Life Sciences Commons^™

Beefsd: An Integrated And Intensive Extension Curriculum For Beginning Beef Cattle Producers, Krista A. Ehlert, Amanda D. Blair, Stacy Hadrick, Ken Olson

The Journal of Extension

There is a strong need to increase the opportunities for and success of the next generation of beef cattle producers. South Dakota State University Extension provides a 2-year educational program called “beefSD;” the purpose is to provide producers with a holistic view of the beef industry, an appreciation for utilizing adaptive management to respond to challenges and opportunities, and skills to assess and manage factors that influence overall operation sustainability. The curriculum has four major components: 1) in person workshops, case studies, interactive webinars, and homework 2) out-of-state learning experiences, 3) ranch to rail program, and 4) networking and mentoring.

Investigation Of Breeding Objectives And Indexes-In-Retrospect, Hunter F. Valasek

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis presents two projects that investigate the impacts of breeding objectives and indexes-in-retrospect within the beef cattle industry. The first project synthesized how changes due to planning horizon, breeding system, and sale endpoint in the economic breeding goal of cattle influence the relative emphasis of traits as well as the re-ranking of selection candidates. A total of three breeding systems that represent straightbred and crossbred cattle were used along with six planning horizons (2, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 yrs.) for both a weaning and slaughter point of sale. The combination of these different breeding objective attributes resulted …

Genetic Evaluation Of Enteric Methane For Sustainable Irish Beef Cattle, Clodagh Ryan

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Background:

Globally, livestock agriculture significantly contributes to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through methane production. A potential approach to effectively, durably, and progressively reduce enteric methane emissions at a reasonable cost is through animal breeding.

Methods:

Individual animal methane records were available from 1,508 multi-breed growing beef cattle using GreenFeed Emission Monitoring systems. The objective of this study was to derive genetic parameters for a series of definitions of enteric methane, carbon dioxide, and dry matter intake (DMI). Estimated breeding values (EBVs) were generated for nine alternative definitions of enteric methane and EBVs were validated against phenotypic performance (adjusted for …

Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course: Program Evaluation, Nicola Oosthuizen, Pedro Fontes, Graham C. Lamb, Jason J. Cleere

The Journal of Extension

Survey results (n = 3,748) collected over a period of 7 years from the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course (BCSC) were analyzed to evaluate course demographics and the impact of the course on attendees. Results of this survey demonstrate that attendee demographics of the BCSC are representative of beef cattle producers in the United States and that the BCSC is effective at delivering information that positively impacts beef production in Texas. Extension professionals can make use of these findings to tailor future education programs to better serve the needs of beef cattle producers nation-wide.

Increasing Efficiency Of Finishing Beef Production: Strategies To Optimize Starch Digestion, Improve Flake Quality, And Reduce Methane Emissions, Ronald J. Trotta

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

To continue to meet the demands of increasing food production and environmental sustainability, new strategies are needed to enhance the efficiency of finishing cattle production. A review of the literature identified several nutritional and physiological constraints that limit the ability for cattle to digest starch and absorb glucose from the small intestine. Comparative sequencing analyses revealed a missing region of the sucrase-isomaltase protein which could affect the capacity for starch digestion in cattle. Post-flaking sampling and handling recommendations were generated based on a series of experiments to improve estimates of starch availability and flaking consistency for commercial feedlots and laboratories. …

Clearing The Air Between Methane And Commercial Beef Cattle In Ireland, Clodagh V. Ryan

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Background

Rumen methanogenesis is the single most significant source of anthropogenic methane (CH₄) emissions. This research aimed to analyse CH₄ data recorded by GreenFeed systems by assessing the repeatability of such phenotypic measures, estimating the heritability of CH₄, and generating CH₄ estimated breeding values (EBVs) for inclusion in the national breeding index_.

Methods

CH₄ measurements were recorded on 979 cattle for 20 to 83 days using GreenFeed machines, resulting in 211,136 individual CH₄ observations. The phenotypic repeatability of CH₄ was estimated for six different averaging periods using a linear mixed …

Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Two Contrasting Beef Systems From Birth To Slaughter In Eastern Nebraska, Levi Mcphillips

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Over the last 15 years, the increase in land use for corn and soybean has come at the expense of acres of grasslands and perennial forages employed in conventional beef-production systems. Implementing alternative cow-calf production systems into existing cropping systems may be a solution for reduced land availability and reducing total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Therefore, GHG from a conventional (CONV) pasture-based cattle production system with cows wintered on corn residue and summer grazing of brome pasture were compared to partial-confinement system (ALT) with cows and calves in a drylot during the summer and grazing cover crops and corn residue …

Estimation Of Breed Effects And Genetic Parameters For Age At Slaughter And Days To Finish In A Multibreed Beef Cattle Population, Lindsay Upperman

