Life Sciences Commons^™

Subprimal Freezing And Thawing Rates Affect Beef At Retail, Justine J. Hosch, Jerilyn E. Hergenreder, Kim A. Varnold Varnold, Asia L. Haack, Lasika S. Senaratne, Siroj Pokharel, Chris R. Calkins, Catie Beauchamp, Brandon Lobaugh

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Ribeye, strip loin and top sirloin butt subprimals were either fast or slow frozen and then fast or slow thawed. Steaks were cut, placed in retail display for 8 days, and compared to fresh-never-frozen product for retail color and purge loss. Thaw purge loss was higher for slow thawed subprimals, with fast thawed product having the greatest purge loss during display. Overall, total purge loss was roughly 2-5% higher for all slow thawed products. Color data indicated frozen-thawed beef subprimals are comparable to fresh-never-frozen subprimals in color stability during day 1-4 of retail display. Total purge loss was increased for …

Statistics Used In The Nebraska Beef Report And Their Purpose

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The purpose of beef cattle and beef product research at UNL is to provide reference information that represents the various populations (cows, calves, heifers, feeders, carcasses, retail products, etc.) of beef production. Obviously, researchers cannot apply treatments to every member of a population; therefore, they must sample the population. The use of statistics allows researchers and readers of the Nebraska Beef Report the opportunity to evaluate separation of random (chance) occurrences and real biological effects of a treatment. Following is a brief description of the major statistics used in the beef report. For a more detailed description of the expectations …

Influence Of Weaning Date And Prepartum Nutrition On Cow-Calf Productivity, Kelsey M. Rolfe, L. Aaron Stalker, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

October weaned cows had greater average BCS and BW compared to December weaned cows; however, the level of supplementation on winter range did not impact BCS or BW. Subsequent pregnancy rates (96.5% - 98.5%) were not influenced by weaning date or any winter treatments. Steer progeny showed no differences in feedlot entry BW, final BW, DMI, ADG, or carcass characteristics; and there were no differences in percentage cycling before breeding or in pregnancy rates of heifer progeny.

2012 Beef Cattle Report: Table Of Contents

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow/Calf

Supplementing Gestating Beef Cows Grazing Cornstalk Residues................ 5

Effect of Corn Stalk Grazing and Baling on Cattle Performance and Irrigation Needs............... 8

Nutritive Value and Amount of Corn Plant Parts................... 11

Wheat Straw, Distillers Grains, and Beet Pulp for Late Gestation Beef Cows......... 13

Influence of Weaning Date and Pre-partum Nutrition on Cow-Calf Productivity........ 15

Effect of Calving Period on Heifer Progeny..................... 18

Evaluating Conventional and Sexed Semen in a Commercial Beef Heifer Program.................... 20

Late Gestation Supplementation Impacts Primiparous Beef Heifers and Progeny..................... 22

Nutritional Regime and Antral Follicle Count Impact Reproductive Characteristics in Heifers................ 24

Vascular Endothelial …

Effect Of Calving Period On Heifer Progeny, Richard N. Funston, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, Tonya L. Meyer, Dan M. Larson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Records from 1997 through 2009 were used to determine the effect of calving date on ADG, reproduction, and first-calf characteristics in spring born heifer calves at University of Nebraska– Lincoln Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory. Heifers were classified as born in the first, second, or third 21- day period of the calving season. Heifer calves born during the first 21 days had greater weaning, pre-breeding, and pre-calving BW; greater percent cycling before breeding, and pregnancy rates compared to heifers born in the third period. First-calf progeny had earlier birth date and greater weaning BW. Calving period of heifer progeny impacts development and …

Late Gestation Supplementation Impacts Primiparous Beef Heifers And Progeny, Adam F. Summers, Stetson P. Weber, Tonya L. Meyer, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year study utilizing primiparous heifers evaluated the influence of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) supplement level on heifer and progeny performance. Heifers were individually fed meadow hay and no supplement (CON), 1.8 lb/day (DM) dried distillers based (HIGH) supplement, or 1.8 lb/day (DM) dried corn gluten feed based (LOW) supplement during late gestation. Heifers from HIGH and LOW groups had greater final BW, DMI, ADG, and G:F compared to CON heifers. Calves from HIGH dams had greater pre-breeding BW and LOW calves had greater weaning BW compared to CON calves. Feedlot initial BW was greater for HIGH and LOW calves …

Oocyte Mrna And Follicle Androgen Levels Associated With Fertility, Ningxia Lu, Jacqueline Smith, Vanessa Brauer Brauer, Adam Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Kevin A. Beavers, Renee M. Mcfee, Kevin Sargent, Jill Kerl, Robert A. Cushman, Andrea S. Cupp, Jennifer R. Wood

