Life Sciences Commons^™

G05-1587 Understandng Effective Fiber In Rations For Dairy Cattle, Paul J. Kononoff

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Fiber type, quality and length are key to herd health and production.

Fiber is a key component in dairy rations. When nutritionists are faced with herd challenges such as low milkfat tests, foot problems, or low feed conversions, ration fiber often is evaluated. Effective fiber depends on the type and amount of forages and nonforage fiber sources being fed, the particle size of those forages and the amount of available nonfiberous carbohydrates included in the diet.

Ec05-185 Grazing Winter Wheat In Nebraska, Tom Holman, Drew J. Lyon, David D. Baltensperger, Ivan G. Rush, Ray Weed

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Grazing cattle on winter wheat, often prior to grain harvest, is common throughout the southern Great Plains. Grazing generates about $50 million in income for Texas wheat producers and reduces the risk of growing wheat by providing a substantial income source other than grain. Benefits can be realized by grazing prior to the primary environmental risk period for drought, heat stress, and hail, all of which frequently reduce grain yield while having limited impact on forage production. Cattle also are grazed on winter wheat fields in western Nebraska and the surrounding region. Typically in Nebraska, fall forage would be used …

Rp 357 Quality And Yield Grades For Beef Carcasses, Dennis E. Burson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

There are two types of beef grades in the United States--quality grades and yield grades. Beef carcasses may carry a quality grade, a yield grade or both a quality and yield grade.

Quality grades indicate expected palatability or eating satisfaction of the meat; yield grades are estimates of the percentage of boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts from the round, Join, rib and chuck.

Federal meat grading is a voluntary service packers request and pay for on an hourly fee basis. Meat grading should not be confused with meat inspection, which is mandatory and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of our …

Mp03-81 The 2003 Nebraska Poultry Report, Sheila Scheideler, Mary M. Beck, Curtis L. Novak, Leanne Labrash, Danilo J. Franco, Mohammad A. Jalal, David Monsalve, Trish Weber

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The Nebraska Poultry Report is produced every two years by the Animal Science Department's poultry faculty with contributions from others in the University of Nebraska who work with avian species. The purpose of the report is to make our activities known to the poultry industries in Nebraska. The majority of articles are based on on-going research but are written in a relaxed style for ease of reading.

G03-1520 Current Issues Affecting Youth Swine Shows, Rosie Nold

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The original purpose of youth livestock shows was two-fold: 1) to provide an educational experience where young people could learn animal management practices, as well as personal/character development; and 2) to recognize the best animals in the industry.

This NebGuide addresses practices which have developed to enhance the appearance of a pig that is to be exhibited, but which may be detrimental to the commercial pork industry.

Mp82 2003-2004 Nebraska Dairy Report

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Annual Report of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dairy Research for 2003-2004. Topics include:

Lactation Curves for Milk, Fat and Protein Yields and Somatic Cell Scores of Holstein Cows Treated with Bovine Somatotropin;

The Economic Impacts of Various Public Policy Scenarios for Methane Recovery on Dairy Farms;

Dairy Research Herd Report;

Modeling Genetic and Environmental Effects of Test Day Records by Autoregressive Convariance Structures;

Effect of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin on Reproductive Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows;

A Corn Hybrid with High Cell Wall Content and Digestibility and Lactational Performance of Holstein Cows;

Comparison of Brown Midrib-6 and 18 Forage Sorghum with Conventional …

Ec00-279 Synchronizing Esetrus In Beef Cattle, Richard J. Rasby, Gene H. Deutscher

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Synchronization of estrus (heat) involves manipulating the estrous cycle of beef females in a herd so they can be bred at approximately the same time. There are several traditional protocols available for synchronizing estrus among beef females.

This extension circular discusses the programs and protocols used in synchronizing estrus in the beef cow.

Mp00-75 The 2000-2001 Nebraska Poultry Report, Mary M. Beck, Mindy M. Brashears, Necmettin Ceylan, Shelly R. Mckee, Lisa Nolan, Sheila Scheideler, Eva Wallner-Pendleton, Kimberly K. Franzen, Uaichai Puthpongsiriporn, Mohammad A. Jalal, Jodi Ash, Elizabeth Marsh, Haitham Yakout, Curtis Novak, D.J. Jordan, Ryan Mass, Ramiro Lucena, Mohammed Alomad, Samar Elnagar, Jennifer Bridger, Marcos X. Sanchez, Wade M. Fluckey

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The Nebraska Poultry Report is produced every two years by the Animal Science Department's poultry faculty with contributions from others in the University of Nebraska who work with avian species. The purpose of the report is to make our activities known to the poultry industries in Nebraska. The majority of articles are based on on-going research but are written in a relaxed style for ease of reading.

