Animal Sciences Commons^™

Fish & Wildlife News: January/February/March 2001

Fish and Wildlife News

Contents:
Norton Takes the Interior Helm 2
Experts Recommend Hatchery Changes 3
Landowners Take Charge to Save Wetlands 6
A Great Experiment at Aransas NWR 8
Anchors Aweigh: The Navy Helps Out 9
Lead Shot Ban Proven Good for Birds 11
A New Cup of Coffee at DOI 13
Pelican Island: Preserving a Legacy 14
Realizing a Decade-Old Dream 16
Jones Looks at Challenges Ahead 17
The First Name on “the Wall” 30
Fish and Wildlife...In Brief 35

Observations On Small Mammals Recovered From Owl Pellets From Nebraska, Jeffrey J. Huebschman, Patricia W. Freeman, Hugh H. Genoways, Jospeh A. Gubanyi

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Mammalian remains from owl pellet material collected in 24 Nebraska counties were examined, A total of 1262 individual mammals was identified from all owl pellet material and included 19 identifiable species and 21 total genera. The most commonly consumed prey by owls across the state were Microtus (41 % of identifiable prey material), followed by Peromyscus (18%), and Reithrodontomys (11%). Significant locality information for the northern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys leucogaster), the southern bog lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), and the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are reported

Two-Stage Selection For Ovulation Rate And Litter Size In Swine — An Effective Procedure To Increase Reproductive Rate, Agustin Ruiz-Flores, Rodger K. Johnson

Nebraska Swine Reports

Litter size continues to be an important economic variable in pig production. Two determinants of litter size are ovulation rate and uterine capacity, where uterine capacity is defined as the maximum number of pigs a female can carry to parturition. When the number of fertilized ova exceeds uterine capacity embryo/fetal losses during gestation reduce litter size to that sow’s uterine capacity. This experiment tested whether litter size can be increased by direct selection for ovulation rate and uterine capacity. It was accomplished by selecting for ovulation rate (OR) and number of fully formed pigs at birth (FF) in two stages. …

Dietary Manipulation To Reduce Ammonia Concentration In Nursery Pig Facilities, Janeth J. Colina, Austin Lewis, Phillip S. Miller, Robert L. Fischer

Nebraska Swine Reports

Five trials were conducted to determine the effects of Yucca schidigera extract or calcium chloride addition to the diet on aerial ammonia concentration and growth performance in nursery pigs. Trials were divided into two groups: preliminary studies (two trials) and major study (three trials). Pigs were fed one of three diets in separate, environmentally regulated rooms: 1) Control, containing 23% CP; 2) Control diet plus 125 ppm of Yucca schidigera extract; and 3) Control plus 1.95% calcium chloride. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and ADG/ADFI were recorded weekly. Aerial ammonia concentration was measured daily using aspiration …

Explanation Of Statistics Used In This Report

Nebraska Swine Reports

Pigs treated alike vary in performance due to their different genetic makeup and to environmental effect we cannot completely control. When a group of pigs is randomly allotted to treatments it is nearly impossible to get an “equal” group of pigs on each treatment. The natural variability among pigs and the number of pigs per treatment determine the expected variation among treatment groups due to random sampling.

Valine, Isoleucine, And Histidine Supplementation Of Low-Protein, Amino Acid-Supplemented Diets For Growing Pigs, Jose L. Figueroa, Austin J. Lewis, Phillip S. Miller, Robert L. Fischer

Nebraska Swine Reports

Previous experiments have shown that when the crude protein of a growing diet is reduced from 16 to 11% there is reduced growth performance of pigs, even though the diets are supplemented with lysine, tryptophan, threonine, and methionine. To determine which amino acid was next limiting in a corn-soybean meal, low-protein (11%), amino acid-supplemented diet, we conducted three experiments. In each of the three experiments, 36 growing gilts were individually penned and fed one of six diets. The three first diets were used in all three experiments: 1) 16% crude protein (CP) positive control, 2) 12% CP neutral control, and …

Plasma Urea Concentrations Of Pigs On Commercial Operations, Robert Fischer, Phillip S. Miller, Austin Lewis

