Life Sciences Commons^™

Can Kangaroos Survive In The Wheatbelt?, Graham Arnold

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

One of the costs of agricultural development in Western Australia over the past 100 years has been the loss of most of the native vegetation and, consequently, massive reductions in the numbers of most of our native fauna. Thirteen mammal species are extinct and many bird and mammal species are extinct in some areas. These losses will increase as remnant native vegetation degrades under the impact of nutrients washed and blown from farmland, from the invasion by weeds and from grazing sheep.

Even kangaroos are affected. Unless the community manages remnant vegetation to minimise degradation and enhance the regeneration of …

The Western Australian Pig Health Monitoring Scheme, Ashley Mercy

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Over 30,000 slaughter pigs from 245 Western Australian piggeries have been examined for the presence of 16 diseases since the Western Australian Pig Health Monitoring Scheme (PHMS) started in January 1987. The scheme was developed by the author in conjunction with Dr Chris Brennan, a pig veterinary consultant. Monitoring of slaughter pigs is an important part of providing an effective veterinary service to commercial piggeries. It can be used in accreditation schemes and to help in certifying herds free of particular disease

Postfinishing Mineralization Of Skeletal Tissue In Replacement Gilts (1990), R I. Nicholson, G E. Fitzner, Robert H. Hines, Robert D. Goodband, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Thirty-two crossbred gilts averaging 250 /b were selected for the experiment at the conclusion of the finishing phase. Eight of the gilts were slaughtered on d 0 to serve as a pretreatment control group. The remaining 24 gilts were assigned to three dietary treatments to provide daily 100% (14 g/d Ca and 11.3 g/d P), 150% (22.5 g/d Ca and 16.6 g/d P), and 200% (29.9 g/d Ca and 22.0 g/d P) of the Ca/P level consumed per d during the finishing phase. These gilts were slaughtered 35 d later at 291 lb. Gilts receiving 29.9 g/d Ca and 22.0 …

Effect Of Acidification On Starter Pig Performance And Nutrient Digestibility (1990), T L. Weeden, J A. Hansen, K L. Richardson, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred ninety-six pigs (21 d of age and 12.3 lb initial wt) were used to evaluate the effect of adding an organic acid blend (OAB) to starter diets on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. The four dietary treatments consisted of a control diet and the GAB replacing corn at 3, 4.5, and 6 lb/ton in both phases 1 and 2. In phase 1 (0 to 14 d) diets, contained 20% dried skim milk, 20% dried whey, and 5% soybean oil. Phase 2 diets (15 to 35 d) contained 10% dried whey and 5% soybean oil. There was no response …

Effect Of L-Carnitine On Starter Pig Performance And Fat Utilization (1990), T L. Weeden, J A. Hansen, G E. Fitzner, D F. Li, S A. Blum, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Three hundred early-weaned pigs with average initial weights of 12.3 and 13.2 lb, respectively, were utilized in two 5-wk experiments to determine the effect of L-carnitine on growth Performance. Diets contained 20% dried skim and 20% dried whey in phase 1 ( 0 to 14 d) for both experiments and 20 and 10% dried whey, respectively for experiments 1 and 2 in phase 2 (15 to 35 d). In experiment 1, L-carnitine at levels of 0, 500, and 1000 ppm was combined with 0 or 10% soybean oil in phase 1, levels were reduced by 50% in phase 2 to …

Feed Mills For On-Farm Feed Manufacturing (1990), James P. Murphy, Joseph P. Harner

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Quality feed can be manufactured on farm using hammer or roller mills for particle size reduction and volumetric or weighing devices for proportioning ingredients. An understanding of each of the seven steps involved will enhance the ability to manufacture a quality feed for maximum feed efficiency at a feasible price.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 15, 1990

Protein Sparing Effect Of A Fermentation Product In Pig Diets From Weaning To Market (1990), J A. Swanson, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred eighty pigs (avg wt of 21.11b) were used in an experiment to determine if a fermentation product improves performance and reduces last rib fat thickness in pigs when added to a low-protein diet regimen. Treatments were: 1) positive control (19-16-14% crude protein regimen during the nursery-growing-finishing phases); 2) positive control plus 2.50 lb/ton fermentation product; 3) low-protein regimen (17-14-12% crude protein during the nursery-growing-finishing phases); 4) low-protein regimen plus 1.25 lb/ton fermentation product; 5) low-protein regimen plus 2.50 lb/ton fermentation product; and 6) low-protein regimen plus 5.00 lb/ton fermentation product. As addition of fermentation product was increased from …

