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Blade Tenderization In Combination With Injection Enhancement Containing An Enzyme Increases Tenderness Of Strip Steaks From Fed Cull Cows, Stacy L. Hutchinson, M.J. Daniel, James J. Higgins, John A. Unruh, Melvin C. Hunt
Blade Tenderization In Combination With Injection Enhancement Containing An Enzyme Increases Tenderness Of Strip Steaks From Fed Cull Cows, Stacy L. Hutchinson, M.J. Daniel, James J. Higgins, John A. Unruh, Melvin C. Hunt
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Cow meat is tougher than meat from young steers and heifers and typically has a less desirable, darker color. It is generally assumed that cow meat will need to be ground or have some form of post-mortem tenderization applied to be merchandized as a whole muscle product. Most cow steaks are fabricated by food service providers for their customers with different specifications for aging and post-mortem tenderization application. Aging, blade tenderization, and injection enhancement are commonly used on cow meat to increase tenderness. It is unknown if an extended aging period is needed in addition to a combination of tenderization …
Packaging Atmospheres Alter Beef Tenderness, Fresh Color Stability, And Internal Cooked Color, J.P. Grobbel, Michael E. Dikeman, George A. Milliken, Melvin C. Hunt
Packaging Atmospheres Alter Beef Tenderness, Fresh Color Stability, And Internal Cooked Color, J.P. Grobbel, Michael E. Dikeman, George A. Milliken, Melvin C. Hunt
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Several meat quality traits affect consumers' overall purchase decisions and satisfaction with meat products, but color is the major factor affecting purchasing decisions. According to some researchers, tenderness is the most important palatability attribute in consumers' overall eating experience. Case-ready packaging in the meat industry is growing at a rapid rate and generally includes modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with specific gases. Advantages of MAP include use of a centralized location, improved sanitation control, more consistent products, and increased marketing flexibility. Packaging beef in highoxygen (HiO2) MAP results in a desirable bright red lean color but can have detrimental effects on …
Packaging Atmospheres And Injection Enhancement Affect Beef Tenderness And Sensory Traits, J.P. Grobbel, Michael E. Dikeman, George A. Milliken, Melvin C. Hunt
Packaging Atmospheres And Injection Enhancement Affect Beef Tenderness And Sensory Traits, J.P. Grobbel, Michael E. Dikeman, George A. Milliken, Melvin C. Hunt
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Case-ready meat provides many benefits, including quality and safety. Meat packaged in high-oxygen (HiO2) modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has a desirable bright red display color but may have increased off- flavors and decreased tenderness. According to several international research reports, steaks aged and packaged in HiO2 MAP had more off-flavor, including warmed-over flavor, and were less tender and juicy than steaks aged in vacuum packaging (VP). Research at Kansas State University found that injection-enhanced beef quadriceps muscles packaged in HiO2 MAP were less tender and had more offflavors than those in ultra-low oxygen MAP. Detrimental effects of O2 on tenderness …
Vitamin A Restriction During Finishing Benefits Beef Retail Color Display Life, M.J. Daniel, A.M. Arnett, Michael E. Dikeman
Vitamin A Restriction During Finishing Benefits Beef Retail Color Display Life, M.J. Daniel, A.M. Arnett, Michael E. Dikeman
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Because the beef industry commonly uses marbling as an indicator of meat palatability, determining the most cost effective methods of increasing quality grade in cattle is a high priority. Previous research showed that weaning calves at around 90 instead of 200 days of age can be beneficial in reducing cow production costs and increasing marbling in feedlot steers. Other studies demonstrated that high levels of vitamin A inhibit development of intramuscular fat. Vitamin A restriction is used commonly in Japanese cattle to increase marbling scores; this stimulated interest in applying this restriction in U.S. beef production systems. However, little research …
Restricted Feeding Improves Performance Of Growing Steers During Subsequent Grazing On Native Flint Hills Pasture, C.O. Anglin, M.P. Epp, R.D. Derstein, B.B. Barnhardt, Dale A. Blasi, K. C. Olson, Christopher D. Reinhardt
Restricted Feeding Improves Performance Of Growing Steers During Subsequent Grazing On Native Flint Hills Pasture, C.O. Anglin, M.P. Epp, R.D. Derstein, B.B. Barnhardt, Dale A. Blasi, K. C. Olson, Christopher D. Reinhardt
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Beef stocker operators are margin-operators, and rising feed costs force them to consider alternative feeding strategies to reduce production costs. Limit-feeding is a management technique that has positive implications for cost control. In this experiment, we restricted dry matter intake to determine if steers could compensate for a period of dietary restriction during intensive early grazing. This study illustrated that limit-feeding could reduce feed costs for stocker and background operators.
