Digital Commons Network^™

Gods' Man, Lynd Ward

Zea E-Books Collection

Lynd Ward (1905–1985) was born in Chicago and studied at Columbia Teachers College in New York City and at the National Academy of Graphic Arts and Bookmaking in Leipzig, Germany. He began working as a book illustrator in 1927, and in 1929 published this first “wordless novel,” Gods’ Man. He eventually published five more such works, as well as illustrations for more than 100 other books, plus drawings, lithographs, watercolors, and children’s stories.

Gods’ Man is credited as the first American wordless novel. It tells a story about a struggling young artist who makes a pact with a mysterious …

Evaluating Cow/Calf And Stocker Performance When Grazing Sudangrass With And Without Sunnhemp, Shelby L. Davis-Jenkins, Daren D. Redfearn, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Sudangrass can provide high-quality summer forage, supporting cow/calf pairs and growing cattle. In this study, sudangrass or a sudangrass–sunnhemp mix was grazed over two years by cow/calf pairs and heavy stockers (~880 lb). There was no difference in carrying capacity between forage types. Sunnhemp inclusion had no effect on cow body condition or nursing calf gain. Cows maintained condition through peak lactation, and nursing calves gained 2.27 lb/day. Stockers gained 1.56 lb/day on sudangrass alone and 1.73 lb/day on the mix. However, the added seed cost of sunnhemp increased the cost of gain in year 1 and …

Effect Of Corn Harvest With A Chopping Head On Performance Of Cattle Grazing Corn Residue, Conner K. Biehler, Mary E. Drewnoski, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

The effects of harvesting corn using a chopping vs a standard, non-chopping combine head on steer performance when grazing corn residue were evaluated. Steers were supplemented with dry distillers grains at 0.6% of initial body weight. The amount of corn residue mass and the quality of the husk did not differ between harvest methods. Steer gains were over twice as high in year 2 (2.10 lb/d) than year 1 (0.76 lb/d), potentially due to greater husk digestibility and milder winter conditions. Corn residue harvested with a standard combine head resulted in a slightly higher average daily gain …

Artificial Insemination Of Beef Heifers With Multi-Sire Semen, Dempster M. Christenson, Jordan M. Thomas, Daniel J. Kelly, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study compared pregnancy rates of beef heifers artificially inseminated with multi-sire semen to single-sire semen. It was hypothesized pregnancy rates resulting from multi-sire semen would be increased compared to single-sire semen. Heifers were artificially inseminated with semen from one of three sires or semen from a combination of the same three sires. Pregnancy rates did not significantly differ. Paternity testing suggests sire parentage can be unequal when semen is mixed from multiple sires. In summary, similar pregnancy rates were observed using single-sire and multi-sire semen, but progeny may have unequal sire representation.

Supplementing Monensin And Rumen Undegradable Protein To Late-Gestation Heifers, Dempster M. Christenson, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study evaluates the effects of supplementing late-gestation heifers with rumen-undegradable protein and monensin on weight gain, feed efficiency, and reproductive performance, and subsequent impact on progeny. We hypothesized that supplementation would enhance growth and feed efficiency, ultimately improving cow and calf performance. Previously synchronized artificially inseminated heifers were fed ad libitum hay for 89 d prior to calving. Feed was top dressed with chelated mineral with or without monensin, dried distillers’ grains, or dried distillers’ grains and monensin. Supplementation with rumen undegradable protein increased growth rate and decreased calving difficulty with no further effects on cow …

Effect Of Feeding Whole Soybeans, Roasted Soybeans, Or Distillers Grains In Silage-Based Growing Beef Diets, Melissa K. Bausch, Rebecca Mcdermott, Jim C. Macdonald, Pablo L. Loza, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

An individual feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding raw whole soybeans (WSB), roasted whole (RSB) soybeans or distillers grains (MDGS) at three inclusions (7%, 14%, or 21% of diet dry matter) on growing performance, compared to a common control diet (0%) with urea. The greater inclusions of roasted soybeans or distillers grains increased gain and efficiency in growing cattle. Cattle fed the 21% inclusion of roasted soybeans were the most efficient, likely due to the protected protein increasing rumen undegradable protein content, and the additional energy from the higher levels of fat and …