Ec00-280 Hiring Dairy Personnel: Making The Process Easier, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Position descriptions are essential. A detailed position, or job, description can help you as an employer identify and eliminate applicants who will not perform well on the job and gives you justifiable grounds for terminating an employee who does not perform the job satisfactorily.

On most dairy farms, employees can be grouped into three categories: herd managers, feeders or outdoor workers, and milkers. This extension circular discusses the description for each category, how to start the hiring process, and questions that may be asked during interviewing and after hiring for a position on the dairy farm.

Mp74 1999-2000 Nebraska Dairy Report

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Annual Report of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dairy Research for 1997-1998. Topics include:

Effect of Soyhull:Soy Lecithin:Soapstock Mixture on Reproduction in Early Lactation Dairy Cows

Brown Midrib Forage Sorghum for Dairy Cows: Short-Term Responses

Brown Midrib Forage Sorghum Improves Fiber Digestibility and Milk Production in Dairy Cows

Maximal Replacement of Dietary Concentrate and Forage with a New Wet Corn Milling Feed Product

Corn versus Sorghum Distillers Grains for Lactating Dairy Cows

Longer Particle Length Alfalfa Improves Use of Wet Corn Gluten Feed by Dairy Cows

Genetics Research

Dairy Technician Certification

Land Requirements for Managing Manure Nutrients on Dairy Operations

The Accuracy …

G98-1350 Basics Of Feeding Horses: What To Feed And Why, Kathleen P. Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the horse's digestive system and appropriate feeding procedures.

Because of the horse's eating habits and digestive system, feeding practices common to other species of livestock often result in severe digestive dysfunction or even death for the horse. In fact, several anatomical peculiarities of the horse's digestive tract predispose horses to digestive disorders such as colic and laminitis even under the best management. Under poor feeding management, the onset of these disorders is almost assured. The objective of feeding management is to provide a ration with balanced nutrition that both maximizes nutrient utilization while minimizing the occurrence of …

Ec97-275 Effect Of Lactation Length On Sow Reproductive Performance, Donald G. Levis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

As lactation length decreases there is an increase in the weaning-to-estrus interval, a decrease in farrowing rate, a decrease in subsequent litter size and an increase in pigs weaned per sow per year. Because of herd-to-herd differences in the influence of lactation length on reproductive performance, each farm should conduct a preliminary study to evaluate the effect of the lactation length being considered before implementing the “new” weaning age of piglets.

Ec97-276 Management Strategies For Pen-Mating Female Pigs, Donald G. Levis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The master control switch of a pork production enterprise is weaning day. Pork production managers have little or no control concerning when a weaned female will cycle or how long she will be in estrus after weaning. When females are pen-mated, the producer needs to use management procedures to prevent an excessive number of estrous females from expressing the standing response at the same time, try to manage estrous females so that they are bred at the proper time, try to manage boars so they maintain an adequate level of fertility, evaluate boars for level of sexual behavior before and …

Ec97-274 Management Of Replacement Gilts For Efficient Reproduction, Donald G. Levis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Successfully introducing replacement gilts into the breeding herd is an important aspect of breeding herd efficiency. To attain herd efficiency, females must ovulate adequate numbers of viable ova, express estrus, show willingness to mate and conceive in a regular manner. If these qualities are properly developed, pregnancy rate and litter size will be maximized. A gilt development and management program needs to be designed for gilts from birth to farrowing their first litter.

Nf97-317 Managing Dairy Cows To Avoid Abomasal Displacement, Rick Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses feeding strategies to reduce the incidence of displaced abomasum in your dairy herd.

G97-1324 Beef Cattle Implant Update, Dicky D. Griffin, Terry L. Mader

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the mechanism of action and use strategies for growth promoting implants, including expected responses and cost analysis.

