Life Sciences Commons^™

Byproducts With Low Quality Forage To Grazing Cattle, Annie J. Doerr, Sandra Villasanti, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William A. Griffin, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Walter H. Schacht

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sixteen cows grazing smooth bromegrass pasture were unsupplemented or supplemented a 35:65 Synergy:straw mixture. Grazed forage intake was replaced about 50% with supplementation, with no differences in cow performance. In a second experiment conducted over two summers, yearling steers grazing native range were fed a mixture of 70:30 or 60:40 hay:WDGS or 60:40 straw:WDGS. During the first year, all steers fed byproduct-forage mixtures had greater ADG than control steers. During the second year, steers supplemented with byproduct-hay mixtures had similar gains as control while steers supplemented byproduct-straw mixtures gained less. Supplementing WDGS and low quality forage reduced forage intake by …

Nutritive Value And Amount Of Corn Plant Parts, Adam L. Mcgee, Mackenzie Johnson, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Jana L. Harding, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Corn plants were separated into seven different plant parts and analyzed for digestibility. Digestibility of the different parts of the plant ranged from 33.85% to 59.03%. The amount of highly digestible residue averaged 13.4 lb/ bu of grain. Digestibility and amount of residue has considerable impact on the stocking rate and performance of cattle on cornstalks. Subsequent crop yields were not affected by grazing.

Economic Analysis Of Keeping A Nonpregnant Cow, Trenton Bohling, Darrell R. Mark, Richard Rasby, David R. Smith

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Abnormally large numbers of nonpregnant cows in cow-calf herds may be caused by diseases like trichomoniasis or a culmination of environmental factors such as heat stress during breeding and abnormally cold winters and wet spring conditions. Typically, producers sell nonpregnant females and replace them with bred heifers or cows. The five-year cash flow budgets developed in this study suggest that in some circumstances it is economically feasible to keep a nonpregnant cow.

Condensed Distillers Solubles And Beef Shelf Life, Kimberley A. Varnold, Chris R. Calkins, Asia L. Haack Haack, Jerilyn E. Hergenreder, Siroj Pokharel, Lasika S. Senaratne, Anna C. Pesta, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Condensed distillers solubles were fed to cattle at 0, 9, 18, 27, or 36% inclusion. There were no effects on objective steak color, subjective discoloration, Warner-Bratzler shear force, moisture content, fat content, or oxidation values. Diet did not affect polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in meat, but the control diet had higher total unsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids than all other treatments. Feeding condensed distillers solubles to cattle has no detrimental effects on shelf life.

Dietary Antioxidants And Beef Tenderness During Retail Display In High O2, Lasika S. Senaratne-Lenagala, Chris R. Calkins, Siroj Pokharel Pokharel, Amilton S. De Mello Jr., Martin A. Andersen, Stephanie A. Furman

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Aged (8 and 29 days) strip loins, from cross-bred steers fed dry-rolled corn-based finishing diets containing 0 or 30% wet distillers grains with a synthetic antioxidant blend (AGRADO®PLUS) were packaged in high oxygen modified atmosphere packages (80% O₂:20% CO₂) and studied for decreased tenderness compared to steaks packaged in oxygen-permeable film during retail display. Steaks aged longer and packaged in high oxygen modified atmosphere packages decreased in tenderness, likely due to increased protein oxidation (more carbonyls and less free thiols), during retail display. Feeding AGRADO PLUS tended to decrease tenderness and increased protein oxidation during retail …

2012 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report (Complete)

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow/Calf

Supplementing Gestating Beef Cows Grazing Cornstalk Residues

Effect of Corn Stalk Grazing and Baling on Cattle Performance and Irrigation Needs

Nutritive Value and Amount of Corn Plant Parts

Wheat Straw, Distillers Grains, and Beet Pulp for Late Gestation Beef Cows

Influence of Weaning Date and Pre-partum Nutrition on Cow-Calf Productivity

Effect of Calving Period on Heifer Progeny

Evaluating Conventional and Sexed Semen in a Commercial Beef Heifer Program

Late Gestation Supplementation Impacts Primiparous Beef Heifers and Progeny

Nutritional Regime and Antral Follicle Count Impact Reproductive Characteristics in Heifers