Effects Of Modified Atmosphere Packaging And Carcass Chill Rate On Pork Loins (1990), O Sorheim, Melvin C. Hunt, M Menninen, K E. Warren, Donald H. Kropf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Use of 10% oxygen in a modified gas atmosphere package resulted in more off-odor, higher microbial counts, and a less desirably colored loin and loin chops. Furthermore, it reduced chop display life and is not recommended.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 15, 1990

Bone-In Pork Loins: Modified Atmosphere Packaging To Extend Shelf-Life (1990), K E. Warren, Melvin C. Hunt, C L. Marksberry, O Sorheim, Donald H. Kropf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Modified atmosphere packaging with 100% carbon dioxide was used to investigate changes in daily gas composition, as well as the influence of fat trim level and location of loin in the box on shelf life characteristics. Length of storage was the primary factor influencing shelf life of whole loins and their retail chops. Although microbial qualities was acceptable in loins stored up to d 19, sirloin and blade discoloration was obvious at 11-13 d. Storage for more than 11 d reduced the display life of retail chops to 1-2 d. Shelf life characteristics of bone-in pork loins were superior with …

Analysis Of Kansas Hog Enterprise Returns From 1981-1990 (1990), Michael R. Langemeier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Estimated historical return distributions for farrow-to-finish, feeder pig finishing, and feeder pig producing operations in Kansas from 1981-1990 were examined. Average returns per head were the highest and downside risk was the lowest for farrow-to-finish operations over this period. However, the required investment in buildings, equipment, and breeding stock per head was also higher for this operation. Thus, a tradeoff exists between returns per head and capital requirements per head.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 15, 1990

Price Discovery And Basis Risk For Live Hogs (1990), Ted C. Schroeder, B K. Goodwin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The short- and long-run daily price relationships between cash and futures markets for live hogs were examined over the 1975-89 period. Price discovery generally originates in the futures market with about 65% of new information being passed from the futures to the cash market. However, at times, especially during large price moves that are not necessarily anticipated in the futures market, the cash market price relies less on the futures market. The very short-term basis for hogs is fairly stable, with approximately 85% of yesterday's nearby-basis persisting today. Generally, little can be gained by speculating on basis from day to …

The Effects Of Dietary Threonine And Porcine Somatotropin Dosage On Nitrogen Balance In Finishing Swine (1990), J A. Swanson, B R. Schricker, D F. Li, J A. Hansen, Robert D. Goodband, Jim L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fifteen crossbred barrows were utilized to determine the effects of porcine somatotropin (pST) administration in combination with increasing dietary threonine levels on nitrogen retention and growth performance. Barrows averaging 147.3 lb were allotted in a split-plot arrangement with pST dosage (0, 4, or 8 mg/d) as the whole plot, and dietary threonine level (.45, .55, .65, .75, and .85%) as the subplot. These threonine values ranged from 112 to 212% of the dietary threonine estimate for finishing pigs (NRC 1988). All pigs within each pST dosage treatment received each diet for an 8-d period in a Latin square design. Diets …

Effect Of Extrusion On The Nutritional Value Of Soybeans And Sorghum Grain In Finishing Pigs (1990), G E. Fitzner, T L. Weeden, Terry L. Gugle, Robert H. Hines, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 112 finishing pigs (avg initial wt of 139 lb) was used to determine the effects of adding extruded soybeans and/or sorghum grain to diets for finishing pigs. Treatments were: 1) sorghum-soybean meal control (sorghum-SBM), 2) extruded soybeans and ground sorghum, 3) SBM and extruded sorghum, and 4) extruded soybeans and sorghum. All diets were isocaloric and isolysinic. Using extruded soybeans and/or sorghum improved efficiency of gain compared to the sorghum-SBM control. This response was apparently related to the improved digestibilities of dry matter and nitrogen with the use of extruded ingredients. Optimum digestibility of dry matter and …

Effect Of Replacing Dried Skim Milk With Soy Products On Function And Morphology Of The Small Intestine In Nursery Pigs (1990), D B. Jones, P G. Reddy, R D. Klemm, Frank Blecha, Joe D. Hancock

