Animal Sciences Commons^™

Nitrogen Fertilization And Ddgs Supplementation Reduces Annual Weeds In Pastures, John A. Guretzky, Laura K. Snell, John C. Soper Soper, Walter H. Schacht, Terry Klopfenstein, Stephanie K. Pruitt

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Ongoing research has found body weight (BW) gains of steers supplemented with corn dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) on unfertilized smooth bromegrass pasture (SUPP) to be greater than unsupplemented steers on N fertilized (FERT) and unfertilized, control (CONT) smooth bromegrass pasture. In the seventh year of the study, annual weeds increased to 20%, 9%, and 2% of relative cover within CONT, SUPP, and FERT pastures, respectively. Supplementation of DDGS on unfertilized pastures improves steer BW gains and reduces N inputs while providing intermediate resistance to annual weed invasion. AnnualN fertilization maximizes forage yield and minimizes annual weeds in pasture.

Replacing Steam-Flaked Corn And Dry Rolled Corn With Condensed Distillers Solubles In Finishing Diets, Alex H. Titlow, Adam L. Shreck, Stephanie A. Furman Furman, Karla Jenkins, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The interaction between corn processing method and condensed distillers solubles (CDS) was evaluated using either steam-flaked corn (SFC) or dry rolled corn (DRC). As CDS replaced corn at either 15 or 30% of the diet DM, DMI intake decreased quadratically for both SFC and DRC. Within DRC- based diets, ADG increased quadratically with 15% CDS being greatest and F:G improved quadratically with 30% inclusion being best. When SFC was used as the grain source, ADG increased linearly and F:G improved quadratically with increasing levels of CDS. A greater performance response was observed with SFC compared to DRC when feeding increased …

The Effect Of Lameness On Average Daily Gain In Feedlot Steers, Giselle T. Kruse, Richard R. Randle, Douglas E. Hostetler Hostetler, Gary K. Tibbetts, Dicky D. Griffin, Kathryn J. Hanford, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Brandon L. Nuttelman, David R. Smith

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this study was to test the effects of lameness on average daily gain (ADG) of feedlot steers. We evaluated two feedlot health data sets: 1) 14,798 steers from a 14-year period (1993 to 2006) at the Meat Animal Research Center (USDA MARC) near Clay Center, Neb.; and 2) 16,766 steers from an 8-year period (2002 to 2009) at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead, Neb. The ADG for USDA MARC steers with lameness late in the feeding period (≥ 60 days) was 0.04 lb./day less than steers without lameness. The ADG …

Including Next Enhance® Essential Oils In Finishing Diets On Performance With Or Without Rumensin® And Tylan®, Curtis J. Bittner, Galen E. Erickson, Karla Jenkins Jenkins, Matt K. Luebbe, Troy Wistuba

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Finishing cattle performance was evaluated using NEXT ENHANCE essential oils in finishing diets. Treatments consisted of 1) control (CON), 2) NEXT ENHANCE at 300 mg/day (NE), 3) Rumensin and Tylan at 360 and 90 mg/day, respectively (RT), or 4) NEXT ENHANCE plus Rumensin and Tylan (NERT). No NEXT ENHANCE by Rumensin/Tylan interaction was observed. Steers fed Rumensin/Tylan had decreased F:G and increased live final BW and marbling score. The prevalence of liver abscesses decreased 46% when steers were fed Rumensin/Tylan. Including NEXT ENHANCE in finishing diets did not impact performance or carcass characteristics.

The Effect Of Commensal Microbial Communities On The Fecal Shedding Of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. Coli (Stec) In Beef Cattle, Nirosh D. Aluthge, Yoshitha A. Wanniarachchi, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Jayne E. Stratton, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This ongoing study compares the gut microbial community composition between shedding steers high in shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) counts and low-shedding steers. Shedders were identified among 170 beef animals over three time periods using selective microbiological culture media. The isolated bacterial cultures were confirmed to be STEC using PCR, 16s rRNA sequencing and a shiga toxin immunoassay. The most abundant strains found in the cattle feces were those belonging to the serogroups O111 (40.3%) and O157:H7 (37.3%), with O103 (8.3%), O26 (6.0%), O83 (4.5%), and O55 (3.0%) being detected in much lower numbers . Out of the 52 animals …

Hormonal Residues In Feedlot Pens And Runoff, Terry L. Mader, Leslie J. Johnson, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt Hunt, Daniel D. Snow, William L. Kranz, Charles A. Shapiro, Simon Van Donk, David P. Shelton, David Tarkalson, Tian Zhang

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two identically designed trials were conducted in separate years at the University of Nebraska Haskell Agricultural Laboratory, Concord, Neb., using 192 crossbred heifers (96/trial). Within a trial, heifers were assigned randomly to 2 groups (3 pens/group): 1) treatment (TRT) animals were administered synthetic hormones via subcutaneous implants (Ralgro and Revalor-H) and fed Melengesterol Acetate (MGA), or 2) control (CON) animals with no synthetic hormone provided.