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A(VEGFA) in Ovulatory Follicles

Oocyte mRNA and …

Supplementing Gestating Beef Cows Grazing Cornstalk Residue, Jason M. Warner, Jeremy L. Martin, Zachary C. Hall Hall, Luke M. Kovarik, Kathryn J. Hanford, Richard J. Rasby, Mark Dragastin

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 5-year study evaluated the effects of protein supplementation to beef cows grazing cornstalks in late gestation on both cow and calf weight, and the reproductive performance of heifer progeny. Supplementation improved cow BCS at the end of cornstalk grazing. Calf weight, cow pregnancy rates, and reproductive traits of subsequent heifer progeny were not impacted by supplementation. Supplementing mid- to late-gestation beef cows grazing cornstalks has minimal impact on cow performance or fetal programming of heifer progeny.

Effect Of Corn Stalk Grazing And Baling On Cattle Performance And Irrigation Needs, Simon Van Donk, Adam L. Mcgee, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, L. Aaron Stalker

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of removing corn residue by grazing and baling on continuous corn production were investigated. Initial data showed a trend toward keeping more water in the soil in the treatment with the most residue left on the field (no grazing or baling), but there was no effect of either grazing or baling on subsequent corn yield. Water conservation resulting from maintaining residue on the field may help reduce pumping costs or increase yields when water is limited. However, this benefit is likely to be outweighed by feed cost savings or grazing rental income, and good cow performance.

Wheat Straw, Distillers Grains, And Beet Pulp For Late Gestation Beef Cows, Karla H. Jenkins, Matt K. Luebbe, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The feeding value of a mixture of 30:70 wet distillers grains:wheat straw or 20:20:60 wet distillers grains:beet pulp:wheat straw (DM) for late gestation beef cows was estimated. In Experiment 1, cows limit fed distillers grains and wheat straw gained as much weight and body condition as cows limit fed alfalfa hay. In Experiment 2, cows fed wet distillers grains and wheat straw or wet distillers grains, beet pulp, and wheat straw gained more weight and improved body condition compared with cows fed alfalfa hay. The results of these experiments indicate cows in late gestation will maintain body condition when limit …

Nutritional Regime And Antral Follicle Count Impact Reproductive Characteristics In Heifers, Adam F. Summers, Robert A. Cushman, Stetson P. Weber Weber, Karl V. Moline, Jeffrey W. Bergman, Matthew L. Spangler, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Developing heifers were offered either a modified distillers (MOD), distillers based (DDG), or corn gluten feed based (CGF) supplement while grazing pastures during development. Prior to breeding, antral follicle count (AFC), uterine horn diameter (UHD), ovarian area, and reproductive tract score (RTS) were determined via rectal ultrasonography to examine the effect of protein supplement on heifer reproductive characteristics. Heifers developed on MOD diets had greater RTS, ovarian area, and total AFC compared to DDG and CGF heifers. Small and medium follicle counts had a positive correlation with total AFC. Heifers developed on DDG and CGF had greater overall pregnancy rates …

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (Vegfa) In Ovulatory Follicles, Renee M. Mcfee, Robin A. Artac, William E. Pohlmeier Pohlmeier, Jill G. Kerl, Vanessa M. Brauer, Robert A. Cushman, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Granulosa cells express vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and VEGFA mRNA levels increase as bovine follicles reach preovulatory status. To further evaluate the role of VEGFA isoforms in follicular development, cows were either synchronized with a modified Co- Synch protocol (CIDR) or treated with melengestrol acetate (MGA) with subsequent aspiration of the dominant follicles. Higher mRNA levels for the antiangiogenic isoform, VEGFA_164B, along with AMH and CARTPT in E2-inactive follicles suggest that these factors are markers for unhealthy, atretic follicles. In contrast, higher mRNA levels for the proangiogenic isoform, VEGFA_164, in E2-active follicles indicate that this isoform may help …

