Agriculture Commons^™

Hypomagnesemic Tetany Or “Grass Tetany”, Michelle Arnold, Jeff Lehmkuhler

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

Magnesium is a vital component of normal nerve conduction, muscle function, and bone mineral formation. Hypomagnesemic tetany or “grass tetany” is a disorder caused by an abnormally low blood concentration of the essential mineral magnesium (Mg). Synonyms for this disorder include spring tetany, grass staggers, wheat pasture poisoning, or lactation tetany.

Brassicas: Be Aware Of The Animal Health Risks, Michelle Arnold, Jeff Lehmkuhler

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

Winter annuals are often used to extend the grazing season. These forages can be used as supplemental feed when lower quality perennial forages dominate or to provide grazing at times when other forages are not available. On farms where row crops are grown, the combination of crop residues and fall growth of annual crops can allow livestock grazing to be extended well into the winter months. The annuals provide a cover for the soil during winter as well. Winter annuals planted in the early fall will allow grazing in late fall to early winter similar to stockpiled fescue. Based on …

Fescue Toxicosis, Michelle Arnold, Cynthia Gaskill, S. Ray Smith

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] is a cool-season, perennial grass frequently infected with the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum. An endophyte is a fungus or bacteria that lives entirely within the tissue spaces of plants and is only visible microscopically. The plant and fungus enjoy a relationship that is symbiotic—mutually beneficial to both organisms. The fungus has free access to the plant’s nutrients and the plant provides a means for the endophyte to reproduce through infected seeds. The fungus, in turn, produces chemicals (ergot alkaloids) that function as chemical defenses, making the plant more vigorous, pest-resistant, drought-resistant, and …

Cyanide Poisoning In Ruminants, Michelle Arnold, Cynthia Gaskill, S. Ray Smith, Garry D. Lacefield

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

Prussic acid, cyanide, or hydrocyanic acid are all terms relating to the same toxic substance. Hydrogen cyanide was first isolated from a blue dye (Prussian blue) and because of its acidic nature it became known by the common name “prussic acid.” Cyanide is one of the most rapidly acting toxins that affect cattle.

Ergotism, Michelle Arnold

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

Ergotism and fescue toxicosis are clinically similar syndromes caused by consuming plants containing ergot alkaloids. The toxic effects and mechanisms of action are similar in both syndromes although the alkaloids are produced by different species of fungi. Ergot is a fungus that grows on the seed head of cereal grains and grasses. The term “ergot” is used in general as a common name for the Claviceps fungi or it may be used more specifically when referring to the ergot body of Claviceps purpurea when present on rye. These fungi parasitize the ovary of the developing grass flower and prevent development …

Shakers - South Union, Kentucky (Sc 1395), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1395. Catalog of garden seeds grown by the Shaker society at South Union, Kentucky, 1867; Shaker letterhead with cake recipe; and instructions for growing summer turnips.

Nitrate Poisoning, Michelle Arnold, Cynthia Gaskill, Jeff Lehmkuhler, S. Ray Smith

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

Nitrates are present in all plants, but normally their concentrations are not excessive. Under normal growing conditions, nitrate from the soil is absorbed by the roots of forage plants, and is supplied to the upper portions of the plant (primarily leaves) where it is converted into plant protein. However, adverse environmental conditions (such as drought), sudden weather changes (cool, cloudy weather), leaf damage (due to hail, frost, or herbicides), or heavy fertilization with nitrogen, can cause plants to develop and retain potentially dangerous levels of nitrate. The lower stalks and stems at the base of the plant are the site …

Beef Cattle Nutrition, Minerals, Troy D. Cooper, Darrell Rothlisberger, Dale Zobell

All Current Publications

Beef cattle require a number of dietary mineral elements for regular bodily maintenance, growth and reproduction. Minerals that are essential in larger amounts are labeled as major or macro elements. Those needed in smaller amounts are called micro, minor or trace minerals. These terms, have no relationship to the metabolic significance of a mineral in the diet. A trace mineral can be as crucial to the health and performance of an animal as a major mineral.

Can Cows Eat Snow?, Jim Keyes

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes situations where cattle can survive on snow without having any other watagriculer supply.

What Makes A Good Bull?, James Keyes

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the importance of a good sire and how to select one.

