Life Sciences Commons^™

2023 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow-Calf Management

• Comparison of Semi-confined and Pasture-based August Calving Beef Cow Systems
• Including Gene Edited Sires in Genetic Evaluations
• Impact of Planning Horizon Length on Breeding Objectives and Resulting Selection Decisions
• Effect of Increasing Energy 30 days Prior to Artificial Insemination in Beef Heifers
• Extending Melengestrol Acetate Treatment from Fourteen to Eighteen Days in Beef Heifers
• Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers with Multi-Sire Sexed Semen

Growing Calf and Yearling Management

• Timing of Implant Use in the Backgrounding System
• Effects of Strategic Supplementation on Return to Management and Performance of Yearling Cattle

Forage Evaluation

• Forage Evaluation of Crested Wheatgrass
• Evaluation of …

Analysis Of Spoilage Bacteria Present In Vacuum Packaged Chilled Beef Treated With Organic Acids, Samuel C. Watson, Rebecca A. Furbeck, Byron D. Chaves, Samodha C. Fernando, Gary Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Preventing the spoilage of fresh, chilled beef is crucial for maintaining market value. Since organic acids are regularly used in the beef industry for pathogen control, their ability to improve the shelf life of fresh, chilled beef was evaluated. Fresh, chilled beef was individually treated with 4.5% lactic acid, 2.5% Beefxide^®, or 380 ppm peroxyacetic acid. After storage, Lactococcus, a genus of lactic acid bacteria, became the most common spoilage organism across all treatment and control samples. Organic acid treatments were not able to slow the growth of this genus and may not be an effective method to …

Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Two Beef Systems From Birth To Slaughter In Eastern Nebraska, Levi J. Mcphillips, Zac E. Carlson, Andrew E. Suyker, J. C. Macdonald, Tala Awada, Jane Okalebo, Shree Dangal, Rick R. Stowell, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Methane emissions from growing and finishing calves born into a spring calving, conventional cow system or a summer calving, partially-confined cow system were compared. Cows fed a restricted diet of corn-byproduct and grain residues in confinement produced less methane and carbon dioxide per day compared to cows grazing pasture or cover crop. Calves weaned from the confinement-based production system were smaller at weaning and compensated with greater gain during the growing phase. More days on feed in the finishing phase were needed for the calves from the confinement system to reach same backfat thickness. Over the entire growing and finishing …

Ponderosa Pine Wood Biochar Used As An Emissions Reduction Strategy In A Finishing Beef Cattle Diet, Holly A. Heil, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing feedlot experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding biochar on methane and carbon dioxide production, performance, and carcass characteristics in beef cattle. Two dietary treatments were evaluated; 0 or 1% biochar in a high concentrate diet comprised of dry-rolled corn, high moisture corn, Sweet Bran, and corn silage. Ponderosa pine wood biochar was added into the diet at 1% dry-matter displacing a 1% dry-matter blend of corn. Cattle were monitored using a calorimetry emissions barn to capture methane and carbon dioxide production. Emissions production, performance and carcass characteristics did not differ between cattle fed a control …

Effect Of Alga Bio 1.0 On Reducing Enteric Methane Emission From Cattle, Reba L. Conlin, Kassidy K. Buse, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Paul J. Kononoff

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Alga Bio 1.0 inclusion on methane and carbon dioxide emissions along with diet digestibility. Three treatments were evaluated with 0, 69, and 103 grams per day Alga Bio 1.0 fed as a top dress in a corn-based diet. Indirect calorimetry headboxes were utilized to evaluate gas production with 12 cows in 4 replicated 3x3 Latin squares. There was a 39% reduction in methane per lb of dry matter intake for cattle fed 69 g of Alga Bio 1.0 and 63% reduction when cattle were fed 103 g of Alga Bio 1.0 …

Effects Of Corn Processing And Silage Inclusion In Feedlot Diets On Steer Performance, Jessica L. Miller, Nolan R. Meier, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A feelot study compared the effects of corn silage inclusion on steer performance and carcass characteristics withing dry-rolled corn diets and steam-flaked corn diets. Treatments included four corn silage inclusions as 0, 15, 30, 45% of dry matter in both steam-flaked corn and dry-rolled corn base diets. Feeding a steam-flaked based corn diet increased average daily gain by 7.8% and improved feed conversion by 6.8% when compared to steers fed a dry-rolled corn diet. As corn silage inclusion increased, feed conversion increased linearly. When fed to the same days on feed carcass adjusted final body weight, hot carcass weight, and …

