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Performance Characteristics Of Feedlot Bulls And Steers Implanted With Estradiol-17Β, Bruce D. Schanbacher, Ronald L. Prior

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Bulls were shown to grow more rapidly (+18%) and convert feed to live weight gain more efficiently (22% less feed) when compared to steers. Whereas bulls had larger loin eye areas and yielded a higher percentage of major retail cuts, marbling scores and quality grades were similar for bulls and steers. Implants containing estradiol-17β dipropionate had no major effects on performance characteristics of steers but reduced the performance of bulls to approximately that of steers. Our research shows that estradiol can suppress performance of feedlot bulls by inhibiting testosterone secretion from the testes.

Relationship Of Selected Beef Carcass Traits With Meat Palatability, John D. Crouse

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Relationships among selected carcass traits and cooked meat palatability were studied on 240 carcasses obtained from steers of different biological types produced under a wide range of feeding regimens. Breed type of steer or feeding regimen had little or no effect on correlations among taste panel (TP) scores for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and general acceptability. Treatments also had little effect on correlations of conformation, lean color, lean texture, and final maturity with TP observations. Late maturing breeds of steers and steers fed on low energy regimens were rated more youthful than early maturing breeds of steers and steers fed on …

Sexual Aggressiveness In Beef Bulls, Donald D. Lunstra

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Large differences in conception rate during pasture-mating can exist among beef bulls having semen of acceptable quality. Based on data from artificial insemination, we know also that conception rate increases as the number of inseminations increases, and it is probable that conception rate to natural mating increases as number of matings per cow increases. Sexual aggressiveness (libido) is a behavioral factor that can influence the number of matings a bull can achieve and, thus, may influence the conception rate obtained during natural mating. Accurate evaluation of sexual aggressiveness and its relationship to fertility may provide useful information for selecting young …

Beef Research Program Progress Report No. 1 (1982): Table Of Contents

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

ROMAN L. HRUSKA U.S. MEAT ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER, Robert R. Oltjen........iii

BREEDING AND GENETICS

Sixteen years of selection for weaning weight, final weight, and muscling score in Hereford cattle: Robert M. Koch, Larry V. Cundiff, and Keith E. Gregory. . . . . . . . . . . .. 1

Effects of heterosis in Hereford, Angus, and Shorthorn rotational crosses: Larry V. Cundiff, Keith E. Gregory, and Robert M. Koch. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. 3

Heterosis and breed maternal and transmitted effects in beef cattle: Keith E. Gregory, Larry …

Effect Of Grain Source And Dietary Level Of Oat Hulls On Phosphorus And Calcium Utilization In The Growing Pig, R. L. Moser, E. R. Peo, Jr., B. D. Moser, A. J. Lewis

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three metabolism trials were conducted to determine the effect of grain source and dietary level of oat hulls on dry matter digestibility, P and Ca retention and intestinal phytase activity of growing pigs. Twenty-four crossbred pigs (39 kg)were used. Dry matter digestibilities of corn-based diets were greater (P<.01) than grain sorghum-based diets (74.7 vs 63.5%). Diets containing 10% oat hulls had lower (P<.01) dry matter digestibilities than diets containing no oat hulls (64.0 vs 74.2%).

The Suriname Small Mammal Survey: A Case Study Of The Cooperation Between Research And National Conservation Needs, Hugh H. Genoways, Henry A. Reichart, Stephen L. Williams

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

A cooperative program between the Foundation for Nature Preservation in Suriname and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to survey the small mammals of Suriname is reviewed. The program has proven to be mutually beneficial and it is presented as a model for development of similar programs in the future. The technical assistance requested by the Foundation for Nature Preservation in Suriname concerned the distribution and natural history of small mammals, especially those occurring in the Nature Parks and Reserves. The Government of Suriname has established an excellent system of Reserves and Parks throughout the country. They are trying to …

Earthworms Of Two Minnesota Forest Areas, R. O. Morgenweck, W. H. Marshall

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

This paper reviews Lumbricidae records for Minnesota and reports on two collections in northern areas of the state. The first site, Itasca State Park, lies to the northwest with "Maple-basswood representative of climax forest to the south and southeast" and " Spruce-fir stands representative of climax forest to the north and northeast" (Buell and Gordon 1945). The Cloquet Forestry Center (CFC); site of the other collection, is near Duluth, 150 miles to the east, where the forests are largely coniferous. Here seven forest types, as described by Wenstrom (1973), and known to be used by American woodcock (Philohela minor), were …

A Vertebrate Survey Of Kasota Prairie, Kenneth Hessenius

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Kasota Prairie is a 30-acre tract of near-virgin prairie in Le Seur County, Minnesota. The vertebrate population at the prairie was studied to determine its significance as habitat for those species. Several species of birds which require prairie or prairie-like habitat were found to be nesting there. Many other avian species also utilize the area for feeding purposes. Small mammal populations were highly influenced by annual prairie maintenance burning.

