Life Sciences Commons^™

Reducing Tick Populations Through Prescribed Burning, Andrea Salazar, Herman Griese, Victoria Pickens, Cassandra Olds

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: Explore the effect of prescribed fire on tick population dynamics in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Study Description: Ticks were collected from spring (April), summer (August), or fall (September) burned pastures as well as control, unburned areas. Burning had been carried out for four consecutive years prior to this study. Tick populations were sampled every other week from March to August using material dragging and dry ice bait sampling methods. Tick species, sex, and life stage were identified morphologically and the total numbers for each burn treatment were calculated.

The Bottom Line: Consecutive burning of grazing pasture could be considered …

Post-Weaning Feed Intake And Performance Of Bulls Developed In An Automated Feed Intake Management System, J. Wyatt L. Banks, Karol E. Fike, Jason M. Warner

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: Our objectives were to compare expected and observed dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) using modeled nutrient requirement equations, and to evaluate change in DMI over time of beef bull calves fed in an automated feed intake system.

Study Description: Feed intake and performance data from purebred Angus, Hereford, and Simmental bull calves across two calf crops [birth years 2021 (n = 40) and 2022 (n = 37)] were utilized for this analysis. Projected DMI and ADG were calculated for each group of bulls by year on an individual basis using the Growing Bull module of …

Kansas State University Feedlot Boot Camp And Teaching Program: Growing Student Interest And Engagement In The Feedlot Industry, Danielle M. Stock, Pete Anderson, Karol E. Fike

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: Our objectives were to summarize the development and structure of the Kansas State University Feedlot Boot Camp and Teaching Program and examine student interest in careers in the feedlot industry after participation.

Study Description: Since 2019, 95 Kansas State University College of Agriculture undergraduate students participated in the Feedlot Boot Camp Program. The aim was to develop students’ knowledge, skills, and professional relationships in feedlot management to help meet the critical need for trained professionals in the industry. Components are a four-day Feedlot Boot Camp, student presentations, animal health day, and an optional feedlot internship. Students who completed all …

A Novel Approach Of Using Electrostatic Field To Reduce Thawing Time And Improve Frozen Beef Quality, Grace E. Corrette, Haley J. Jeneske, Sara R. Hene, Linnea A. Rimmer, Larissa A. Koulicoff, Morgan D. Zumbaugh, Travis G. O'Quinn, Scott J. Eilert, Bret Flanders, Michael D. Chao

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of applying an electrostatic field (EF) on thawing characteristics, such as thawing speed and purge loss, as well as its impact on quality attributes during subsequent aging and retail display of beef.

Study Description: Striploins from both sides of USDA Choice carcasses (n = 12) were collected and portioned into four equal parts (n = 48). Portions were vacuum packaged and frozen at -40°F for 14 days and randomly assigned to one of four EF thawing treatments: 0 kV (control), 2.5 kV (EF-2.5), 5 kV (EF-5), and 10 kV …

The Effects Of Thawing Method On Consumer Palatability Ratings Of Beef Strip Loin Steaks, Stephanie L. Witberler, Lindsey K. Decker, Erin S. Beyer, Morgan D. Zumbaugh, Michael D. Chao, Jessie L. Vipham, Travis G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine palatability differences in beef strip loin steaks among various U.S. Department of Agriculture approved thawing methods and those commonly utilized by consumers.

Study Description: Paired Low Choice beef strip loins (n = 15) were collected and fabricated into six sections, each section was fabricated into 1-in steaks and assigned one of six thawing methods including: countertop, cook from frozen, cold water, hot water, microwave, and refrigerator. Steaks were cooked to an internal peak temperature of 160°F and consumers were given samples which they evaluated for juiciness, tenderness, flavor liking, overall liking, …

2024 Cattlemen's Day Full Report

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This report includes research conducted in 2023 on beef cattle management, nutrition, and meat science conducted at Kansas State University. Specific topics include effects of prescribed burning and grazing in the Flint Hills, managing livestock pests with prescribed range burning, feeding techniques and methods in feedlots, nutrition supplements for improved health management, and beef thawing methods and consumer palatability preferences.

