Agriculture Commons^™

Impact Of Myoglobin Oxygenation State On Color Stability Of Beef Steaks During Frozen Storage And Thawed Retail Display, Morgan Lee Henriott

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Meat color is the most important product characteristic that impacts consumer purchasing decisions. Therefore, the major objectives of this thesis were to determine the impact of myoglobin oxygenation level and frozen storage duration on both frozen and thawed beef color. USDA Choice strip loins (n=36) were aged for 4 d or 20 d and cut into steaks. Steaks were randomly assigned to a myoglobin oxygenation level [deoxymyoglobin (DeOxy; immediately packaged), oxygenation (Oxy; oxygenated in air for 30 minutes), or high oxygenation (HiOxy; packaged for 24 h in 80% O₂)]. Steaks were then vacuum packaged in oxygen permeable or …

Impact Of Feeding Distillers Grains Or Isolated Components In Distillers Grains To Growing And Finishing Cattle, And The Comparison Of Protein Content And In-Situ Digestibility Of Feeds Commonly Used In Feedlot Diets, Brianna B. Conroy

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The use of distillers grains originating from biofuel production has become widely used in feedlot diets. Distillers grains has been identified as having an increased feeding value relative to dry-rolled corn, in recent years the composition of distillers grains has begun to change due to greater refinement in the ethanol production process. Two feedlot trials were conducted to evaluate the contribution of fat, fiber, and protein from distillers grains in the diets of growing and finishing cattle. Growing steers were fed a grass hay-based ration, including a corn control diet compared to a diet containing modified distillers grains plus solubles, …

Effects Of Late Gestation Supplementation And Creep Feeding On Spring Calving Beef Cows In The Nebraska Sandhills, Devin Broadhead

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objectives of this research were to 1) evaluate the effects of late gestation supplementation, synchronization and creep feeding on cow and calf production traits 2) evaluate the pooled effects of 5 studies involving late gestation supplementation on cow and calf traits. Experiment 1 was a three year study conducted on 8 pastures at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory. Cows were assigned to 1 of 4 late-gestation supplementation treatments, postpartum progestin or control, and 1 of 2 creep feed treatments to make up a 4 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Calves were followed through to slaughter.

Experiment 2 involved 5 …

Evaluation Of Alpha Amylase Containing Corn On Beef Cattle Performance And Digestibility And Double-Cropped Annual Forages Following Corn Harvest, Mckenna Brinton

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

One digestion and three feedlot trials evaluated the effect of a new corn hybrid containing an α-amylase enzyme trait, Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn (SYT-EFC) on site and extent of digestion, ruminal fermentation parameters, and feedlot performance. Experiments utilized corn containing the enzymatic gene (SYT-EFC) compared to commercially available corn (CON), processed as corn silage (CS) kernel processed or not (KP), dry-rolled corn (DRC), high-moisture corn (HMC), or a blend of DRC and HMC. Growing calves fed high inclusions of CS, displayed increased G:F when CS was KP, resulting in a 6.5% improvement in G:F. Hybrid and kernel processing did not …

Effects Of Alternative Carbohydrate Sources And Soybean-Derived Isoflavones On The Microbiome And Immune System Of Nursery Piglets And Intestinal Porcine Epithelial Cell Line J-2, Sydney Kinstler

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Four experiments were conducted to characterize the microbiome of the piglet and observe effects of diet on growth performance and immunity. In Exp. 1, 96 nursery piglets were fed varying carbohydrate sources and in Exp. 2, 64 piglets were fed a soy protein concentrate or soybean meal as-is or supplemented with an isoflavone concentrate. Body and feeder weights were measured for growth performance estimation. Luminal contents and scrapings were isolated for microbial composition analysis. Fecal and blood samples were extracted in Exp. 2 for microbiome and immunity analysis. Diets did not affect growth performance (P > 0.10); however, Exp. 1 piglets …

Impact Of Beta-Adrenergic Agonist Supplementation And Heat Stress On The Microbiome And Gastrointestinal Transcriptome Of Sheep, Erin M. Duffy

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Improving animal growth and efficiency are critical points of research as the world’s population and demand for agriculture products increase. Therefore, adaptions or changes in the gut are of interest to maximize growth efficiency and wellbeing of livestock. The gastrointestinal tract of the rumen plays many critical roles with the assistance of the associated microbial community. One way to improve animal performance is supplementation of β-adrenergic agonists (β-AA) which are commonly fed to cattle during the last 20-40 days of the finishing period, improving muscle growth by decreasing adipose deposition and increasing muscle accretion. Two β-AA, Ractopamine HCl (β1-AA) and …

Undergraduate Success In Animal Science Courses Based On Demographics, Motivation, And Online Courses, Haylee Anne Lavoie

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A deeper understanding of student demographics, motivation, and outlook of online vs. face to face courses in Animal Science is needed to allow educators to facilitate greater student success. The purpose of this study was to investigate student factors which effected their final grades. The following courses were surveyed at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln Animal Science Department: Animal Products (ASCI 210), Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals (ASCI 240), Introduction to Companion Animals (ASCI 251), Companion Animal Behavior (ASCI 271), Companion Animal Nutrition (ASCI 321), Equine. Nutrition (ASCI 322), Equine Reproduction (ASCI 342), Animal Welfare (ASCI 370), Processed Meats …

Beef Production Systems In The Nebraska Sandhills, Mckay Erickson

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Four studies were conducted to determine the effectiveness of improving production systems of beef cattle in the Sandhills region of Nebraska. These studies were to determine impacts of modified estrus synchronization protocols, genomic testing heifer calves for longevity, and evaluation of 2 differing calving systems (March or May) for improving biological outcome and improved production. Experiment 1 utilized 180 yearling heifers to determine the effectiveness of a second dose of prostaglandin F_2α(PGF) with those females not expressing estrus after an initial 14 d MGA-PG estrus synchronization protocol. The treatment of PGF did increase estrus expression, but did not …