Nebraska Swine Reports

Research was conducted on commercial swine operations to determine whether plasma urea concentrations could be used as an indicator of the protein requirement of growing-finishing pigs. The research consisted of a 30-question survey and an on-farm visit to collect blood and feed samples. The survey included questions about genetics, nutrition, housing and health. Results showed that when plasma urea concentrations were analyzed across all phases of production, barrows had greater plasma urea concentrations than gilts. Plasma urea concentrations varied between the different phases of production, with nursery pigs having the lowest plasma urea concentrations, followed by growing and finishing pigs, …

Economic Value Of Ractopamine (Paylean™) For Finishing Pigs, Duane Reese, Larry L. Bitney

Nebraska Swine Reports

Ractopamine, a feed additive which improves feed efficiency, daily gain and several carcass characteristics recently became available to pork producers. An economic feasibility analysis on the feeding of 4.5, 9.0, and 18.0 g/ ton ractopamine to finishing pigs fed a 16% crude protein (0.82% lysine) corn-soybean meal diet from 150 to 240 lb was conducted. The analysis was performed in two stages: 1) an economic benefit for ractopamine was calculated from cost savings due to improved feed efficiency and daily gain, and 2) the amount of carcass premium needed per pig to recover the added cost of feeding ractopamine was …

Fate Of The Survivors Of The 1995 And 1996 Arizona Trucking Migrations Of Costume-Reared Greater Sandhill Cranes, Daniel P. Mummert, David H. Ellis, Carol L. Chambers

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

In 1995 and 1996, we trained 2 groups of costume-reared greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) (10 in 1995, 14 in 1996) to follow a truck. Thereafter we led 10 in 1995 and 12 in 1996 from Garland Prairie, northern Arizona, to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, southern Arizona (ca. 620 km). These techniques were being developed to create additional, disjunct populations of the whooping crane (G. americana). The cranes taught the migration route in 1995 did not follow the desired migration route in 1996 but did travel north 140 km along the route in …

Results Of The First Ultralight-Led Sandhill Crane Migration In Eastern North America, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, Dewitt A. Clark, George F. Gee, David H. Ellis

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

In 1997, we led 8 sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) south from Ontario, Canada by ultralight aircraft to a wintering area near Warrenton, Virginia, an area without a wild population. Six others were transported south in a trailer in hopes they would return north with those that flew. The migration was 863 kIn long, included 14 stops, and took 21 days to complete. A1l13 SUIViving birds were wintered together. In March 1998, the surviving 7 "aircraft-led" birds departed the wintering site. The following day, 6 of the 7 were reported on the south shore of Lake Ontario. The flock …

Yellow Jackets (Vespula Spp.) Disperse Trillium (Spp.) Seeds In Eastern North America, Jennifer A. Zettler, Timonthy P. Spira, Craig R. Allen

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

Approximately 70 plant families worldwide have ant-dispersed seeds (myrmecochory). In this putative ant-plant mutualism, ants are attracted to and disperse seeds that have a lipid-rich elaiosome. We observed yellow jackets (Vespula spp.) dispersing seeds of three elaiosome-bearing species-Trillium cuneatum, T. undulatum and T catesbaei-in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and South Carolina. Moreover, we estimated the mean distance yellow jackets dispersed seeds of T. cuneatum by placing intact fruits on index cards and recovering dispersed seeds on sheets placed on the ground surface. Of the seeds presented, 41% were recovered and the average dispersal distance …

Animal Science Alumni Newsletter, Winter 2001

Department of Animal Science: Departmental News

Contents:

From the Department Head’s Desk
Faculty Resignation
New Faculty
Faculty Recognition
Graduate Program
Research News
Block and Bridle Honoree of the Year

Bulletin 4474 - Exotic Diseases - Horses, Agriculture Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

An exotic disease is a disease that is not present in Australia.

If an exotic disease did occur in Australia it would cause production losses, stock deaths and stop exports of primary production. When export markets are lost they can only be re-established once it is proven the disease is eradicated.