Effect Of Enogen Feed Corn Inclusion In Conventional And Natural Finishing Cattle Diets, Jessica Miller, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Increasing the extent of starch digestibility during finishing could allow producers to improve cattle efficiency. A finishing performance study was conducted to determine the effect of Enogen Feed Corn inclusion as dry-rolled corn and corn silage in comparison to a control corn hybrid within natural and conventional feeding programs for heifers and steers. Cattle in the conventional feeding program received implants and the ration included feed additives, while cattle on the natural program were not implanted and the ration did not contain feed additives. The inclusion of Enogen Feed Corn had no impact on steer or heifer finishing performance. The …

Effect Of Corn Processing On Steer Performance And Fecal Starch Content, Jessica L. Miller, Braden C. Troyer, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Processing corn as high-moisture corn increases starch digestion and improves cattle efficiency when fed blended with dry rolled corn in finishing rations. A finishing study evaluated the effect of corn processing method (dry-rolled corn or 2:1) high-moisture corn to dry rolled corn blend) on performance of calf-fed steers. Corn processing method did not affect average daily gain; however, steers fed a high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn blend consumed 1.1 lb/day less than steers fed a dry-rolled corn diet. Feeding high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn blend diets improved feed efficiency by 5.2% compared to steers fed dry-rolled corn. Fecal starch content …

Supplemental Lysine In Finishing Cattle Diets, Hanna Cronk, Zac Carlson, Mitch Norman, Levi Mcphillips, Andrea Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Gary Ducharme

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of increasing lysine supply in finishing beef cattle diets. Crossbreed steers (n=120, BW=577 ± 2 lb) were individually fed using a Calen Gate system for 195 days. Animals received a common finishing diet (63% corn, 15% corn silage and 15% distillers grains) with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 g per day of supplemental rumen bypass lysine. High levels of lysine (5 or more g per day) in the diet decreased dry matter intake, carcass adjusted body weight with no impact on carcass adjusted feed efficiency. Hot …

Impact Of Removing 20% Distillers Grain After One-Third Or Two-Thirds Of The Feeding Period On Performance Of Finishing Yearling, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Braden C. Troyer, Mitch M. Norman, Pablo L. Loza, Rick Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study evaluated the effect of removing modified distillers grains plus solubles after one-third or two-thirds of the feeding period on performance and carcass characteristics of yearling steers. Treatment diets included 20% modified distillers for the entire feeding period; 20% modified distillers for two-thirds of the feeding period and then 0%; and 20% modified distillers for one-third of the feeding period, then 0%. Removing modified distillers from the diet decreased average daily gain, final body weight and dry matter intake and tended to increase feed conversion. Cattle fed 20% modified distillers throughout the entire feeding period had greatest hot …

Impact Of Constant Inclusion Or Decreasing Inclusion Of Distillers Grains With High-Quality Or Low-Quality Roughage On Finishing Cattle Performance, Sofia Suarez Lorences, University Of Nebraska - Lincoln, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing trial was conducted to evaluate high-quality or low-quality roughage inclusion in diets containing three concentrations of modified distillers grains plus solubles on finishing cattle performance. In a randomized block design, steers were fed according to a 2x3 factorial arrangement with two roughage sources (6% corn stalks versus 12% corn silage) in three diets containing 0, 15, or decreasing inclusion of distillers (30, 15, then 0% across the feeding period). No interactions were observed between distillers inclusion and roughage source except for intake. Steers fed corn silage consumed less, gained the same, and had slightly better feed conversions Steers …

Evaluate The Effect Of Corn Processing, Drying Distillers Grains, Oil Removal From Distillers Grains, And Distillers Inclusion On Cattle Performance, Braden C. Troyer, Elliott James Dennis, Alfredo Dicastanzo, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An analysis of over 9,300 head of cattle and 980 pen means was conducted to evaluate the effect of corn processing, drying distillers grains, oil removal from distillers, and distillers inclusion on cattle performance. This analysis looked at both steam-flaked corn and high-moisture corn or dry-rolled corn or a blend of the latter two grains and their effects on performance with and without distillers grains. Additionally, wet, modified, and dried distillers grains were analyzed as both full fat or de-oiled products at various dietary concentrations with each corn type as the primary cereal grain to determine performance responses. There was …

