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Nocturnal Winter Roost Site Use By Whooping Cranes In The Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population, Matti R. Bradshaw, Carter G. Crouch, Katrina M. Fernald, Andrew J. Caven, Dorn M. Moore, Sundas Rehman

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Evaluating site use and fidelity is vital to understanding roosting area needs for individual birds. We used data from wintering Aransas-Wood Buffalo population whooping cranes tracked with Platform Transmitting Terminals to identify roost sites in Texas. We analyzed 86 unique winters across 42 individuals and used a hierarchical clustering approach to group roost locations that were within 100 m of each other to identify unique roost sites by individual (n = 2,608). We found that on average, whooping cranes used 30.3 ± 1.71 SE roost sites per winter (range 8–70; 30 September and 2 May) and spent on average 4.4 …

Over-Summering Of Migratory Whooping Cranes On Their Wintering Grounds, Paityn C. Macko, Stephanie M. Schmidt, Carter G. Crouch, Arianna N. Barajas, Alicia M. Ward, Hillary L. Thompson, Matti R. Bradshaw, Elizabeth H. Smith

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Over-summering of migratory bird populations on wintering grounds may occur when individuals forgo migration and remain in non-breeding or wintering habitats. We summarized all reported instances of migratory whooping cranes (Grus americana) over-summering on the wintering grounds during 1891–2024. We report 9 individuals over-summering from the Eastern Migratory Population (EMP), 4 reports from Texas during 1891–1941, and between 1–4 individuals over-summering across 23 summers from the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population (AWBP) post-1941. Although there were many instances of over-summering without clear proximate causes, some documented causes or contributing factors across both populations include injury, disease, death or injury of a mate, …

Galliformes Specialist Group Annual Report 2023, John P. Carroll, Rahul Kaul

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Reports and Other Materials

Annual report of the IUCN SSC Galliformes Specialist Group, 2023.

Range Beef Cow Symposium Xxvii Proceedings, 2023, Loveland, Colorado

Range Beef Cow Symposium

2023—Range Beef Cow Symposium XXVIII, Loveland, Colorado, presented by the Cooperative Extension Services and Animal Science Departments of University of Wyoming, Colorado State University, South Dakota State University, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Marketing Feeder Calves for Increased Value, Darrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University

Principles for Successful Livestock Grazing Management on Western Rangelands, K. E. Jablonski and K. R. Stackhouse-Lawson, Colorado State University

Ionophores and Reproduction: What is the Benefit for Range Cows and Heifers? J. Travis Mulliniks and Juliana Ranches, Oregon State University, Jacki A.Musgrave and Kacie L.McCarthy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Should We Be Supplementing More Vitamin A to …

White Coat Color Of A Black Angus Calf Attributed To An Occurrence Of The Delr217 Variant Of Mitf, Jessica Lynn Petersen, Renae Sieck, David Steffen

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A white calf, with minimal pigmented markings, was born to two registered Black Angus parents. Given the possibility of an unknown recessive or de novo dominant mutation, whole-genome sequencing was conducted on the trio of individuals. A 3-bp in-frame deletion in MITF was identified; this mutation was unique to the calf but identical to the delR217 variant reported in both humans and murine models of Waardenburg syndrome type 2A and Tietz syndrome. Given the coat color phenotype and identity of the mutation, our data support that this calf represents the first instance of this recurring MITF mutation in cattle.

Capacity-Building Project To Progress The Implementation Of International Instruments To Combat Iuu Fishing (Capfish) : Workshop 3, 18-21 October 2022, World Maritime University

Reports

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a complex and multifaceted problem, with dire consequences for aquatic ecosystems, coastal communities, fishers and fish workers, and economic and national security. It particularly affects developing countries, and is estimated to cost the global economy USD 20 billion each year. This represents foregone taxes, license fees, and revenue from resources that could have been legally exploited. Future opportunities are also lost as fish stocks dwindle and collapse, with knock-on socioeconomic effects. As those involved in IUU fishing seek to cut costs wherever possible, and are often involved in other illegal activities, IUU fishing …

Impact Of Pistachio Shell Biochar In Finishing Beef Cattle Diets, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, J. L. Sperber, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 190-day finishing experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of feeding biochar on methane and carbon dioxide production, animal performance and carcass traits in beef steers. A high concentrate feedlot diet was used, and two dietary treatments were compared, 0 or 1% biochar as % of diet dry matter. Cattle were monitored using a calorimetry emissions barn to quantify production of methane and carbon dioxide. There were no differences in emissions, performance, or carcass characteristics for cattle fed the control diet or with biochar supplemented into the diet.