Gains and feed conversions were 18.8 and 7.5% better, respectively, for TRT, while CON had 16.7% greater choice and prime carcasses. In runoff samples, progesterone was greater for CON. With the exception of androsterone, average …

Anaerobic Digestion Of Finishing Cattle Manure, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Samodha C. Fernando, Jana L. Harding

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Utilizing manure from cattle fed distillers grains in anaerobic digesters improved methane production and DM degradation of manure compared to manure from cattle fed no distillers grains. Manure from cattle fed in open lot pens had soil contamination which decreased OM content and led to decreased total methane production (L/day), but not when expressed as methane/g OM. If ash buildup is avoided, open lot manure can be used as anaerobic digester feedstock.

Effect Of Development System On Heifer Performance And Primiparous Heifer Grazing Behavior, Adam F. Summers, T. L. Meyer, Jacqueline Musgrave Musgrave, Stetson P. Weber, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effect of heifer development system on primiparous heifer performance grazing corn residue during late gestation was investigated. Weaned heifers grazing corn residue tended to have reduced final BW after corn residue grazing compared to heifers grazing winter range. However reproductive performance for the two treatments was similar. When grazing corn residue as pregnant heifers during late gestation, heifers developed on corn residue had improved ADG compared to drylot-developed heifers and tended to have increased ADG compared to winter range-developed heifers. Adaptation to corn residue grazing as a developing heifer improves primiparous heifer performance grazing corn residue during late gestation.

Evaluation Of A New Chemistry For Rangeland Grasshopper Control, Jeffrey Bradshaw, Karla Jenkins, Sean Doyle Whipple Whipple, Rick Patrick

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A grasshopper control study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a new class of systemic chemical. The new pesticide Prevathon^® (high and low levels) was compared to Coragen^®, Dimilin^®, and a nontreated check. Grasshoppers were numerically reduced the most by Coragen and Prevathon, though not significant. The highest level of Prevathon did not numerically impact beneficial insects in general. Biomass and forage quality were not significantly impacted by chemical treatment. However, forage biomass was numericallygreatest for the highest level of Prevathon. Prevathon appears to be an acceptable systemic pesticide for grasshopper control with minimal …

Effects Of Feeding Microbial Feed Additives On Growth Performance And Carcass Traits Of Steers Fed Steam-Flaked Corn-Based Diets With Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles, Matt K. Luebbe, Karla H. Jenkins, Stephanie A. Furman Furman, Kelly K. Kreikemeier

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding two commercially available direct-fed microbials (DFM) on finishing steer performance fed steam-flaked corn based diets. Dietary treatments included a control diet without DFM, and two commercially available products (10-G and Bovamine). No significant differences were observed among treatments for animal performance or carcass characteristics. However, numeric advantages were observed for ADG and feed efficiency when cattle were fed a DFM.

Effects Of Feeding 44 G/Ton Rumensin® During Grain Adaptation On Animal Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Cody J. Schneider, Matt K. Luebbe, Karla Jenkins Jenkins, Stephanie A. Furman, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle were adapted to a finishing diet over 20 days while feeding 33 or 44 g/ton (DM) of Rumensin. Following grain adaptation, all cattle were fed a common finishing diet containing 33 g/ton Rumensin for the remainder of the feeding period. Feeding 44 g/ton of Rumensin during the adaptation period did not affect performance during the adaptation period or over the entire feeding period when compared to the 33 g/ton adaptation level.

Effect Of Winter Supplementation Level On Yearling System Profitability, Kari L. Gillespie, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider Schneider, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Calves backgrounded in a forage-based system at a high winter supple- mentation level maintained a performance advantage through finishing. High level supplemented cattle gained an additional 0.2 lb. daily during finishing, consumed less total feed in the feedlot, required fewer days on feed to reach a common finish point and produced an additional 85 lb. of saleable live weight compared to cattle backgrounded at a low supplementation level. High level supplemented cattle returned $56.01 more than cattle fed a low level of supplementation during the winter backgrounding phase.