Greato+ Supplementation Leads To Greater Proportions Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids In The Small Intestines Of Holstein Steers, Ross L. Thorn, James S. Drouillard

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: This study aimed to determine if supplementation of GreatO⁺, an extruded blend of flaxseed and microalgae (NBO3, Manhattan, KS), in Holstein steers would lead to greater amounts of fatty acids, particularly omega-3s, in the small intestines.

Study Description: This study utilized 12 cannulated Holstein steers assigned to two treatments: with or without supplementation of GreatO⁺ as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Two periods were utilized, consisting of a 15-day adaptation interval and a four-day collection interval. After the end of the collection period, each steer was transitioned to the other treatment for the second period. …

The Effects Of Seasonal Prescribed Burning On Flint Hills Dung Beetle (Scarabaeinae) Populations, Herman Griese, Andrea Salazar, Victoria Pickens, Cassandra Olds

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: This study aimed to determine if the season of prescribed burning impacted dung beetle communities on pastures grazed by cattle in the Flint Hills.

Study Description: Dung beetle populations at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker unit were sampled biweekly for three months over the summer grazing period to determine if beetle populations varied between spring, summer, or fall burned pastures.

Results: At least eight species of dung beetles were identified with a total of 8,646 dung beetles collected. Dung beetle populations were not different (P > 0.05) between spring, summer, and fall burned pastures although peak beetle populations …

Comparing The Performance Of Cattle Castrated Using Different Techniques Upon Arrival At The Feedlot, Tyler Blackwood, Tyler J. Spore, Michael D. Kleinhenz, William R. Hollenbeck, Dale A. Blasi, A. J. Tarpoff

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: To determine the least detrimental castration technique in terms of growth performance when castrating cattle upon entry to the feedlot.

Study Description: Intact bulls were sourced from the Southeastern U.S. and received at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit. After backgrounding, 700-lb bulls were castrated using various techniques, including banding, banding with splitting of the distal scrotum, use of the Henderson Tool, and use of a burdizzo clamp. A group of intact bulls served as a negative control group. Weights were obtained at regular intervals throughout the 56-day study to quantify and compare growth performance.

Results: The day …

Restricting Bunk Space Allotments To 6 Or 10 Inches Has Minimal Impact On Growth Performance In Limit-Fed Receiving Cattle, W. Cole Ellis, Zachary M. Duncan, Madeline S. Grant, William R. Hollenbeck, Evan C. Titgemeyer, Dale A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of our experiment was to determine if bunk allotments of 6, 10, 14, or 18 in per head in pens containing 18 to 28 head impacts growth performance of growing calves limit-fed a high-energy diet based on corn and corn co-products.

Study Description: A total of 332 crossbred heifers were blocked by source, stratified by individual arrival weight, and assigned to a pen. Pens were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 6, 10, 14, and 18 in of bunk space per head. Pens contained 18 to 28 head per pen. Heifers were limit-fed once daily at …

Evaluation Of Thawing Curves Of Beef Strip Loin Steaks Using Various Thawing Methods, Lauren M. Frink, Lindsey K. Decker, Erin S. Beyer, Michael D. Chao, Morgan D. Zumbaugh, Jessie L. Vipham, Travis G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate and determine thaw rate and time of strip steaks thawed using methods that are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and those commonly used by consumers.

Study Description: Strip steaks collected from a beef packing facility were randomly assigned a thaw method. Initially, steaks were vacuum packaged and then frozen at -40°F until thawed. Two thawing methods were USDA-approved: thawing in a refrigerator (REF) and in cold water (CW); while the other two methods evaluated are commonly used by consumers: thawing on the countertop (CT) and in hot water (HW). …

The Effects Of Thawing Methods On Trained Sensory Evaluation Of Beef Palatability Traits And Instrumental Measurements Of Quality, Lindsey K. Decker, Erin S. Beyer, Michael D. Chao, Morgan D. Zumbaugh, Jessie L. Vipham, Travis G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: Using beef strip loins steaks, evaluate six common thawing methods and assess the quality attributes through a trained panelist evaluation and an array of instrumental quality measures.

