Animal Sciences Commons^™

A Sentiment And Content Analysis Of Twitter Content Regarding The Use Of Antibiotics In Livestock, Garrett M. Steede, Courtney Meyers, Nan Li, Erica Irlbeck, Sherice Gearhart

Journal of Applied Communications

On January 1, 2017, the final rule of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) was put into place requiring antibiotics approved for both humans and animals to be discontinued for growth promotion. This change was brought on by the role growth promoters in livestock production play in the development of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance increases the costs associated with human health care by increasing the length of stays in the hospital and requiring more intensive medical care for patients. The purpose of this study was to explore sentiment and characteristics of social media content and the characteristics of the key influencers …

Naive Yearling Steers Consume Little Sericea Lespedeza In The Kansas Flint Hills, C. A. Sowers, J. D. Wolf, W. H. Fick, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to characterize diets selected by steers grazing sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)-infested native tallgrass pastures.

Study Description:The experiment was conducted on eight native tallgrass pastures located in Woodson County, KS, at the Kansas State University Bessner Range Research Unit during the 2015 and 2016 growing season. Pastures were burned annually in April and stocked with yearling steers (n = 281/year; initial body weight = 582 ± 75 lb) at a relatively high stocking rate (2.7 acres/steer) from April 15 to July 15. Basal frequency of sericea lespedeza was 2.9 …

Syngenta Enhanced Feed Corn (Enogen) Containing An Alpha Amylase Expression Trait Improves Feed Efficiency In Growing Calf Diets, M. A. Johnson, T. J. Spore, S. P. Montgomery, C. S. Weibert, J. S. Garzon, W. R. Hollenbeck, R. N. Wahl, E. D. Watson, Dale Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:To determine the response of growing calves when fed Enogen Feed (Syngenta) corn, containing an alpha amylase expression trait.

Description:A total of 384 English crossbred steers having an average weight of 538 lb and originating from Texas were used to determine the effects on performance when fed Enogen Feed corn as either whole shelled or processed as dry-rolled at ad libitum intake.

The Bottom Line:When fed in an ad libitum fashion to growing calves, Enogen Feed corn improves feed efficiency of growing calves by 5.50%.

Comprehensive Control Of Sericea Lespedeza With Four Consecutive Years Of Prescribed Fire During Summer, J. A. Alexander, W. H. Fick, J. Lemmon, G. A. Gatson, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of annual prescribed burning applied during the growing season on vigor of sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) infesting native tallgrass range.

Study Description:We burned nine fire-management units (14 ± 6 acres) at one of three prescribed-burning times: early spring (April 1), mid-summer (August 1), or late summer (September 1). Effects on sericea lespedeza were evaluated annually on July 10, October 10, and November 1.

The Bottom Line:Compared to traditional spring, dormant-season burning, burning during the summer months over four consecutive years resulted in …

Feet And Leg Traits Are Moderately To Lowly Heritable In Red Angus Cattle, L. K. Giess, B. R. Jensen, R. L. Weaber, J. M. Bormann, W. A. Fiske

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The goals of this study were to identify feet and leg indicator traits to be used in beef breed genetic evaluations and develop a scoring method that can be easily adopted by cattle producers.

Description:Data were analyzed on 1,885 Red Angus cattle, and after editing, 1,720 records were used for analysis. Feet and leg phenotypes were obtained from August 2015 through September 2017 for 14 traits shown in the following table. Trained livestock evaluators collected measurements using an electronic tablet with offline data storage capabilities. Heritability estimates for all 14 traits were calculated from two different …

Wet Distiller’S Grains And Wet Corn Gluten With Dry-Rolled Or Whole-Shelled Corn In High-Energy Limit-Fed Diets Do Not Affect Growing Cattle Performance, T. J. Spore, S. P. Montgomery, E. C. Titgemeyer, G. A. Hanzlicek, Christopher Vahl, T. G. Nagaraja, W. R. Hollenbeck, R. N. Wahl, Dale Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Compare wet distiller’s grains plus solubles and wet corn gluten feed with dry-rolled or whole-shelled corn in a novel programmed-feeding strategy being developed at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit.

Description:A total of 320 crossbred steers were used to determine the effects of two corn by-products and methods of corn processing, utilizing a high-energy limit-fed feeding strategy.

The Bottom Line:Kansas producers have the option of feeding corn by-product and whether or not to process corn in a high-energy limit-fed feeding strategy without the risk of negatively affecting performance.