2012 Beef Cattle Report: Table Of Contents

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow/Calf

Supplementing Gestating Beef Cows Grazing Cornstalk Residues................ 5

Effect of Corn Stalk Grazing and Baling on Cattle Performance and Irrigation Needs............... 8

Nutritive Value and Amount of Corn Plant Parts................... 11

Wheat Straw, Distillers Grains, and Beet Pulp for Late Gestation Beef Cows......... 13

Influence of Weaning Date and Pre-partum Nutrition on Cow-Calf Productivity........ 15

Effect of Calving Period on Heifer Progeny..................... 18

Evaluating Conventional and Sexed Semen in a Commercial Beef Heifer Program.................... 20

Late Gestation Supplementation Impacts Primiparous Beef Heifers and Progeny..................... 22

Nutritional Regime and Antral Follicle Count Impact Reproductive Characteristics in Heifers................ 24

Vascular Endothelial …

Supplementing Gestating Beef Cows Grazing Cornstalk Residue, Jason M. Warner, Jeremy L. Martin, Zachary C. Hall Hall, Luke M. Kovarik, Kathryn J. Hanford, Richard J. Rasby, Mark Dragastin

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 5-year study evaluated the effects of protein supplementation to beef cows grazing cornstalks in late gestation on both cow and calf weight, and the reproductive performance of heifer progeny. Supplementation improved cow BCS at the end of cornstalk grazing. Calf weight, cow pregnancy rates, and reproductive traits of subsequent heifer progeny were not impacted by supplementation. Supplementing mid- to late-gestation beef cows grazing cornstalks has minimal impact on cow performance or fetal programming of heifer progeny.

Effect Of Corn Stalk Grazing And Baling On Cattle Performance And Irrigation Needs, Simon Van Donk, Adam L. Mcgee, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, L. Aaron Stalker

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of removing corn residue by grazing and baling on continuous corn production were investigated. Initial data showed a trend toward keeping more water in the soil in the treatment with the most residue left on the field (no grazing or baling), but there was no effect of either grazing or baling on subsequent corn yield. Water conservation resulting from maintaining residue on the field may help reduce pumping costs or increase yields when water is limited. However, this benefit is likely to be outweighed by feed cost savings or grazing rental income, and good cow performance.

Nutritive Value And Amount Of Corn Plant Parts, Adam L. Mcgee, Mackenzie Johnson, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Jana L. Harding, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Corn plants were separated into seven different plant parts and analyzed for digestibility. Digestibility of the different parts of the plant ranged from 33.85% to 59.03%. The amount of highly digestible residue averaged 13.4 lb/ bu of grain. Digestibility and amount of residue has considerable impact on the stocking rate and performance of cattle on cornstalks. Subsequent crop yields were not affected by grazing.

Wheat Straw, Distillers Grains, And Beet Pulp For Late Gestation Beef Cows, Karla H. Jenkins, Matt K. Luebbe, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The feeding value of a mixture of 30:70 wet distillers grains:wheat straw or 20:20:60 wet distillers grains:beet pulp:wheat straw (DM) for late gestation beef cows was estimated. In Experiment 1, cows limit fed distillers grains and wheat straw gained as much weight and body condition as cows limit fed alfalfa hay. In Experiment 2, cows fed wet distillers grains and wheat straw or wet distillers grains, beet pulp, and wheat straw gained more weight and improved body condition compared with cows fed alfalfa hay. The results of these experiments indicate cows in late gestation will maintain body condition when limit …

Effect Of Calving Period On Heifer Progeny, Richard N. Funston, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, Tonya L. Meyer, Dan M. Larson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Records from 1997 through 2009 were used to determine the effect of calving date on ADG, reproduction, and first-calf characteristics in spring born heifer calves at University of Nebraska– Lincoln Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory. Heifers were classified as born in the first, second, or third 21- day period of the calving season. Heifer calves born during the first 21 days had greater weaning, pre-breeding, and pre-calving BW; greater percent cycling before breeding, and pregnancy rates compared to heifers born in the third period. First-calf progeny had earlier birth date and greater weaning BW. Calving period of heifer progeny impacts development and …

