Digital Commons Network^™

Influence Of Corn Hybrid And Processing Method On Nutrient Digestibility, Finishing Performance, And Carcass Characteristics, F. W. Harrelson, Matt K. Luebbe, N. F. Meyer, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, David S. Jackson, W. A. Fithian

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A finishing trial and a digestion trial were conducted to evaluate the effects of corn hybrid and processing method on nutrient digestibility, finishing performance, and carcass characteristics. A 2 × 5 factorial arrangement of treatments was used for both trials. Factors included 2 processing methods, dry-rolled (DRC) or high-moisture (HMC), and 5 commercially available corn hybrids. The finishing trial (Exp. 1) utilized 475 yearling steers (379 ± 15 kg initial BW), stratified by BW into 2 blocks then assigned randomly to 1 of 60 pens (8 steers/pen). Treatments were assigned randomly to pens with 6 pens/treatment. Diets consisted of 67.5% …

Effect Of Essential Oils, Tylosin, And Monensin On Finishing Steer Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Liver Abscesses, Ruminal Fermentation, And Digestibility, N. F. Meyer, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Matthew A. Greenquist, Matt K. Luebbe, P. Williams, M. A. Engstrom

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A feedlot (Exp. 1) experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of an essential oil mixture (EOM), experimental essential oil mixture (EXP), tylosin, and monensin (MON) on performance, carcass characteristics, and liver abscesses. A metabolism experiment (Exp. 2) was conducted to evaluate the effects of EOM, EXP, and MON on ruminal fermentation and digestibility in finishing steers. In Exp. 1, 468 yearling steers (398 ± 34 kg initial BW) were used in 50 pens (10 pens/treatment) and received their respective dietary treatments for 115 d. Five dietary treatments were compared in Exp. 1: 1) control, no additives (CON); 2) EOM, …

Effects Of Sodium Chloride And Fat Supplementation On Finishing Steers Exposed To Hot And Cold Conditions, J. B. Gaughan, Terry L. Mader

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental fat and salt (sodium chloride) on DMI, daily water intake (DWI), body temperature, and respiration rate (RR) in Bos Taurus beef cattle. In Exp. 1 and 2, whole soybeans (SB) were used as the supplemental fat source. In Exp. 3, palm kernel meal and tallow were used. Experiment 1 (winter) and Exp. 2 (summer) were undertaken in an outside feedlot. Experiment 3 was conducted in a climate-controlled facility (mean ambient temperature = 29.9°C). In Exp. 1, three diets, 1) control; 2) salt (control + 1% sodium chloride); and 3) salt-SB …

Effects Of Feeding Three Types Of Corn-Milling Coproducts On Milk Production And Ruminal Fermentation Of Lactating Holstein Cattle, J. M. Kelzer, Paul J. Kononoff, A. M. Gehman, L. O. Tedeschi, K. Karges, M. L. Gibson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding 3 corn-milling coproducts on intake, milk production, ruminal fermentation, and digestibility of lactating Holstein cows. In experiment 1, three corn-milling coproducts were fed at 15% of the diet dry matter (DM) to 28 Holstein cows averaging (±SD) 625 ± 81 kg of body weight and 116 ± 33 d in milk to determine effects on DM intake and milk production. In experiment 2, the same rations were fed to 4 ruminally fistulated, multiparous Holstein cows averaging 677 ± 41 kg of body weight and 144 ± 5 d in milk …

Effect Of Sorting And Optaflexx Supplementation On Feedlot Performance And Profitability Of Long Yearling Steers, W. A. Griffin, T. J. Klopfenstein, G. E. Erickson, D. M. Feuz, K. J. Vander Pol, Matthew A. Greenquist

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A 2-yr study was conducted using 200 long yearling steers/yr (436 ± 30 kg) to determine the effect on performance and economics of sorting by BW at feedlot entry and feeding 200 mg/steer of Optaflexx (OPT) daily for the last 28 d. At feedlot entry, steers were allotted into 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: sorted or unsorted with or without OPT. Sorted steers were placed into 1 of 3 groups—1) heavy steers (32%; 468 kg), 2) medium steers (44%; 432 kg), or 3) light steers (24%; 399 kg)—and were fed for 97, 118, or …