Aquaculture In Cooling Water Recirculated From A Generating Plant, John G. Woiwode, Ira R. Adelman

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Recirculating cooling water from an electric generating plant accumulated dissolved and suspended solids up to ten times that of the make-up water from the Mississippi River. Channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) and tilapia (Tilapia mossambica) were grown In the cooling water, in clear well water, and in a mixture of the two for seven months as part of an investigation of the use of cooling water for commercial aquaculture. Health of both species was generally excellent in test and control waters; growth was commercially acceptable; bioaccumulation of contaminants was negligible. Organoleptic taste quality was not acceptable, although the cause of the …

Minnesota Colonial Waterbird Nesting Site Inventory, Carrol L. Henderson

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Since colonial nesting waterbirds comprise an Important portion of Minnesota's avifauna, it Is important to establish an accurate Inventory of their nesting areas. Knowledge of the status of these species can be used to assess the level of the state's environmental quality. The inventory is also useful in aiding planners and developers so that undesirable impacts on colonies can be avoided or minimized. The Nongame Wildlife Program in the Department of Natural Resources has identified 239 colony sites in Minnesota which are occupied by 16 species. This Inventory process is the first step necessary to carry out future research, management, …

Utilization Of Wood Duck Nest Boxes By Wildlife Near Cohasset, Minnesota, Robert T. Bohm

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Twenty-seven wood duck boxes located along the Mississippi River near Cohasset, Minnesota were monitored for winter and spring wildlife use from 198o-1982. During these three yearn, overall nest box use was 84 percent, 72 percent, and 82 percent, respectively; winter utilization was 44 percent, 56 percent, and 68 percent; spring utilization was 48 percent, 44 percent, and 37 percent. Most winter use was by red squirrels, gray squirrels, and starlings. Principal spring use was by wood ducks and common goldeneyes, During the course of the study, wood duck use decreased and common goldeneye use Increased. Aspects of the nesting season …

Fifth Biennial Cheese Industry Conference, Various Authors

Cheese Industry Conference

No abstract provided.

Chemical Composition Of Carcasses From Hereford, Limousin, And Simmental Crossbred Battle As Related To Growth And Meat Palatability, John D. Crouse, Michael E. Dikeman

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Nine Hereford x Angus (HxA), nine Simmental x Angus (SxA), and nine Limousin x Angus (LxA) crossbred steers were slaughtered in three equal groups (three from each breed) after 200, 242, and 284 days on feed to evaluate carcass chemical composition differences and their relation to growth and meat palatability.

LxA carcasses were higher in protein and retail product percentages and significantly lower in chemical fat and fat trim percentages than either SxA or HxA carcasses. SxA carcasses were superior to HxA carcasses only in having a lower percentage of fat trim.

SxA steers gained slightly faster in the feedlot …

Effect Of Breed And Postweaning Rate Of Gain On Onset Of Puberty And Productive Performance Of Heifers, Calvin L. Ferrell

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Age at puberty is an important production trait in beef cattle where heifers are bred to calve at 2 years of age, especially when a restricted breeding season is used. It is not only important that heifers breed and conceive, but, for maximum efficiency, they should breed and conceive early in the breeding season. Thus, age at puberty may be an important selection trait for identifying breeds most suited for efficient utilization of feed resources. Several researchers have demonstrated large differences among breed or breed cross in age at puberty of heifers. Other researchers have demonstrated that undernutrition may result …

Elfazepam And Synovex-S Influences On Growth And Carcass Characteristics Of Steers Fed Two Dietary Energy Levels, Ronald L. Prior, John D. Crouse, Virden L. Harrison

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Synovex-S improves the average daily gain and carcass traits of steers and reduces losses under high feed price levels when compared to nonimplanted steers. High energy diets also influence average daily gain (ADG) favorably, but they increase the amount of fat and decrease the protein in carcass soft tissue in comparison to low energy diets.