Live Biomass Estimation With Canopeo In Rangeland Systems, Hannah K. Allen, Mitchell B. Stephenson, Daniel R. Uden

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This project evaluated Canopeo, a free smartphone app that estimates fractional green canopy cover (FGCC), as a tool for monitoring aboveground biomass in Nebraska Sandhills rangelands. Live biomass was significantly higher in August than in June with some variability by year. FGCC showed a moderately strong relationship with current-year live biomass collected in either June or August. These results indicate that, in addition to producers’ field knowledge, Canopeo images taken with a smartphone or digital camera can offer a quick, visual estimate of forage conditions. This method may help reduce the need for labor intensive and destructive …

Effect Of An Accelerated Adaptation Protocol On Performance And Health Of Feedlot Steers Drenched With Lactipro, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Samuel E. Loy, Isaque F. Vicci, Mark Corrigan, Braden C. Troyer, Galen E. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A finishing study evaluated the effects of an accelerated adaptation protocol in conjunction with Lactipro on performance and health of steers. Five adaptation programs were evaluated with steers adapted to a finishing diet in 21, 14, 7, or 0 days. An additional accelerated adaptation program provided intensive feed delivery with 0-d adaptation. Cattle assigned to the 21-d and 0-d adaptations gained faster and consequently had greater HCW compared to the 7-d and 14-d adaptation, resulting in a quadratic response for ADG and HCW. The 0-d adaptation with intensive feed delivery had similar ADG and HCW compared to …

Energy Value Of High-Moisture Corn In Feedlot Cattle Diets Derived Through Meta-Analysis, Alfredo Dicostanzo

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Cattle feeders or their nutritionists who rely on high-moisture corn (HMC) use a standard adjustment to energy content of the diet based on observation or previous research reports. Because moisture content of HMC is the result of many field and harvest factors, a common adjustment to the energy value of HMC applied to all conditions may not be appropriate. The hypothesis that moisture content of HMC determines its energy concentration was tested. Through a meta-analysis, it was determined that feed intake was depressed while energy content of HMC increased at greater moisture content. A simple method to …

Effects Of Feeding Raw Soybeans Or Roasted Soybeans To Feedlot Steers, Melissa K. Bausch, Jim C. Macdonald, Pablo L. Loza, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study compared feeding raw or roasted soybeans, soybean meal, or distillers grains to a dry-rolled corn with urea control on finishing cattle performance and carcass traits. Cattle fed roasted soybeans had improved marbling and gained more weight over the feeding period than cattle fed whole soybeans. Feed conversion was improved in the steers fed the roasted and whole soybean containing diets over steers that consumed the distillers grains diet. Cattle fed soybean meal and distillers grains had similar performance and carcass characteristics in this experiment. Cattle fed soybeans, soybean meal, or distillers had better gains …

Effect Of Using Either Synovex Primer Or Synovex Choice Compared To Not Implanting On The Performance Of Growing Steers, Sawyer D. Starrett, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Pedro Henrique Jota Fernandes, Dirk Burken, Jessica L. Sperber, Galen E. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 120-day winter-growing study utilized 576 head of steers to evaluate three dry lot implant strategies on the growth of steers. The three implanting strategies included a non-implanted control, Synovex® Primer™, or Synovex Choice®. While on harvested corn residue fields, steers were supplemented with 4 lb Sweet Bran and 0.375 lb of a vitamin and mineral package. The targeted gain for the non-implanted control was 1.25 lb/d. Both Synovex Primer and Synovex Choice increased ADG over the non-implanted control cattle by 7.5% and 12.7%, respectively. Additionally, Synovex Choice had a 4.8% increase in ADG over Synovex Primer. …

Evaluation Of Ferappease Administered At Arrival And Time Of Reimplant On Feedlot Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Yearling Beef Steers, Carsten L. Loseke, Galen E. Erickson, Jessica L. Sperber

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Cattle experience stress in the feedlot during handling events such as initial processing and reimplant that can negatively impact morbidity and mortality, feedlot performance, and carcass outcomes. Application of a maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS) marketed as FerAppease (FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals) has been hypothesized to mitigate stress in cattle. A commercial feedlot study compared the effectiveness of FerAppease applied in 10mL doses to yearling native beef steers at initial processing and reimplant to a placebo product on cattle performance, morbidity and mortality parameters, and carcass traits. Steers administered FerAppease tended to have improved feed conversion on …