Effects Of Time Of Transporting Prior To Sale Date On Selling Weight Of Weaned Steer Calves, L. M. Kovarik, Matt K. Luebbe, Joshua R. Benton, Galen E. Erickson, Richard J. Rasby

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Eighty-eight crossbred weaned steer calves (250 + 26 kg) were used to evaluate weight loss (shrink) when transported to a mock sale barn on differing days prior to sale. The calves were weaned 14 days and fed free choice grass hay and 0.9 kg of DDGS at UNL’s Dalbey-Halleck Research Unit. Two days before initiation of treatments all calves were fed grass hay ad libitum and initial BW were recorded on two consecutive days. Calves were assigned randomly to treatment as a completely randomized design. On d 2, 1d restricted and 1d ad libitum treatments were transported 150 km to …

Predicting Tissue Distribution And Partitioning In Terminal Sire Sheep Using X-Ray Computed Tomography, J. M. Macfarlane, R. M. Lewis, G. C. Emmans, M. J. Young, G. Simm

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The utility of x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning in predicting carcass tissue distribution and fat partitioning in vivo in terminal sire sheep was examined using data from 160 lambs representing combinations of 3 breeds (Charollais, Suffolk, and Texel), 3 genetic lines, and both sexes. One-fifth of the lambs were slaughtered at each of 14, 18, and 22 wk of age, and the remaining two-fifths at 26 wk of age. The left side of each carcass was dissected into 8 joints with each joint dissected into fat (intermuscular and subcutaneous), lean, and bone. Chemical fat content of the LM was measured. …

Nebraska Greenscene: Annual Publication From Agronomy And Horticulture 2009

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Annual Newsletters

CONTENTS

Letter from the Head. 3

Alumni news

The Best Learning Experience!. 4

Hello From South Dakota. 7

From Argentina to America. 15

Staff news

A Word with Karen Kreider, Carol Speth, and Michael Livingston . 5

Photo Contest Winners . 6

Faculty news

Promotions and Tenure. 6

Searching the Soil. 14

Plant Vitamins in the Basset Laboratory. 13

Student news

Ten Years in the Making. 8

Grapes in the Cornhusker State. 10

Meet Kelly Brink. 11

Efficiency in the Field . 15

Waterfowl Habitat Management Handbook For The Lower Mississippi River Valley, Bronson K. Strickland, Richard M. Kaminski, Kevin Nelms, Adam Tullos, Andrew W. Ezell, Billy Hill, Kris Casscles Godwin, Joshua C. Chester, John D. Madsen

Other Publications in Wildlife Management

To sustain waterfowl populations at levels of the 1970s, as prescribed by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (1986), private landowners must continue to provide habitat for wetland wildlife. Private landowners oversee the majority of wetlands remaining in the United States, so their cooperation is essential to any major conservation effort to restore and sustain waterfowl populations in the Mississippi Flyway. Many groups have worked together since the 1980s to develop waterfowl habitat on private lands.Much progress has been made, and this publication helps guide continuing efforts. This publication is for private landowners in the Lower Mississippi Flyway who want …

Ec09-219 Nebraska Swine Report

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Extension Circular 09-219: 2009 Nebraska swine report including nutrition, health, genetics, and management

College Of Agricultural Sciences And Natural Resources, 16th Annual Report August 1, 2008-July 31, 2009

College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR): Annual Reports

Introduction

Sixteenth Annual Report for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Reflects on the accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students. Offers the opportunity to review the year, and serves as an archive of accomplishments for the College. Covers the period August 1, 2008 to July 31, 2009.

Seventy-three schools competed for recognition as innovators in undergraduate education; 16 were selected. UNL is the only one selected from among its peer group as well as the only one in the Big 12. UNL is one of five major research universities to be named ‘first tier’ for its …

Multi-Tissue Coexpression Networks Reveal Unexpected Subnetworks Associated With Disease, Radu Dobrin, Jun Zhu, Cliona Molony, Carmen Argman, Mark L. Parish, Sonia Carlson, Mark F. Allan, Daniel Pomp, Eric E. Schadt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: Obesity is a particularly complex disease that at least partially involves genetic and environmental perturbations to gene-networks connecting the hypothalamus and several metabolic tissues, resulting in an energy imbalance at the systems level.