Study Description: Paired Low Choice strip loins (n = 15) were collected from a beef packing facility. The paired loins were fabricated into 1-in steaks and blocked into six blocks of four steaks. Each block was assigned a different thawing method, and each steak within the block a test, then aged 21 days and frozen. Thaw methods consisted of the four USDA-approved thaw methods: refrigerator (REF), cold water (CW), microwave (MIC), cooking …

Long-Term Effects Of April, August, Or October Prescribed Fire On Yearling Stocker Cattle Performance And Native Rangeland Plant Composition In The Kansas Flint Hills, Zachary M. Duncan, Alan J. Tajchman, Jack Lemmon, William R. Hollenbeck, Dale A. Blasi, K. C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of our experiment was to determine if prescribed fire applied in April, August, or October influenced stocker growth performance or plant community characteristics in the Kansas Flint Hills over a 6-year period.

Study Description: A total of 1,939 yearling stocker cattle were assigned to one of three prescribed-burn treatments: spring (April 11 ± 5.7 days), summer (August 25 ± 6.2 days or fall (October 2 ± 9.0 days) over a 5-year period. Calves were grazed from May to August for 90 days. Individual body weights were recorded at the start and end of the grazing season. Native …

Effects Of Dietary Energy Concentration And Feed Intake On Growth Performance Of Newly Received Growing Cattle Fed Diets Based On Corn And Corn Co-Products, Colton D. Weir, Zachary M. Duncan, William R. Hollenbeck, Sean P. Montgomery, Tyler J. Spore, Dale A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: This study’s focus was to evaluate if feeding equal amounts of energy from a high-energy limit-fed diet has an effect on growth performance of growing beef cattle when compared to traditional high-roughage ad libitum diets.

Study Description: A total of 392 crossbred heifers were fed one of four experimental diets for a 70-day receiving period. Treatments included a high-roughage diet formulated to provide 45 Mcal of net energy for gain (NE_g) per 100 lb of dry matter (DM) and fed for ad libitum intake (AL) or a high-energy diet formulated to provide 60 Mcal of NE_{g …}

Supplementation Of Methionine Or Choline Did Not Improve Health Or Growth Performance In High-Risk, Newly Received Beef Heifers, Madeline S. Grant, Dale A. Blasi, Evan C. Titgemeyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: This study was conducted to determine if supplemental methionine or choline improves health or growth performance in high-risk, newly received beef heifers.

Study Description: In a 3-year experiment, 1,440 beef heifers (480 per year; 493 lb initial weight; Tennessee origin) were received in 15 truckloads (five per year) in October of 2020, 2021, and 2022. Heifers were limit-fed in 60-day receiving trials to evaluate the effects of supplemental methionine or choline on health and growth performance. Cattle received one of five treatments: control (no added methionine or choline); 5 or 15 g/day available methionine (8.33 or 25 g/day Smartamine …

Instagram As A Tool Of Diffusion For The Livestock Industry, Savannah Locke, Karen Hiltbrand, Katie Corbitt, Darcey Richburg, David Shannon, Soren P. Rodning, Jason T. Sawyer, Don Mulvaney

Journal of Applied Communications

Studies have shown that more people are getting their information through social media (SM). With so much misinformation presented in global media, it is difficult for consumers to distinguish what is true and what isn’t. With negative images and minimal context, consumers have a tendency to believe and trust what they see on SM. After IRB approval, a survey study was launched on Qualtrics and accessed via email. Using Instagram as platform, this study presented 5 cognitively and 5 emotionally oriented posts focused on the aspects of animal welfare, diet/health, and environment/sustainability. Prior to viewing the Instagram posts, study participants …

Impact Of A Study Abroad Course In Helping Undergraduate Students Affirm Their Career Aspirations To Become Veterinarians: A Qualitative Inquiry, Jose M. Uscanga, M. Craig Edwards, J. Shane Robinson, Rob Terry Jr., Udaya Desilva