Crude Glycerin In Steam-Flaked Corn-Based Diets For Beef Cattle, G.L. Parsons, M.K. Shelor, James S. Drouillard
Crude Glycerin In Steam-Flaked Corn-Based Diets For Beef Cattle, G.L. Parsons, M.K. Shelor, James S. Drouillard
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Plant oils contain large amounts of triglycerides that will react to a catalyst, such as methanol. The transesterification reaction between the oil and alcohol will produce approximately 10% crude glycerin and 90% biodiesel. Crude glycerin is distilled for use in human products such as soaps, cosmetics, and moisturizers, but the usefulness of glycerin as a feed source for livestock is unclear. Rapid expansion of the biodiesel industry has created excess supplies of crude glycerin. It is thought that glycerin can be used in ruminant diets to decrease feed costs, but crude glycerin from biodiesel production can contain various levels of …
Dried Distiller’S Grains With Solubles In Steam-Flaked Or Dry-Rolled Corn Diets With Reduced Roughage Levels, M.L. May, M.L. Hands, M.J. Quinn, J.O. Wallace, K.K. Karges, M.L. Gibson, Brandon E. Depenbusch, Christopher D. Reinhardt, James S. Drouillard
Dried Distiller’S Grains With Solubles In Steam-Flaked Or Dry-Rolled Corn Diets With Reduced Roughage Levels, M.L. May, M.L. Hands, M.J. Quinn, J.O. Wallace, K.K. Karges, M.L. Gibson, Brandon E. Depenbusch, Christopher D. Reinhardt, James S. Drouillard
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Distiller's grains have been used extensively in the U.S. Corn Belt, where producers commonly feed dry-rolled or highmoisture corn. Fuel ethanol production is expanding into the High Plains, where most feedlots flake grain. Compared with dry- rolled corn, steam-flaked corn usually increases or has no change in average daily gain, yields lower dry matter intake and results in 12 to 16% improvement in efficiency. Previous research at Kansas State University and elsewhere suggests that the value of distiller's grains is different in flaked grain diets than in dry-rolled diets. We think this might be due to lower rumen pH when …
Dried Distiller’S Grains In Steam-Flaked Corn Finishing Diets With Decreased Roughage Levels, M.L. May, M.J. Quinn, K.K. Karges, M.L. Gibson, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard
Dried Distiller’S Grains In Steam-Flaked Corn Finishing Diets With Decreased Roughage Levels, M.L. May, M.J. Quinn, K.K. Karges, M.L. Gibson, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Distiller's grains are the primary coproduct derived from fuel ethanol production. As the fuel ethanol industry expands into the High Plains, distiller's grains are becoming increasingly available as an alternative feed for livestock. Optimizing the use of distiller's grains in flaked grain rations is important to maintaining a competitive advantage among feedlot producers in this region. Because distiller's grains are relatively high in fiber, it is conceivable that the level of roughages in feedlot diets could be reduced when distiller's grains are fed to cattle. Roughages normally have low energy density; therefore, the cost per unit of energy from roughages …
Behavior Of Beef Cows Grazing Topographically Rugged Native Range Is Influenced By Mineral Delivery System, N.A. Sproul, J.W. Bolte, D.R. Linden, R.A. Kreikemeier, L.A. Pacheco, M.D. Thomas, James J. Higgins, K. C. Olson, James S. Drouillard, John R. Jaeger
Behavior Of Beef Cows Grazing Topographically Rugged Native Range Is Influenced By Mineral Delivery System, N.A. Sproul, J.W. Bolte, D.R. Linden, R.A. Kreikemeier, L.A. Pacheco, M.D. Thomas, James J. Higgins, K. C. Olson, James S. Drouillard, John R. Jaeger
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Poor grazing distribution is a major problem on rangelands of the western United States. Grazing animals tend to congregate in areas near water, shade, and level terrain. These areas typically become overgrazed, while less preferred areas of pasture remain undergrazed. Solutions to localized overgrazing include cross-fencing and water development; however, most land managers are unwilling to bear the expense associated with these strategies. Most types of supplements, including mineral supplements, have potential to lure cattle into under-utilized areas of range and pasture. Cows spend up to 40% of their time within 650 yards of self-fed supplements, but relationships between terrain …