Association Of Myostatin On Performance And Carcass Traits In Crossbred Cattle, Stephanie K. Pruitt, Kelsey M. Rolfe, Brandon Nuttelman Nuttelman, William A. Griffin, Joshua R. Benton, Galen E. Erickson, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Calf-fed steers and yearling heifersgenotyped as homozygous active, heterozygous, or homozygous inactive for myostatin were used to evaluate performance and carcass traits from Piedmontese influenced cattle. Homozygous inactive steers had similar ADG, lower DMI and lower F:G when compared to steers influenced by active myostatin. Steers and heifers with inactive myostatin showed similar trends in carcass traits producing larger LM area, greater dressing percentages and leaner carcasses. Similar ADG, lower DMI, and improved F:G were observed for homozygous inactive compared to homozygous active steers. Cattle with inactive myostatin require more days on feed than homozygous active cattle to reach similar …

Effect Of Post-Weaning Heifer Development System On Average Daily Gain, Reproduction, And Adaptation To Corn Residue During First Pregnancy, Stetson P. Weber, Adam F. Summers, Tonya L. Meyer, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A three-year study evaluated postweaning winter grazing system management on primiparous heifers at two locations. Weaned heifers were assigned to a development system: (1) graze corn residue then winter range, (2) graze winter range, or (3) graze winter range then placed in drylot. A combination of artificial insemination (AI) and natural mating was used at time of breeding based on location. Pregnant heifers were assigned to one of three corn residue fields in late gestation based on previous heifer development. Weaned heifers developed on corn residue had similar BW and ADG during winter grazing and after breeding, compared to heifers …

Impact Of Post-Weaning Beef Heifer Development System On Average Daily Gain, Reproduction, And Feed Efficiency, Stetson P. Weber, Adam F. Summers, Tonya L. Meyer Meyer, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This experiment evaluated the impact of post-weaning heifer development system on ADG, reproduction, and subsequent feed efficiency during late gestation. Shortly after weaning, heifers were developed on one of two winter grazing systems: corn residue (CR) followed by winter range, or winter range followed by drylot (DL). Heifer BW was greater for DL heifers prior to breeding, at breeding, and prior to first parturition. There were no differences in reproductive performance despite CR heifers having lower BW at breeding. Feed efficiency was similar during late gestation between CR and DL heifers. Extending winter grazing decreased BW without impacting reproductive performance.

Heifer Development: Think Profit, Not Just Cost Or Revenues, Matthew C. Stockton, Roger K. Wilson, Richard N. Funston Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Recent research on the economics of optimal beef replacement heifer size development reinforced the established economic principle that revenue or cost optimization are not equal to profit optimization. A modified profit function was used to analyze simulated results which demonstrated the differences among the three measures. In the case of optimizing pregnancy rates, a heifer must be heavier to optimize productivity as measured by revenue verses profit. Similarly in the case of cost minimization, the reduction in developmental expenses results in less profit except in the case where the economically optimal sized heifer equals that of the size chosen to …

Forage Availability And Quality Of No-Till Forage Crops For Grazing Cattle, Alex H. Titlow, Karla H. Jenkins, Matt K. Luebbe Luebbe, Drew J. Lyon

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

No-till forage crops were planted to determine forage quantity and quality for grazing cattle. Seven combinations were evaluated using different mixtures containing forage peas, oats, winter triticale, turnips, radishes, clover, vetch, and sunflower. The cover crops were planted April 9 and sampled three times (day 54, 70, and 86 after planting) to determine forage mass and nutrient content. Mixtures containing forage peas and oats yielded the greatest quantity of DM/acre. The NDF and CP content of the mixtures are comparable to native range during the growing season. When used in place of fallow in crop rotations, grazing cover crops may …

Strategies Of Supplementing Dried Distillers Grains To Yearling Steers On Smooth Bromegrass Pastures, Stephanie K. Pruitt, Kelsey M. Rolfe, Brandon Nuttelman Nuttelman, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, William A. Griffin, Walter H. Schacht

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steers supplemented with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) daily on nonfertilized smooth bromegrass pastures gained 0.55 lb/day more than cattle on nonsupplemented treatments. Steers supplemented at 0.6% BW DDGS gained 2.59 lb/day compared to 2.36 lb/ day for steers fed a similar total amount of DDGS at increasing levels over the growing season.