Late Gestation Supplementation Impacts Primiparous Beef Heifers And Progeny, Adam F. Summers, Stetson P. Weber, Tonya L. Meyer, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year study utilizing primiparous heifers evaluated the influence of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) supplement level on heifer and progeny performance. Heifers were individually fed meadow hay and no supplement (CON), 1.8 lb/day (DM) dried distillers based (HIGH) supplement, or 1.8 lb/day (DM) dried corn gluten feed based (LOW) supplement during late gestation. Heifers from HIGH and LOW groups had greater final BW, DMI, ADG, and G:F compared to CON heifers. Calves from HIGH dams had greater pre-breeding BW and LOW calves had greater weaning BW compared to CON calves. Feedlot initial BW was greater for HIGH and LOW calves …

Nutritional Regime And Antral Follicle Count Impact Reproductive Characteristics In Heifers, Adam F. Summers, Robert A. Cushman, Stetson P. Weber Weber, Karl V. Moline, Jeffrey W. Bergman, Matthew L. Spangler, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Developing heifers were offered either a modified distillers (MOD), distillers based (DDG), or corn gluten feed based (CGF) supplement while grazing pastures during development. Prior to breeding, antral follicle count (AFC), uterine horn diameter (UHD), ovarian area, and reproductive tract score (RTS) were determined via rectal ultrasonography to examine the effect of protein supplement on heifer reproductive characteristics. Heifers developed on MOD diets had greater RTS, ovarian area, and total AFC compared to DDG and CGF heifers. Small and medium follicle counts had a positive correlation with total AFC. Heifers developed on DDG and CGF had greater overall pregnancy rates …

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (Vegfa) In Ovulatory Follicles, Renee M. Mcfee, Robin A. Artac, William E. Pohlmeier Pohlmeier, Jill G. Kerl, Vanessa M. Brauer, Robert A. Cushman, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Granulosa cells express vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and VEGFA mRNA levels increase as bovine follicles reach preovulatory status. To further evaluate the role of VEGFA isoforms in follicular development, cows were either synchronized with a modified Co- Synch protocol (CIDR) or treated with melengestrol acetate (MGA) with subsequent aspiration of the dominant follicles. Higher mRNA levels for the antiangiogenic isoform, VEGFA_164B, along with AMH and CARTPT in E2-inactive follicles suggest that these factors are markers for unhealthy, atretic follicles. In contrast, higher mRNA levels for the proangiogenic isoform, VEGFA_164, in E2-active follicles indicate that this isoform may help …

Association Of Myostatin On Performance And Carcass Traits In Crossbred Cattle, Stephanie K. Pruitt, Kelsey M. Rolfe, Brandon Nuttelman Nuttelman, William A. Griffin, Joshua R. Benton, Galen E. Erickson, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Calf-fed steers and yearling heifersgenotyped as homozygous active, heterozygous, or homozygous inactive for myostatin were used to evaluate performance and carcass traits from Piedmontese influenced cattle. Homozygous inactive steers had similar ADG, lower DMI and lower F:G when compared to steers influenced by active myostatin. Steers and heifers with inactive myostatin showed similar trends in carcass traits producing larger LM area, greater dressing percentages and leaner carcasses. Similar ADG, lower DMI, and improved F:G were observed for homozygous inactive compared to homozygous active steers. Cattle with inactive myostatin require more days on feed than homozygous active cattle to reach similar …

Effect Of Post-Weaning Heifer Development System On Average Daily Gain, Reproduction, And Adaptation To Corn Residue During First Pregnancy, Stetson P. Weber, Adam F. Summers, Tonya L. Meyer, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A three-year study evaluated postweaning winter grazing system management on primiparous heifers at two locations. Weaned heifers were assigned to a development system: (1) graze corn residue then winter range, (2) graze winter range, or (3) graze winter range then placed in drylot. A combination of artificial insemination (AI) and natural mating was used at time of breeding based on location. Pregnant heifers were assigned to one of three corn residue fields in late gestation based on previous heifer development. Weaned heifers developed on corn residue had similar BW and ADG during winter grazing and after breeding, compared to heifers …

Impact Of Post-Weaning Beef Heifer Development System On Average Daily Gain, Reproduction, And Feed Efficiency, Stetson P. Weber, Adam F. Summers, Tonya L. Meyer Meyer, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This experiment evaluated the impact of post-weaning heifer development system on ADG, reproduction, and subsequent feed efficiency during late gestation. Shortly after weaning, heifers were developed on one of two winter grazing systems: corn residue (CR) followed by winter range, or winter range followed by drylot (DL). Heifer BW was greater for DL heifers prior to breeding, at breeding, and prior to first parturition. There were no differences in reproductive performance despite CR heifers having lower BW at breeding. Feed efficiency was similar during late gestation between CR and DL heifers. Extending winter grazing decreased BW without impacting reproductive performance.