Selective Harvest Methods And Chemical Treatment Of Baled Corn Residue For Utilization In Growing Calf And Dry Cow Diets, Ashley C. Conway

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Three studies were conducted to evaluate baled corn residue using selective harvest method and anhydrous ammonia treatments to assess utility in growing calf and dry cow diets. Baled corn residue was harvested using conventional rake-and-bale (CONV) method, or harvested using the New Holland Cornrower in which either eight rows (8ROW), or two rows (2ROW) of corn stalks were chopped into the windrow with tailings. Bales were either not treated or ammoniated at 5.5% DM. When fed to wether lambs in a mixed ration (65% residue, 30% wet corn gluten feed) to determine digestibility, the 2ROW residue had greater apparent DM, …

The Utilization Of Brown Midrib Corn Silage Hybrids And Kernel Processing To Improve Corn Silage Value And The Use Of High Protein Distillers Grains To Evaluate Starch Digestion, Lauren A. Ovinge

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Three studies evaluated the effects of corn silage hybrid, inclusion level and kernel processing in growing and finishing diets. Two more studies were conducted on high protein dried distillers grains and its effect in finishing diets. Experiment 1 and 2 evaluated three corn silage hybrids; standard (CON; hybrid-TMF2H708), brown midrib (bm3; hybrid-F15579S2) and Unified™ brown midrib with SilaSoft™ kernel technology with a floury endosperm (bm3-soft; hybrid-F15578XT) harvested with or without kernel processing on growth and metabolism. Experiment 3 evaluated a brown midrib hybrid (bm3; hybrid-F27F627; Mycogen® Seeds) or a control (CON; hybrid-TMF2H708) in the diet …

Evaluation Of Protein Utilization In Low And High Protein Forage Sources And The Economic Value Of Supplementing Field Peas (Pisum Sativum) To Growing Cattle Grazing Crested Wheatgrass Pastures, Braden C. Troyer

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Field peas are widely grown in the panhandle of Nebraska; however, markets quickly become saturated. A two year experiment was conducted comparing field peas to dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a protein supplement. The objective was to establish a price producers could pay for field peas relative to DDGS. There was a significant difference in ADG due to type of supplement (P = 0.02). Field pea supplemented heifers had 10% lower ADG compared to DDGS supplemented heifers. Economically, this means if DDGS is priced at or $124.58/ 909 kg DM a producer could pay $2.89/ 27 kg, …

Evaluation Of Microbial Community Dynamics Impacting The Shelf-Life Of Processed Meats, Chad G. Bower

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objective of this study in its entirety was to utilize high next-generation genetic sequencing to evaluate the microbial communities involved with processed meat spoilage. High throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq© platform was used alongside traditional plating methods to characterize the growth and composition of bacterial communities in processed meats. Previous results from this lab indicated a relatively high prevalence of Pseudomonas in cooked, sliced, and vacuum packaged deli meats, which was contrary to conventional wisdom. Therefore, four studies were designed to further evaluate the factors that may influence microbial communities in processed meats. Study 1 …

The Effects Of Butyric Acid On Performance Parameters, Egg Quality And Nutrient Utilization In Young White Leghorn Hens, Dani-El Hanna

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Adviser: Sheila E. Purdum

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Prophorce butyric acid on the performance of White Leghorn laying hens. Hens (180) were placed in 60 conventional cages (3 hens/cage) using a completely randomized design with 30 replicate cages per treatment allowing 722.58cm²/hen. Hens were given the control or butyric acid. The trial spanned 40 weeks (35 weeks old at the start). Water was given ad libitum and hens were fed 110g/day. Egg production and mortality were recorded daily. Egg shell strength, weight, and mass were recorded biweekly; hen weights and egg …

The Role Of Inflammatory Pathways In Development, Growth, And Metabolism Of Skeletal Muscle In Iugr Offspring; Blood Gene Expression Of Inflammatory Factors As Novel Biomarkers For Assessing Stress And Wellbeing In Exotic Species., Robert J. Posont

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Our first study identified the effects of maternal inflammation-induced intrauterine growth restriction (MI-IUGR) on growth and muscle glucose metabolism in offspring supplemented with curcumin. MI-IUGR lambs exhibited asymmetric growth restriction at birth and 30d of age, but normal glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Hindlimb glucose oxidation was reduced by MI-IUGR and not improved by curcumin supplementation. Ex vivo muscle glucose oxidation was reduced by MI-IUGR but improved somewhat by curcumin. These finding indicate that fetal programming responses to MI contribute to neonatal growth and metabolic deficits. Neonatal curcumin supplementation had minimal effect on growth deficits but may improve glucose metabolism. …

Attainment And Maintenance Of Pubertal Cyclicity May Predict High A4 Cows With Reduced Fertility, Sarah Nafziger

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Puberty attainment was investigated in heifers. Blood samples were collected from weaning until breeding during 6 years from heifers born in 2012-2017. Plasma progesterone concentrations ≥ 1 ng/ml were used to indicate cyclicity, and heifers were categorized into one of four puberty groups using SAS: 1) Early heifers reached puberty before March 12 and cycled continuously during the sampling period, 2) Typical heifers reached puberty on or after March 12 and cycled continuously, 3) Start-Stop heifers had at least one occurrence of progesterone ≥ 1 ng/ml but discontinued cycling during the sampling period, and 4) Non-Cycling heifers had no occurrence …