Effects Of Individual Sweet Bran Components In Beef Finishing Diets On Nutrient Digestion, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Rittikeard Prachumchai, Maggie Youngers, Rick A. Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sweet Bran is a branded wet corn gluten feed recognized for improving rumen health, energy intake, and gains in finishing cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated steers were utilized in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin Square design to evaluate the effect of individual Sweet Bran components on total tract digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters. Three Sweet Bran components (solvent extracted germ meal, corn bran, and mixed steep) were included at 40% of diet dry matter in their respective treatment, with a steam-flaked corn control diet. Total tract dry matter and organic matter digestibility were least for bran, intermediate for solvent extracted …

Evaluation Of Lactiproflx In An Acidosis Challenge Model, Samantha K. Wagner, Rebecca J. Sjostrand, Tyler J. Spore, Mark E. Corrigan, Galen E. Erickson, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An acidosis challenge study was conducted comparing different administration techniques for LactiproFLX, a direct fed microbial product containing Megaspharea elsdenii (a lactate-utilizing bacteria) for the prevention of acidosis. Four treatments were utilized in a randomized block design with 24 ruminally cannulated steers. Treatments consisted of a control group which did not receive the product, a group which received the commercial dose of the product four days before the acidosis challenge, one which received the commercial dose of the product one day before the challenge, and one which received ten times the commercial dose one day before the challenge. No differences …

Evaluation Of Encapsulated Megasphaera Elsdenii In An Accelerated Beef Step-Up Program And An Acidosis Challenge Event, Cindy D. Mansfield, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Tyler Spore, Mark Corrigan, Galen E. Erickson, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 100-day metabolism study with 40 ruminally cannulated steers, individually fed, was conducted to determine the efects of daily feeding of encapsulated Megasphaera elsdenii along with a one-time dose of Lactipro NXT on dry matter intake, rumen organic acid concentration, lactate disappearance and native and specific strains of Megasphaera elsdenii concentration following an acidosis challenge. Steers fed Megasphaera elsdenii daily had greater intake after an acidosis event. Cattle fed daily Megasphaera elsdenii also had a faster rate of lactic acid disappearance after an acidosis event. Feeding Megasphaeara elsdenii daily may result in a faster recovery time, after an acidosis event, …

Effect Of Ad Libitum Vs. Limit Feeding Program At Receiving On Morbidity And Performance Of Feedlot Calves, Rebecca A. Funk, Braden C. Troyer, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-phase study was conducted to determine the effects of two different feed delivery strategies during the receiving period of feedlot calves. Calves were fed either by limit-feeding at approximately 75% of ad libitum, or ad libitum feed offerings for the 30-d receiving period to determine effects on health and performance. During the receiving period, average daily gain and total weight gained was increased for the ad libitum treatment. No differences between ad libitum and limit-fed treatment groups were observed in either feed to gain or morbidity rates. During the second phase of the trial, a subset of calves was …

Effect Of Species And Maturity On Small Grain Silage Yield And Quality, Abigail M. Sartin, Kallie J. Calus, Morgan T. Grabau, Alyssa K. Kuhn, Mary E. Drewnoski, D. D. Redfearn

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study was conducted to determine the effect of species and maturity on yield and nutritive value of winter-hardy small cereal grains used for silage. Three species were evaluated: cereal rye, winter triticale, and winter wheat at four different stages of maturity: boot, pollination, milk, and soft dough. As species matured, yield increased across all stages, but crude protein (CP) and digestible organic matter (DOM) decreased, except at soft dough where there was a slight increase in DOM. Crude protein was greatest at the boot stage at 17.7% and least at soft dough at 9.8%. When comparing species, rye and …