Energy Utilization By Mature Cows, Calvin L. Ferrell, Thomas G. Jenkins

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Although considerable effort has been directed toward describing nutrient requirements for maintenance and gain in growing-finishing beef cattle, relatively little effort has been made to establish nutrient requirements for these functions in mature beef cows. A high proportion (about 60%) of the feed resources required for beef production can be attributed to maintenance of the cow herd, thus more information is needed on the utilization of nutrients for maintenance and gain and how these parameters are affected by size and type of cow.

Estimation Of Retail Product Of Carcass Beef, John D. Crouse

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Carcasses from 1,121 steers (progeny of Hereford or Angus cows mated to Hereford, Angus, Charolais, Simmental, Limousin, South Devon, or Jersey sires by artificial insemination) were examined to develop equations to estimate percentage of retail product. The independent variables chosen and resultant accuracy of the equations developed, reflect different kinds of measurements that could be used to predict cutability over a wide range of data collection conditions.

Of 18 traits readily obtained in the cooler, adjusted fat thickness, rib eye area, estimated kidney and pelvic fat, hot carcass weight, and marbling score were the most important in predicting percentage of …

Heterosis And Breed Maternal And Transmitted Effects In Beef Cattle, Keith E. Gregory, Larry V. Cundiff, Robert M. Koch

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Heterosis has been shown to have important effects on most economic traits of beef cattle. This is a report of the results from the first phase of an experiment designed to evaluate heterosis and breed maternal and transmitted effects on economic traits of beef cattle and involves some combinations of breeds not previously included in crossbreeding experiments. Results are reported on preweaning traits, growth rate and puberty in females, growth traits in steers, and carcass traits of steers produced in an experimental design that included the straightbreds and all possible crosses of the Red Poll, Brown Swiss (European and domestic), …

Characterization Of Breeds Representing Diverse Biological Types: Postweaning Growth And Feed Efficiency, Larry V. Cundiff, Robert M. Koch, Keith E. Gregory

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

On a life-cycle basis, about 30% of the energy requirements for beef production are consumed by steers and heifers during the period from weaning to slaughter. About 45 to 55% of the total feed costs are incurred in the postweaning period, depending on the cost of feed resources for the cow herd relative to those for the feedlot. We find it is important, therefore, to characterize breeds of cattle for rate and efficiency of postweaning gain.

Effects Of Heterosis In Hereford, Angus, And Shorthorn Rotational Crosses, Larry V. Cundiff, Keith E. Gregory, Robert M. Koch

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Seedstock breeders of poultry and of many plants; such as corn, may use static systems of mating that produce sufficient hybrids for complete use of heterosis in commerical production. Use of heterosis in these species can be maximized because only a small proportion of the total population is required for seedstock production. Complete use of heterosis is more difficult in cattle because of their relatively low reproductive rate and long generation interval, which overlaps from one year to the next. However, this difficulty does not preclude the use of a high level of heterosis in commercial beef production. Systems of …

Preliminary Observations On The Immune Status Of Newborn Normal And Weak Calf Syndrome Calves, Rita C. Manak, William G. Kvasnicka

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Thymus-derived lymphocytes from weather-stressed calves decline in response t6 Concanavalin A (Con A) and Pokeweed Mitogen (PWM) as the age of calf increases. Maximal response is from 24-hr old normal calves; very little response is from Weak Calf Syndrome (WCS) calves. This depressed response reflects the observed thymus degeneration in WCS calves and contributes to the animals' impaired immune system development.

Evaluation Of Traits In The Usda Yield Grade Equation For Predicting Beef Carcass Cutability In Breed Groups Differing In Growth And Fattening Characteristics, John D. Crouse

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Carcasses of 786 steers derived from crosses of Hereford or Angus cows bred to Hereford, Angus, Charolais, Limousin, Simmental, South Devon, and Jersey sires were fabricated into closely trimmed, semi-boneless retail cuts to study relationships among independent variables in the USDA yield grade equation in breed groups that differ in growth and fattening characteristics.

fattening characteristics. Simple correlations indicate carcass weight was a good predictor of cutability within a breed group but a poor indicator over all breed groups. Rib eye area had the lowest predictive value of the four variables studied. Rib eye area may be more useful in …

Sixteen Years Of Selection For Weaning Weight, Final Weight, And Muscling Score In Hereford Cattle, Robert M. Koch, Larry V. Cundiff, Keith E. Gregory

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Selection is the primary force for changing average genetic composition of herds, breeds, or species. Individual changes from one generation to the next associated with selection are usually small. In time, however, the change can be dramatic.