Effect Of Feed Access Time On Feedlot Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Feeding Behavior And Ruminal Ph, Carsten L. Loseke, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Josh R. Benton, Keara O'Reilly, Galen E. C. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Bunk management is crucial for modern feedlots, and understanding the ideal time to target a slick bunk is important. A feedlot study compared the effect of providing finishing cattle with 12, 15, 18, 21, or 24 hours of access to feed on performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behavior, and ruminal pH. As access time to feed increased, feed intake and day-to-day variation of feed intake increased linearly, while gain and feed conversion were unchanged. Cattle with greater access time to feed spent more time per day at the bunk, and consumed feed more slowly. A cubic effect on …

Evaluation Of Lysoforte Extend On Rumen Fermentation Parameters, Rumen And Total Tract Digestion, And Fatty Acid Digestion, Anna Kobza, Dalton Anderson, Jerilyn Hergenreder, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Supplemental fat fed in finishing diets in recent years has generally increased in price. This digestibility study evaluated LYSOFORTE Extend, a lysophospholipid based nutritional emulsifier, in beef finishing diets containing tallow or corn oil. Five ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers were used in a 5 × 5 Latin Square design. Treatments followed a 2 × 2 +1 factorial: 1) No Oil (negative control), 2) Corn Oil (3.5%), 3) Tallow (3.5%), 4) Corn Oil + LFE (8 g/d), and 5) Tallow + LFE (8 g/d). Cattle fed the negative control diet had greater dry matter intake than cattle …

Evaluation Of Renergy On Finishing Steer Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, And Liver Abscess Prevalence And Severity, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Jeff Heldt, Pablo L. Loza, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study evaluated the effects of Renergy™ (Selko USA) and Rumensin® (Elanco Animal Health) on growth performance, carcass traits, and liver abscess severity in finishing beef cattle. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, cattle were fed one of four diets: control (no additive), Renergy, Rumensin, or both additives combined. A significant interaction between Renergy and Rumensin was observed for feed conversion, with a tendency for interaction in dry matter intake (DMI). Cattle fed Renergy tended to have lower DMI and lower average daily gain, though DMI did not differ between cattle fed both additives and …

Evaluation Of Enteric Methane From Cattle Adapted Using Ramp Vs. A Traditional Forage Program Stepped Up To Different Finishing Diets, Jack T. Fort, Isaque F. Vicci, Josh R. Benton, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Jim C. Macdonald, Maggie E. Youngers, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 93-day finishing experiment evaluated feeding RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair NE) during diet adaptation and finishing diet containing 20% Sweet Bran compared to a traditional adaptation program using forage with a finishing diet without Sweet Bran on methane and carbon dioxide production, animal performance and carcass characteristics in beef steers. Cattle were measured using a calorimetry emission barn to quantify the production of methane and carbon dioxide during step 1 of adaptation and 1 time during finishing diet. Feeding RAMP did not significantly reduce methane but did reduce the ratio of methane to carbon dioxide during …

Evaluation Of Enteric Methane From Cattle Adapted To The Same Finishing Diet Using Ramp Versus Forage, Jack T. Fort, Isaque F. Vicci, Josh R. Benton, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Jim C. Macdonald, Maggie E. Youngers, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 139-day finishing experiment evaluating the effects of feeding RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair NE) during diet adaptation compared to a traditional forage program on methane and carbon dioxide emissions was done to corroborate a previous study (2025 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 55-58). Cattle were measured using a calorimetry emission barn to quantify the production of methane and carbon dioxide during step 1 of adaptation and 1 time during a common finishing diet. Feeding RAMP had no statistical reduction in methane or carbon dioxide production during step 1. When cattle were fed the same finishing …

Health Indicators Worsened By Moderate-Intensity Heat Stress Are Only Partially Recovered By Ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation, Melanie R. White, Shelley A. Curry, Ashley A. Hahn, Jessica L. Petersen, Ty B. Schmidt, Dustin T. Yates

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Heat stress throughout the summer and into the fall is a persistent hurdle for growing and finishing cattle in Nebraska. Minimizing the impact of heat on growth and well-being of cattle is critical to the productivity and profitability of beef production. This project aimed to evaluate the effect of an anti-inflammatory dietary supplement, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA), on physiological indicators of stress during a 4-day moderate-intensity heat challenge. Heat stress elevated core body temperature and respiration rates as expected but did not impact circulating inflammatory biomarkers. Heart rate variability measurements indicative of adrenergic stress and …