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sixty-six pigs (averaging 21 d of age and 11.8 lb) were used in a 7-d experiment to evaluate the effects of specially processed soy products on function and morphology of the small intestine. Treatments were: 1) corn-milk products control; 2, 3, 4, and 5) simple corn-based diets with either soybean meal, soy isolate2, soy concentrate3, or modified soy flour4 as the major protein source; 6) a high nutrient density diet (HNDD) containing 20% dried skim milk and 20% dried whey; 7, 8, and 9) the HNDD with soy isolate, soy concentrate, or modified soy flour plus lactose replacing 100% of …

Improving On-Farm Mixing Efficiency (1990), Robert D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Particle size reduction has a great impact on efficiency of feed utilization. Decreasing particle size improves digestibility of nutrients by increasing surface area and allowing for greater interaction with digestive enzymes. In addition, particle size reduction can influence how uniformly feed is mixed and potential for segregation of ingredients. Mixing equipment and times also need to be evaluated to ensure feed uniformity. Very often suggested mixing times underestimate the amount of time necessary to thoroughly mix feed. Items such as worn paddles or ribbons, ribbon or paddle speed, and overfilling mixers increase the time necessary for adequate feed mixing and …

Effects Of Porcine Somatotropin And Dietary Lysine Level On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Finishing Swine Fed To 280 Lb. (1990), M E. Johnston, B R. Schricker, Jim L. Nelssen, Robert D. Goodband, Robert H. Hines, Donald H. Kropf

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred twenty barrows with an initial wt of 130 lb were utilized to determine the effects of dietary lysine level and porcine somatotropin (pST) injection on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs fed to heavy market weights (280 lb). Pigs were injected daily in the extensor muscle of the neck with either 4 mg pST or a placebo and fed diets containing either .8, 1.0, 1.2, or 1.4% dietary lysine. Performance data were collected and evaluated for three weight ranges : 130 to 230 lb, 230 to 280 lb, and 130 to 280 lb. Two pigs from …

Comparison Of Steer Feedlot Performance And Carcass Trait Uniformity By Method Of Sorting, P.L. Houghton, D.D. Simms, James J. Higgins

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Long yearling steers (n=997) of various biological types from two origins were used to test performance and carcass trait uniformity of unsorted cattle, visually sorted cattle, and cattle sorted by ultrasound and hip height. No significant differences (P>.05) in initial backfat uniformity were identified between sorted and unsorted groups; however, very little variation existed across all treatments (.17±.033 in.). Initial backfat had positive linear relationships with initial weight and carcass backfat and negative linear relationships with days on feed and daily gain (P<.05). These data indicate a reliable measurement of initial backfat could be useful for predicting days on feed and/or carcass backfat in long yearling steers, but economic usefulness will depend upon the variability of the cattle and the method of grouping.

Effect Of Protein Supplementation On Dormant, Bluestem-Range Forage Intake And Digestion And Protein Flow To The Small Intestine In Steers, S.M. Hannah, R.C. Cochran, D.L. Harmon, E.S. Vanzant

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A digestion trial was conducted to determine dormant, bluestem-range forage intake, digestion, and protein flow to the small intestine in steers receiving different crude protein (CP) supplements. Dietary treatments were 1) control: no supplement; 2) low protein supplement (Low-CP): SBM + grain sorghum supplement containing 13% CP; 3) moderate protein supplement (Mod-CP): SBM + grain sorghum supplement containing 26% CP; and 4) dehydrated alfalfa pellets supplement (Dehy): supplement containing 17.5% CP. Forage intake increased an average of 36% in steers supplemented with Mod-CP and Dehy, compared to the forage intake of control steers. Forage intake of steers receiving Low-CP supplement …

Effect Of Pregnancy On Forage Intake And Utilization In Spring-Calving Beef Heifers Wintered On Flint Hills Range, E.S. Vanzant, R.C. Cochran

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Six ruminally and eight bi-fistulated (ruminal and esophageal), 2-yr-old beef heifers were used to study the effects of pregnancy on forage intake and utilization under grazing conditions. During the third trimester of gestation, pregnant heifers ate more (P<.05) forage than nonpregnant heifers and maintained similar (P>.10) levels of organic matter and fiber digestibility. As calving neared, pregnant animals had higher (P<.05) rates of passage and tended to have lower ruminal capacity "¢(P=.15) and digesta fill (P=.14) than nonpregnant animals. Differences in quality of diet selected by the two groups were minimal.