Results: To provide an inter-tissue view of obesity with respect to molecular states that are associated with physiological states, we developed a framework for constructing tissue-to-tissue coexpression networks between genes in the hypothalamus, liver or adipose tissue. These networks have a scale-free architecture and are strikingly independent of gene-gene coexpression networks that are constructed from more standard analyses of single tissues. This is the first systematic …

Additional Files For “Multi-Tissue Coexpression Networks Reveal Unexpected Subnetworks Associated With Disease”, Radu Dobrin, Jun Zhu, Cliona Molony, Carmen Argman, Mark L. Parrish, Sonia Carlson, Mark F. Allan, Daniel Pomp, Eric E. Schadt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Figure S1 shows the connectivity distribution P(k) for GGC networks. Figure S2 shows FDR curves for each tissue in the analysis. Figure S3 shows modules in single tissue GGC networks as detected by the algorithm. Each cluster is marked by the yellow rectangles. Figure S4 shows single tissue module enrichment. Each panel has the following structure: top, P-values from FET for cis-eQTL blue bars over- and red bars under-enriched; middle, percentage overlap between module and genes with cis-eQTL; bottom, percentage overlap between each module and genes on each chromosome. The scale is between green and black where green represents 0% …

Evaluation Of Antral Follicle Count And Ovarian Morphology In Crossbred Beef Cows: Investigation Of Influence Of Stage Of The Estrous Cycle, Age, And Birth Weight, R. A. Cushman, M. F. Allan, Larry A. Kuehn, W. M. Snelling, Andrea S. Cupp, H. C. Freetly

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Depletion of the ovarian reserve is associated with reproductive senescence in mammalian females, and there is a positive relationship between the size of the ovarian reserve and the number of antral follicles on the surface of the ovary. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate the influence of stage of the estrous cycle, age, and birth weight on antral follicle counts (AFC) in beef cows and heifers. Pairs of ovaries were collected from crossbred beef cows at slaughter (n = 72) or at necropsy (n = 333; 0 to 11 yr of age); all visible antral follicles were …

Evaluation Of Antral Follicle Count And Ovarian Morphology In Crossbred Beef Cows: Investigation Of Influence Of Stage Of The Estrous Cycle, Age, And Birth Weight, R. A. Cushman, M. F. Allan, L. A. Kuehn, W. M. Snelling, Andrea S. Cupp, H. C. Freetly

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Depletion of the ovarian reserve is associated with reproductive senescence in mammalian females, and there is a positive relationship between the size of the ovarian reserve and the number of antral follicles on the surface of the ovary. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate the influence of stage of the estrous cycle, age, and birth weight on antral follicle counts (AFC) in beef cows and heifers. Pairs of ovaries were collected from crossbred beef cows at slaughter (n = 72) or at necropsy (n = 333; 0 to 11 yr of age); all visible antral follicles were …

Evaluation Of Revalor-Ih And Revalor-Is As Initial Implants Compared With Traditional Initial Implants For Finishing Heifers And Steers, J. D. Folmer, T. B. Farran, G. E. Erickson, T. J. Klopfenstein, C. D. Reinhardt, B. D. Dicke, J. S. Drouillard, M. N. Streeter, J. T. Vasconcelos

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two commercial feedlot experiments were conducted to compare performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot heifers and steers using 2 implant strategies. In Exp. 1, heifers (n = 1,124; initial BW = 279 ± 5 kg) were administered either Revalor-IH [Intervet/ Schering Plough Animal Health, DeSoto, KS; 8 mg of estradiol (E2) and 80 mg of trenbolone acetate (TA)] or Synovex-H (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, KS; 20 mg of estradiol benzoate and 200 mg of testosterone propionate) at initial processing, with both treatment groups receiving Revalor-200 (20 mg E2 and 200 mg TA) as the common terminal implant 81 …

Effects Of Ractopamine (Optaflexx) Fed In Combination With Melengestrol Acetate On Feedlot Heifer Performance, W. A. Griffin, G. E. Erickson, B. D. Dicke, T. J. Klopfenstein, R. J. Cooper, D. J. Jordon, R. S. Swingle, W. M. Moseley, G. E. Sides, D. J. Weigel