Increased Dietary Energy In Limit-Fed Diets Does Not Affect Immune Function, Inflammation, Or Stress, But Health Status Does, T. J. Spore, S. P. Montgomery, E. C. Titgemeyer, G. A. Hanzlicek, Christopher Vahl, T. G. Nagaraja, W. R. Hollenbeck, R. N. Wahl, Dale Blasi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objectives:Measure effects of limit-feeding high-energy diets on the immune system, stress, and inflammation as well as differences in these parameters between healthy and sick animals under the dietary conditions.

Study Description:Heifers from 4 dietary treatments were used to study the effects of limit-feeding and increased dietary energy on immune function, inflammation (indicated by elevated levels of haptoglobin), stress, and differences in these parameters between healthy and morbid animals consuming the different diets.

The Bottom Line:Limit-feeding high-energy diets does not negatively affect immune function, cause stress, or promote inflammation, and morbid animals have significantly higher haptoglobin levels.

Two Split-Time Artificial Insemination Programs In Suckled Beef Cows, J. Stevenson, S. L. Hill, D. M. Grieger, K C. Olson, J. R. Jaeger, K. R. Harmoney, J. Ahola, G. E. Seidel, R. K. Kasimanickam

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Successful programs to manipulate estrus and ovulation to maximize pregnancy out­comes in suckled beef cattle have been developed to limit animal handling and to elimi­nate the need to detect estrus, thereby providing more opportunity to incorporate AI to start the breeding season. The most successful and consistent synchronization scheme employs an intravaginal progesterone insert (controlled internal drug release, CIDR) in place for 7 d concurrent with GnRH treatment, and, upon removal of the insert, injection of PGF_2α, followed by timed AI at 60 to 66 h concurrent with a second dose of GnRH (CO-synch + CIDR).

Inseminating cows …

Can Modified Intensive Early Stocking Be Used In Cow/Calf Production?, K. R. Harmoney, J. R. Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Intensive early stocking (IES) was introduced nearly a half century ago in eastern Kansas and has since been adopted as a major management tool to increase animal production, efficiency of production, and economic return on tallgrass rangelands. These increases have come almost exclusively by using IES with young stocker animals. Intensive early stocking and its gains have been proven effective repeatedly in published research. A similar modified IES (MIES) system has increased production efficiency of stocker animals on western Kansas rangelands. Perennial grassland acres for cattle production, as well as cattle numbers, are declining. Using management practices that mimic a …

Effect Of Medium Chain Fatty Acid Supplementation On Nursery Pig Fecal Microbial Populations, J. T. Gebhardt, M. C. Niederwerder, S. C. Fernando, W. Abbas, T. E. Burkey, K. A. Thomson, J. C. Woodworth, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 360 pigs [DNA (Columbus, NE) 400 × 200; initially = 14.8 ± 0.15 lb] were used to evaluate the effects of dietary medium chain fatty acid (MCFA) addition on fecal microbial populations. Upon arrival at the nursery, pigs were randomized to pens (5 pigs per pen) and allowed a 6-d acclimation period, at which point pens of pigs were blocked by body weight (BW) and randomized to dietary treatment (9 pens per treatment). Medium chain fatty acids (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) included hexanoic (C6), octanoic (C8), and decanoic (C10), and were guaranteed ≥ 98% purity. Treatment …

Determining The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Of Medium Chain Fatty Acids For Generic Escherichia Coli, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, And Campylobacter Coli, R. A. Cochrane, R. G. Amachawadi, S. E. Remfry, A. B. Lerner, T. G. Nagaraja, J. C. Woodworth, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, M. C. Niederwerder, C. K. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Research has demonstrated that medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) can serve as reduction strategies for bacterial and viral pathogens in animal feed and ingredients. However, it is unknown how the type or level of MCFA impact bacteria growth. This can be tested through a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) benchtop assay, which identifies the lowest concentration of a chemical that prevents visible growth of a bacterium. The objective of this study was to 1) determine the MCFA MIC of C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, and C12:0 for genericEscherichiacoli, EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli,SalmonellaTyphimurium,Campylobactercoli, andClostridium perfringens; 2) …

Evaluation Of Different Combinations Of Medium Chain Fatty Acids And Monolaurin As A Dietary Additive For Nursery Pigs, L. L. Thomas, A. R. Hartman, J. C. Woodworth, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, J. M. Derouchey, D. M. Mckilligan, A. M. Jones

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 360 pigs (DNA 400 × 200, initial body weight (BW) = 15.0 lb) were used in a 35-d growth trial to evaluate the effects of adding medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) and monolaurin blends to the diet on growth performance of nursery pigs. Monolaurin is a monoglyceride of C12 and is thought to have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Following arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomized to pens (5 pigs per pen) and allowed a 4-d acclimation period. Thereafter, pens of pigs were blocked by BW and randomized to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (12 …