Modulation Of Heat Stress Responses In Cattle Supplemented With Dietary Ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Shelley A. Curry, Melanie R. White, Ashley A. Hahn, Dustin T. Yates

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Heat stress in beef cattle triggers physiological and metabolic disturbances that compromise performance, health, and welfare. In this study, Red Angus heifers exposed to heat stress for 5 days exhibited elevated body temperatures, increased heart and respiration rates, and altered hematological and acid–base parameters. A commercial ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) dietary supplement failed to improve heat stress-reduced ribeye area or red blood cell parameters but did resolve the reduction in blood chloride concentrations, which is consistent with restoration of electrolyte balance and hydration under heat stressed conditions. These results indicate that ω-3 PUFA supplementation offers some …

Impact Of Storage And Cooking Temperature On Listeria Innocua Growth In Plant-Based And Beef Proteins, Esther Vanoverbeke, Oliver Munezero, Gary A. Sullivan, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria spp., is a food-borne illness, that accounts for 260 deaths annually. The objective of this study was to identify how storage method and cooking temperature impacts Listeria innocua growth in ground beef and plant-based protein patties. Patties (162 ground beef; 162 plant-based) were used in 3 replications. For each replication, patties were either inoculated (1×108 CFU) or not inoculated and stored for 26 hr at refrigeration, freezer, or room temperature. Three patties per storage method were cooked to either 145°F or 165°F and were plated before/after cooking. Nine patties …

Inclusion Of Palm Oil Products In Finishing Diets On Ground Beef Quality And Retail Stability, Anna Kobza, Galen E. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald, Mitch L. Norman, Josh R. Benton, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Long Zou, Kyra L. Elliott, Anna G. Hilton, Chad A. Russell, Jessie C. Morrill

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Rising costs and availability of supplemental fats have increased interest in alternative fat sources in feedlot finishing diets, including palm oils. This experiment evaluated how refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm oil products included in the diet of feedlot finishing steers affect beef fat color and ground beef shelf-life. Steers were fed diets with no supplemental fat (No Oil), corn oil (Corn Oil), whole palm (Whole Palm), palm stearin (Stearin), or palm olein (Olein) at 4% dietary DM. Subcutaneous fat from cattle fed corn oil was more yellow than that from No Oil or palm oils. Ground …

Development Of A Shelf-Stable Proxy For Camera-Based Beef Grading Systems, Anna G. Hilton, Jessie C. Morrill

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

The American Meat Science Association's USDA Grading Committee recently expressed the need for a proxy device to verify that various camera grading systems produce consistent readings. To fulfill this need, we developed a proxy device made from 3D printed epoxy resin and other materials. The proxy was designed to have a known fat thickness and ribeye area. The proxy has a ribeye area of approximately 14 square inches and a fat thickness that ranges from 0.4 - 0.6 inches depending on the exact measurement location. The amount of marbling in the proxy can be adjusted incrementally and …

Prediction Of Intramuscular Fat Content Of Beef Longissimus Muscle, Kyra L. Elliott, Willy J. Horne, Bucky L. Gwartney, Jessie C. Morrill

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

In this study, we report the percentage of extractable intramuscular fat that is associated with beef longissimus muscle from a range of USDA marbling scores. The marbling scores were determined by two beef grading camera systems. We also assessed the utility of an open-source imaging software (ImageJ) for objectively quantifying the percentage of intramuscular fat, represented by pixels, in digital images of beef longissimus muscle.

Are Midwest Region Extension Professionals Prepared To Answer Food Safety Questions About Various Meat Products?, Esther Vanoverbeke, Byron D. Chaves

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Forty-eight million consumers in the U.S. get a foodborne illness each year; 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die. Approximately one-third of those illnesses are related to animal-based foods, including meat. With meat-like alternatives being more readily available, it is critical to ensure these foods are handled appropriately to reduce foodborne illnesses. This project evaluated the food safety knowledge of extension professionals related to plant-based products and meat alternatives. A survey was distributed via the North Central Region Extension Center to Extension professionals (N=52). Most respondents, 58%, neither agreed or disagreed that plant-based meats/meat alternatives are microbiologically riskier …

2026 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The 2026 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report brings together applied research, emerging technologies, and management insights that directly address the evolving challenges and opportunities facing today’s beef industry. This year’s collection includes 36 articles that span the full beef production system, from cow/calf and forage management to feedlot nutrition, animal health, behavior, meat quality, and sustainability, providing science-based guidance grounded in real-world production contexts.

