product donations, or services.

Weed Control With Single Or Sequential Herbicide Applications In Acetolactase Synthase-Tolerant Grain Sorghum, R. Currie, P. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Palmer amaranth control was best when Resolve (rimsulfuron) plus Harmony GT (thifensulfuron) and Abundit Extra (glyphosate) were applied 15 days preplant fol­lowed by Zest (nicosulfuron) and atrazine postemergence, or by Zest plus atrazine alone postemergence. Palmer amaranth control was less than 80% with all other herbicide treatments. Preemergence herbicides alone provided less than 60% green foxtail control at 53 days after postemergence applications, and Zest plus atrazine alone postemergence controlled green foxtail 70%. Sequential applications of preemergence and postemer­gence herbicides were needed to provide the best green foxtail control. The relatively low weed control provided by these treatments may be …

Preemergence Weed Control With Fultime Nxt And Competitive Standards In Grain Sorghum, R. Currie, P. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

At 71 days after treatment, FulTime NXT (acetochlor + atrazine) at 2.5 or 3.0 qt/a and Lumax EZ (S-metolachlor + atrazine + mesotrione) at 2.0 qt/a were the only treatments to control Palmer amaranth at 90% or more. All treatments provided similar velvetleaf control. Green foxtail control was 75 to 83% with all rates of FulTime NXT or Lumax EZ. Sorghum receiving FulTime NXT at 2.5 or 3.0 qt/a or Lumax EZ yielded significantly more than the control treatments.

Gilt Training For Electronic Sow Feeding Systems In Gestation, C. M. Vier, M. A. Gonçalves, L. L. Thomas, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

An electronic sow feeding (ESF) system provides the capability of feeding group-housed gestating gilts and sows on an individual basis. One of the most critical and yet often neglected steps in making an ESF system a success is proper gilt training. Different farms have protocols adapted to their particular situation, but the overall goal of gilt training is to ensure that a high percentage of gilts learn how to utilize the ESF station before they are moved to gestation. There are three critical steps in proper gilt training. These include: 1) pre-training; 2) training once the gilts have been moved …

Director's Report Of Research In Kansas, 2015, J. E. Minton

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The 2015 Director’s Report of Research in Kansas includes a list of journal articles, station publications, and other published manuscripts from scientists in our departments, research stations, and associated programs.

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.

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.

The Effect Of Enhancement On Trained Panel Beef Palatability Scores Is Dependent Upon Usda Quality Grade, 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

Quality grades are used to determine beef value. The U.S. Department of Agriculture grading system categorizes beef into levels of eating satisfaction with the highest being Prime and decreases until reaching the Canner quality grade. Currently the premium of Prime graded carcasses over Select is $16.73 (USDA, 2015). Traditionally, USDA Select cuts are known to have lower palatability ratings for juiciness, tenderness, and overall liking. Select steaks also fail to meet consumer eating expectations more than 33% of the time (Corbin, 2015). This failure rate represents a large cost for the industry. Product enhancement utilizing a water, salt, and phosphate …

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 …

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, …

Old World Bluestem Seedling Emergence And Vegetative Cover Following Glyphosate Treatment, K. R. Harmoney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Old world bluestems (OWB) are perennial warm-season grasses introduced into the U.S. from parts of Asia, eastern Europe, Africa, and Australia. The two most common old world bluestem species found in Kansas are yellow bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum), otherwise known as King Ranch bluestem, and Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii). These grasses were introduced for soil conservation and forage production in arid regions of the southern Great Plains; however, in Kansas and elsewhere, they have escaped areas where planted and have been invading native rangelands and pastures that were old crop fields seeded back to native grasses. Efforts …

Including Legumes In Bermudagrass Pastures, J. L. Moyer, L. W. Lomas

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Use of legumes in bermudagrass pastures has often increased summer cow gains. Forage production was greater where ladino clover was used in the Legume system than where Nitrogen (N) alone was used in the first sampling, but the reverse was true in midsummer. Estimated forage crude protein during 2015 was greater for the Legume than the Nitrogen system in the first and last samplings, but similar in mid-summer pasture. Cow performance over the season was increased 68% where legumes were used.