Effect Of Initial Infestation Of Zebra Mussels On Freshwater Drum Diets In Red Lake, Mn, Marissa M. Pribyl

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha veligers were first found in the Red Lake system in Beltrami County in 2017, however no adult zebra mussels have been documented. When zebra mussels first invade a system, fish often switch their prey use to this new abundant resource. Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens is one of these fish species known to consume physidae and bivalves, including zebra mussels, using pharyngeal teeth, the molar-like grinders in the back of their throats. This research aims to identify any presence of adult zebra mussels in the system and determine freshwater drum diet composition and feeding patterns by analyzing …

Growth And Whole-Body Proximate Composition Of Oreochromis Niloticus Nile Tilapia Fed Pea Meal: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Tzodoq Obrero Magbanua, Janice A. Ragaza

Biology Faculty Publications

One of the most widely cultivated species in the aquaculture sector is the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). However, the rising price of fishmeal has a huge impact on its market value. Proteins derived from plants have been used to address the issue. In this study, systematic review and meta-analysis were used to quantitatively analyze the whole-body composition and growth of Nile tilapia fed pea meal. Based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis methods, the literature review and paper selection were completed. Meta-analysis was performed on the data from peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion …

Body Condition: Seasonal Effects And Influence On Aggressive Behavior Of Ozark Zigzag Salamanders (Plethodon Angusticlavius), Ayesha Farooq

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Body condition is a measure of the size of energy reserves such as fat and protein, which can influence health and the ability to obtain resources in aggressive encounters. Individuals with better body condition ultimately experience a fitness advantage. Physiological factors such as sex, reproductive condition, and diet can influence body condition of individuals. Body condition could be affected positively or negatively after an animal is kept in captivity for extended periods of time. In the first chapter, I explore whether sex, season (fall and spring), and time in containment at the laboratory influences body condition. In the second chapter, …

Investigating The Fish Community Of The Neosho River System, Ethan John Rasset

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Barrier presence in river systems has been documented to impact fishes. Low head dams specifically are frequently occurring barriers in riverine environments. Well supported impacts of these structures on fishes include diminished movement, reproduction, and habitat availability. Longitudinal patterns in riverine fish communities have long been researched to ascertain dynamics and display interactions. The need for research becomes more critical when factoring in impacts of barriers and detrimental invasive species. Knowledge of fish communities can inform fisheries biologists and aid in improved management practices for recreational and ecologically important species, as well as invasive species. The Neosho River-Grand Lake system …

Riverine Fish Population Dynamics, Aaron P. Muehler

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Dynamic rate functions (i.e., recruitment, growth, mortality) structure fish populations and are subject to latitudinal differences. These latitudinal differences are likely reflective of climatic variation and may result in spatially distinct populations that must be managed independently, especially in large systems such as the Upper Mississippi River system (UMRS). In order to successfully manage this system, an understanding of what drives these populations is required. The UMRS is useful for this investigation as it crosses 10° temperate latitude with widespread fish species found throughout. In this study, I investigated the synergistic relationship between latitude, vital rates, and abundance. Species were …

The Role Of Interspecific Competition In The Range Collapse Of A Songbird After Rapid Range Expansion, Zachary H. Vickers

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating interspecific competition in birds, but often this evidence is localized and may or may not entirely explain range dynamics over large geographic extents. Bewick’s Wrens (Thrymanes bewickii) and House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) are small passerine birds of the family Troglodytidae. Previous experimental evidence has demonstrated that Bewick’s Wrens suffer from asymmetric interference competition from House Wrens in Kansas, and this evidence has been cited as the likely reason for the historically recent range collapse of the Bewick’s Wren. However, I argue that localized experimental evidence is insufficient to explain abundance trends over large …