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The environment that the oocyte develops in (follicle) and the mRNA that is produced (mRNA abundance) during development were examined. Androgen levels within the follicle were higher in heifers (≤ 2 years) that never established a pregnancy compared to cows that stayed in the herd at least 3 years and had at least one successful pregnancy. These high androgen levels were associated with increased abundance of several candidate mRNAs in the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC), which includes the oocyte and somatic cells immediately surrounding the oocyte, isolated from the dominant follicle. The data suggest that androgen levels represent a marker for …

Evaluating Conventional And Sexed Semen In A Commercial Beef Heifer Program, Tonya L. Meyer, Richard N. Funston, Kelly Ranch Ranch, James M. Mcgrann, Sexing Technologies, Abs Global

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Heifers (n = 500) were fed 0.5 mg/ day of melengestrol acetate for 14 days, and 19 days later, administered PGF_2α. Following PGF_2α, heifers were detected for estrus and artificially inseminated (AI) approximately 18-24 hours later. Three days following PGF_2α, heifers not detected in estrus were given GnRH and AI. Heifers were AI with one of two sires, either conventional or sexed semen, creating four possibilities for AI sire. Pregnancy rate was greater for conventional than sexed semen. In addition, more heifers detected in estrus were pregnant than heifers time AI. Further research is …

The Simmental Breed: Population Structure And Generation Interval Trends, Lynsey K. Whitacre, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Pedigree data from the American Simmental Association from 1986-2008 were used to analyze the pedigree structure and changes in generation intervals over time within the Simmental breed. The number of breeders that accounted for 10% of sires of sires (SS), sires of dams (SD), dams of sires (DS), and dams of dams (DD) were 3, 5, 5, and 16, respectively. States with the greatest influenceon the four pathways of selection (SS, SD, DS, and DD) included Montana, South Dakota, Kansas, and Texas. In general, generation intervals for the four pathways decreased by year of birth over the time span of …

Beef Heifer Development And Profitability, Matthew C. Stockton, Roger K. Wilson, Richard N. Funston Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The determination of the ideal breeding size of beef replacement females is traditionally centered on maximizing pregnancy rate. Relevant physical and economic relationships were combined into a bioeconomic systems model that identified key profit factors. This system-wide approach encapsulated the physical relationships with relevant costs and revenues, including annual and seasonal variations and measures relative to profitability through the application of an incomplete or modified profit function. Optimaloutcomes were relative to heifer size and management regime.

Research Results Are Dependent On Accurate Cattle Weights, Andrea K. Watson, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Cody J. Schneider

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The goal of limit feeding is to reduce variability in rumen fill at weighing. The amount of rumen fill varies by diet. Cattle included in this study were grazing cornstalks, smooth bromegrass pasture, or in a drylot and fed a forage and modified distillers grains (MDGS) mix. Cattle were limit fed for at least three days and then weighed on two or three consecutive days to obtain a beginning BW. Full weights of individuals were +99 to -86 lb compared to their limit fed weights. The correlation between two-day weights after limit feeding were greater than 0.9, and greater than …

Comparison Of Feeding Dry Distillers Grains In A Bunk Or On The Ground To Cattle Grazing Subirrigated Meadow, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, L. Aaron Stalker, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Jerry D. Volesky

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this study was to compare feeding dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in a bunk or on the ground to cattle grazing subirrigated meadow. Steers fed in a bunk had greater ADG than steers fed on the ground (1.19 vs. 0.92 lb). The NRC (1996) was used to retrospectively calculate the DDGS intake difference between treatments. For steers fed in a bunk, a reduction in DDGS intake between 0.8 and 0.9 lb/day would have resulted in a 0.27 lb/day reduction in ADG, which means 36-41% of the DDGS fed on the ground was wasted. At $200 (DMB) …

Effect Of Storage Method On Nutrient Composition And Dry Matter Loss Of Wet Distillers Grains, Jana L. Harding, Jessica E. Cornelius, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Adam L. Shreck, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Storage of distillers grains plus solubles was studied using 55-gallon barrels to mimic bunker storage. Six different cover treatments were evaluated when wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) and straw were stored, or modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) alone was stored for 60 days in 55-gallon barrels. Covering with plastic minimized spoilage (8%), and plastic or solubles as cover decreased DM loss (3-5%). Barrels filled with WDGS alone and uncovered were evaluated over 140 days of storage. With time, DM loss increased from 5 to 22%, while spoilage increased from 6 to 12%.

Increasing Levels Of Condensed Distillers Solubles And Finishing Performance, Anna C. Pesta, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William A. Griffin Griffin, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Effects of adding 0, 9, 18, 27, or 36% condensed corn distillers solubles (CDS) to finishing diets containing a blend of dry-rolled and high-moisture corn and no other byproducts, were evaluated. As CDS replaced corn, DMI decreased linearly, while ADG and F:G increased quadratically. Feeding up to 36% CDS may effectively reduce dietary inclusion of corn, while improving ADG and F:G in finishing diets, with calculated maximal ADG at 20.8 and best F:G at 32.5% inclusion of CDS (DM).