Distiller’S Grain Market Price Relationships, Discovery, And Risk Management, T.W. Van Winkle, Ted C. Schroeder
Distiller’S Grain Market Price Relationships, Discovery, And Risk Management, T.W. Van Winkle, Ted C. Schroeder
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The substantial increase in corn use by the ethanol refinery industry (Figure 1) has resulted in livestock producers, especially cattle feeders, substituting distiller's grain (DG) for corn in feed rations. DG futures markets do not exist, but actively traded corn and soybean meal (SBM) futures are the most probable markets for hedging DG price risk. Therefore, the ability to offset DG price risk using corn and SBM futures is incorporated into analysis to quantify the strength of price relationships. If DG prices and corn or SBM futures prices are strongly related, then a viable cross hedging opportunity might exist. If …
Prepartum Supplementation Influences Response To Timed Artificial Insemination By Suckled Mature Beef Cows, M.D. Thomas, Jeffrey S. Stevenson, J.W. Bolte, N.A. Sproul, D.A. Linden, K. C. Olson, John R. Jaeger
Prepartum Supplementation Influences Response To Timed Artificial Insemination By Suckled Mature Beef Cows, M.D. Thomas, Jeffrey S. Stevenson, J.W. Bolte, N.A. Sproul, D.A. Linden, K. C. Olson, John R. Jaeger
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Fat supplementation before calving (i.e., prepartum) can alter reproductive performance of beef cows. These effects do not seem to be related to energy or protein content of the supplement. Chemical structures of some plant fats are similar to chemical structures of certain reproductive hormones; moreover, some fats are precursors to prostaglandin production. Prepartum vegetable fat supplementation has been associated with improved reproductive performance by cows and heifers managed for artificial insemination (AI) breeding. The biological basis for this effect is not clearly understood but is believed to reflect the influence of fat supplements on cyclicity, body weight, body condition, and …
Information Needs Regarding The National Animal Identification System In The Livestock Auction Market Industry, K. Bolte, Kevin C. Dhuyvetter, Ted C. Schroeder
Information Needs Regarding The National Animal Identification System In The Livestock Auction Market Industry, K. Bolte, Kevin C. Dhuyvetter, Ted C. Schroeder
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a federal-level voluntary program that uses a streamlined information system designed to help animal health officials and producers respond to animal health threats in a timely manner.2 Electronic individual animal identification systems likely will be the popular choice among cattle producers who adopt individual animal identification systems. Because auction markets are the first market for many cattle, livestock markets are a natural place to implement animal identification scanning and recording. Therefore, it is important to understand livestock market operators' knowledge, concerns, views, and adoption of the NAIS and electronic animal identification systems. If …
Length Of The Weaning Period Does Not Affect Post-Weaning Growth Or Health Of Lightweight Summer-Weaned Beef Calves, J.W. Bolte, K. C. Olson, Bradley J. White, Robert L. Larson, George A. Milliken, N.A. Sproul, M.D. Thomas, John R. Jaeger, Daniel U. Thomson
Length Of The Weaning Period Does Not Affect Post-Weaning Growth Or Health Of Lightweight Summer-Weaned Beef Calves, J.W. Bolte, K. C. Olson, Bradley J. White, Robert L. Larson, George A. Milliken, N.A. Sproul, M.D. Thomas, John R. Jaeger, Daniel U. Thomson
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most economically devastating feedlot disease. Risk factors associated with incidence of BRD include: 1) stress associated with maternal separation; 2) stress associated with introduction to an unfamiliar environment; 3) low feed intake associated with the introduction of novel feedstuffs into the diet; 4) exposure to novel pathogens upon transport to a feeding facility and commingling with unfamiliar cattle; and 5) inappropriately administered respiratory disease vaccination programs. Management practices collectively referred to as preconditioning are thought to minimize carcass damage resulting from BRD. Preconditioning management attempts to eliminate or reduce risk factors for respiratory disease …