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two commercial feedlot experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding melengestrol acetate (MGA) or MGA plus ractopamine (MGA+OPT) on the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing heifers. In Nebraska (Exp. 1), 1,807 heifers (337.3 ± 20.0 kg) and in Texas (Exp. 2), 1,964 heifers (331.5 ± 6.1 kg) were fed 0.4 mg of MGA daily. For heifers fed MGA+OPT, 200 mg of ractopamine was fed daily the last 29 (Exp. 2) or 36 d (Exp. 1). Live and carcass-adjusted performance data were collected. On a carcass-adjusted basis, G:F for the entire feeding period was improved (P < 0.01) by 1.7 and 3.7% in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, for heifers fed MGA+OPT compared with MGA. For the last 29 to 36 d, G:F was increased (P < 0.02) by 8.1% (Exp. 1) or 27.2% (Exp. 2) on a carcass-adjusted basis for heifers fed MGA+OPT compared with MGA. Fat thickness, USDA YG, marbling score, LM area, and percentage USDA Choice were not different (P > 0.47) between …

The Relationship Between Acid Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen And Nitrogen Digestibility In Lactating Dairy Cattle, K. J. Machacek, P. J. Kononoff

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Five trials (19 treatments) conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) on lactating dairy cattle were analyzed to determine how the concentration of ADIN in the ration affects total tract N digestibility. Additionally, 6 published studies (13 treatments) were included to expand the data set. Results from the UNL trials showed that as the concentration of ADIN in the ration increased, the digestibility of ADIN also increased. However, the relationship was poor (r² = 0.29). To account for random effects among trials, a meta-analysis was conducted. In the UNL trials, as the ration concentration of ADIN increased, total tract …

Influence Of Distillers Dried Grain Supplementation Frequency On Forage Digestibility And Growth Performance Of Beef Cattle, L. A. Stalker, D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three experiments evaluated the influence of supplementation frequency of distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) on forage digestibility (Exp. 1) and growth of yearling heifers (Exp. 2) and steers (Exp. 3). In Exp. 1, 6 steers (371 ± 30 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three 21-d periods. Treatments were DDGS fed at 16.7% of the diet (DM) either 1) daily, 2) every other day, or 3) every third day. In Exp. 2, 48 heifers (193 ± 20 kg) were fed hay and supplemented with the daily equivalent of 1.3 kg/ heifer of …

Age And Diet Affect Gene Expression Profile In Canine Skeletal Muscle, Ingmar S. Middelbos, Brittany M. Vester, Lisa K. Karr-Lilienthal, Lawrence B. Schook, Kelly S. Swanson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We evaluated gene transcription in canine skeletal muscle (biceps femoris) using microarray analysis to identify effects of age and diet on gene expression. Twelve female beagles were used (six 1-year olds and six 12-year olds) and they were fed one of two experimental diets for 12 months. One diet contained primarily plant-based protein sources (PPB), whereas the second diet contained primarily animal-based protein sources (APB). Affymetrix GeneChip Canine Genome Arrays were used to hybridize extracted RNA. Age had the greatest effect on gene transcription (262 differentially expressed genes), whereas the effect of diet was relatively small (22 differentially expressed genes). …