Characteristics Of White-Tailed Deer Visits To Cattle Farms: Implications For Disease Transmission At The Wildlife-Livestock Interface, Are R. Berentsen, Ryan S. Miller, Regina Misiewicz, Jennifer L. Malmberg, Mike R. Dunbar

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is endemic in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in MI, USA. Currently, the rates of farm visitation by deer and co-use of forage resources by cattle and deer are poorly understood. To evaluate the extent deer and livestock may share forage resources, we investigated farm, yard, and cattle-use area visitation by white-tailed deer and compared visitation with common livestock management practices. We fitted 25 female white-tailed deer near the bTB-infected zone in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula with global positioning system collars. Livestock management practices associated with farm visitation included presence of confined feeding pastures, number of …

Carbon Farming In Wa, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia, Department Of Regional Development And Lands, Western Australia

Natural resources published reports

Fact sheets:

1. Applying biochar to improve soil quality and crop productivity

2. Reducing methane emissions from cattle using feed additives

3. Cattle breeding for lower greenhouse gas emissions

4. Managing genetic codes to reduce methane emissions from cattle

5. Managing pastures and stocking rate to reduce methane emissions from cattle

6. Claying as a method of increasing soil carbon content

7. Green and brown manuring as part of carbon farming

8. Permanent environmental plantings to earn carbon credits

9. Nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils

10. Sheep genetics in methane reduction

11. Managing sheep pastures to reduce methane production …

Spoilage Of Wet Distillers' Grains Plus Solubles When Stored In A Bunker, Jana L. Harding

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

Five studies evaluated the impact of spoilage of wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) on nutrient composition, nutrient losses, and cattle performance. Exp. 1 and Exp. 2 utilized barrels to evaluate the ability of various cover treatments to prevent nutrient changes and losses due to spoilage. In Exp. 3, a 140-d barrel study was conducted to mimic bunker storage under ambient temperature but with no precipitation. Barrels were weighed and sampled on 28 day intervals. In Exp. 4, a 130-d finishing study utilized 60 individually-fed steers fed 3 treatments: a dry-rolled corn based diet (control) and 2 diets containing 40% …

Optimizing Land Use On A Beef Operation: A Utah Example, Nicole Nelson, Mark Nelson, D. R. Zobell

All Current Publications

One of the most important resources that a beef producer has is the pasture or range. This resource must be provided great care in order to continue producing beef cattle.

Marketing Strategies For Organic And Natural Meat Producers, Kynda Curtis, Shane Feuz, Nelissa Aybar

All Current Publications

In-person consumer surveys concerning meat consumption preferences and willingness to pay for specialty meat products were carried out in the fall of 2007 (Wang, Curtis, and Moeltner, 2011).

The Impact Of Selected Forage Legumes On Cattle Performance, Forage Production, And Soil Quality, And Evaluation Of Legume Persistence Under Grazing, Bradley Edward Briggs

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Interest in substituting legumes for N fertilizer in beef cattle grazing systems has recently increased with rising fertilizer prices. Legumes are well known for their ability to fix atmospheric N and decrease dependence on input of N fertilizer. However, there are still difficulties associated with legume utilization including establishment and persistence. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate legume performance under herbivory. The objective of Experiment 1 was to compare forage production and beef cattle gains from annual ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum (L.)] and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures fertilized with N or overseeded with legumes. Gelbvieh × Angus …

Life Cycle Boundaries And Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Beef Cattle, Quentin M. Dudley

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Beef cattle are estimated to directly contribute 26% of U.S. agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and future climate change policy may target reducing these emissions. Life cycle assessment (LCA) of GHG emissions from U.S. feedlot beef cattle was conducted to compare methods of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a more complete evaluation of emissions. The inclusion of emissions from crop production for feed, associated land use change, and other minor factors nearly doubled GHG emissions associated with beef feedlots from the EPA Annual Inventory estimate of 1611 kgCO₂e hd^-1 yr^-1 to 3182 ± 167 …

Protocol For Trichomonas Diagnosis In Cattle For Utah, Bruce King, Kerry Rood

All Current Publications

Trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus, is a serious reproductive (venereal) disease found in some Utah cattle herds. Diagnosis of trichomoniasis is made when trichomonad organisms are detected in the smegma or preputial flush samples of bulls, or the uterine/vaginal fluids of cows

Investing In Genetics, Bridger Feuz, Dillon M. Feuz

All Current Publications

Agriculture Extension professionals as well as other agriculture industry professionals often extol the virtues of being the” low cost producer.” In most cases being the low cost producer does lead to an increase in profitability. However, two different data sets have suggested a couple of areas that high profit producers actually spend more money on then low profit producers.

Beef Heifer Retention Decisions, Cody Reed, Dale Zobell

All Current Publications

This publication discusses a number of general factors that are essential to an effective decision regarding whether to retain heifers or not.

Maine Learns To Love Dairying, Erin Love

Historical Ecology Atlas of New England

The transition from subsistence to commercial farming is a defining trend in Maine dairying that continues today. Technological advances that often caused large landscape scale changes were catalysts in the division between small and large farmers. The industry developed in a relatively short time period—the last thirty years of the 19th century—but the characteristic divide between large and small farmers has continued to be exacerbated.