Evaluation Of Dried Distiller’S Grains And Roughage Source In Steam-Flaked Corn-Based Finishing Diets, S. Uwituze, G.L. Parsons, M.K. Shelor, K.K. Karges, M.L. Gibson, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard
Evaluation Of Dried Distiller’S Grains And Roughage Source In Steam-Flaked Corn-Based Finishing Diets, S. Uwituze, G.L. Parsons, M.K. Shelor, K.K. Karges, M.L. Gibson, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) are the main byproduct of dry milling, the process used most frequently for fuel ethanol production. DDGS consist of the spent grains following ethanol distillation and are high in protein, fat, fiber, and minerals. Alfalfa hay and corn silage are roughages most commonly included in feedlot diets and are one of the most expensive ingredients in feedlot diets on an energy basis. Comparing use of alfalfa hay and corn silage in conjunction with DDGS can provide useful information on how to obtain maximum benefit from these ingredients. Our objective was to evaluate the use …
Effect Of Zilpaterol-Hcl (Zilmax) On Implanted And Non-Implanted Feedlot Steer Performance And Carcass Characteristics, T.J. Baxa, J.P. Hutcheson, M.F. Miller, W.T. Nichols, M.N. Streeter, D.A. Yates, B.J. Johnson
Effect Of Zilpaterol-Hcl (Zilmax) On Implanted And Non-Implanted Feedlot Steer Performance And Carcass Characteristics, T.J. Baxa, J.P. Hutcheson, M.F. Miller, W.T. Nichols, M.N. Streeter, D.A. Yates, B.J. Johnson
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Zilpaterol-HCl (Zilmax) is a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist approved as a growth promotant in feedlot cattle for use during the last 20 to 40 days prior to harvest. It is orally active and improves performance and total body lean tissue. The recommended dosage is 7.6 grams per ton of feed on a 100% dry matter basis. Steroidal implants are used in feedlot animals to improve average daily gain, feed efficiency, and total lean tissue deposition. Little is known about how Zilmax and steroidal implants influence growth performance when used in combination. Our objective was to evaluate performance of steers administered Zilmax …
Antimicrobial Ingredients Affect Beef Snack Stick Quality, A.L. Mayer, J.A. Gunderson, A.S. Lobaton-Sulabo, Elizabeth A.E. Boyle, Terry A. Houser, James J. Higgins
Antimicrobial Ingredients Affect Beef Snack Stick Quality, A.L. Mayer, J.A. Gunderson, A.S. Lobaton-Sulabo, Elizabeth A.E. Boyle, Terry A. Houser, James J. Higgins
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention estimate that 2,500 people become infected with listerosis each year by consuming food containing Listeria monocytogenes. Certain ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, particularly deli meats and hot dogs, are considered high risk products based on a Listeria risk assessment performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. Meat and poultry processors use various strategies to minimize L. monocytogenes contamination in ready-to-eat products; one strategy is inclusion of antimicrobial ingredients. Meat snacks, including snack sticks, …
Optimizing Ground Beef Lean Sources To Maximize Display Color Life, C. Raines, Melvin C. Hunt, John A. Unruh
Optimizing Ground Beef Lean Sources To Maximize Display Color Life, C. Raines, Melvin C. Hunt, John A. Unruh
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
It is widely accepted that meat color is the most important influencer of consumers' meat purchasing decisions. Understanding how ground cow meat discolors is, and will continue to be, very important as a large influx of cull dairy cows in the U.S. meat supply is predicted. Optimal management and more timely marketing of cows should result in increased revenue for the beef industry. However, many valuable by-products from cows have been labeled as specified risk materials accompanied by a lost value. Thus, there is an unprecedented need to add value to cow meat. Research characterizing cow muscles and how to …