Standardized Total Tract Digestible Phosphorus Requirement Of 25- To 50-Lb Pigs Fed Diets Containing Phytase, C. M. Vier, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband, J. M. Derouchey

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 2,140 barrows and gilts (PIC 337 × Camborough) with an initial pen average body weight (BW) of 24.5 ± 0.53 lb were used in a 21 d growth trial to determine the standardized total tract digestible phosphorus (STTD P) requirement of nursery pigs from 25 to 50 lb fed diets containing 1,000 phytase units (FYT). Pigs were weaned at approximately 19 d of age and allotted to pens according to gender and sow farm of origin. There were 12 replicate pens per treatment and 24 to 27 pigs per pen. Pens of pigs were randomly allotted to …

Effects Of Cordyceps Mushroom Powder On Nursery Pig Performance, J. Richert, J. Y. Palencia, M. T. Thayer, C. Chastain, B. Richert, J. L. Nelssen

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

One hundred sixty crossbred pigs (Duroc × (York × Landrace)) weaned at 18.8 d of age and weighing an average of 13.1 lb were used in a 35-day growth trial to evaluateCordycepsmushroom powder as potential alternative to carbadox in nursery pig diets. Pigs were divided by weight, sex, litter, and assigned to body weight (BW) blocks. Within BW blocks, sex ratios were constant in each pen. Each pen within a BW block was randomly assigned a dietary treatment. Growth performance was analyzed using BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion as feed-to-gain …

Effects Of Standardized Ileal Digestible Histidine:Lysine Ratio On Growth Performance Of 15- To 25-Lb Pigs, H. S. Cemin, R. M. Karns, C. M. Vier, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, K. J. Touchette, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) His:Lys requirement of 15- to 25-lb nursery pigs. A total of 360 and 350 pigs (DNA 241 × 600), initially 15.6 and 14.5 lb body weight (BW), were used in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. There were 5 pigs per pen and 12 and 10 replicates per treatment in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. After weaning, pigs were fed a common pelleted diet for 10 d in Exp. 1 and 7 d in Exp. 2. Then, pens were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW …

Effects Of Increasing Oat Groats On Nursery Pig Performance, J. A. Chance, A. B. Lerner, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In Exp. 1, a total of 225 pigs (241 × 600, DNA, Columbus, NE; initially 13.9 lb BW) were used in a 28-d study to evaluate the effects of increasing ground oat groats on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and randomly allotted to pens and fed a commercial starter diet for 7 d prior to the start of the experiment. Pens of pigs were assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design by body weight (BW) with 4 or 5 pigs per pen and 10 pens per treatment. …

Evaluation Of Different Vitamin Concentrations On Grow-Finish Pig Growth And Carcass Characteristics, L. Del Tuffo, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Vitamins are generally added to swine diets in concentrations well above their requirement estimates to provide a generous margin of safety. However, with the increase in vitamin prices in 2017, there was a need to re-evaluate suggested vitamin additions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare two premixes with different vitamin concentrations on growth performance and carcass characteristics of grow-finish pigs reared in a commercial environment. A total of 1,188 pigs (PIC 359 × 1050; initially 35.5 lb) were used in a randomized complete block design with 27 pigs per pen and 22 pens per treatment. The experimental …

Effects Of Corn Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles Withdrawal On Finishing Pig Performance, A. B. Lerner, M. D. Tokach, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz, R. D. Goodband, M. W. Allerson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 860 finishing pigs [C48 or L42 × 327; initially 146 ± 11.1 lb body weight (BW)] were used in a 76-d experiment to evaluate the effects of removing corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) from diets at varying intervals before harvest. Pigs were fed diets containing 40% DDGS until the start of the trial. Diets contained 35% DDGS from approximately 146 to 180 lb and 30% until the completion of the trial. Pen served as the experimental unit, and there were 7 replicate pens per treatment with 23 to 25 pigs per pen. Pens were blocked …

Effects Of Space Allowance And Marketing Strategy On Growth Performance Of Pigs Raised To Heavy Market Weights, A. B. Lerner, M. D. Tokach, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz, R. D. Goodband, T. G. O'Quinn, J. M. Gonzales, E. A. Rice, M. W. Allerson, H. E. Price, J. C. Woodworth