Performance And Digestibility Characteristics Of Finishing Diets Containing Distillers Grains, Composites Of Corn Processing Coproducts, Or Supplemental Corn Oil, K. J. Vander Pol, Matt K. Luebbe, G. I. Crawford, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three experiments evaluated the lipids in distillers grains plus solubles compared with corn or other sources of lipid in finishing diets. Experiment 1 utilized 60 individually fed yearling heifers (349 ± 34 kg) fed treatments consisting of 0, 20, or 40% (DM basis) wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), or 0, 2.5, or 5.0% (DM basis) corn oil in a finishing diet based on high-moisture corn (HMC) and dry-rolled corn (DRC). Cattle fed 20 and 40% WDGS had greater (P < 0.10) G:F than cattle fed 0% WDGS. Cattle fed the 5.0% corn oil had lower overall performance than cattle fed the other diets. Results from Exp. 1 indicated that adding fat from WDGS improves performance, whereas supplementing 5.0% corn oil depressed G:F, suggesting that the fat within WDGS is different than corn oil. Experiment 2 used 234 yearling steers (352 ± 16 kg) fed 1 of 5 treatments consisting of 20 or 40% (DM basis) dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), 1.3% or 2.6% (DM basis) tallow, or HMC. All diets contained 20% (DM basis) wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) as a method of controlling acidosis. No differences between treatments for any performance parameters were observed in Exp. 2. The DDGS may be similar to tallow and HMC in finishing diets containing 20% WCGF. Experiment 3 used 5 Holstein steers equipped with ruminal and duodenal cannulas in a 5x5 Latin square design. Treatments were a 40% WDGS diet, 2 composites, one consisting of corn bran and corn gluten meal (COMP), and one consisting of corn bran, corn gluten meal, and corn oil (COMP + OIL), and 2 DRC-based diets supplemented with corn oil (CON + OIL) or not (CON). Cattle fed the WDGS diet had numerically lower rumen pH compared with cattle fed other treatments. Cattle fed WDGS had greater (P < 0.10) molar proportions of propionate, lower (P < 0.10) acetate:propionate ratios, greater (P < 0.10) total tract fat digestion, and a greater (P < 0.10) proportion of unsaturated fatty acids reaching the duodenum than cattle fed other treatments. Therefore, the higher energy value of WDGS compared with corn may be due to more propionate production, higher fat digestibility, and more unsaturated fatty acids reaching the duodenum.

Macronutrient Removal By Muskmelons Grown On Calcareous Soils, John L. Jifon, Gene Lester, Mike Stewart

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Advances in understanding plant physiology and nutrient requirements now allow growers to supply crops with sufficient nutrients to optimize growth and yield. However, for certain high value horticultural crops, fertilizer requirements for optimum yields often differ from the requirements for quality traits such as taste, flavor, texture and shelf‐life. Timing of fertilizer application, as well as soil and plant factors, are also critical in quality considerations. Currently, there are no nutrient management guidelines for optimizing produce quality even though certain nutrient elements such as potassium (K) are known to influence quality development. Information on nutrient uptake and removal …

Natural Enemies Of The Coccinellidae: Parasites, Pathogens, And Parasitoids, E. W. Riddick, T. E. Cottrell, K. A. Kidd

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

We review aspects of the life histories of representative enemies of coccinellids (both entomophagous and phytophagous species) and expose both potential and real effects that they have on life parameters of their hosts. Lady beetles are attacked by a variety of natural enemies (bacteria, fungi, mites, nematodes, protozoa, wasps, flies). Few of these enemies have the ability to alter significantly the population dynamics of their hosts. This review should encourage further research to help define the role of natural enemies in the population dynamics of coccinellids. Ultimately, the conservation of beneficial lady beetles and the management of nuisance and pestiferous …

Coccinellidae As Predators Of Mites: Stethorini In Biological Control, David J. Biddinger, Donald D. Weber, Larry A. Hull

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The Stethorini are unique among the Coccinellidae in specializing on mites (principally Tetranychidae) as prey. Consisting of 90 species in two genera, Stethorus and Parasthethorus, the tribe is practically cosmopolitan. The Stethorini are found in a diverse range of habitats, including many agricultural systems such as pome and stone fruits, brambles, tree nuts, citrus, avocadoes, bananas, papaya, palms, tea, cassava, maize, strawberries, vegetables, and cotton, as well as ornamental plantings, grasslands, forests, and heathlands. Tetranychid mite outbreaks became common in many agricultural systems only after World War II, when widespread use of broad-spectrum insecticides increased. Stethorini were initially appreciated …

From Parasite Genomes To One Healthy World: Are We Having Fun Yet?, Dante Zarlenga, Louis C. Gasbarre

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

In 1990, the Human Genome Sequencing Project was established. This laid the ground work for an explosion of sequence data that has since followed. As a result of this effort, the first complete genome of an animal, Caenorhabditis elegans was published in 1998. The sequence of Drosophila melanogaster was made available in March, 2000 and in the following year, working drafts of the human genome were generated with the completed sequence (92%) being released in 2003. Recent advancements and next-generation technologies have made sequencing common place and have infiltrated every aspect of biological research, including parasitology. To date, sequencing of …

