Beef Science Commons^™

Raising A Bottle-Fed Calf On A Cow/Calf Operation, Reganne K. Briggs, Katelyn Barsnick, Cheyenne Reid, Ashley Longmore

All Current Publications

Having bottle-fed calves on the ranch is common for beef producers. The most likely scenarios are a cow has died, a cow isn’t giving enough milk, or a twin has been rejected. All these scenarios are likely to happen, which results in an orphan calf. Bottle-feeding a calf is straightforward; however, there are limited resources, specifically for beef producers, looking for bottle-fed calf management strategies. When bottle-feeding a beef calf, there are some things to consider, such as feeding colostrum, selecting and using milk replacers, and weaning the calf. Many of the resources on bottle-calf management come from the dairy …

Identifying Barriers To Data Use On U.S. Beef Cow-Calf Operations And Developing Solutions To Improve Cow-Calf Record-Keeping, William Isaac Jumper

Theses and Dissertations

Cattle health and production records (CHPR) are data collected by cattle producers and veterinarians in the form of measurements, observations, counts of events over time, and physiologic attributes that describe individual and group-level health and production. These data are useful to both veterinarians and cattle producers for making evidence-based decisions on cow-calf operations. Currently, there are no uniform, industry-wide methods of capturing and recording CHPR in the U.S. cow-calf industry. Although many cow-calf producers in the U.S. are thought to collect some form of CHPR, it is believed that relatively few are doing so in an electronic manner that facilitates …

Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Hair Coat Shedding Ability, Apparent Forage Digestibility, And Mineral Status In Angus Cattle, Margaret P. Loftin

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hair coat shedding ability, apparent forage digestibility, and mineral status in Angus cattle. Fecal samples were collected on fall calving Angus cows for one week in March, May, and July from 2019-2022. Liver and plasma samples were collected in March and July each year. Fecal samples were analyzed for DM, ash, NDF, and ADF while liver and plasma were analyzed for mineral concentration. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS with significance declared at P0.05. Interactions were detected for DM, NDF, ADF, and liver Fe concentration. The model …

Evaluation Of Nutrient Digestibility Of Weaned Calves From Early And Late Shedding Dams, Jennifer Keele

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have investigated several factors that could alter fetal growth, including nutrient restriction (Valiente et al., 2021), hair shedding (Gray et al., 2011), and extreme hot and cold temperatures (Davidson et al., 2022). Hot temperatures and increased humidity percentages in the southeast United States caused researchers to investigate the hair coats of Angus cattle in the commercial production setting. An improvement in fiber digestibility and calf birth and weaning weights has been observed in Angus dams that shed 50% of the winter hair coat by May (Gray et al., 2011; Burnett et al., 2021). Our objective of this experiment was …

Effect Of Soy Co-Products In Supplements For Grazing Cattle On Growth, Complete Blood Cell Counts, And Physiological Response Following A Lipopolysaccharide Challenge, Bralee Lansdell

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of soy co-products (soybean meal and soy oil) in the diet on the growth and hemocytology of cattle during a 56-day growing phase and the physiological/behavioral response to an endotoxin challenge. Angus crossbred steers (n = 36; 289 ± 31 kg, initial body weight ± SD) were stratified by body weight and sire; and assigned randomly to pastures (n = 9; 0.45 ha/mixed-grass pasture). Pastures were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: 1) a control supplement containing no soy co-products, 2) a supplement containing soybean meal, or 3) …

Implementing Bos Indicus-Influenced Cattle In Utah For Hybrid Vigor, Reganne K. Briggs, Matthew D. Garcia

All Current Publications

Crossbreeding is a tool that cattle producers have used for decades. Hybrid vigor is one of the products of crossing breeding. One way to maximize hybrid vigor is by introducing Bos indicus genetics in a herd. Santa Gertrudis cattle are a great option for introducing Bos indicus genetics.

Pharmacokinetics Of Single Feeding Of Cannabidiol In Cattle: A Pilot Study, Haley Cornette

Honors College Theses

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance that has been used in complementary medicine for many years. However, modern medicine has little knowledge of how this substance is utilized and metabolized in ruminant animals. Regulations on quality assurance and use in animals are lacking, and CBD supplementation in livestock is not approved. If CBD supplements can be shown to be safe and effective, detection in the animal will be important for determining regulation of use. A withdrawal period can then be established to allow time for deterioration of product to safe levels before livestock products enter human markets. This study sought to …

Epidemiological Survey Of Bovine Babesia And Theileria Parasites In Buffaloes In District Dera Ismail, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Waseem Ullah, Arsalan Khan, Akhtar Ali, Imtiaz Ali Shah, Umm E. Aimen, Imtiaz Khan, Abdul Wadood Jan, Saqib Ali Rustam

Journal of Bioresource Management

Piroplasmosis (babesiosis and theileriosis) are the leading blood parasites responsible for significant economic losses to the dairy enterprises. These parasites are transmitted by Ixodid ticks from a diseased animal to a healthy animal. This study was executed to determine the prevalence of Theileria and Babesia in water buffaloes in District Dera Ismail Khan for their risk assessment. During this trial, 350 random blood samples were obtained from buffalos within the region of District Dera Ismail Khan and examined for Babesia and Theileria parasites using Giemsa staining technique under an oil immersion lens. Forty-eight blood samples were found positive and the …

Evaluation Of Bovine Myosin Heavy Chain Isoforms And Muscle Fiber Cross-Sectional Area On The Eating Quality Of 11 Different Beef Muscles, S. Hene, H. Ness, E. Verrill, P. A. Hammond, C. K. Chun, T. G. O'Quinn, M. D. Chao

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of muscle fiber type and size on the eating quality of 11 different beef muscles.