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 976 pigs (PIC 327 × L42, initially 48.6 ± 3.4 lb body weight [BW]) were used in a 160-d growth study to determine the influence of space allowance and marketing strategy on growth performance of pigs raised to heavy market weights. Pens were blocked by location within the barn and allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 8 pens per treatment. The first four treatments reduced space allowance per pig via initial pen stocking density and had only one final marketing event. These four treatments were: 14 pigs/pen (12.7 ft²/pig), 17 pigs/pen (10.4 ft …

Evaluation Of The Quality Characteristics Of Premium Pork Loins, L. L. Prill, L. N. Drey, E. A. Rice, T. G. O'Quinn

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to determine shear force, pH, marbling, color characteristics, percentage of intramuscular fat, and purge loss of pork loins from various premium brands in comparison to commodity products. Pork loins (n = 30/brand; Institutional Meat Purchasing Specifications #414) from five premium (PRE A, B, C, D, and E) and two commodity brands (COM A and B) were purchased from food service purveyors and commercial abattoirs. Loins were transported to the Kansas State University Meat Laboratory, Manhattan, KS, and allowed to age 14 to 15 days under refrigerated conditions (36 to 39°F) before fabrication. All PRE …

Effect Of Mill Type And Particle Size Variation On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Finishing Pigs, M. B. Braun, H. K. Wecker, A. Yoder, J. C. Woodworth, C. R. Stark, C. B. Paulk

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of mill type used to grind corn and its particle size variation on diet flowability and subsequent finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. A total of 200 pigs (DNA Line 241 × 600; initially 121.9 lb) were used in a 75-d growth trial. Pigs were randomly assigned to pens with either 5 barrows or 5 gilts per pen. Pens were then randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments balanced by weight and gender with 10 pens per treatment. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 …

Dominance Of Right Ovary Structures In Lactating Dairy Cows, J. S. Stevenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objectives were to determine the absolute and relative ovary location of dominant and preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea (CL) present in ovaries before and during hormone synchronization and their associations with CL regression, ovulation, and pregnancy rates in lactating dairy cows. Cows were exposed to presynchronization treatments of PGF_2a, GnRH, or both, 3 to 4 weeks before initiating a timed artificial insemination (AI) program (GnRH-1 – 7 days – PGF_2α[1 dose or 2 doses 24 hours apart] – 56 hours after first or only dose of PGF_2α– GnRH-2 – 16 hours – timed …

Gestation Length And Overall Performance In The Subsequent Lactation Of Dairy Cows Conceiving To Holstein, Jersey, Or Angus Semen: An Observational Study, A. L. Scanavez, L. G. Mendonça

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Breeding strategies adopted by commercial dairy herds have evolved in recent years by incorporating the use of several breeds, including beef sires. Results of such strategies on offspring performance have been studied but reports on the effects on dam’s overall performance after calving are still lacking. The goal of this observational study was to investigate the associations between sire breed of previous conception, gestation length, and postpartum performance of dairy cows. Records from Holstein and crossbred cows from a Kansas commercial herd were extracted. Data pertaining to cows that conceived from Holstein, Jersey, or Angus sires and initiated second lactation …

Effects Of Supplementation With Corn Or Dried Distillers Grains On Gains Of Heifer Calves Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Distillers grains, a by-product of the ethanol industry, have tremendous potential as an economical and nutritious supplement for grazing cattle. Distillers grains contain a high concentration of protein (25 to 30%), with more than two-thirds escaping degradation in the rumen, which makes it an excellent supplement for younger cattle. Recent advancements in the ethanol manufacturing process have resulted in extraction of a greater amount of fat; therefore, creating distillers grains that may contain less energy than corn. This research was conducted to compare performance of stocker cattle supplemented with corn or DDG at 0.5% body weight per head daily while …

Sericea Lespedeza Control Strategies Differ In Their Impacts On Overall Range Health And Native Plant Species Composition, G. A. Gatson, W. H. Fick, W. W. Hsu, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) control strategies of late summer prescribed burning and fall her­bicide application on soil cover, native plant populations, and biological diversity.

Study Description:We established 16 individual units within an 80-acre native tallgrass pasture. Each unit was assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: control, spray only, burn only, or burn-plus-spray. Burn only and burn-plus-spray units were burned in early September. Spray only and burn-plus-spray units were sprayed with metsulfuron methyl (Escort XP, DuPont, Wilmington, DE) in late September. The change in …

Effects Of Various Grazing Systems On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

MaxQ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, and a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system have been three of the most promising grazing systems evaluated at the Kansas State University Southeast Agricultural Research Center in the past 20 years, but these systems have never been compared directly in the same study. The objective of this study was to compare grazing and subsequent finishing performance of stocker steers that grazed these three systems.