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Cattle efficiency during the finishing phase is a crucial factor in determining profit in the beef cattle industry. Economically relevant traits associated with efficient production include age at slaughter (AAS) and days to finish (DtF). Selection to reduce the number of days an animal takes to reach a finish endpoint would ultimately reduce production costs, increase net profits, and result in a more sustainable production system. However, most harvested animals are from commercial herds, necessitating the use of indicator traits from seedstock animals for selection. Potential indicator traits include ultrasound measurements that could be genetically correlated to DtF traits. The …

Understanding Rumen Microbial Community Structure And Function Towards Decreasing Methane Emissions, Allison L. Knoell

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Resource use is continually being limited due to this growth, therefore, production of high-quality animal protein sources, such as meat and milk, are challenged. The rumen microbiome is extensive and serves to provide several metabolic requirements for the animal for growth. Recently, a significant amount of research is being driven towards understanding the rumen microbiome due to its large effect on metabolic requirements.

A study was conducted to replace alfalfa with nonforage fiber sources in dairy cows. It was determined milk yield and intake are maintained when nonforage fibers replace forage sources, while decreasing methane levels. Water consumption decreased when …

Estancia Vs. Kentucky 31: Examining Leaf Nutrient Content Of Established Tall Fescue, Macie W. Clark

MSU Graduate Theses

In 2020 Missouri ranked third in beef cattle production and second in hay production. As part of the fescue belt of the United States, Missouri’s agricultural industries rely on tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb.) as a main forage crop. Two major disorders in cattle grazing tall fescue are fescue toxicosis and grass tetany. Fescue toxicosis occurs when animals consume toxic ergot alkaloids produced by an endophyte within the tall fescue plants. The most commonly grown tall fescue variety, Kentucky 31, is infected with the toxic endophyte. Varieties containing a novel non-toxic endophyte, such as Estancia, have been developed to …

Establishing Agroforestry Silvopasture Systems In The Missouri Ozark Region, Kara Lynn Powelson

MSU Graduate Theses

The Missouri Ozarks is located in the south-central part of Missouri, ranging from the very southwest corner of the state and east to St. Louis. This region is enriched with large dense populations of oak and hickory tree species, while also being occupied with prime forage pastures for livestock grazing. Missouri is ranked second in the nation for farming operations and hay production, while also third in the nation for beef cow number of head (MDA 2021). The objective of this study is to observe the establishment of two separate silvopasture systems: a planted walnut plantation and a converted silvopasture. …

Mosaic Agriculture: A Guide To Irrigated Crop And Forage Production In Northern Wa, Geoff A. Moore Mr, Clinton K. Revell Dr, Christopher Schelfhout Dr, Christopher Ham Mr, Samuel Crouch Mr

Bulletins 4000 -

The Bulletin is a comprehensive guide for pastoralists, agronomists, agribusiness and the broader community on the growing of irrigated crops and pastures within a rangeland pastoral setting.

Dispersed irrigation developments on stations throughout the northern rangelands (sometimes referred to as mosaic agriculture) has created opportunities for the introduction of more productive forage species and pastoralists can now grow high quality forage for 12 months of the year. This can help to overcome the key constraint of traditional pastoral systems, the low quality of the feed over the dry season that typically results in stock losing condition.

Exploring How Maternal Phosphorus Status Affects Calf Growth And Performance, Elizabeth Lafferty, Beth Kegley, Brittni Littlejohn, Jeremy Powell

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Phosphorus is an important component of bodily functions and is critical for adequate growth and development. This experiment evaluated the effect of maternal phosphorus intake on the growth and health of the calves. Treatments were 1) a free-choice mineral containing no supplemental P or 2) a free-choice mineral with 4% supplemental phosphorus. Primiparous, or pregnant for the first time, crossbred Angus beef cows (n = 36) were stratified by body weight and pregnancy status (bred by artificial insemination or natural service) then assigned to pasture groups (4 groups, 2/treatment, 9 heifers/group). These bred heifers had been receiving these same dietary …

Interaction Of Urea With Frequency And Amount Of Distillers Grains Supplementation For Growing Steers On A High Forage Diet, Haley F. Linder

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Two studies were conducted to determine interactions of urea inclusion to a dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) supplement fed at two amounts and two frequencies to steers on a high forage diet. In Exp. 1, 120 steers were fed individually for 84 d. Steers received ad libitum grass hay and 1 of 8 treatments. Supplement was fed either every day (D) or 3x/week (ALT), amount of supplement fed was 6.36 kg/week (LO) or 12.73 kg/week (HI), and contain either no urea (-U) or 1.3% urea (+U). Hay DMI and steer BW were measured. In Exp. 2, 8 ruminally cannulated …

Improving The Accuracy Of Genomic Predictions: Investigation Of Training Methods And Data Pooling, Johnna Baller

