Life Sciences Commons^™

Quantification Of Semi-Truck Cab Decontamination, C. Grace Elijah, Cassandra K. Jones, Caitlin Evans, Haley K. Wecker, Charles R. Stark, Jianfa Bai, Elizabeth G. Poulsen-Porter, Allison K. Blomme, Jason C. Woodworth, Chad B. Paulk, Jordan T. Gebhardt

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Evidence suggests that the inside of vehicle cabs used for feed delivery may serve as a potential source for disease, yet there are no standardized protocols or scientific evidence for methods of their disinfection. Therefore, the objective of this project was to evaluate commercially available disinfectants and disinfection application methods against PEDV and PRRSV on various surfaces within semi-truck cabs. Three different surface types common in vehicle cabs (fabric, plastic, and rubber) were cut into 4 × 4 inch coupons and inoculated with either PEDV or PRRSV. Once inoculated, surfaces were placed in one of 3 semi-truck cabs and the …

Effects Of Late Summer Prescribed Fire On Botanical Composition, Soil Cover, And Forage Production In Caucasian Bluestem-Infested Rangeland In The Kansas Smoky Hills: Year 2 Of 4, M. P. Ramirez, A. J. Tajchman, Z. M. Duncan, J. Lemmon, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective was to document the effects late-summer prescribed fire on soil cover, botanical composition, and forage production in the Kansas Smoky Hills and the associated effects on dense Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii) stands therein.

Study Description:The study took place on a private ranch in Ellsworth County, in the Kansas Smoky Hills. Eighteen one-acre plots were assigned randomly to one of three prescribed-fire treatments: no burn, single burn (i.e., one burn treatment only in 2019), or biennial burn (i.e., two burn treatments in 2019 and 2021). Soil cover, plant composition, and forage production were evaluated annually. …

Trends In The Percentage Of Doses Of Modified Live, Killed, And Combination Respiratory Viral Vaccines Administered To Beef Calves Offered For Sale In Summer Video Auctions From 2000 Through 2018, M. J. Smith, K. E. Fike, M. E. King, E. D. Mccabe, G. M. Rogers, K. G. Odde

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of the study was to identify trends in the percentage of doses of modified live, killed, and combination respiratory viral vaccines administered to lots of beef calves.

Study Description:Nineteen years of data (2000–2018) from a livestock video auction service (Superior Livestock Auction, Fort Worth, TX) were analyzed to quantify trends in percentage of doses of respiratory viral vaccine administered to beef calves. Named respiratory viral vaccines were classified into three groups based on the antigens they contained: all modified live antigens, all killed antigens, and combination of modified live and killed antigens. The Cochran-Armitage Trend Test …

Limit-Fed, High-Energy Diets Can Achieve Improved Feed Conversion Rates Without Compromising Rate Of Gain When Compared To Conventional High Roughage Diets, M. A. Scilacci, M. A. Johnson, C. E. Hissong, S. P. Montgomery, A. J. Tarpoff, E. C. Titgemeyer, L. Allen, T. G. O'Quinn, G. T. Tonsor, C. I. Vahl, D. U. Thomson, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Compare and determine the effects on animal performance between a conventional high roughage diet and a limit-fed, high energy diet during the receiving and growing phase.

Study Description:Crossbred heifer calves (n = 418) originating from Texas and New Mexico were used to determine performance when limit-fed a high energy diet initially offered at 85% of feed intakes from cattle fed a conventional high roughage diet ad libitum at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit.

The Bottom Line:Limit-feeding a high energy diet consisting primarily of dry-rolled corn and Sweet Bran (Cargill Animal Nutrition, Blair, NE) can improve …

Subsequent Carcass Merit Of Feedlot Cattle May Be Improved By Limit Feeding A High-Energy Diet During The Backgrounding Phase, M. A. Scilacci, M. A. Johnson, C. E. Hissong, S. P. Montgomery, T. G. O'Quinn, A. J. Tarpoff, E. C. Titgemeyer, K. Montgomery, G. T. Tonsor, C. I. Vahl, D. U. Thomson, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Determine and analyze the impact of limit feeding a high-energy diet in the backgrounding phase, primarily based on dry-rolled corn and Sweet Bran (Cargill Animal Nutrition, Blair, NE), on animal performance in the finishing phase and carcass merit.

Study Description:This project was a continuation of the performance backgrounding study previously conducted at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit. All cattle were shipped to Pratt Feeders (Pratt, KS) on August 26–27, 2019, and were fed in four separate feed groups (approximately 100 head/pen) according to standard operating practices at the feed yard. Original backgrounding treatment integrity was maintained. …

The Effect Of Method Of Collection And Number Of Sequential Ejaculates On Semen Characteristics Of Beef Bulls, A. R. Hartman, M. L. Butler, S. K. Tucker, N. M. Goodenow, J. M. Bormann, D. M. Grieger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the effect of collection method and number of sequential ejaculates on beef bull ejaculate characteristics.