Influence Of Supplementation Method On Forage Use And Grazing Behavior Of Beef Cattle Grazing Bluestem Range, S.D. Brandyberry, R.C. Cochran, E.S. Vanzant, T. Delcurto, J.E. Schneider, L.R. Corah

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fifteen ruminally and 12 esophageally fistulated steers were used in two 28-d trials (late summer and early winter) to determine the influence of method of supplementation on forage use and grazing behavior. 1Ceatments were: 1) self-feeding supplement with salt to limit intake; 2) daily hand-feeding supplement and salt; 3) daily hand-feeding supplement without salt. Forage intake was not affected by season or supplementation method; however, total diet organic matter digestibility was higher in the late summer (P<.01) and lower when steers received supplement without salt (P<.05). Supplementation method did not affect the time that animals spent grazing or the distance travelled; however, both were greater (P<.01) during the summer period. Self-feeding supplement did not appear to adversely affect forage use in grazing beef steers.

Diagnosis Of Freemartinism In Heifers Born Co-Twin To A Bull, B.L. Larson, G.H. Kiracofe

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The wide variance in anatomical characteristics among heifers born co-twin to a bull make diagnosis of freemartinism by measurements of vaginal length or the distance between the anus and vulva unreliable. Change in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) in response to injection of estrogen or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is different in freemartins compared to normal heifers but is also an unreliable predictor of freemartinism. Presently, the most conclusive way to establish freemartinism in a heifer born co-twin to a bull is to measure the percentage of XX and XY chromosomes in cells from whole blood, which is a specialized and …

Managing Beef Genotypes For Profit: A Computer Simulation, R.R. Schalles, L.C. Martin, K.O. Zoellner

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In a computer simulation based on KSU data, cattle bred and managed to be moved directly from weaning to feedlot and slaughtered at a young age produced the greatest profit. Cattle that were too small or too large and management systems that increased age at slaughter were less profitable. This accelerated system of production allows a producer to take advantage of superior genetics and the economic opportunities they provide, especially with retained ownership. The beef industry has the opportunity to continue to produce quality beef, while reducing days to slaughter by taking advantage of the higher efficiency of feed conversion …

Evaluation Of Wheat Middlings-Based Supplements At Different Crude Protein Concentrations For Cattle Consuming Winter Range Forage, G.D. Sunvold, R.C. Cochran, E.S. Vanzant

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Influence of increasing crude protein concentration in a wheat middlings-based supplement was evaluated in an intake/digestion trial. Protein-supplemented steers demonstrated increased (P<.01) intake of dormant, bluestem-range forage when compared with unsupplemented steers. Although increasing concentration of supplemental crude protein from 15 to 20% substantially increased (P<.01) forage and total dry matter intake. only slight increases in forage and total dry matter intake occurred when the concentration exceeded 20%. Protein supplementation increased (P<.01) fiber and dry matter digestibilities. Additionally. fiber digestibility tended (P=.087) to increase with increasing crude protein concentration of the supplement. Results suggest that when feeding a wheat middlings-based supplement. the crude protein concentration should be 20% or higher to optimize use of poor-quality forage.

Relationship Of Milk Production In Angus And Simmental Cows With Milk Expected Progeny Differences (Epds) And Calf Weaning Weight, T.T. Marston, D.D. Simms, R.R. Schalles, K.O. Zoellner, L.C. Martin, G.M. Fink

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Spring and fall calving Angus (n==86) and Simmental (n==96) cows at three different locations in Kansas were used to evaluate the relationships between milk production, Milk Expected Progeny Difference (Milk EPD), and calf weaning weight. A change of 1 lb in Milk EPD resulted in 4.95 lb change in calf weaning weight in Angus and 4.60 lb in Simmental. Each lb increase in Milk EPD predicted a 69.87 lb increase in total lactation milk production in Angus and 70.741b in Simmentals. Positive correlations were .40 and .64 between Milk EPD and total milk produced per lactation and .24 and .49 …