Centrifugation Cushion Vs. Spermfilter™: Effects On % Recovery, Holly S. Hopkins

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

It has been demonstrated that removing seminal plasma and resuspension of the sperm pellet in various diluents will improve the post-storage motility of spermatozoa from some stallions. This typically involves centrifugation. However, a sperm filtering device marketed by Botupharma (Phoenix, AZ) allows seminal plasma removal without a centrifuge. This study compared spermatozoa recovery rates using this device vs. centrifugation with and without a cushion. Thirteen ejaculates were collected from three quarter horse stallions. Prior to treatment, aliquots were diluted with Dulbecco's modified PBS at a dilution rate of 1:1. For the two centrifugation treatments, 12 ml of the diluted semen …

2023 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow-Calf Management

• Comparison of Semi-confined and Pasture-based August Calving Beef Cow Systems
• Including Gene Edited Sires in Genetic Evaluations
• Impact of Planning Horizon Length on Breeding Objectives and Resulting Selection Decisions
• Effect of Increasing Energy 30 days Prior to Artificial Insemination in Beef Heifers
• Extending Melengestrol Acetate Treatment from Fourteen to Eighteen Days in Beef Heifers
• Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers with Multi-Sire Sexed Semen

Growing Calf and Yearling Management

• Timing of Implant Use in the Backgrounding System
• Effects of Strategic Supplementation on Return to Management and Performance of Yearling Cattle

Forage Evaluation

• Forage Evaluation of Crested Wheatgrass
• Evaluation of …

Analysis Of Spoilage Bacteria Present In Vacuum Packaged Chilled Beef Treated With Organic Acids, Samuel C. Watson, Rebecca A. Furbeck, Byron D. Chaves, Samodha C. Fernando, Gary Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Preventing the spoilage of fresh, chilled beef is crucial for maintaining market value. Since organic acids are regularly used in the beef industry for pathogen control, their ability to improve the shelf life of fresh, chilled beef was evaluated. Fresh, chilled beef was individually treated with 4.5% lactic acid, 2.5% Beefxide^®, or 380 ppm peroxyacetic acid. After storage, Lactococcus, a genus of lactic acid bacteria, became the most common spoilage organism across all treatment and control samples. Organic acid treatments were not able to slow the growth of this genus and may not be an effective method to …

Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Two Beef Systems From Birth To Slaughter In Eastern Nebraska, Levi J. Mcphillips, Zac E. Carlson, Andrew E. Suyker, J. C. Macdonald, Tala Awada, Jane Okalebo, Shree Dangal, Rick R. Stowell, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Methane emissions from growing and finishing calves born into a spring calving, conventional cow system or a summer calving, partially-confined cow system were compared. Cows fed a restricted diet of corn-byproduct and grain residues in confinement produced less methane and carbon dioxide per day compared to cows grazing pasture or cover crop. Calves weaned from the confinement-based production system were smaller at weaning and compensated with greater gain during the growing phase. More days on feed in the finishing phase were needed for the calves from the confinement system to reach same backfat thickness. Over the entire growing and finishing …

Ponderosa Pine Wood Biochar Used As An Emissions Reduction Strategy In A Finishing Beef Cattle Diet, Holly A. Heil, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing feedlot experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding biochar on methane and carbon dioxide production, performance, and carcass characteristics in beef cattle. Two dietary treatments were evaluated; 0 or 1% biochar in a high concentrate diet comprised of dry-rolled corn, high moisture corn, Sweet Bran, and corn silage. Ponderosa pine wood biochar was added into the diet at 1% dry-matter displacing a 1% dry-matter blend of corn. Cattle were monitored using a calorimetry emissions barn to capture methane and carbon dioxide production. Emissions production, performance and carcass characteristics did not differ between cattle fed a control …

Effect Of Alga Bio 1.0 On Reducing Enteric Methane Emission From Cattle, Reba L. Conlin, Kassidy K. Buse, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Paul J. Kononoff