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Twenty-five students who participated in a study abroad course tailored to veterinary medicine during the summer of 2019 were the study’s sources of data. Using photovoice and phenomenology research methods, we sought to explore, understand, and interpret the impact of a study abroad course on pre-vet students’ views regarding veterinary medicine and their aspirations to become veterinarians. Students perceived that veterinary medicine in Mexico was structured differently from the U.S. approach and the nation’s socioeconomic and agroclimatology conditions impacted the delivery of veterinary care and affected the work settings and practice of veterinarians. They not only discerned the uniqueness of …

The Effect Of Live Yeast Probiotics In Lactation Diets With And Without A Yeast Prebiotic In Nursery Diets On Lifetime Growth Performance, Antibody Titers, And Carcass Characteristics, Abigail K. Jenkins, Joel M. Derouchey, Jordan T. Gebhardt, Jason C. Woodworth, Mike D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Joseph A. Loughmiller, Brian T. Kremer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 28 mixed parity sows (Line 241 DNA) and their offspring were used in a farrow-to-finish study to evaluate the effect of live yeast supplementation during lactation with or without yeast extract supplementation during the nursery period on sow and litter performance and lifetime growth performance, serum antibody titers, and carcass characteristics. Sows were blocked by parity and BW on d 110 of gestation and allotted to 1 of 2 dietary treatments which consisted of a standard corn-soybean meal lactation diet with or without yeast-based probiotics (0.10% Actisaf Sc 47 HR+; Phileo by Lesaffre, Milwaukee, WI). Following weaning, …

Dietary Acid-Binding Capacity-4 Influences Nursery Pig Performance And Fecal Dry Matter, Ethan B. Stas, Mike D. Tokach, Jason C. Woodworth, Joel M. Derouchey, Robert D. Goodband, Jordan T. Gebhardt

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 360 pigs (200 × 400 DNA; initially 12.9 lb) were used to evaluate the impact of increasing the acid-binding capacity-4 (ABC-4) of the diet on nursery pig performance and fecal dry matter (DM). At weaning, pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments. There were 5 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. Pigs were fed experimental diets in two phases with phase 1 being from d 0 to 10 post-weaning followed by phase 2 from d 10 to 23. Diets were formulated with increasing ABC-4 levels ranging from 150 meq/kg (diet 1, low ABC-4) …

Evaluation Of A Microencapsulated Form Of Zinc Oxide On Weanling Pig Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, And Zinc Excretion, Payton L. Dahmer, Franco S. Matias-Ferreyra, Cassandra K. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 350 pigs (DNA 200 × 400; initially 13.31 ± 0.04 lb BW) were used in a 42-d study with 5 pigs per pen and 12 pens per treatment. At weaning, pigs were randomly allocated to pens and pens were randomly allotted to dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were: 1) negative control (standard nursery diet containing 110 ppm Zn from trace mineral premix); 2) control diet with 3,000 ppm added Zn in the form of ZnO in phase 1 and 2,000 ppm added Zn in the form of ZnO in phase 2 (High-ZnO); 3) control diet with 400 ppm …

Partial Replacement Of Vitamin E With Polyphenol In Nursery Pig Diets, Zhong-Xing Rao, Mike D. Tokach, Jason C. Woodworth, Joel M. Derouchey, Apoorva S. Shah, Brandon H. Foley, Karsten C. Kjeldsen, Grete Brunsgaard, Robert D. Goodband, Jordan T. Gebhardt

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 300 pigs (241 × 600 DNA; initially 13.1 lb) were used in a 42-d trial to determine the effects of vitamin E levels and partially replacing vitamin E with a polyphenol (Cabanin CSD; R2 Agro, Denmark) on growth performance, complete blood count (CBC), serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and cytokine panel. Sixty pens of pigs were weighed and allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 12 pens per treatment. A control treatment was formulated to provide 15 IU/kg of vitamin E equivalence from vitamin E. This control …