Effects Of Sodium Metabisulfite Additives On Nursery Pig Growth, D. J. Shawk, S. S. Dritz, R. D. Goodband, M. D. Tokach, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sodium metabisulfite (SMB)-based feed additive efficacy was evaluated in 3 nursery pig growth experiments where pigs were fed diets containing low deoxynivalenol (<1.5 ppm; DON) concentrations. Pigs were weaned at approximately 22 d of age and randomly allotted to pens with one pen of 27 gilts and one pen of 27 barrows per fence line feeder, thus feeder was the experimental unit. In experiment 1, 2,268 pigs were used in a 35-d trial with 21 feeders per treatment. Experimental treatments included a control diet or the control with 0.50% SMB-based Product 1 (Defusion; Provimi, Brooksville, OH) fed in phase 1 and 0.25% fed in phases 2 and 3, then all pigs were fed a control diet for the last week of the study. Pigs fed Product 1 had greater (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed/gain ratio (F/G) compared to pigs fed the control diet from d 0 to 28. However, from d 28 to 35, the opposite response was observed, with pigs fed the control diet having greater ADG and improved F/G than pigs previously fed Product 1. Despite this response, pigs fed Product 1 were heavier (P<0.05) on d 35 than control-fed pigs. In experiment 2, 4,320 pigs were used in a 42-d trial with 8 or 16 feeders per treatment. Pigs were fed a control diet or diets with either SMB-based Product 1 or Product 2 (Nutriquest, Mason City, IA) at different concentrations and durations. Among the various treatments, Product 1 or Product 2 concentrations ranged from 0.50% initially to 0.25%, 0.15%, or none the last week of the study. Overall, pigs fed either of the additives at the highest concentrations and for the longest period of time had greater (P<0.05) ADG and ADFI compared to pigs fed the control diet, with those fed lower concentrations or shorter durations intermediate. In experiment 3, 2,808 pigs were used in a 28-d trial with 13 feeders per treatment. All pigs were fed a common diet for 7 d after weaning. Pigs were then either fed a control diet or diets containing Product 1 (0.50 and 0.25% from d 0 to 21 and 21 to 28 respectively), SMB (0.50 and 0.25% from day 0 to 21 and 21 to 28 respectively) or 0.25% SMB from day 0 to 28. Overall, pigs fed Product 1 or high SMB diets had greater (P<0.05) ADG compared to pigs fed low SMB or control diets. Collectively, these studies suggest that in diets with low DON concentrations, these SMB-based products increased ADG compared to pigs fed control diets.

Effects Of Insoluble Fiber Source (Cellulose Or Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles) On Growth Performance Of Nursery Pigs, H. S. Cemin, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 3,171 weanling pigs (PIC 327 × L42) with an initial body weight (BW) of 12.7 lb were used in a 39-d study with 66 or 67 pigs per fence-line feeder (experimental unit) and 12 replicates per treatment. Pens were blocked by BW and allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. The treatment structure was a 2 × 2 factorial with 0 or 1% cellulose (Arbocel, J. Rettenmaier USA, Schoolcraft, MI) and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS; 0 or 5% in Phase 1 and 0 or 15% in Phase 2). Dietary …

Effects Of Added Soybean Isoflavones In Low Crude Protein Diets On Growth And Carcass Performance Of Finishing Pigs From 260 To 320 Lb, L. L. Thomas, M. D. Tokach, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, J. M. Derouchey

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 282 pigs (DNA 600 × 241, initially 259.3 lb) were used in a 26-d trial to determine the effect of added soybean isoflavones on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs fed low crude protein (CP) diets. Pens of 7 or 8 pigs were allotted by body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 9 replications per treatment. Experimental diets were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of CP (13% or 10%) and isoflavone (none or 0.05% of the diet). To achieve desired CP levels, soybean meal …

Sericea Lespedeza Control From Growing-Season Prescribed Burning Causes No Collateral Damage To Non-Target Species, J. A. Alexander, W. H. Fick, J. Lemmon, G. A. Gatson, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 4 consecutive years of prescribed fire applied to native tallgrass range in either April, August, or September on forage biomass production, soil cover, and basal plant cover.

Study Description:Nine fire-management units (14 ± 6 acres) were burned at 1 of 3 prescribed times: early spring (April 1), mid-summer (August 1), or late summer (September 1). Plant species composition and soil cover were assessed annually each July using a modified step-point technique.

The Bottom Line:Burning during the summer for 4 consecutive years resulted in …