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Alga Bio 1.0 inclusion on methane and carbon dioxide emissions along with diet digestibility. Three treatments were evaluated with 0, 69, and 103 grams per day Alga Bio 1.0 fed as a top dress in a corn-based diet. Indirect calorimetry headboxes were utilized to evaluate gas production with 12 cows in 4 replicated 3x3 Latin squares. There was a 39% reduction in methane per lb of dry matter intake for cattle fed 69 g of Alga Bio 1.0 and 63% reduction when cattle were fed 103 g of Alga Bio 1.0 …

Effects Of Corn Processing And Silage Inclusion In Feedlot Diets On Steer Performance, Jessica L. Miller, Nolan R. Meier, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A feelot study compared the effects of corn silage inclusion on steer performance and carcass characteristics withing dry-rolled corn diets and steam-flaked corn diets. Treatments included four corn silage inclusions as 0, 15, 30, 45% of dry matter in both steam-flaked corn and dry-rolled corn base diets. Feeding a steam-flaked based corn diet increased average daily gain by 7.8% and improved feed conversion by 6.8% when compared to steers fed a dry-rolled corn diet. As corn silage inclusion increased, feed conversion increased linearly. When fed to the same days on feed carcass adjusted final body weight, hot carcass weight, and …

Effect Of Enogen Feed Corn Inclusion In Conventional And Natural Finishing Cattle Diets, Jessica Miller, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Increasing the extent of starch digestibility during finishing could allow producers to improve cattle efficiency. A finishing performance study was conducted to determine the effect of Enogen Feed Corn inclusion as dry-rolled corn and corn silage in comparison to a control corn hybrid within natural and conventional feeding programs for heifers and steers. Cattle in the conventional feeding program received implants and the ration included feed additives, while cattle on the natural program were not implanted and the ration did not contain feed additives. The inclusion of Enogen Feed Corn had no impact on steer or heifer finishing performance. The …

Effect Of Corn Processing On Steer Performance And Fecal Starch Content, Jessica L. Miller, Braden C. Troyer, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Processing corn as high-moisture corn increases starch digestion and improves cattle efficiency when fed blended with dry rolled corn in finishing rations. A finishing study evaluated the effect of corn processing method (dry-rolled corn or 2:1) high-moisture corn to dry rolled corn blend) on performance of calf-fed steers. Corn processing method did not affect average daily gain; however, steers fed a high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn blend consumed 1.1 lb/day less than steers fed a dry-rolled corn diet. Feeding high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn blend diets improved feed efficiency by 5.2% compared to steers fed dry-rolled corn. Fecal starch content …

Supplemental Lysine In Finishing Cattle Diets, Hanna Cronk, Zac Carlson, Mitch Norman, Levi Mcphillips, Andrea Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Gary Ducharme

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of increasing lysine supply in finishing beef cattle diets. Crossbreed steers (n=120, BW=577 ± 2 lb) were individually fed using a Calen Gate system for 195 days. Animals received a common finishing diet (63% corn, 15% corn silage and 15% distillers grains) with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 g per day of supplemental rumen bypass lysine. High levels of lysine (5 or more g per day) in the diet decreased dry matter intake, carcass adjusted body weight with no impact on carcass adjusted feed efficiency. Hot …

Impact Of Removing 20% Distillers Grain After One-Third Or Two-Thirds Of The Feeding Period On Performance Of Finishing Yearling, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Braden C. Troyer, Mitch M. Norman, Pablo L. Loza, Rick Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study evaluated the effect of removing modified distillers grains plus solubles after one-third or two-thirds of the feeding period on performance and carcass characteristics of yearling steers. Treatment diets included 20% modified distillers for the entire feeding period; 20% modified distillers for two-thirds of the feeding period and then 0%; and 20% modified distillers for one-third of the feeding period, then 0%. Removing modified distillers from the diet decreased average daily gain, final body weight and dry matter intake and tended to increase feed conversion. Cattle fed 20% modified distillers throughout the entire feeding period had greatest hot …