Restricting Vitamin A In Cattle Diets Improves Beef Carcass Marbling And Usda Quality And Yield Grades, A.M. Arnett, M.J. Daniel, Michael E. Dikeman
Restricting Vitamin A In Cattle Diets Improves Beef Carcass Marbling And Usda Quality And Yield Grades, A.M. Arnett, M.J. Daniel, Michael E. Dikeman
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Marbling continues to be a major factor affecting profitability for beef producers, processors, retailers, and restaurateurs. However, feeding animals to "˜fatten' is quite inefficient, requiring about 2.25 times more energy than is needed for producing lean muscle. For the cattle feeding industry to be sustainable in the future, increases in marbling must be accomplished without increasing days on feed, slaughter age carcass weight, and fatness and without sacrificing feed efficiency and carcass cutability. A 2002 survey of feedlot nutritionists revealed that most recommended supplementation of vitamin A to feedlot cattle at levels exceeding the guidelines of the National Research Council …
Costs Of Adopting Radio Frequency Identification Reader Systems And Tagging Services In Livestock Auction Markets, K. Bolte, Kevin C. Dhuyvetter, Ted C. Schroeder
Costs Of Adopting Radio Frequency Identification Reader Systems And Tagging Services In Livestock Auction Markets, K. Bolte, Kevin C. Dhuyvetter, Ted C. Schroeder
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Livestock industry initiatives such as the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), marketing alliances, and production verification programs are leading to increased use of electronic animal identification systems. Livestock markets are one place where animal movement and identification information can be recorded easily. Auction market facilities can differentiate themselves by offering electronic individual animal identification and tracking services to customers. However, facility modifications, installation, and operating equipment needed to record electronic animal identification information at the speed of commerce involves costs. The more animals that the radio frequency identification (RFID) reading technology would be used on, the lower the cost of …
Nutrient Balance Of A Commercial Feedlot, S.Q. Jones, J.M. Ham, Joel M. Derouchey
Nutrient Balance Of A Commercial Feedlot, S.Q. Jones, J.M. Ham, Joel M. Derouchey
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The ability to develop nutrient balance for a livestock operation is important for maintaining a long-term sustainable production system and for compliance with current and future environmental regulations. Producers invest considerable financial resources in farm inputs, primarily feed and livestock. When animals leave the farm, they retain a portion of the feed nutrients they consumed, but the majority of consumed nutrients are excreted. Once excreted, certain compounds in the manure volatilize, which lowers the manure nutrient content and diminishes economic value of the manure as fertilizer. In addition, these volatile compounds can create air quality concerns. Operations designated as concentrated …
Heifers Sired By Bulls With Low Residual Feed Intake Estimated Breeding Values Have Lower Residual Feed Intake Than Heifers Sired By Bulls With High Residual Feed Intake Estimated Breeding Values, J. Minick Bormann, Daniel W. Moser, T.T. Marston
Heifers Sired By Bulls With Low Residual Feed Intake Estimated Breeding Values Have Lower Residual Feed Intake Than Heifers Sired By Bulls With High Residual Feed Intake Estimated Breeding Values, J. Minick Bormann, Daniel W. Moser, T.T. Marston
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Feed is one of the largest costs in a cow/calf or feedlot operation. However, very little data is available to aid producers in genetically improving their herd for feed efficiency. In Australia, bull tests record individual feed intakes, which are used to calculate Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) (analogous to EPD) for residual feed intake (RFI). Residual feed intake measures the degree to which feed intake deviates from expected levels based on the animal size and rate of gain. Negative values are good; they indicate the animal ate less than expected for its size and growth rate. Our objective was to …
