Life Sciences Commons^™

Effect Of Finishing System And Animal Age On Carcass Traits And Nutritional Profile Of Bison Bulls, Clay Newton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this thesis project were to 1) evaluate the influence of grain- and grass-finishing systems on carcass characteristics, proximate composition, nutritional profile, and fatty acid composition of bison bull meat, and 2) evaluate the influence of animal age on carcass characteristics of bison bulls. For objective 1, bison bulls were allowed to graze native range in north-central Nebraska until approximately 26 mo of age, when they were randomly assigned to either grain-finishing (n = 98; in an open lot with ad libitum access to prairie hay, alfalfa hay and corn for 95 d prior to slaughter) or grass-finishing …

A High Resolution Study Of Long-Term Vertebrate Decomposition In Human And Animal Model Systems, Lois S. Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations

The effects of vertebrate decomposition are wide-ranging across multiple foodwebs, and have been shown to persist in the environment, however there is a lack of systematic assessment of these changes over long periods of time or in sufficiently high resolution as to resolve seasonal flux patterns. The ultimate aim of this body of research was to explore nematode systematics in decomposition environments, culminating in a pair of long-term human decomposition seasonal trials, in high resolution, with the specific intent of integrating the fields of soil chemistry, microbial ecology, and nematology in order to assess the relationships of cross-disciplinary impacts. Of …

Evaluation Of Absorbezz On Swine Reproductive Health And A Comparative Study Of Two Commercially Available Swine Show Feeds, Scott G. Sutton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The efficacy of a feed supplement fed to gilts and sows was tested in study I. The supplement was stated to improve reproductive soundness, conception rates, immune health, and overall well-being of livestock. Thirty gilts were split into a control group (Base diet) and a treatment group (Absorbezz® 0.32 mL on base diet). Upon completion of the trial results indicate the treatment group significantly underperformed (

Two commercially available show pig growing rations were tested in study II to find a high quality, cost efficient product. A total of 10 pigs (5 barrows, 5 gilts), at an average weight of …

Gang Behavior At Carcasses In Wintering Striated Caracaras (Phalcoboenus Australis) In The Falkland Islands, Anna Rose Autilio

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Avian scavengers perform vital ecosystem services by removing waste and by slowing disease. Yet few details are known about the purpose or purposes of social interactions near carcasses and their role in the physical depletion of carcasses (Gangoso et al. 2013). The globally Near-Threatened Striated Caracara is a social scavenging falconid that relies on seabird colonies for food during the breeding season in the Falkland Islands, a principal stronghold in its range. The birds have been persecuted as livestock pests since the late 1800s. Although the population is now protected and remains stable, it does not appear to be growing. …

A Study Evaluating Genetic Trends And Molecular Predisposition To Improved Carcass Quality Of Brahman And Brahman Influenced Cattle, Amanda M. Royer

LSU Master's Theses

The first objective of the current study was to evaluate genetic trends from 10 years of the American Brahman Breeders Association Carcass Evaluation Program from 2004 to 2013. Changes of performance in growth, carcass composition, and carcass quality traits were evaluated. Overall means were calculated to report the total average for each trait along with an average rate of change per year. Growth traits evaluated included feedlot entrance weight (INWT), harvest weight (HRVWT), and average daily gain (ADG). Carcass composition and quality traits evaluated included hot carcass weight (HCW), rib eye area (REA), marbling score (MARB), dressing percent (DP), quality …

A Genomic And Quantitative Evaluation Of Modern Charolais Sired Calves Versus Multigenerational Angus Sired Calves For Growth And Carcass Quality And Compostion Traits, Jennifer Lynn Bailey

LSU Master's Theses

The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with growth, performance, and carcass quality and composition characteristics in a population of cattle consisting of multigenerational Angus sired calves and modern characteristic Charolais sired calves. A total of 132 calves were evaluated. Due to a limited sample population statistical difference was set at p ˂ 0.05 and statistical trends were set at p ˂ 0.1. Mean birth weights were significantly higher for Charolais sired calves as compared to Angus sired calves. Significant differences were observed between the two breed types for mean weaning weights with …

Evaluating The Relationship Between Ultrasound-Derived Carcass Characteristics And Production Traits In Angus Cattle, William Michael Mayfield

Masters Theses

Profitability in the beef industry is a crucial aspect of management schemes. The overall aim of this study was to determine if carcass ultrasonography in replacement heifers could explain variation in traits such as reproduction, a major factor in beef cattle efficiency and profitability. During a 10-year period, data were obtained from 906 yearling heifers through the use of carcass ultrasonography. The measurements collected included adjusted values for ribeye area (REA), percent intramuscular fat (%IMF), rib fat (RF), and rump fat. A retrospective analysis was performed on data collected and variables were separated into the extreme high and low 25% …

Genetic (Co) Variance For Growth And Tenderness Related Traits In Purebred Brahman Steers, Joshua Dean Domingue

LSU Master's Theses

Paternal half-sib groups of Brahman bull calves were purchased at weaning from purebred Brahman producers in Louisiana. Following backgrounding and grazing on ryegrass the steers shipped to a commercial feedlot in south Texas. Steers were slaughtered in groups when they reached an approximate average endpoint weight of 535 kg and 10mm backfat. After a 24 hr chill, carcasses were ribbed, data collected, and a longissimus muscle sample taken for calpastatin assay. Two 2.54 cm thick steaks were randomly removed from the large end of the strip loin, vacuum packaged, and randomly selected for 7 and 14 days of aging. Genetic …

Comparison Of Post-Weaning Performance And Carcass Traits Of Columbia And Cormo Crossbred Lambs, Carl Kim Chapman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Thirty-seven Columbia and Cormo Crossbred July-weaned weather lambs were utilized in this study. A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate feed efficiency, average daily gain, feed cost per pound of gain, wool growth per day and per pound of grain, and average wool fiber diameter and distribution of fiber population of the wool. Lambs were raised to a uniform market weight of between 115 and 125 pounds and slaughtered to evaluate carcass weight, backfat thickness, loin eye area, internal body fat, leg circumference, dressing percentage, untrimmed wholesale cuts, trimmed retail cuts, and yield and quality grades. Suffok x Cormo/Rambouillet lambs …