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

One of the primary factors in the response to selection is the accuracy of selection. This study focused on methodologies to predict breeding values (BV) accurately within multi- and single-step genomic evaluations. Factors including cross-validation methods, dependent variables, and genotyping strategies were assessed on the accuracy of genomic BV while using multi-step prediction in real and simulated data. In both cases, random clustering led to largest estimated accuracies compared to clusters based on k-means, k-medoids, and principle component analysis, but differences in bias were not detected. Using deregressed estimated BV (EBV) to estimate SNP effects led to larger accuracies and …

Analyzing The Management Practices Of East Texas Beef Cattle Producers, Hiliary Cheyenne Swor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A survey of East Texas beef cattle producers was designed to evaluate the management practices that were prevalent in the area. Demographic and cattle operation data from 103 respondents were analyzed using SPSS (Version 25; Chicago, IL). This electronic-based survey was distributed through Qualtrics. Respondents were located in Angelina, Nacogdoches, or Cherokee county. Most producers (38.8%) had a Bachelor’s degree. A negative correlation was established between castration method and weaning weight (p = - 0.204). Calves were weaned 50 pounds heavier when band or surgically castrated. Females were less likely to castrate their calves or utilize a mineral program. Approximately, …

Optimal Calving Time For Beef Cows In Southwest Missouri, Briana Rose Verploeg

MSU Graduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine if a optimal time of year exists for beef producers to have cows give birth in southwest Missouri for maximal net returns from calf sales and increased cow reproductive performance. To make this determination, data were collected which included year-round forage nutritive value, calf pre-weaning growth, cow energy efficiency and reproductive performance, and income and cost values. Cow and calf field data were gathered for the 2014-2018 production years at Missouri State University’s Leo Journagan Ranch. Monthly forage samples were collected from study cow pastures from 2016 through 2018. Calf, cull cow, …

Effects Of Supplemental Whole Cottonseed On Weaned Calf Production, Zachary Debord

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This study compared the effect of supplemental whole cottonseed in a weaned calf ration on cattle productivity. Feed is the main cost for livestock production. Whole cottonseed supplementation may increase production and reduce the cost of gain for the ration. During the study, 18 beef calves were weaned and split into two groups and fed, with and without WCS, for 50 days to determine the effect of supplemental whole cottonseed. Productivity was determined by measuring average daily gains for each group and comparing cost of gain for each ration. It was determined that WCS did increase productivity of weaned calves …

Enteric Methane And Nitrogen Emissions In Beef Cattle Grazing A Tannin-Containing Legume Relative To Feedlot And Traditional Pasture-Based Production Systems, Raúl David Guevara Ballesteros

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Beef cattle production is highly criticized because of the high use of land and water resources, and by the pollution (e.g., the gas methane in a cow’s breath and nitrogen in urine) produced by cows fed in feedlots. In contrast to feedlots diets and grasses, some plants (e.g., legumes) contain bioactive compounds (condensed tannins) that reduce pollution and enhance animal nutrition. In my research, I observed that cows grazing a tannin-containing legume (birdsfoot trefoil; BFT) had methane emissions similar to cows fed a feedlot ration with comparable weight gains. Cows in the BFT treatment gained more weight than cows grazing …

Feed Efficiency And Carcass Metrics In Growing Cattle, David N. Kelly, Craig Murphy, Roy D. Sleator, Michelle M. Judge, Stephen B. Conroy, Donagh P. Berry

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Some definitions of feed efficiency such as residual energy intake (REI) and residual gain (RG) may not truly reflect production efficiency. The energy sinks used in the derivation of the traits include metabolic live-weight; producers finishing cattle for slaughter are, however, paid on the basis of carcass weight, as opposed to live-weight. The objective of the present study was to explore alternative definitions of REI and RG which are more reflective of production efficiency, and quantify their relationship with performance, ultrasound, and carcass traits across multiple breeds and sexes of cattle. Feed intake and live-weight records were available on 5,172 …

Intermountain Beef Cow/Calf Management Calendar, C. Kim Chapman, Matthew D. Garcia, Ryan Larsen, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

This calendar gives beef cow/calf management tips for nutrition, animal health, finance, and public lands information for each month of the year.