Metabolism Of Finishing Diets Containing Condensed Distillers Solubles And Wdgs, Anna C. Pesta, Adam L. Shreck, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding wet distillers grains (WDGS) and condensed distillers solubles (CDS), both separately and in combination, on the metabolism characteristics of feedlot steers. Diet had no impact on nutrient digestibility. Average ruminal pH was lower for steers fed CDS than for those fed WDGS alone, and steers fed WDGS spent less time below pH 5.6 than steers fed diets with no WDGS. Inclusion of CDS decreased ruminal acetate concentration and acetate to propionate ratio compared to diets with less or no CDS.

Wet Distillers Grains And Ratios Of Steam-Flaked And Dry-Rolled Corn, Cody A. Nichols, Karla H. Jenkins, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Matt K. Luebbe, Stephanie A. Furman, Brandon L. Sorensen, Kathryn J. Hanford, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feeding different ratios of dryrolled corn (DRC) and steam-flaked corn (SFC) in diets that contain 0 or 35% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) was evaluated. As SFC replacedDRC in diets containing no WDGS, F:G improved. Varying SFC and DRC ratio in diets containing 35% WDGS did not impact F:G. Feeding WDGS increased hot carcass weight, and fat depth while feeding different ratios of corn impacted marbling deposition. Wet distillers grains appears to reducethe positive impacts of feeding SFC in finishing diets when included at 35% of diet DM.

Effect Of Corn Processing On Feedlot Steers Fed Sugarbeet Pulp, Cody A. Nichols, Matt K. Luebbe, Karla H. Jenkins Jenkins, Galen E. Erickson, Stephanie A. Furman, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Impact of feeding three levels of beet pulp (0, 10, 20%, DM basis) with either dry-rolled corn (DRC) or steamflaked corn (SFC) in feedlot rations was evaluated. Final BW, DMI, and ADG decreased linearly as beet pulp replaced corn in the diet. Beet pulp linearly decreased HCW, 12^th rib fat, and yield grade. Corn processing had no impact on carcass characteristics. Feeding SFC improved F:G, compared to feeding DRC. The inclusion of beet pulp in the diet did not impact F:G, however, because of the decrease of both DMI and ADG.

Distillers Grains With Solubles And Ground Ear Corn In Feedlot Diets, Terry L. Mader

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In a 162-day finishing study, steers were fed various levels of dried distillers grains with solubles (DGS) with ground ear corn harvested at 45% moisture, and compared with steers fed 25% DGS, rolled corn, and corn silage. Steers fed the highest level of DGS (37.5% of diet DM) with ground high-moisture ear corn had the lowest ADG and DMI, but F:G tended to be improved by feeding 25% and 37.5% DGS with ear corn as compared with feeding rolled corn plus corn silage. Feed cost of gain (COG) and total COG was most favorable (4.4% lower than control) for cattle …

Feeding Field Peas In Finishing Diets Containing Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles, Anna C. Pesta, Stephanie A. Furman, Matt K. Luebbe Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson, Karla H. Jenkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding 0 or 20% field peas in dry-rolled corn-based diets with 0 or 30% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). There was an interaction for DMI, in which WDGS had no effect in diets without peas, but increased DMI by 2.7 lb in diets containing peas. Peas decreased DMI by 1.3 lb in diets with no WDGS but had no effecton DMI in diets containing WDGS. A peas × WDGS interaction also was observed for F:G with WDGS decreasing F:G by 12% in diets without peas, but having no impact …

Meta-Analysis Of The Effect Of Dietary Sulfur On Feedlot Health, Cody A. Nichols, Virgil R. Bremer, Andrea K. Watson Watson, Crystal D. Buckner, Jana L. Harding, David R. Smith, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A meta-analysis of University of Nebraska– Lincoln finishing trials was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary sulfur on feedlot health. An interactionbetween level of dietary sulfur and forage NDF (P = 0.07) affected the incidence of polioencephalomalacia (PEM) cases. For a given level of dietarysulfur the relative risk for PEM decreasedas forage NDF increased. Rumen degradable sulfur (RDS) was estimated for feedstuffs fed to cattle includedin the analysis. As level of RDS increased in the diet, the incidence of PEM increased (P < 0.01). Rumen degradable sulfur is a better measure of PEM risk because it accounts for the dietarysulfur that contributes to hydrogen sulfide production.