Study Description: Eleven different beef muscles were utilized from two separate studies. In study 1, shoulder clod, flank, knuckle, mock tender, top sirloin butt, brisket, eye of round, and ribeye were collected from 10 U.S. Department of Agriculture choice carcasses (n = 80), and each muscle was fabricated into steaks at 2 days postmortem. In study 2, strip loin, tri-tip, and heel were collected from 10 USDA low choice carcasses (n = 30). Myofibrillar …

Evaluation Of Precision Ingredient Inclusion On Production Efficiency Responses In Finishing Beef Cattle, Santana R. Hanson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two randomized complete block design feedlot experiments were conducted over the course of two years. These experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of 1) evaluate the observed-to-expected ratio for ingredient inclusion using no commodity inclusion assistance technology or using commodity inclusion assistance technology; and 2) evaluate the influence that varying degrees (highly variable at random or 0.454 kg asfed tolerance for each ingredient) of accuracy on ingredient inclusion have on growth performance, carcass traits, efficiency of dietary NE utilization, and ingredient inventory management in finishing beef cattle. Experiment 1 used single source Black Angus heifers (n = 60; initial …

Effects Of Late-Summer Prescribed Fire On Botanical Composition, Soil Cover, And Forage Production In Caucasian Bluestem-Infested Rangeland In The Kansas Smoky Hills: Year 4 Of 5, H. P. Giefer, K. R. Harmoney, M. P. Ramirez, A. J. Tajchman, Z. M. Duncan, J. Lemmon, K. C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: Our objective was to determine effects of late-summer prescribed fire on frequency of Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii) in the Kansas Smoky Hills as well as changes in soil cover, botanical composition, and forage production associated with fire treatment.

Study Description: The study was in Ellsworth County, KS. Eighteen one-acre plots were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: no burn, one burn (August 14, 2019), and two burns (August 14, 2019, and August 11, 2021). Soil cover, botanical composition, forage production, and Caucasian bluestem frequency were measured annually beginning in 2019.

The Bottom Line: These data suggest …

Effects Of Limit Feeding And Shade Allocation On Growing Calf Performance, Water Usage, And Animal Comfort, Z. L. Debord, Z. M. Duncan, M. G. Pflughoeft, K. J. Suhr, W. C. Ellis, W. R. Hollenbeck, S. P. Montgomery, T. J. Spore, E. C. Titgemeyer, D. A. Blasi, A. J. Tarpoff

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of limit feeding in conjunction with shade allotment on animal performance, animal comfort, and water usage during periods of heat stress.

Study Description: During the summers of 2021 and 2022, 852 heifers were assigned to one of four treatments: limit-fed high-energy ration or high-roughage ration fed for ad libitum intake with or without access to shade. Growth performance and water usage were measured during a 90-day growing period. Calves were fed a gut equilibration diet for 7 days to account for gut fill.

The Bottom Line: Limit feeding a …

Assessment Of Novel Semen Evaluation Technologies And Breed Comparisons In Yearling Beef Bulls, A. R. Hartman, I. E. Batey, D. M. Grieger, K. E. Fike

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objectives were 1) to evaluate the iSperm, when conducting breeding soundness exams (BSE) on bulls by comparing sperm motility to a technician’s assessment and 2) to evaluate correlations between sperm response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and functional sperm measurements.

Study Description: Ejaculates were collected via electroejaculation from yearling bulls as part of a BSE. All BSE were conducted by one veterinarian and ejaculates were evaluated by a single technician. Additional sperm motility analysis was conducted with the iSperm analyzer. Ejaculates meeting minimum thresholds for passing a BSE were diluted and sent overnight for flow cytometry evaluation. Data …

Sire Distribution Of Calves In A Beef Herd With Use Of Fixed Time Artificial Insemination Followed By Immediate Bull Exposure For Natural Service In Cows And Heifers, A. R. Hartman, E. D. Mccabe, D. R. Jacobs, K. E. Fike, D. M. Grieger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: Our objective was to determine the relative percentages of calves sired by either natural service sire or fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) sire within the same estrous period.