Macronutrient Content Of Winter Annual Cereal Grains With Phosphorus Fertilization, Taylor Anne Young

MSU Graduate Theses

Missouri ranks third in the United States in cow-calf production, and much of the land these cattle graze has acidic soil that is low in plant available phosphorus (P). Proper soil fertility is important to ensure that these forages meet the nutritional requirements of cattle. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceum (Schreb.)), has been shown to respond to increased soil P levels with increased growth and leaf concentrations of P, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). It is unknown if winter annual cereals will respond similarly. The objective of this study is to examine cereal rye (Secale cereal L.), winter wheat …

Evaluation Of Protein Utilization In Low And High Protein Forage Sources And The Economic Value Of Supplementing Field Peas (Pisum Sativum) To Growing Cattle Grazing Crested Wheatgrass Pastures, Braden C. Troyer

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Field peas are widely grown in the panhandle of Nebraska; however, markets quickly become saturated. A two year experiment was conducted comparing field peas to dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a protein supplement. The objective was to establish a price producers could pay for field peas relative to DDGS. There was a significant difference in ADG due to type of supplement (P = 0.02). Field pea supplemented heifers had 10% lower ADG compared to DDGS supplemented heifers. Economically, this means if DDGS is priced at or $124.58/ 909 kg DM a producer could pay $2.89/ 27 kg, …

Medication Darts Are Gaining In Popularity - Do They Affect Meat Quality? Are There Risks?, David J. Wilson, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

Livestock, such as beef cattle or post-weaned dairy cattle that are not yet milking, are often relatively “tame” (sometimes the term tame may not apply very well) and can be readily approached within a few feet. However, without adequate restraint facilities or enough personnel, actually treating the livestock is often difficult and can become frustrating and dangerous to people and animals. A solution to this problem, which is being rapidly and increasingly adopted, is the use of medication darts. Nevertheless, many in the cattle industry are raising some concerns. What are some of the characteristics of medication darts? Is there …

Attainment And Maintenance Of Pubertal Cyclicity May Predict High A4 Cows With Reduced Fertility, Sarah Nafziger

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Puberty attainment was investigated in heifers. Blood samples were collected from weaning until breeding during 6 years from heifers born in 2012-2017. Plasma progesterone concentrations ≥ 1 ng/ml were used to indicate cyclicity, and heifers were categorized into one of four puberty groups using SAS: 1) Early heifers reached puberty before March 12 and cycled continuously during the sampling period, 2) Typical heifers reached puberty on or after March 12 and cycled continuously, 3) Start-Stop heifers had at least one occurrence of progesterone ≥ 1 ng/ml but discontinued cycling during the sampling period, and 4) Non-Cycling heifers had no occurrence …

Identifying Breed Effects For Cow Mature Weight, Madeline J. Zimmermann

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Mature weight (MWT) in beef cattle has increased over the past 30 yr. In general, larger cows are costlier to maintain than smaller cows, and their profitability depends on their production environment. A wide range of beef production environments exist in the United States. There are also a variety of beef cattle breeds that can be chosen and mated to create a type of cow which will be optimally suited to excel in a given environment. However, there remains a need for tools allowing effective comparison among breeds to facilitate such decision making. Unfortunately, estimated progeny differences ( …

Polymorphisms Of Bovine Hsp90 And Their Implications In Beef Cattle Productivity, Glynn G. Smith

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Production of beef cattle represents a $60 billion industry in the United States (USDA, 2015). The American beef cattle industry loses an estimated $370 million annually due to heat stress (St-Pierre, 2003). As of 2003, this was equal to nearly 99 million pounds of beef lost (USDA, 2015). The average American consumed roughly 65 pounds of beef in 2003; this means that the 99 million pounds of beef lost to heat stress would have been enough to feed approximately 1.5 million Americans for an entire year (Barclay, 2012).

Alternative Feeding Strategies For Growing Cattle Grazing Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue During The Summer, Kerri A. Johnson

MSU Graduate Theses

Two experiments were conducted to determine animal performance of alternative feeding strategies to heifers grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue during summer months. In Experiment 1, 40 Limousin heifers (261± 40kg initial BW) were stratified by weight and assigned to either a spring harvested tall fescue silage diet or grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue pasture with grain supplement having either natural or artificial shade for 80 days. In Experiment 2, 40 Limousin heifers (277 ± 44kg initial BW) were stratified by weight and assigned to either a traditional grain supplement or feather-meal supplement (rumen bypass arginine supplement) with natural or artificial shade while …

Environmental And Animal Benefits When Beef Cattle Consume Condensed And Hydrolysable Tannins, Elizabeth K. Stewart, Juan J. Villalba, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the environmental and animal benefits when cattle consume condensed and hydrolysable tannins, and includes producer concerns.

Surveillance Of Ticks Parasitizing Tennessee Beef Cattle And Investigations Into The Microbial Communities Of Cattle Associated And Questing Amblyomma Maculatum, David Paul Theuret

Masters Theses

Despite the risks that ticks and tick-borne disease pose to the beef cattle industry, many Tennessee producers are unaware of the dangers they represent. This mindset could facilitate the invasion and establishment of exotic ticks and pathogens that would devastate the cattle industry. Current control practices rely on chemical methods, which are not effective long-term; therefore, investigations into creating an integrated approach to control would create more sustainable methods. This study aims to address this through two objectives: The first is to determine the species composition, seasonal prevalence, geographic distribution and diversity of ticks on Tennessee cattle. The second is …