Impact Of Constant Inclusion Or Decreasing Inclusion Of Distillers Grains With High-Quality Or Low-Quality Roughage On Finishing Cattle Performance, Sofia Suarez Lorences, University Of Nebraska - Lincoln, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing trial was conducted to evaluate high-quality or low-quality roughage inclusion in diets containing three concentrations of modified distillers grains plus solubles on finishing cattle performance. In a randomized block design, steers were fed according to a 2x3 factorial arrangement with two roughage sources (6% corn stalks versus 12% corn silage) in three diets containing 0, 15, or decreasing inclusion of distillers (30, 15, then 0% across the feeding period). No interactions were observed between distillers inclusion and roughage source except for intake. Steers fed corn silage consumed less, gained the same, and had slightly better feed conversions Steers …

Evaluate The Effect Of Corn Processing, Drying Distillers Grains, Oil Removal From Distillers Grains, And Distillers Inclusion On Cattle Performance, Braden C. Troyer, Elliott James Dennis, Alfredo Dicastanzo, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An analysis of over 9,300 head of cattle and 980 pen means was conducted to evaluate the effect of corn processing, drying distillers grains, oil removal from distillers, and distillers inclusion on cattle performance. This analysis looked at both steam-flaked corn and high-moisture corn or dry-rolled corn or a blend of the latter two grains and their effects on performance with and without distillers grains. Additionally, wet, modified, and dried distillers grains were analyzed as both full fat or de-oiled products at various dietary concentrations with each corn type as the primary cereal grain to determine performance responses. There was …

Effects Of Individual Sweet Bran Components In Beef Finishing Diets On Nutrient Digestion, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Rittikeard Prachumchai, Maggie Youngers, Rick A. Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sweet Bran is a branded wet corn gluten feed recognized for improving rumen health, energy intake, and gains in finishing cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated steers were utilized in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin Square design to evaluate the effect of individual Sweet Bran components on total tract digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters. Three Sweet Bran components (solvent extracted germ meal, corn bran, and mixed steep) were included at 40% of diet dry matter in their respective treatment, with a steam-flaked corn control diet. Total tract dry matter and organic matter digestibility were least for bran, intermediate for solvent extracted …

Evaluation Of Lactiproflx In An Acidosis Challenge Model, Samantha K. Wagner, Rebecca J. Sjostrand, Tyler J. Spore, Mark E. Corrigan, Galen E. Erickson, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An acidosis challenge study was conducted comparing different administration techniques for LactiproFLX, a direct fed microbial product containing Megaspharea elsdenii (a lactate-utilizing bacteria) for the prevention of acidosis. Four treatments were utilized in a randomized block design with 24 ruminally cannulated steers. Treatments consisted of a control group which did not receive the product, a group which received the commercial dose of the product four days before the acidosis challenge, one which received the commercial dose of the product one day before the challenge, and one which received ten times the commercial dose one day before the challenge. No differences …

Evaluation Of Encapsulated Megasphaera Elsdenii In An Accelerated Beef Step-Up Program And An Acidosis Challenge Event, Cindy D. Mansfield, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Tyler Spore, Mark Corrigan, Galen E. Erickson, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 100-day metabolism study with 40 ruminally cannulated steers, individually fed, was conducted to determine the efects of daily feeding of encapsulated Megasphaera elsdenii along with a one-time dose of Lactipro NXT on dry matter intake, rumen organic acid concentration, lactate disappearance and native and specific strains of Megasphaera elsdenii concentration following an acidosis challenge. Steers fed Megasphaera elsdenii daily had greater intake after an acidosis event. Cattle fed daily Megasphaera elsdenii also had a faster rate of lactic acid disappearance after an acidosis event. Feeding Megasphaeara elsdenii daily may result in a faster recovery time, after an acidosis event, …

Effect Of Ad Libitum Vs. Limit Feeding Program At Receiving On Morbidity And Performance Of Feedlot Calves, Rebecca A. Funk, Braden C. Troyer, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-phase study was conducted to determine the effects of two different feed delivery strategies during the receiving period of feedlot calves. Calves were fed either by limit-feeding at approximately 75% of ad libitum, or ad libitum feed offerings for the 30-d receiving period to determine effects on health and performance. During the receiving period, average daily gain and total weight gained was increased for the ad libitum treatment. No differences between ad libitum and limit-fed treatment groups were observed in either feed to gain or morbidity rates. During the second phase of the trial, a subset of calves was …