Study Description: During two consecutive years, heifers and cows were synchronized and inseminated using the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR FTAI protocol. All females were exposed to natural service bulls immediately following insemination. After calving, DNA was collected from a random subset of calves born in the first 21 days of the calving season for parentage analysis. Calves born from heifers totaled 59 in Year 1 and 82 in Year 2; calves …

Assessment Of Kansas Beef Producers’ Perception And Knowledge Level Of Business-To-Consumer Marketing, K. R. Lybarger, J. Kwon, G. Ibendahl, Y. Teng-Vaughan, D. Kehler, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the perception and knowledge level of Kansas beef producers regarding business-to-consumer marketing.

Study Description: A digital survey was created to assess the perception and knowledge level of business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing of Kansas beef producers. The survey was disseminated to Kansas beef producers utilizing the Shop Kansas Farms online social networking group.

Results: Results from this study showed that 25.5% of beef producer respondents (n = 41) raise another species in addition to beef. It was found that 50.0% of survey respondents sold 20 or fewer head of finished beef cattle in …

Consumer Color And Discoloration Thresholds For Purchase Of Retail Ground Beef When Evaluating Packages Of A Single Day Of Display, K. R. Lybarger, E. S. Beyer, K. J. Farmer, L. A. Egger, L. N. Drey, J. L. Vipham, M. D. Zumbaugh, M. D. Chao, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: This study utilized a simulated retail display to investigate the impact of ground beef color and discoloration on consumer purchase intent, while identifying the best objective measurements to predict consumer preferences of ground beef on the same day of retail display.

Study Description: For this study, 180 1-lb 80% lean/20% fat ground beef loaves were assigned to a specific day of retail display (day 0–9). Consumers (n = 318) and trained descriptive panelists assessed ground beef samples, with a single day of display evaluated per consumer group. Spectral data and L* (lightness), a* (redness), and b* (yellowness) …

Determination Of Consumer Color And Discoloration Thresholds For Purchase Of Retail Ground Beef When Evaluating Multiple Days Of Display Simultaneously, K. R. Lybarger, E. S. Beyer, K. J. Farmer, L. A. Egger, L. N. Drey, J. L. Vipham, M. D. Zumbaugh, M. D. Chao, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the threshold for color and discoloration for consumers to purchase ground beef in a simulated retail display and to determine the best objective measurement to predict consumer purchase intent.

Study Description: For this study, 180 1-lb 80% lean/20% fat ground beef packages were assigned to a day of retail display (day 0–9). Consumers (n = 216) and trained descriptive panelists evaluated ground beef samples from each day of display simultaneously. Instrumental L* (lightness), a* (redness), and b* (yellowness) values were collected, and spectral data were recorded. Logistic and simple …

Effects Of Adding Egg Powder From Hens Immunized Against Phospholipase Α2 On Ground Striploin Shelf Life, C. Velasco Ayala, L. A. Koulicoff, C. K. Chun, T. G. O'Quinn, E. Boyle, M. Richards, C. K. Jones, M. D. Chao

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The present study investigated the effect of incorporating three different levels of dried egg powder (EP) containing antiphospholipase α2 (aPLA2) on lipid oxidation and discoloration for its potential to extend ground striploin shelf life.

Study Description: U.S. Department of Agriculture choice striploins from ten beef carcasses were used. Impacts on beef discoloration, L* (lightness), a* (redness), and b* (yellowness) parameters, and lipid oxidation over a 7-day display period were studied. The fatty acid and phospholipid profiles of the beef patties were also examined.

Results: The EP was confirmed to contain active aPLA2. As expected, a* and b* values decreased …

Consumer Sensory Evaluation Of Ground Beef And Plant-Based Ground Beef Alternatives Used In A Taco Application, L. A. Egger, K. J. Farmer, E. S. Beyer, K. R. Lybarger, J. L. Vipham, M. D. Zumbaugh, M. D. Chao, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate consumer preferences for palatability traits and consumer acceptability of three plant-based protein alternatives and ground beef in a taco application.

Study Description: Three commercially available plant-based ground beef alternative (GBA) treatments (n = 20) were selected based upon industry prevalence. The GBAs’ were identified as the most popular in the marketing sectors of foodservice (FGBA), retail (RGBA), and traditional (TGBA). One ground beef (80% lean; 20% fat) treatment (n = 20) was selected. Samples were crumbled into a skillet and cooked to a surface temperature of 180°F. Following cooking, a generic …

Consumer Sensory Evaluation Of The Impact Of Bone-In Versus Boneless Cuts On Beef Palatability, K. J. Farmer, E. S. Beyer, S. G. Davis, K. M. Harr, M. D. Chao, J. L. Vipham, M. D. Zumbaugh, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine palatability traits of beef cuts of differing bone status and quality grade.

Study Description: Paired (n = 12 pairs; 24 total/cut/grade) boneless and bone-in ribeye rolls, and short loins were procured. Short loins were fabricated into boneless strip loins with corresponding bone-in tenderloins or bone-in strip loins with boneless tenderloins. Post aging, subprimal cuts were fabricated into steaks that were randomly selected for further analysis. Consumer sensory panelists (n = 144) were recruited from Manhattan, KS, and the surrounding area and paid for their participation in the study. Panels were conducted …