Fasting Lowers Gastrin-Releasing Peptide And Fsh Mrna In The Ovine Anterior Pituitary Gland, A. M. Fuller, K. J. Austin, A. J. Roberts, G. E. Moss, B. M. Alexander

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Estrogen receptor beta (ER-β), LH, and FSH are important mediators of reproduction. Follicle recruitment and development is stimulated by FSH. During anorexia, serum concentrations of FSH and LH decrease. Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), neuromedin B (NMB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorgamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) and thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) are important metabolic regulators expressed in the anterior pituitary gland (AP). Gastrin-releasing peptide stimulates release of ACTH, is associated with melanocortin in regulating food intake, and is a regulatory peptide in the female reproductive tract. In cattle, pituitary GRP expression was markedly up-regulated after resumption of estrus following parturition, indicating a connection between gene …

Winter Cereals As A Pasture-Hay System In Montana, A. N. Hafla, S. D. Cash, L. M. M. Surber, J. A. Paterson, A. W. Lenssen, A. L. Todd, M. Huffman

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

In 2006-2008 ‘Willow Creek’ winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and ‘Trical 102’ triticale (X Triticosecale Wttn.) were evaluated, under dryland conditions, for biomass production and forage quality under grazing and haying systems. Grazing enclosures were constructed in uniform sites of the fields. Each enclosure was randomly assigned a treatment (date to be grazed) and a replication (r = 3 in 2006 and 2008, r = 4 in 2007). For the hay-only component, cereals were harvested at the anthesis stage (A). For pasture, the cereals were subjected to a single grazing event at three stages of maturity, vegetative …

Growth Endocrine Axis And Bovine Chromosome 5: Association Of Snp Genotypes And Reproductive Phenotypes In An Angus, Brahman And Romosinuano Diallele, P. Luna-Nevarez, G. Rincon, D. G. Riley, C. C. Chase Jr., J. F. Medrano, D. Vanleeuwen, G. A. Silver, M. G. Thomas

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The growth endocrine axis influences reproduction. A QTL associated with enhanced ovulation exists on chromosome 5 in cattle and there are 6 genes underlying this region involved in the mechanisms of GH action. Resequencing exons, 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions and conserved non-coding regions of these genes in a multibreed resource population revealed 75 SNP usable for genotype to phenotype association studies. In the current study, phenotypes included age at first calving, calving interval, days to calving, and pregnancy rate. Data were collected from developing heifers (n = 650) of a diallele composed of Angus, Brahman, and Romosinuano breeds. A …

Increasing Glucogenic Precursors In Range Supplements Improves Reproductive Efficiency And Profitability In Young Postpartum Range Cows In Years 2000 To 2007., J. T. Mulliniks, S. H. Cox, M. E. Kemp, R. L. Endecott, R. C. Waterman, D. M. Vanleeuwen, M. K. Peterson

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Reproductive efficiency in young beef cows is often compromised due to a mismatch of physiological demands and suboptimal environmental conditions. Studies conducted at the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center from 2000 to 2007 evaluated 3 postpartum supplement strategies increasing in glucogenic precursors (GP). Reproductive variables, milk production, and serum metabolites were used to assess supplement effectiveness and economics associated with young beef cow production (n = 379) on native range. Supplements were individually fed 2×/wk at 1135 g/d (2003-2004) or 908 g/d (all other yr) and provided: 1) 327 g CP, 109-118 g undegradable intake protein ( …

Implications Of Going Against The Dogma Of Feed Them To Breed Them, A. J. Roberts, E. E. Grings, M. D. Macneil, R. C. Waterman, L. Alexander, T. W. Geary

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Effects of providing differing levels of harvested feed during postweaning development and subsequent winters on reproduction, BW, BCS, and calf BW were evaluated in heifers produced over a 7-yr period from dams fed levels of harvested feed from Dec to March that were expected to be marginal (MARG) or adequate (ADEQ), based on average quality and availability of winter forage. Heifers were either fed to appetite (CON) or restricted fed at 80 % of that consumed by CON on common BW basis (REST) for 140-d period from about 2 mo after weaning to 1 mo before breeding. Heifers were managed …