Use Of Complete-Feed Diets Ramp™ And Test Starter For Receiving Cattle, Cody J. Schneider, Brandon J. Nuttelman, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, William A. Griffin, David R. Smith, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Performance of newly arrived 576 lb steer calves, fed two complete feeds or a control ration was evaluated. Treatment diets were fed for 30 or 31 days and includeda control receiving diet consisting of alfalfa hay, Sweet Bran^® , dry-rolled corn, and supplement or one of two complete feeds: RAMP and Test Starter which contained a high level of Sweet Bran and a minimal amount of forage. RAMP increased ADG when compared with the control diet. Cattle fed Test Starter had similar performance to the control receiving diet.

Using Beet Pulp To Adapt Cattle To Finishing Diets, Cody J. Schneider, Matt K. Luebbe, Karla H. Jenkins Jenkins, Stephanie A. Furman, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle were adapted to a common finishing diet over 21 days by traditional adaption, reducing alfalfa hay inclusion (46 to 6%) or beet pulp (BP) adaption programs. A low beet pulp treatment (BP decreased from 18 to 6% and alfalfa hay from 34 to 6%) and a high BP treatment in which both BP and alfalfa hay were decreased from 26 to 6% were compared. Adapting cattle with high BP tended to decrease DMI during the adaption period. Both BP adaption programs increased ADG over the entire feeding period. Replacing up to 50% of alfalfa hay with BP during grain …

Effect On Performance And Nutrient Mass Balance Of Feeding Micro-Aid In Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Diets, Annie J. Doerr, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William A. Griffin Griffin, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Joshua R. Benton, Mike J. Rincker

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Finishing cattle performance and mass balance were evaluated when Micro- Aid^® was fed in diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). There was no difference in performance and carcass characteristics between treatments. In a WINTER experiment, cattle fed Micro-Aid had a greater amount of OM and DM removedin manure. Micro-Aid in the diet increased the amount of manure N and decreased N losses in the WINTER. There was no difference in N excreted in manure or lost via volatilization in the SUMMER experiment.

Chemical Treatment Of Low-Quality Forages To Replace Corn In Cattle Finishing Diets, Adam L. Shreck, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William A. Griffin Griffin, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Michael J. Cecava

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing experiment evaluated substitution of corn with crop residues in diets containing wet distillers grains. Corn stover, corn cobs, and wheat straw were alkaline treated at 50% moisture or fed without chemical treatment at 20% inclusion. Chemical treatment improved performance compared to untreated. Compared to control (10% roughage), treated diets had similar performance and carcass merit. Economic analysis revealed $6.46, $21.42, and $36.30 average profit per head advantage for diets containing treated residues relative to control when corn was priced at $3.00, $4.50, and $6.00 per bushel. Feeding chemically treated crop residues and wet distillers grains is a cost-effective …

Factors Influencing Profitability Of Calf-Fed Steers Harvested At Optimum Endpoint, Mallorie F. Wilken, Adam L. Shreck, Larry L. Berger Berger

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Four years of data from calf-fed steers were utilized in determining factors that affect profitability of cattle marketed at an optimum endpoint. Profitability was evaluated on a live weight basis assuming $112/cwt selling price and $180/cwt dressed price. Profit was compared as corn price and Choice-Select spread increased. Overall, carcass weight was the dominant factor in determining profitability. However, at $7 corn, feed efficiency had the most influence on profit. As expected, yield grade decreased and marbling score increased in importance as Choice- Select spread increased. Under these scenarios, profitability was greatly affected by hot carcass weight, with efficiency being …

Grazing Supplementation And Subsequent Feedlot Sorting Of Yearling Cattle, Kelsey M. Rolfe, William A. Griffin, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Darrell R. Mark, Galen E. Erickson, Dennis E. Bauer

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steers fed (0.6% BW) modified distillers grains plus solubles on the ground had increased ADG and BW at the end of summer grazing and were more profitable. Supplemented steers were fed 24 fewer days to reach feedlot harvest goal, had greater LM area, and lower marbling. Steers sorted on feedlot entry BW had increased HCW, marbling, and YG, but percentage overweight carcasses and profitability were similar. Steers supplemented during summer grazing had $11.80/ animal greater overall profit.

Effects Of Freezing And Thawing Rates On Tenderness And Sensory Quality Of Beef Subprimals, Jerilyn E. Hergenreder, Justine J. Hosch, Kimberley A. Varnold Varnold, Asia L. Haack, Lasika S. Senaratne, Siroj Pokharel, Catie Beauchamp, Brandon Lobaugh, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Beef ribeye rolls, strip loins, and top sirloin butts were aged for 14 days and then blast or conventionally frozen and slow or fast thawed, or were fresh, never frozen and aged for 14 days or 21 days (n = 270). Thawing method affected purge loss and tenderness, and freezing method had a minimal effect. Neither freezing nor thawing methods had an effect on sensory tenderness, and minimal effects on the other sensory attributes. It is possible to freeze and thaw beef subprimals and for the meat to be comparable in tenderness and sensory attributes to fresh, never frozen meat.