Do Naked Goby (Gobiosoma Bosci) Larvae Exhibit Periodic Vertical Movements In Order To Facilitate Upriver Migration In The Hudson River Estuary?, Megan C. Fencil, Eric T. Schultz

EEB Articles

Estuaries provide high quality nursery habitat for larval fishes due to high productivity, predator protection, and warm temperatures. Previous studies suggest that larval naked gobies (Gobiosoma bosci) are capable of upriver migration and estuarine retention despite net seaward flow. Gobiosoma bosci larvae were collected at a fixed site in the Hudson River estuary in late July of 1998 from 4 discrete depths to provide a time-series of depth-stratified abundance during both a spring and a neap tide. Larvae were concentrated at depth, indicating that depth preference behavior is present and will likely contribute to up-river transport. Harmonic regression …

Undegradable Intake Protein Supplementation Of Compensating, Grazing Steers, Kelly Creighton, Mark Ullerich, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of previous winter gain on response to undegradable intake protein (UIP) supplementation during the summer grazing period. Steers wintered at the FAST rate of gain had a greater response to UIP supplementation than steers with SLOW rate of gain. Maximum response for FAST cattle occurred at 150 g/d of supplemental UIP, while SLOW cattle showed no response through 150 g/d. Forage DM intake was similar for FAST and SLOW cattle, therefore SLOW cattle consumed more as a percentage of body weight. Increased gains from UIP supplementation were not maintained during the finishing …

June Versus March Calving For The Nebraska Sandhills: Production Traits, Don C. Adams, Dick Clark, Russ Sandberg, Gordon Carriker, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Todd Milton

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Our objective was to determine if labor and purchased inputs could be reduced and profitability improved by matching lactation (i.e., calving date) with nutrient content of grazed forages to extend the grazing season in beef cow/calf systems. By adjusting a traditional March calving date to a nontraditional June calving date, nearly 2 tons of harvested feed/cow was replaced by grazing. Feeding and calving labor inputs of mature cows were 61% lower for the June calving compared to the March calving system. Weaning rates were comparable between March and June calving systems. Weaning weights for June-born calves were 70 lbs lighter …

2001 Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Contents

Cow/Calf
A Comparison of Beef Cattle Crossbreeding Systems Assuming Value-Based Marketing
June versus March Calving for the Nebraska Sandhills: Production Traits
June versus March Calving for the Nebraska Sandhills: Economic Comparisons
June versus March Calving for the Nebraska Sandhills: Economic Risk Analysis
Protein Supplements and Performance of Cows and Calves in June-Calving Production Systems
Performance and Economics of Winter Supplementing Pregnant Heifers Based on the Metabolizable Protein System
Forage Intake and Nutrient Balance of Heifers Grazing Sandhills Winter Range
Summer Grazing and Fall Grazing Pressure Effects on Protein Content and Digestibility of Fall Range Diets
Annual Forage Production and …

June Versus March Calving For The Nebraska Sandhills: Economic Risk Analysis, Gordon Carriker, Dick Clark, Don C. Adams, Russ Sandberg

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Price risk analysis of economic and financial net returns from June and March calving systems was used to rank and identify preferred production/sale strategies according to risk preferences of producers. Analysis of economic net returns identified selling a June-born steer at weaning from the breeding on meadow (meadow-bred) treatment as preferred strategy regardless of risk preferences. Post-weaning, selling a June-born finished yearling steer from the meadow-bred treatment was ranked highest. Analysis of financial net returns identified selling a June-born yearling steer from the meadow-bred treatment prior to summer grazing as preferred for all but those strongly risk averse; selling a …

June Versus March Calving For The Nebraska Sandhills: Economic Comparisons, Gordon Carriker, Dick Clark, Don C. Adams, Russ Sandberg

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Costs and returns of June and March calving systems were compared at four production phases. Financial costs of the June system were lowest, due primarily to lower costs of producing a weaned calf. Post-weaning financial and economic costs at each phase were nearly identical. Selling June-born steer calves at January weaning would double net returns compared to selling March-born steer calves at October weaning due to lower costs and higher market prices. Net returns for June-born steer calves retained beyond weaning are highest if calves are retained as yearlings and finished. Calves finished as calf-feds provided the highest net returns …

High Moisture And Dry-Rolled High-Oil Corn For Finishing Feedlot Steers, Wanda Cerkoney, Terry L. Mader, Fred Owens

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Finishing steers fed diets containing dry-rolled high-oil corn had a 2.5% reduction in dry matter intake and 4.2% better feed efficiency than steers fed diets containing dry-rolled normal corn. Hot carcass weight, dressing percent, liver abscess score, rib fat thickness, marbling score and yield grade did not differ among treatments. Steers fed high-moisture high-oil corn had larger ribeye area and greater percent kidney, pelvic and heart fat than steers fed high moisture normal corn. No differences in performance or efficiency were detected from substituting high-oil high moisture corn for normal high moisture corn.