Introduction

Growth promoting implants have been used extensively in beef production for over 30 years. Significant changes in implants and implanting strategies have occurred. Prior to 1987, available implants were estrogenic agents which metabolically enhanced nutrient use to enhance growth. These products improved feed efficiency 5-10 percent and daily gains from 5-15 percent. In 1987, the androgenic (tissue building) agent, trenbolone acetate, was approved for use in growth promoting implants. This compound had an additive effect with existing estrogenic implants. …

G97-1314 Medication Withdrawal In Beef Cattle, Dicky D. Griffin, Dale Grotelueschen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide lists the current withdrawal times for medications used in beef cattle.

Using proper livestock medications is very important. Proper use not only ensures maximal benefits from the medication but minimizes the chances of an unwanted residue. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has worked hard to develop a premiere quality assurance program. In conjunction with other national and state beef and veterinary associations, the Beef Quality Assurance program now extends to almost every state in the nation. As a result, the safety and quality of beef has never been better. The outstanding record includes having an extremely low rate …

G97-1320 Feeding To Maximize Milk Solids, Rick J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes feeding guidelines to increase production of solids-corrected milk.

Proper feeding management of the dairy herd can improve the economy of production and provide for a healthier cow. Feeding to increase production of milk with maximum levels of milk fat and protein is essential for achieving these benefits.

Milk solid components include fat, protein, lactose, and minerals. Normal values for milk fat range from 3.7 percent (Holstein) to 4.9 percent (Jersey); milk protein ranges from 3.1 percent (Holstein) to 3.8 percent (Jersey). Lactose is usually 4.6 to 4.8 percent for all breeds and minerals (ash) average .74 percent. …

G97-1325 What Management Practices Are High Producing Dairy Herds Using?, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide outlines management practices used in high-producing dairy operations.

In 1996, a national dairy survey was undertaken by the National Health Monitoring System. This survey of management practices was sent to 2,500 herds in 20 states representing 83.1 percent of all dairy cows in the United States. The states included in the survey were California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. The survey asked 13 questions ranging from computer use, ration balancing, BST use and veterinarian usage to various calf rearing procedures. The survey …

Mp68 1996-98 Dairy Report

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Annual Report of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dairy Research for 1997-1998. Topics include:

Time of Initiating Dietary Fat Supplementaion on Lactation and Reproduction

A Soyhull:Soy Lecithin Soapstock Mixture for Early Lactation Dairy Cows

Nonenzymatically Browned Soybeans for Dairy Cattle

Feather and Blood Meal Combination for Lactating Dairy Cows

Impact of Nonfiber Carbohydrate Concentration on Forage Fiber Digestion

Sulfite Liquor-Treated Meat and Bone Meal for Dairy Cows

The OTHER Causes of Infectious Diseases

Test Day Genetic Evaluations

Income and Herdlife

Maternal Genetic and Cytoplasmic Effects in Dairy Cattle

Financial and Management Survey of Nebraska Dairy Producers

Free-Stall Design and Maintenance

Horizontal Silos …

G96-1306 Feeding Dairy Cows To Reduce Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium Excretion Into The Environment, Rick J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses feeding strategies to optimize dairy cow performance while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

Reducing N, P and K Excretion--The Challenge

Increasingly, our society demands livestock production systems that not only produce economic, high-quality food products, but also minimize negative environmental impacts. Feeding management has improved continuously and helps explain increases in milk production averages. The future challenge for dairy producers and nutritionists will be to properly formulate rations for high production levels while simultaneously minimizing the environmental impact of excessive N, P and K excretion in the urine and manure. A realistic approach will be to keep formulation …

Ec96-824 Dairy Economics In Nebraska: An Analysis Of Costs And Returns And Comparisons With Other States, H. Douglas Jose, Richard J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Dairy Economics in Nebraska

The dairy sector is undergoing major structural changes and economic adjustments. The industry is also becoming more market oriented as government price supports decline. Increased competitiveness has kept milk prices relatively stable, but increased grain and other input costs in 1995-96 have put increased pressure on profit margins which were already narrow.