Effects Of Forage Type, Storage Method, And Moisture Level In Crop Residues Mixed With Modified Distillers Grains, Barry M. Webber, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Kelsey R. Rolfe Rolfe, Cody J. Schneider, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, William A. Griffin

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two growing experiments compared effects of feeding a diet consisting of cornstalks or wheat straw and modified distillers grains when ensiled or mixed fresh daily. Wheat-straw based diets also were compared at different moisture levels (50% and 70%) when ensiled and mixed daily. In Experiment 1, steers fed ensiled diets had greater DMI compared to diets mixed daily. Moisture level and crop residue type had no effect on steer performance. In Experiment 2, steers were offered the supplements and a hay mix to determine palatability and forage replacement. Moisture level had no effect, cornstalks were consumed better than wheat straw, …

Spoilage Of Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles And Feed Value, Jana L. Harding, Kelsey M. Rolfe, Cody J. Schneider Schneider, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Performance of growing or finishing steers fed wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) from a silo bag (nonspoiled) or bunker (spoiled) was studied. Spoiled WDGS lost DM, as well as decreased in fat, NDF, and CP. Even though DM was lost, and composition of the spoiled WDGS changed, the spoiled WDGS had no effect on finishing cattle performance, but it did affect DMI of the growing steers consuming high forage diets.

Feeding Condensed Distillers Solubles In Finishing Diets Containing Wdgs Or Synergy, Anna C. Pesta, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William A. Griffin Griffin, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Effects of adding 0, 7, 14, or 21% condensed distillers solubles (CDS) to diets containing either 20% modified distillers grains (MDGS) or 20% Synergy (a combination of modified distillers grains and wet corn gluten feed) were evaluated. A byproduct by CDS level interaction was observed for final BW, hot carcass weight, and ADG. Cattle fed Synergy had greater DMI than cattle fed MDGS. In MDGS diets at 14% CDS and in Synergy diets at 21% CDS, ADG was maximized. Increasing CDS level in both types of diets improved F:G linearly.

Ruminal Degradable Sulfur And Hydrogen Sulfide In Cattle Finishing Diets, Jhones O. Sarturi, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Crystal C. D. Buckner, Matt K. Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The relationship between ruminal degradable sulfur intake (RDSI) and ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration ([H₂S]) as well as ruminal parameters were evaluated. Steers were fed diets containing organic, inorganic, and wet distiller grains with solubles (WDGS) sources of sulfur, as well as a control diet. A laboratory procedure was developedto measure RDS of ingredients. RDSI explained 65% of [H₂S] variation, whereas total sulfur intake and ruminal pH, individually, explained 29 and 12%, respectively. Availability of sulfur for ruminal reduction is more important than total sulfur in the diet.

Complete-Feed Diet Ramp™ In Grain Adaptation Programs, Cody J. Schneider, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, William A. Griffin, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle were adapted to a common finishing diet over 22 days by decreasing RAMP (100 to 0%) and increasing finisher (0 to 100%) either as a blend in a traditional grain adaptation system or a two-ration program. The control treatment decreased alfalfa hay inclusion (45 to 7.5%) while corn inclusion increased. Steers adapted using RAMP were more efficient than traditionally adapted cattle. Using RAMP as an ingredient improved ADG compared to the traditional grain adaptation program.

Effects Of Ramp™ On Feed Intake And Ruminal Ph During Adaptation To Finishing Diets, Cody J. Schneider, Adam L. Shreck, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism trial was conducted using an adaption strategy where RAMP inclusion was decreased (100 to 0%) while increasing inclusion of the finishing ration (0 to 100%) was compared to a traditional adaption (Control) where alfalfa hay inclusion was decreased (45 to 7.5%) while increasing corn. Adapting cattle with RAMP increased DMI, had no effect on average pH, pH variance, or magnitude of change compared to Control. Grain adaption with RAMP is a viable alternative to traditional grain adaptation.

Potassium For Feedlot Cattle Exposed To Heat Stress, Terry L. Mader, Leslie J. Johnson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Angus crossbred yearling heifers and steers (n = 144 and 168, respectively) were used to evaluate effects of feeding soybeans and additional potassium (K) on performance and tympanic temperature (TT) of cattle under heat stress and seasonal summer conditions. In Experiment 1, cattle fed diets supplemented with potassium carbonate had lower ADG and tended to have decreased water intake, G:F, and dressing percent. In Experiment 2, cattle fed diets supplemented with K with or without whole soybeans had lower or tended to have lower TT than control cattle during the hottest portion of the day (between 1300 and 2100 hours).