Study Description:Semen collection data from 2008 to 2018 was obtained from the Kansas Artificial Breeding Services Unit and consisted of 11,642 ejaculates from 906 bulls. Bulls were collected twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays with an artificial vagina. Bulls not receptive to the artificial vagina were subject to electro-ejaculation. A single technician was responsible for all pre-freeze and post-thaw semen analysis. Ejaculates were required to meet quality standards.

Results:Progressive motility before freezing was greater …

Effects Of Choline On Neutrophil Function And Inflammation In Growing Cattle With Modulated Methyl Group Status, M. S. Grant, H. D. Aufdemberge, B. J. Bradford, L. K. Mamedova, E. C. Titgemeyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental choline in combination with guanidinoacetic acid or creatine on immune cell function and inflammation in growing cattle.

Study Description:Six ruminally-cannulated Holstein steers (321 lb) were utilized in an experiment where each steer received each of six treatments. Treatments were given via abomasal infusion of a 0 or 5 g/day of supplemental choline, and either a saline solution (control); 15 g/day guanidinoacetic acid; or 16.8 g/day of creatine, with all treatment combinations represented. Steers were fed a corn-based diet. Blood was collected during each period to measure neutrophil function, …

A Preliminary Investigation Of The Contribution Of Different Tenderness Factors To Beef Loin, Tri-Tip, And Heel Tenderness, C. K. Chun, W. Wu, A. A. Welter, T. G. O'Quinn, G. Magnin-Bissel, D. L. Boyle, M. D. Chao

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective is to better understand the contribution of each tenderness factor to the perception of tenderness of three specific beef muscles with similar tenderness ratings.

Study Description:Longissimus lumborum (loin), tensor fascia latae (tri-tip), and gastrocnemius (heel) were collected from 10 U.S. Department of Agriculture low Choice beef carcasses and assigned to a 5- or 21-day aging period (n = 60). Steaks from each aging period from each subprimal were assigned to one of three assays: 1) trained sensory analysis; 2) objective tenderness evaluation (Warner-Bratzler shear force); or 3) physiochemical analysis (sarcomere length, proteolysis, intramuscular fat content, collagen …

Consumer Sensory Evaluation Of Plant-Based Ground Beef Alternatives In Comparison To Ground Beef Of Various Fat Percentages, S. G. Davis, K. M. Harr, S. B. Bigger, D. U. Thomson, M. D. Chao, J. L. Vipham, M. D. Apley, D. A. Blasi, S. M. Ensley, M. D. Haub, M. D. Miesner, A. J. Tarpoff, K C. Olson, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine if current plant-based protein ground beef alternatives offer similar palatability characteristics to ground beef patties of varying fat percentages.

Study Description:Fifteen different production lots (n= 15/fat level) of 3 lb ground beef chubs of three different fat levels (10%, 20%, and 30%) were collected from retail markets in the Manhattan, KS, area. Additionally, alternative products including a soy and potato protein-based foodservice ground beef alternative, a pea protein-based retail ground beef alternative, and a traditional soy protein-based ground beef alternative, (n = 15 production lots/product) currently available through commercial …

Evaluation Of Implants, Clover, And Fescue Variety On Stocker Steers, Z. T. Buessing, J. K. Farney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sixty-four growing steers were used in a split-plot experiment, where the whole plot was pasture, and the split-plot was implants. Whole plot treatment was a 4 × 2 facto­rial with four levels of fescue (High Endophyte, Low Endophyte, Novel, or Endophyte Free) and two levels of legume (Legumes or No Legumes). The split-plot included four implant levels (No Implant, Synovex One Grass, Revalor-G, Ralgro). Data collected were weights, hair coat scores, hair length, rectal temperature (every 28 days), and ultrasound carcass characteristics coming off grass. Steers on High Endophyte had the lowest average daily gain (ADG), longest hair, and highest …

Form Of Supplement And Addition Of Ionophore Effects On Steer Performance While Grazing Bromegrass And Subsequent Effects In Feedlot And Carcass Measures, J. K. Farney, K. Malone

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Stocker steers were grazed on bromegrass from April to the end of August and were supplemented with several different forms of products. Treatment structure was a 2 × 2 + 2 factorial (six total treatments). Treatments evaluated included mineral only; free-choice supplementation in the form of liquid feed (MIX30) or block format (Mintrate); hand-fed supplement of corn:dried distillers grains at 0.25% of body weight on a dry matter basis offered three times per week; and ionophore (Rumensin) was included in one block and hand-fed supplement. Steers were weighed every 28 days while on grass and in the feedlot. Steers were …

Evaluation Of Grazing Options During Summer For Growing Heifers, J. K. Farney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Developing methods to provide high quality forage through a majority of the year is important for cattle operations. The purpose of this study was to determine forage management options to offset the summer “slump” with fescue. Four grass pasture treatments (10 pastures total; 4 acres) were used in a completely randomized design and stocked with growing heifers (n = 47; initial wt 419 ± 20 lb). Pasture treatments consisted of novel fescue (FES), crabgrass (CRAB), bermudagrass (BERM), and sor­ghum-sudan interseeded into novel fescue (SS-FES). Heifers were weighed and grazed FES/SS-FES pastures April to November (213 d) or CRAB and BERM …