Evaluation Of Ankom F58 Filter Bags Compared To Beakers For Analysis Of Neutral Detergent Fiber, Sawyer R. Kappel, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feed ingredient, feed refusals, duodenal and fecal samples were analyzed to compare two methods of determining neutral detergent fiber. All samples were weighed into Ankom F58 fiber bags and Analyzed using an Ankom 2000 automated fiber Analyzer. Results were then compared to the Van Soest beaker method. The fiber values determined from both methods were within 3.5% of one another, with the beaker method being consistently greater compared to the Ankom method, except for fecal samples. Variability in fiber estimates for ingredients, feed refusals, and feces translated to substantial inconsistency in estimated neutral detergent fiber digestibilities among treatments. It is …

Forage Evaluation Of Crested Wheatgrass, Kelton C. Adair, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Andrea K. Watson, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment evaluated the forage value of crested wheatgrass (CWG) harvested throughout the grazing season near Sidney, Nebraska over a two-year period (2019-2020). The purpose of the evaluation was to determine forage quality and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) content to help producers with supplementation decisions for cattle grazing monoculture CWG pastures. In vitro dry matter disappearance quadratically decreased from 54% in May to 37% in September of 2019, with no changes throughout 2020, averaging 43%. In both years, crude protein (CP) decreased throughout the growing season while rumen undegradable protein (RUP) increased (as % CP). Digestible RUP was less than …

Effects Of Strategic Supplementation On Return To Management And Performance Of Yearling Cattle, Kaylee E. Wheeler, Dean Dustin, Jay Parsons, M. E. Drewnoski, K. H. Jenkins Pas

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A three-year experiment evaluated the effects of two supplementation strategies on yearling cattle performance and producer returns to management. Yearling cattle grazed on crested wheatgrass pastures and were supplemented either throughout the entire grazing season, only during the latter part of the grazing season, or not supplemented at all. The supplemented yearlings received 3.5 lb of dried distillers grains with solubles 6 days/week. On average non-supplemented yearlings had an average daily gain of 1.1 lb/d and providing supplement increased average daily gain by 0.5 lb/d. Yearlings supplemented during the latter part of the season had similar performance to yearlings supplemented …

Timing Of Implant Use In The Backgrounding System, Kelton C. Adair, Kylie M. Butterfield, Zach E. Carlson, Braden C. Troyer, Jiehua Xiong, Mitchell M. Norman, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, M. E. Drewnoski, Brandon L. Nuttelman

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year study utilized 240 weaned steers each year in a 3-phase yearling production system: winter backgrounding, summer grazing, and finishing. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of winter rate of gain (LOW or HIGH) and implant strategy during the winter backgrounding and summer grazing periods on compensatory gain, animal performance, and carcass characteristics. Calves received 1 of 3 implant strategies: NONE, SINGLE (Revalor-G during summer grazing), and MULTIPLE (Ralgro during winter backgrounding and Revalor-G during summer grazing). All cattle received a Revalor-XS during the finishing phase. Implant strategy and rate of gain during the winter …

Artificial Insemination Of Beef Heifers With Multi-Sire Sexed Semen, Dempster Christenson, John Maddux, Jordan M. Thomas, R. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study observed pregnancy outcomes resulting from artificial insemination of beef heifers with multi-sire sexed semen. It was hypothesized, pregnancy rates resulting from multi-sire sexed semen would be increased compared to pregnancy rates from prior studies using single-sire sexed semen. Producers looking to maximize the proportion of calves of one sex may consider the technique. Ultrasound determined pregnancy rate of heifers given multi-sire sexed semen was 65%, which is 12% greater than the average pregnancy rate reported in previous studies using single-sire sexed semen. After accounting for date of birth however, the adjusted AI conception rate was calculated to range …

Effect Of Increasing Energy 30 Days Prior To Artificial Insemination In Beef Heifers, Landon F. Tadich, Rachel E.S. Rogers, Jim R. Teichert, R. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 3-yr study utilized 300 Angus-based, spring-born heifers to evaluate postweaning heifer development systems on gain and reproductive performance. Three groups of heifers were developed over the winter development period either grazing winter range or fed a dry lot diet targeted to 1.5 lb/d of gain in order to achieve 65% of their mature body weight at breeding. Thirty days prior to artificial insemination, heifers grazing winter rand entered the dry lot and were fed this same diet, one group of dry lot heifers remained on this diet, and the other received increased energy in the form of wet corn …