Substituting Steam-Flaked Corn With Distiller’S Grains Alters Ruminal Fermentation And Diet Digestibility, S. Uwituze, G.L. Parsons, M.K. Shelor, K.K. Karges, M.L. Gibson, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard
Substituting Steam-Flaked Corn With Distiller’S Grains Alters Ruminal Fermentation And Diet Digestibility, S. Uwituze, G.L. Parsons, M.K. Shelor, K.K. Karges, M.L. Gibson, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Rapid expansion of fuel ethanol production in the High Plains, where feedlots commonly use steam-flaked corn diets, has popularized substituting dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) for a portion of the steam- flaked corn. Most of the starch in corn is removed during ethanol production. The residual material is rich in fiber, ruminal undegradable protein, and fat. Adding roughage to high-concentrate finishing diets helps maintain ruminal function by stimulating salivation, rumination, and gut motility. The source and level of roughage can influence dry matter intake. Our objective was to examine ruminal fermentation characteristics and diet digestibility when steam-flaked corn-based finishing …
Determining Optimum Flake Density For Feedlot Heifers, M.L. May, M.J. Quinn, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard
Determining Optimum Flake Density For Feedlot Heifers, M.L. May, M.J. Quinn, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Escalating costs of natural gas and electrical utilities have greatly increased the cost of flaking grain for feedlots. Energy demand for flaking is inversely related to bulk density of flaked grain; the lighter, more highly processed flakes typically require longer steaming times and greater roll pressures, which ultimately decreases mill. Corn is most commonly flaked to a density of about 28 lb/bushel, and published research results indicate that levels less than 28 lb/bushel afford no further advantage with respect to animal performance. Little information is available concerning the relative feed value of grains flaked to heavier bulk densities. Flaking grains …
Digestibility Of Dried Distiller’S Grains With Solubles In Steam-Flaked Or Dry-Rolled Corn Diets, M.L. May, M.J. Hands, M.J. Quinn, J.O. Wallace, Leigh W. Murray, Christopher D. Reinhardt, James S. Drouillard
Digestibility Of Dried Distiller’S Grains With Solubles In Steam-Flaked Or Dry-Rolled Corn Diets, M.L. May, M.J. Hands, M.J. Quinn, J.O. Wallace, Leigh W. Murray, Christopher D. Reinhardt, James S. Drouillard
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
In previous experiments, we observed that the nutritional value of dried distiller's grains is less when added to finishing diets made of steam-flaked corn than when added to diets of dry-rolled corn. We hypothesized that effects of grain processing on value of distiller's grains are attributable to differences in the digestion characteristics of grains processed via flaking or dry rolling. In this study, our objective was to evaluate differences in ruminal metabolism and total tract digestion of diets made from dry-rolled or steam-flaked corn with and without dried distiller's grains.
Forage Intake By Pregnant And Lactating First-Calf Heifers, D.R. Linden, David E. Anderson, L.A. Pacheco, J.W. Bolte, N.A. Sproul, M.D. Thomas, K. C. Olson, John R. Jaeger, Kelsey L. Holcomb
Forage Intake By Pregnant And Lactating First-Calf Heifers, D.R. Linden, David E. Anderson, L.A. Pacheco, J.W. Bolte, N.A. Sproul, M.D. Thomas, K. C. Olson, John R. Jaeger, Kelsey L. Holcomb
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Forage dry matter intake by mature cows usually decreases during the final 4 to 8 weeks of gestation and then increases dramatically during the first 4 to 8 weeks of lactation. Rapid fetal growth during late pregnancy causes a physical impingement of the rumen. This reduction in ruminal capacity can cause prepartum reduction in forage intake. The rumen recovers its normal volume after calving. The increase in forage intake typical of the postpartum period is driven by milk production. Little research has focused on forage intake patterns by first-calf beef heifers during late gestation and early lactation. It is unknown …