Synchronizing Cattle Using Progesterone Infused Vaginal Inserts, Kerry A. Rood, Kevin Heaton, Rusty Stott

All Current Publications

This publication provides tips for cattle producers for synchronizing cattle using progesterone infused vaginal inserts.

Tips For Synchronizing Cattle Using Progesterone Infused Vaginal Inserts, Kerry A. Rood, Rusty Stott, Kevin Heaton

All Current Publications

This publication provides tips for cattle producers for synchronizing cattle using progesterone infused vaginal inserts.

Effects Of Adipogenic Compounds On Growth Performance, Hormonal Status And Fat Deposition Of Finishing Beef Steers, Susanna Elizabeth Kitts

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Processes that regulate site of fat deposition in beef cattle are poorly understood. For the producer to procure the greatest profit, it is ideal to maximize intramuscular fat. Furthermore, to understand the physiological mechanisms affecting fat depots, it is necessary to evaluate hormones involved in growth regulation. Using a 2 x 2 factorial design of treatments, four experiments were conducted to examine two adipogenic compounds, chlortetracycline and dexamethasone. Synovex-S® and Revalor-S® were used to investigate potential interactions between growth implants and adipogenic compound. Growth performance, carcass quality, organ and fat mass and plasma hormone concentrations were measured in these studies. …

Economic Impact Of Ethanol Production On Arkansas Cattle Feed Prices, Mary Leigh Clayton

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine what the impact of the increase in ethanol production is having on Arkansas cattle feed prices. This study relies on secondary data from Arkansas and national agricultural sectors. Both descriptive and analytical methods are used to evaluate the impact of crude oil, ethanol, and beef cattle prices on cattle feed. Data was collected from the USDA- NASS for beef cattle prices, EIA for crude oil, the Official Nebraska Government Website for ethanol, and the ERS/USDA Feedgrains Database for corn meal. The analytical methods for this study are graphical, correlation, and regression analysis. …

Training Livestock To Leave Streams And Use Uplands, Usu Extension

All Current Publications

Cattle can damage streams and surrounding vegetation—riparian areas—by breaking down banks decreasing water quality, and reducing wildlife living in the stream and on the land.

Making And Keeping Your Cattle Herd Safe From Bovine Viral Diarrhea (Bvd), Kerry A. Rood, C Kim Chapman, Allen Young

All Current Publications

This publication provides steps for keeping cattle herds safe from Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD).

Sheep Updates 2008 - Part 2, Meredith L. Sheil, Di Evans, Brown Besier, Tim Scanlon, Andre Martinho De Almeida, Johan Greeff, Tanya Kilminster, John Milton, Chris Oldham, B. L. Mcintyre, Alison Wheatley, John Lucey, Fiona Jones, Nick Costa, Ed Riggall, J. R. L. Hall, Robin Jacob, Dave Pethick, Dave Hopkins, Graham Gardner

Sheep Updates

This session covers eleven papers from different authors: The Sheep Room 1. Analgesia for Surgical Husbandry Procedures in Sheep and Other Livestock, Dr Meredith L. Sheil, Animal Ethics Pty Ltd, Associate Sydney University Faculty of Veterinary Science The Wool Enterprise 2. Unmulsed sheep - implications for chemical use, Di Evans & Brown Besier, Department of Agriculture and Food WA 3. Are Damara and Dorper sheep better adapted than Merinos to nutritional stress? - Growth rates, Tim Scanlon1, Andre Martinho de Almeida2, Johan Greeff1, Tanya Kilminster1, John Milton3, Chris Oldham1, Department of Agriculture and Food WA1, Instituto de Investigacao Cientifica Tropical, …

Evaluation Of Dry Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Inclusion On Performance And Economics Of Finishing Beef Steers, C. D. Buckner, T. L. Mader, G. E. Erickson, S. L. Colgan, D. R. Mark, V. R. Bremer, K. K. Karges, M. L. Gibson

Panhandle Research and Extension Center

A 167-d feedlot study was conducted to evaluate feeding increasing levels of dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) to finishing cattle and the impact on performance and profitability. Crossbred steer calves (n = 240, BW = 306 ± 24.5 kg) were used in 30 pens with dietary treatments of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% DDGS dietary inclusion (DM basis). Quadratic relationships (P < 0.05) were observed for final BW and ADG as dietary DDGS increased, with the greatest ADG observed at 20% inclusion. The DMI was not affected (P > 0.15) by DDGS level, but G:F tended to be quadratic (P = 0.10) as 20% DM inclusion had the greatest value, although steers fed all levels of DDGS had numerically greater G:F compared with steers fed no …

Vesicular Stomatitis In Cattle, Ann Justice Allen, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

This publication lists definition, symptoms, warning signs, and recommended actions regarding vesicular stomatitis in cattle.