Including Gene Edited Sires In Genetic Evaluations, Leticia P. Sanglard, Garret M. See, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A simulation study investigated and provided potential solutions to practical issues that could arise from including gene-edited sires in routine genetic evaluations. Gene-editing is a technique for adding, deleting, or replacing nucleotides in the genome. Editing nucleotides controlling important socioeconomic traits (e.g., growth, carcass, disease susceptibility) is expected to improve rates of genetic gain. However, targeted alterations of the genome can affect the relationship among individuals and, consequently, introduce bias in Expected Progeny Differences. The current study illustrated that, indeed, Expected Progeny Differences for the progeny of edited sires were underestimated. Consequently, these animals would be less likely to be …

Comparison Of Semi-Confined And Pasture-Based August Calving Beef Cow Systems, Hannah F. Speer, Harvey C. Freetly, M. E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Limited pasture availability and increased pasture rental rates have generated a need to evaluate alternative cow-calf production systems. The current study compared cow and calf performance in two August-calving cow systems that combined corn residue grazing with 1) perennial forage grazing and hay or 2) summer drylot feeding and fall cover crop grazing. Differences in pregnancy rates between systems within year were not observed; however, the effect of production system on cow body condition and calf body weight at different time points varied across years. Overall, cow and calf performance were not negatively impacted in the drylot/cropland system, suggesting that …

Impact Of Planning Horizon Length On Breeding Objectives And Resulting Selection Decisions, Hunter F. Valasek, Bruce L. Golden, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The weighting of traits in a selection index depends on varying circumstances that can difer among beef producers (e.g. economic factors, breeding systems). The determination of planning horizon is an additional variable that can differ among producers that represents the impact of genetic selection decisions over a gradient of time. A web-based economic index construction platform (iGENDEC) was used in the current study to investigate the implications of planning horizon on relative emphasis values of traits within the breeding goal and potential differences in sire selection decisions. General-purpose indexes were created for three breeding systems under six different …

Microtubule Polarity Flaws As A Treatable Driver Of Neurodegeneration, Bridie D. Eckel, Roy Cruz Jr., Erin M. Craig, Peter W. Baas

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Microtubule disruption is a common downstream mechanism leading to axonal degeneration in a number of neurological diseases. To date, most studies on this topic have focused on the loss of microtubule mass from the axon, as well as changes in the stability properties of the microtubules and/or their tubulin composition. Here we posit corruption of the normal pattern of microtubule polarity orientation as an underappreciated and yet treatable contributor to axonal degeneration. We include computational modeling to fortify the rigor of our considerations. Our simulations demonstrate that even a small deviation from the usual polarity pattern of axonal microtubules is …

Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Annual Progress Report, 2023, Southeast South Dakota Research Farm

Agricultural Experiment Station and Research Farm Annual Reports

This is an annual report of the research program at the Southeast South Dakota Research Farm in cooperation with South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences and has special significance for those engaged in agriculture and the agriculturally related businesses in the ten county area of Southeast South Dakota. The results shown are not necessarily complete or conclusive. Interpretations given are tentative because additional data resulting from continuation of these experiments may result in conclusions different from those based on any one year.

Effects Of Anthocyanin Supplementation In Diet On Glycemic And Related Cardiovascular Biomarkers In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Ting Mao, Fnu Akshit, Maneesha S. Mohan

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

Purpose: This study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis based on RCTs on the effects of anthocyanins on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the effect on T2DM-related cardiovascular disease. Methods: RCTs published in English from five electronic databases were evaluated for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-h postprandial blood glucose, fasting insulin, model assessment for insulin resistance, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. The quality of the studies was rated (Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) and weighted mean differences were …

Kom-Butcher Of Pathogens, Mel Peña, Yazmin Chamu, Laura Lea Davis

Humboldt Journal of Microbiology

The antimicrobial properties of kombucha are not well understood, but it is believed that they can be used against foodborne pathogens. In this study, its effectiveness was tested against two common food-borne and one yeast pathogens (E. coli, S. aureus, and C. auris). Three popular store-bought kombuchas (GT Synergy, Moss Beach, and Health-Aide Raw) and one home-brewed kombucha were used to study the antimicrobial properties of kombucha. Several nutrient broth tubes were individually inoculated with the microbes in question and were treated with kombucha (Figures 1-3). There were indications of bacteria settling at the bottom of all tubes except the …