Influence Of Herbal Active D On Nursery Pig Growth Performance, Larissa L. Becker, Mike D. Tokach, Jason C. Woodworth, Robert D. Goodband, Joel M. Derouchey, Jordan T. Gebhardt

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 2,268 pigs (L337 × 1050 PIC; initially 12.1 ± 0.39 lb) were used in a 42-d growth study to evaluate the effects of herbal active D on growth performance, bone characteristics, and serum parameters of nursery pigs. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21 d of age and randomly allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. A total of 84 pens were used with 27 pigs per pen and 28 replications per treatment across 2 rooms. Pens were blocked by BW and weaning date. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based and fed in …

Determining The Phosphorus Release Curve For Sunphase Ht Phytase From 250 To 2,000 Ftu/Kg In Nursery Pig Diets, Ty H. Kim, Katelyn N. Gaffield, Mike D. Tokach, Joel M. Derouchey, Jason C. Woodworth, Robert D. Goodband, Jordan T. Gebhardt, Ying Zhou, Xuerong Song, Xiuyi Wu, Mikhail Y. Golovko, Svetlana A. Golovko

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 280 pigs (DNA 241 × 600; initially 22.9 ± 0.52 lb BW) were used in a 21-d growth study to determine the available P (aP) release curve for Sunphase HT phytase (Wuhan Sunhy Biology Co., Ltd.; Wuhan, P.R. China). At approximately 19 d of age, pigs were weaned, randomly allotted to pens, and fed common starter diets. Pigs were blocked by average pen body weight (BW) and randomly allotted to 1 of 7 dietary treatments on d 21 post-weaning, considered d 0 of the study. Dietary treatments were derived from a single basal diet, and ingredients including …

Summary Of Methodology Used In Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli (Etec) Challenge Experiments In Weanling Pigs And Quantitative Assessment Of Observed Variability, Payton L. Dahmer, Joel M. Derouchey, Jordan T. Gebhardt, Chad B. Paulk, Cassandra K. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Post-weaning diarrhea in pigs can be caused by the F4 or F18 strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). To evaluate interventions for ETEC, experimental infection via a challenge model is critical. To our knowledge, there is a lack of explanation for the variability in responses observed across ETEC challenge studies. Our objective was to quantitatively summarize the responses and variability among recent ETEC challenge studies and develop a tool for sample size calculation. The most widely evaluated response criteria across ETEC challenge studies are growth performance, fecal consistency and bacterial shedding, intestinal morphology, and immune responses. Factors that contribute to …

Effects Of Increasing Levels Of Soybean Meal In Nursery Diets On Growth Performance And Fecal Characteristics Of 22- To 60-Lb Pigs, Jamil E. G. Faccin, Robert D. Goodband, Mike D. Tokach, Joel M. Derouchey, Jordan T. Gebhardt, Jason C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of increasing soybean meal (SBM) on late nursery pig performance. In Exp. 1, a total of 266 pigs (241 × 600 DNA; initially 22.2 ± 0.37 lb) were used in a 21-d trial with 14 replicate pens per treatment and 4 to 5 pigs per pen. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments which were corn-based with SBM levels of 25.0, 28.9, 32.5, or 36.2%. In Exp. 2, a total of 340 pigs (241 × 600 DNA; initially 29.8 ± 0.40 lb) were used in a 21-d …

Effects Of Standardized Ileal Digestible Threonine To Lysine Ratio On Growth Performance Of Pic Line 337 × 1050 Pigs, Rafe Q. Royall, Mike D. Tokach, Jason C. Woodworth, Joel M. Derouchey, Robert D. Goodband, Jordan T. Gebhardt, Carine M. Vier, Matthew Spindler, Uislei Orlando, Luis Zaragoza, Ning Lu, Wayne Cast, Danielle F. Wilson-Wells, Julia P. Holen, Alyssa M. Betlach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of varying SID Thr:Lys ratios on growth performance, removals, and mortality rates of late-nursery, grower, and finishing PIC 337 × 1050 pigs. In each experiment, pens of pigs were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 19 to 27 pigs per pen and 8, 7, and 7 replications per treatment in Exp. 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In Exp. 1, 987 pigs (initially 26.0 ± 0.70 lb) were used from 26 to 54 lb. In Exp. 2, 875 …