Feeding Modified Distillers Grains With Solubles And Wet Corn Gluten Feed (Synergy) To Adapt Cattle To Finishing Diets, Marco G. Dib, Jhones O. Sarturi, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Ron Lindquist

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment with 236 steers and eight pens per treatment (14 or 15 steers/pen) evaluated two grain adaptation treatments. Treatments included adapting steers by decreasing alfalfa (CON) or decreasing a combination of distillers grains and corn gluten feed (SYNERGY) followed by feeding a common finishing diet to slaughter. Performance and carcass traits did not differ between adaptation systems. A combination of MDGS and SYNERGY can be used to adapt beef cattle to feedlot diets with efficacy of the traditional, foragebased method.

Effects Of Barley Diets With Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Feedlot Performance And N And P Balance, Erin M. Hussey, Galen E. Erickson, Robert E. Peterson Peterson, Luis O. Burciaga-Robles

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Effects of barley starch:NDF ratio and DDGS inclusion on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and N and P mass balance were evaluated in a commercial feedyard in Alberta, Canada. Yearling heifers were assigned randomly at reimplant to four treatments (0 or 20% DDGS and LOW or HIGH starch:NDF barley). Feeding LOW starch:NDF barley improved feedlot performance and increased N retention. Feeding 20% DDGS increased DMI, had a slight negative impact on F:G, and increased N and P losses.

Feedlot Manure Utilization As Influenced By Application Scheme And Diet, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Richard K. Koelsch, Raymond E. Massey, Joseph H. Harrison

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The BFNMP$ program was utilized to study effects of dietary nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and N volatilization on economics of manure utilization. Feeding high CP (18.7%) and P (0.5%) diets increased manure net value $6.92/ head compared to manure with a traditional diet (13.3% CP and 0.3% P) being fed. Spreading this manure on a four-year P basis is economical and environmentally friendly.

Reducing Particle Size Enhances Chemical Treatment In Finishing Diets, Adam L. Shreck, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William A. Griffin Griffin, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Michael J. Cecava

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Three hundred-sixty calf-fed steers were fed either treated or untreated corn stover that was previously ground through a 1-in or 3–in screen. Treated stover diets improved ADG and F:G compared to untreated. Reducing particle size improved ADG and F:G but did not influence DMI. Compared to a control diet with 5% roughage and 15 percentage units more corn, diets with 20% treated corn stover had similar F:G, ADG, DMI, and carcass quality. Up to 15% additional corn can be replaced with treated corn stover when diets contain wet distillers grains, and may be further enhanced by reducing particle size before …

Impact Of Sorting Prior To Feeding Zilpaterol Hydrochloride On Feedlot Steers, Erin M. Hussey, Galen E. Erickson, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, William A. Griffin, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Kyle J. Vander Pol

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred yearling steers (n = 1000; 755 ± 23 lb) were utilized to evaluate effects of sorting and feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (Zilmax^®) on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and economics. Treatments were: unsorted negative control (–CON); unsorted Zilmax fed positive control (+CON); and three treatments where the heaviest 20% of steers within the pen were identified at beginning (EARLY), 100 days from harvest (MIDDLE), or 50 days from harvest (LATE) and marketed 28 days earlier. Dry matter intake was not different. Gain and G:F were improved by feeding Zilmax. Carcasses from the +CON and steers sorted EARLY, MIDDLE, and …

Effects Of Antioxidants On Beef In Low And High Oxygen Packages, Spencer W. Bolte, Lasika S. Senaratne-Lenagala, Chris R. Calkins Calkins, Siroj Pokharel, Kimberley A. Varnold

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Color, lipid, and protein stability of beef strip loin steak treated with different antioxidants (tocopherol, tertiary butyl hydroquinone, rosemary, or combinations of two of the antioxidants) and packaged in low oxygen (2-5% O₂) or high oxygen (80% O₂) modified atmosphere packages were studied. The application of tertiary butyl hydroquinone on steaks prior packaging (either in low- or high-oxygen modified atmosphere packages) was significantly effective in minimizing color and lipid oxidation during retail display. Under modified atmosphere packaging (lowor high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging), oxidation of myoglobin color pigments and lipids were unrelated to beef tenderness.