Level And Method Of Feeding Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets As A Protein Supplement For Beef Cows Grazing Winter Flint Hills Range, E.S. Vanzant, R.C. Cochran, L.R. Corah

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Four winter protein supplementation schemes were studied using 116 beef cows grazing Flint Hills range. The treatments were: 1) 4.0 lb soybean meal/sorghum grain (27.3% crude protein (CP» per head daily (SS), 2) 4.0 lb dehydrated alfalfa pellets (DEHY. 20.0% CP) per head daily (LO-DEHY), 3) 5.5 lb DEHY per head daily (HI-DEHY), and 4) DEHY fed at levels calculated to provide 4.0 lb per head daily with less fed in early winter and more fed in late winter (STAGGER-DEHY). The HI-DEHY and SS treatments resulted in higher (P<.05) weight gains and smaller (P<.05) losses in body condition before calving than the other two treatments. The HI-DEHY group had less cumulative weight loss (P<.05) at calving than the SS group. Cow performance was similar (P>.10) for the LO-DEHY and STAGGER-DEHY groups. Cow reproductive performance and …

Effect Of Deccox® In A Free-Choice, Grain-Mineral Mixture On Performance Of Yearlings Grazing Native Range, F.K. Brazle

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Including Deccox® in a free-choice, intake-limiting, grain-mineral mixture tended to increase grazing stocker gains and substantially reduced the percentage of newly arrived cattle treated for sickness and the number of treatments required per animal.

Indigenous Microflora On Alfalfa And Corn, And Population Changes During Ensiling, C. Lin, R.A. Hart, K.K. Bolsen, J.T. Dickerson, J.L. Curtis

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, molds, and lactate-using yeasts were examined on four cuttings of alfalfa, each at three maturity stagest and three com hybrids in 1989. In addition, microflora population changes were traced during ensiling for the second and fourth cutting alfalfas and the three com hybrids. Enterobacteriaceae were predominant on alfalfa; yeasts, molds, and Enterobacteriaceae predominated on com. Higher proportions of lactate-using yeast were found on com than alfalfa. Lactic acid bacteria comprised a small (104 to 105 CFU/g) proportion of the total (lot») populations, with streptococci the main indigenous LAB group. Lactobacilli, pediococci, and leuconostoc were …

Performance Of Steers Limit-Fed In Drylot Or On Mature Native Pasture, F.K. Brazle, Gerry L. Kuhl

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Growing steers were limit-fed the same amount of a grain- and silage-based ration either in drylot or on dormant native range. The steers wintered on pasture gained 14.2% slower (1.82 V5 2.08 lb/d; P<.01) and were 15.3% less efficient than those in drylot, apparently because of increased energy expenditure from voluntary exercise.

Predicting Beef Carcass Retail Yield From Hot Carcass Traits, J.K. Apple, L.V. Cundiff, J.W. Wise, Michael E. Dikeman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Hot carcasses from 288 steers were used to develop equations to predict weights and percentages of trimmed retail cuts. and trimmable fat yields from hot carcass traits. Independent variables examined were: (1) 12-13th rib fat probe; (2) lO-11th rib fat probe; (3) external fat score; (4) percent kidney knob; (5) hindquarter muscling score, and (6) carcass weight. Right sides of carcasses were fabricated into boneless cuts trimmed to .3 in. fat and weighed. Then. cuts were totally trimmed (.0 in.) and reweighed. Multiple regression equations developed from these variables accounted for 95 and 90% of the variation in total weight …

An Evaluation Of Seven Pioneer Corn Hybrids For Silage And A Comparison Of Irrigated Vs Dryland Silages, D.G. Tiemann, K.K. Bolsen, R. Suazo, D. Johnson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seven Pioneer corn hybrids and one grain sorghum hybrid were grown under both irrigated and dryland conditions in 1988 and compared for agronomic and silage quality traits. Com hybrid silage yields ranged from 4.5 to 7.6 tons of dry matter (OM) per acre (mean, 5.8 tons) and grain yield, from 64 to 115 bu per acre (mean, 87 bu). Pre-ensiled DM content of the corn hybrids ranged from 26.7 to 33.0% (mean, 29.5%) and plant height from 82 to 108 in. (mean, 94 in.). In a digestion trial with sheep, apparent DM digestibility ranged from 66.0 to 71.0% (mean 69.6%); …