Effects Of Standardized Ileal Digestible Tryptophan To Lysine Ratio On Growth Performance Of Pic Line 337 × 1050 Pigs, Rafe Q. Royall, Mike D. Tokach, Jason C. Woodworth, Joel M. Derouchey, Robert D. Goodband, Jordan T. Gebhardt, Carine M. Vier, Matthew Spindler, Uislei Orlando, Luis Zaragoza, Ning Lu, Wayne Cast, Danielle F. Wilson-Wells, Julia P. Holen, Alyssa M. Betlach

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of these experiments was to evaluate the impact of varying SID Trp:Lys ratios on growth performance, removals, and mortality rates of PIC 337 × 1050 finishing pigs. In each experiment, pens of pigs were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 22 to 27 pigs per pen and 6 or 7 replications per treatment. In Exp. 1, 840 pigs (initially 101.2 ± 2.08 lb) were used from 101 to 161 lb. In Exp. 2, 801 pigs (initially 219.8 ± 3.44 lb) were used from 220 to …

Effects Of Increasing Energy Or Lysine In Soybean Meal-Based Diets On Early And Late Finishing Pig Performance, Ty H. Kim, Jamil E. G. Faccin, Robert D. Goodband, Mike D. Tokach, Joel M. Derouchey, Jason C. Woodworth, Jordan T. Gebhardt

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 2,265 finishing pigs (337 × 1050 PIC; initially 110.7 ± 6.14 lb) were used in two 28-d trials to determine the effect of increasing energy or lysine in soybean meal-based diets on early and late finishing pig performance. Pigs were housed in mixed gender pens with 27 pigs per pen and 21 pens per treatment. Soybean meal (SBM) NE values used in diet formulation were either 946 kcal/lb (78% NE of corn; NRC) or 1,212 kcal/lb (100% NE of corn). The treatments were structured as a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of: 1) a diet containing a …

Evaluating Hiphorius Phytase In Two Diet Formulation Strategies On Finishing Pig Growth Performance, Serum Chemistry, Bone Mineralization, And Carcass Characteristics, Macie E. Reeb, Jason C. Woodworth, Joel M. Derouchey, Mike D. Tokach, Robert D. Goodband, Jordan T. Gebhardt, Jon R. Bergstrom

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of HiPhorius (DSM Nutritional Products, Parsippany, NJ) phytase on finishing pig growth performance, serum chemistry, bone mineralization, and carcass characteristics. In Exp. 1, 1,161 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050; initially 80.9. ± 1.06 lb) were used in a 105-d trial. There were 27 pigs per pen and 10 or 11 replications per treatment. Treatments consisted of: 1) Control diet with no added phytase and formulated to NRC (2012) requirement estimates for standard total tract digestible (STTD) P; 2) 600 FYT/kg added phytase formulated to the same STTD P as the control diet …

Evaluation Of Precision, Accuracy, And Efficiency Of Scale Stabilization Settings Using Leeo Pig Tracking System, Abigail K. Jenkins, Zhong-Xing Rao, Jordan T. Gebhardt, Jason C. Woodworth, Mike D. Tokach, Joel M. Derouchey, Robert D. Goodband, Tyler Holck, Joel Stave, Claire Christensen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This trial was conducted to evaluate the optimum scale head settings for LeeO scale systems to balance accuracy, precision, and efficiency in weighing pigs. LeeO scales allow for the adjustment of both stabilization time (mSec) and stabilization weight (g). The pig weight that is accepted by the technology is only registered after staying within the set stabilization weight for the set stabilization time. Prior to beginning animal research, precision and accuracy were assessed for two scales. The nursery scale used a 25-lb test weight and the finisher scale used a 50-lb test weight. The CV estimates were 0.1% or less …