Research Results Are Dependent On Accurate Cattle Weights, Andrea K. Watson, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Cody J. Schneider

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The goal of limit feeding is to reduce variability in rumen fill at weighing. The amount of rumen fill varies by diet. Cattle included in this study were grazing cornstalks, smooth bromegrass pasture, or in a drylot and fed a forage and modified distillers grains (MDGS) mix. Cattle were limit fed for at least three days and then weighed on two or three consecutive days to obtain a beginning BW. Full weights of individuals were +99 to -86 lb compared to their limit fed weights. The correlation between two-day weights after limit feeding were greater than 0.9, and greater than …

Forage Availability And Quality Of No-Till Forage Crops For Grazing Cattle, Alex H. Titlow, Karla H. Jenkins, Matt K. Luebbe Luebbe, Drew J. Lyon

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

No-till forage crops were planted to determine forage quantity and quality for grazing cattle. Seven combinations were evaluated using different mixtures containing forage peas, oats, winter triticale, turnips, radishes, clover, vetch, and sunflower. The cover crops were planted April 9 and sampled three times (day 54, 70, and 86 after planting) to determine forage mass and nutrient content. Mixtures containing forage peas and oats yielded the greatest quantity of DM/acre. The NDF and CP content of the mixtures are comparable to native range during the growing season. When used in place of fallow in crop rotations, grazing cover crops may …

Strategies Of Supplementing Dried Distillers Grains To Yearling Steers On Smooth Bromegrass Pastures, Stephanie K. Pruitt, Kelsey M. Rolfe, Brandon Nuttelman Nuttelman, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, William A. Griffin, Walter H. Schacht

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steers supplemented with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) daily on nonfertilized smooth bromegrass pastures gained 0.55 lb/day more than cattle on nonsupplemented treatments. Steers supplemented at 0.6% BW DDGS gained 2.59 lb/day compared to 2.36 lb/ day for steers fed a similar total amount of DDGS at increasing levels over the growing season.

Comparison Of Feeding Dry Distillers Grains In A Bunk Or On The Ground To Cattle Grazing Subirrigated Meadow, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, L. Aaron Stalker, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Jerry D. Volesky

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this study was to compare feeding dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in a bunk or on the ground to cattle grazing subirrigated meadow. Steers fed in a bunk had greater ADG than steers fed on the ground (1.19 vs. 0.92 lb). The NRC (1996) was used to retrospectively calculate the DDGS intake difference between treatments. For steers fed in a bunk, a reduction in DDGS intake between 0.8 and 0.9 lb/day would have resulted in a 0.27 lb/day reduction in ADG, which means 36-41% of the DDGS fed on the ground was wasted. At $200 (DMB) …

Byproducts With Low Quality Forage To Grazing Cattle, Annie J. Doerr, Sandra Villasanti, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William A. Griffin, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Walter H. Schacht

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sixteen cows grazing smooth bromegrass pasture were unsupplemented or supplemented a 35:65 Synergy:straw mixture. Grazed forage intake was replaced about 50% with supplementation, with no differences in cow performance. In a second experiment conducted over two summers, yearling steers grazing native range were fed a mixture of 70:30 or 60:40 hay:WDGS or 60:40 straw:WDGS. During the first year, all steers fed byproduct-forage mixtures had greater ADG than control steers. During the second year, steers supplemented with byproduct-hay mixtures had similar gains as control while steers supplemented byproduct-straw mixtures gained less. Supplementing WDGS and low quality forage reduced forage intake by …

Effect Of Storage Method On Nutrient Composition And Dry Matter Loss Of Wet Distillers Grains, Jana L. Harding, Jessica E. Cornelius, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Adam L. Shreck, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Storage of distillers grains plus solubles was studied using 55-gallon barrels to mimic bunker storage. Six different cover treatments were evaluated when wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) and straw were stored, or modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) alone was stored for 60 days in 55-gallon barrels. Covering with plastic minimized spoilage (8%), and plastic or solubles as cover decreased DM loss (3-5%). Barrels filled with WDGS alone and uncovered were evaluated over 140 days of storage. With time, DM loss increased from 5 to 22%, while spoilage increased from 6 to 12%.