This publication is a compilation of data related to the current economics of dairy farming. The objective is to provide data to help dairy farmers make adjustments in their operations, such as expanding their herds, and to provide basic data for operators setting up …

Ec95-273 Swine Nutrition Guide, Duane Reese, Robert C. Thaler, Mike Brumm, Austin J. Lewis, Philip S. Miller, George W. Libal

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication is a revision of the previous swine nutrition publication prepared by the Universityof Nebraska and South DakotaState University. The focus of the publication continues to be on nutrient recommendations for swine. Specific factors (nutritional, environmental and managerial) that affect nutrient recommendations have been considered and discussed. We believe that the identification and description of the factors provide the framework for the nutrient recommendations presented inTables 11 to 16. Industry advisors representing various facets of the pork industry were recruited to review and challenge the concepts incorporated in this publication. Also, in situations where “gray areas” existed, these industry …

G95-1256 Managing Dairy Cattle For Cow Comfort And Maximum Intake, Rick J. Grant, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes housing, milking, and feeding systems that promote cow comfort, maximum feed intake, and profitability.

The goal of every dairy producer should be to provide housing and milking environments that promote cow comfort, milk production, and herd health. Feeding systems and strategies should maximize feed intake and ensure proper body condition. Cow movement to and from the parlor should be gentle and considerate.

Cow comfort can make a difference of several thousand pounds of rolling herd average milk production between two herds with similar genetics and rations. The successful producer will create a cow environment that minimizes stress, …

G95-1271 Mastitis Is A Disease -- Control Is An Everyday Task, Gerald R. Bodman, Duane N. Rice

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A comprehensive mastitis control program will effectively control infections caused by both environmental and contagious pathogens.

Herd mastitis problems can be caused by both environmental and contagious pathogens (disease-causing organisms). These problems may occur separately or simultaneously. Various testing techniques are necessary to determine the type of causative organism and the infection level of the herd or individual cow. Appropriate tests include the CMT (California Mastitis Test), milk market somatic cell count (SCC), Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) SCC and laboratory cultures of milk from infected cows. Depending upon test results, mastitis control strategies may need to be changed to …

G95-1238 1995 Usda Sire Evaluation Changes, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication discusses the 1995 USDA Sire Evaluation Report and its impact for dairy producers.

The January 1995 USDA Sire Evaluation Report incorporates changes that will not only increase the accuracy of prediction for cow and sire evaluations, but also includes a base change. Major changes included:

1. new Mature Equivalent Factors,

2. adjustments incorporated for days open,

3. and the genetic base year changed to 1990.

Let's discuss each change and look at how these changes will effect the 1995 proofs.

Ec94-271 Understanding Mare Reproduction, Kathleen P. Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Many producers who raise horses find breeding mares rewarding, yet frustrating. Mares and stallions are traditionally placed in the breeding herd due to successful performance records, with littie considerations for their reproductive capacibilities. Basic understanding of the mare's reproductive physiology can improve reproductive efficiency and foaling rates. A mare manager's goal should be to get the maximum number of mares pregnant, in the shortest amount of time, and to deliver a live, healthy foal each year.

Rp94-529 Porcine Somatotropin (Pst), Palmer J. Holden

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

What is porcine somatotropin (pST)?

Porcine somatotropin, abbreviated as pST, is a growth hormone naturally produced in pigs. The word "porcine" refers to pigs, and the word "somatotropin" means body growth and refers to the name of the hormones.

This research publication discusses what porcine somatotropin is, how scientists developed pST, how the protein nature affects its use, what research shows, is pST safe and will consumers accept it, and what is pST's future.

G94-1234 Should You Consider Expanding Your Dairy Herd?, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses both the benefits and possible drawbacks from expanding an existing dairy operation.

Nebraska's dairy industry is going through a transition. Producers are beginning to ask the question, "Should I expand, and if so, how large should my herd become?" Before considering this issue, the producer should first ask, "Do I really want to expand?" Expansion can be, and in many cases is, a traumatic experience, not only to the producer, but also to the producer's family. Every segment of the dairy enterprise should be consulted before making a decision. Call a family gathering and discuss this question …

Mp92-64 The Stable Fly: A Pest Of Humans And Domestic Animals, Gustave D. Thomas, Steven R. Skoda

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Many species of flies are pests. Many people, if you were to ask them about flies, would be at least vaguely aware of the potential to flies to transmit disease organisms. But yet, for the most part, a fly is a fly is a fly. Sayings like "It must be about to rain, the house flies are biting" are still common and show a general need for more, readily accessible information, particularly about some of the pest flies.

Stable flies, obligate blood-feeders, are very important pests to the cattle industry and, at times, are pests to other groups (they're most …