Cow/Calf Nutrition, Reproduction, and Management

This section highlights management strategies that influence reproductive success and long-term herd performance. Articles focus on late-gestation heifer nutrition and practical applications of artificial insemination to support efficient, productive cow/calf systems.

Forage, …

Restoring The Fair Cross-Section Guarantee Of The Constitutional Right To An “Impartial Jury”: A Critical Examination Of The Nebraska Court System’S Systemic Default And The Supreme Court’S January 2026 Reform Of The Juror Questionnaire And Jury Data Rules, Russell E. Lovell Ii, David S. Walker

Nebraska Law Review

This Article will analyze the comprehensive demographic jury data reforms adopted by the Nebraska Supreme Court through new Court Rules and a new Juror Qualification Form (“Questionnaire”) promulgated October 2024 (“January 2026 Reforms”) and effective January 1, 2026. The Court has embraced major reforms that are cause for optimism that the Court will continue the journey to reinvigorate the guarantee that juries be drawn from a fair cross-section of the community served by the trial court as required by the Sixth Amendment and the Nebraska Jury Selection Act of 1979 (“NJSA”).

The full significance of these reforms may not be …

The Second Amendment Rights Of Undocumented Immigrants, Alan Mygatt-Tauber

Nebraska Law Review

In the 2008 case, District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court, for the first time, held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms. Challenges to various federal gun control laws immediately followed, including challenges to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(a), which prohibits possession by an undocumented immigrant. Between 2008 and 2022, courts faced with challenges to § 922(g)(5)(a) universally upheld it. Then the Court decided New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, in which it discarded the means-end balancing tests the courts of appeals had adopted, instead preferring a test focused on “history and …

Principle Over Pedigree: United States V. Rahimi, Post-Ratification History, And The Case For Justice Barrett’S Approach, Joel Myers

Nebraska Law Review

Four years ago, the Supreme Court revolutionized Second Amendment law in New York Rifle & Pistol Ass’n, Inc. v. Bruen by instituting a test concentrated on text, history, and tradition. To uphold a firearm regulation, the government must demonstrate a relevantly similar historical analogue. Shortly after, the Court affirmed but clarified its position in United States v. Rahimi by performing the Bruen analysis at a higher level of generality and rejecting a challenge to 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8). The Court’s evolving Second Amendment jurisprudence offers fertile ground for the Court’s originalists to elucidate their perception of constitutional interpretation. In Rahimi, Justice …

Touchdown: Upholding Precedent For Proper Venue In United States V. Lozoya, Mikayla Gross

Nebraska Law Review

“The friendly skies are not always so friendly.” This Note supports the Ninth Circuit’s en banc opinion in United States v. Lozoya, which determined that the landing district is the proper venue for prosecuting in-flight crime. The Ninth Circuit’s en banc ruling overturned the requirement to prosecute in-flight crimes in flyover districts, which created practical and evidentiary burdens for the prosecution and defense. The establishment of the landing district as the proper venue for in-flight crime prosecution promotes practical adjudication, justice for victims, constitutionally sound trials for defendants, uniformity for inflight prosecution, and encompasses Congress’s intent when enacting 18 U.S.C. …

Toward A General Legislative Presumption Of Probation In Nebraska, Velma Lockman

Nebraska Law Review

“It is curious that the Legislature has chosen to give a presumption of probation for more serious felony offenses, but not for lesser misdemeanor offenses.” With those words, Judge Bishop concluded a heart-wrenching opinion in State v. Anderson, which upheld Courtney Anderson’s sentence of 240 days in jail. Despite being sentenced for a first offense Class I misdemeanor and nearly every sentencing factor counseling in favor of probation, the district court decided to separate Ms. Anderson from her two children, one of whom was a newborn. A combination of the Nebraska Supreme Court’s highly deferential standard of review for excessive …