Selection is deciding which bulls and cows get to become parents and how many offspring we allow them to have. Both the will of man and the will of nature are directive forces in selection. Rate of progress from selection is determined by (1) average selection differential of parents for all traits under selection, (2) heritability of traits, (3) genetic correlations between traits, …

Methane And Protein From Beef Cattle Manure, Andrew G. Hashimoto, Yud-Ren Chen, Vincent H. Varel, Ronald L. Prior

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Dwindling supplies of conventional fossil fuels have prompted renewed interest in recovering energy through the bioconversion of waste organic materials. The large quantities of manure produced in confinement feedlots and the need to manage this manure effectively make feedlots a logical choice for assessing the feasibility of recovering methane and protein through anaerobic fermentation.

Research at U.S. Meat Animal Research Center is designed to determine the technical and economic feasibility of recovering methane and protein from beef cattle manure.

Specific Objectives are to:

1. Develop design criteria for optimum production of methane and protein through anaerobic fermentation of beef cattle …

Characterization Of Breeds Representing Diverse Biological Types: Postweaning Growth And Puberty Of Females, Keith E. Gregory, Larry V. Cundiff, Robert M. Koch

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Puberty traits in beef cattle are important criteria for evaluating the use of breeds for different beef production systems. Age at puberty is an important trait in beef cattle where females are bred to calve at 2 years of age, especially when a restricted breeding season is used. It is not only important that heifers reach puberty and conceive, but that they conceive early in the breeding season. Heifers that fail to reach puberty or that reach puberty and conceive late in the breeding season cause reduced production efficiency. Thus, from a breed selection standpoint, puberty is an important trait …

Characterization Of Breeds Representing Diverse Biological Types: Preweaning Traits, Keith E. Gregory, Larry V. Cundiff, Robert M. Koch

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

The germ plasm base for beef cattle production in the United States has been broadened considerably during the last decade, primarily as a result of the development of appropriate quarantine facilities and procedures by the Canada Department of Agriculture that have provided for importing several new breeds of European origin. Also, the importation of new breeds, along with other factors, has stimulated interest in increased use for beef production of several breeds that have been available in North America for many years. The newly introduced breeds added to the breeds already available in the United States provide a wide range …

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Mean Animal Research Center: Overview On Center

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

The Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (U.S. Meat Animal Research Center) was authorized by Congress on June 16, 1964, thereby creating a single facility that provides an unusual opportunity for making major contributions to the solution of problems facing the U.S. livestock industry. Development of the 35,000-acre facility started in the spring of 1966 and is continuing at the present time. Phase I construction, consisting of an office-laboratory building for intensive investigations, was completed in January 1971. These facilities provide a physical plant for 42 scientists and about 200 support personnel. Phase II construction, consisting of the …

Resource Management Thrusts And Opportunities: National Parks And Wildlife Refuges, G. Ray Arnett

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Well, it's been an interesting year. Somehow, it got to be very convenient for some folks to misconstrue what the Secretary had said. Some of those folks just seemed determined to make James Watt a household name-and they succeeded. And those same folks succeeded, too, in increasing the membership roles of a few of the environmental groups. But I don't think they succeeded very well in listening to and understanding what the Secretary said a year ago .... So, as succinctly and plainly as possible, I will spell out again that the goals of this Administration weren't designed to create …

Effects Of Increased Human Populations On Wildlife Resources Of The Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, Edward E. Bangs, Ted H. Spraker, Theodore N. Bailey, Vernon D. Berns

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

In this paper, we will discuss what has occurred to several wildlife populations on the Kenai Peninsula as the human population increased. By discussing historical impacts, management techniques, and potential human impacts, we intend to show the significance of what occurred and may occur as human populations expand, both on the Kenai and in Alaska.

Status Of Alaska Sea Otter Populations And Developing Conflicts With Fisheries, Ancel M. Johnson

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Although sea otters (Enhydra lutris) have been a relatively insignificant resource in Alaska during the twentieth century, the situation is changing. Remnant populations that recolonized most of their historic range are becoming recognized as a potentially valuable economic resource and as a competitor with some important shellfish fisheries. It is appropriate that sea otters should again become an important Alaskan resource because they were so significant in the initial exploration and settlement of Alaska by non-natives. In this paper I review changes in distribution and population abundance since 1740, recent changes in human attitudes toward sea otters, and …