Effects Of Feeding Regimen On Performance, Behavior And Body Temperature Of Feedlot Steers, Shane Davis, Terry L. Mader, Wanda Cerkoney

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

One hundred forty-four predominantly Angus x Charolais steers were used to determine effects of different feeding regimens on performance, behavior and tympanic temperatures of steers under environmental heat stress. Steers were assigned to one of three treatments: 1) ad libitum fed at 0800 hr (ADLIB); 2) fed at 1600 hr with bunks slick by 0800 hr (BKMGT); and 3) fed 85% of predicted DMI at 1600 hr (LIMFD). Treatments were imposed for 23 days after which all steers were allowed ad libitum access to feed at 0800 hr. Overall performance was not affected by treatment. Altering feed time and amount …

Phosphorus And Nitrogen-Based Beef Cattle Manure Or Compost Application To Corn, Bahman Eghball

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of P and N-based manure and compost applications on corn yield and soil P level. Annual or biennial manure or compost application resulted in corn grain yields similar to those with chemical fertilizer application. P-based manure or compost application resulted in similar corn grain yield but significantly less soil P build-up than N-based treatments. Estimated N availability was 40% for manure and 15% for compost in the first year and was 18% for manure and 8% for compost in the second year after application.

Composting Of Feedlot And Dairy Manure: Compost Characteristics And Impact On Crop Yields, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Walker Luedtke, Mark Schroeder, Charles A. Francis, Gary Lesoing

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Since 1993, approximately 17,600 tons of beef feedlot and dairy compost have been spread on 1,100 acres. Crop yields were measured to determine the impact of a one-time compost application by using no-compost check strips in large-scale production fields. Adding compost to irrigated corn, irrigated soybeans, and dryland corn acres significantly increased yields, with four-year average increases of 2.3, 1.5, and 2.7%, respectively. For all crops measured, the response to compost was greatest the first year following application and declined linearly in subsequent years. The increased yield from compost application offsets spreading costs using average prices for crops.

Impact Of Grazing Corn Stalks In The Spring On Crop Yields, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, D. J. Jordon, Walker Luedtke, Gary Lesoing

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year experiment was designed to determine the impact of grazing corn residue during the spring on subsequent soybean yields in a corn-soybean rotation. Tillage treatments consisting of ridge-till, fall-till, spring-till, and no-till were also evaluated to determine if yields could be maintained by alleviating compaction from grazing in the spring. Grazing treatments overall, and specifically in the ridge-till and no-till systems, resulted in increased yields. Residue cover was also more sensitive to changes in tillage rather than grazing; however, both treatments decreased residue cover.

The Effects Of Post-Harvest Time And Temperature On Glycolytic Potential Of Beef Muscle, Dana J. Hanson, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objectives of this study were to determine if post mortem temperature affects extent of glycogen metabolism and if sampling time influences glycolytic potential values in muscle. Beef longissimus muscles entered rigor mortis at two different temperatures and were sampled at 45 minutes post mortem, rigor mortis and 24 hours post mortem to determine the glycolytic potential of the muscle. Post mortem temperature had little effect on the glycolytic potential of beef muscle. Glycolytic potential values from samples removed early post mortem were underestimated when compared to samples taken at 24 hours post mortem.

Compensatory Growth And Slaughter Breakevens Of Yearling Cattle, D. J. Jordon, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Todd Milton, Rob Cooper

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year summary of growing/ finishing systems indicates that steer calves wintered at 1.5 lb/day had lower slaughter breakeven (P < .05) costs compared to animals wintered at 0.5 lb/day. Additionally, feeding wet corn gluten feed as an energy source to increase winter gains tended (P < .15) to produce slaughter breakevens which were lower than the same winter gains produced by feeding corn. Restricting animal gain over the winter (0.5-1.0 lb/day) resulted in 25-32% compensation on grass compared to controls (1.5 lb/day). Comparison of calf finishing vs. yearling growing/finishing systems showed that steers wintered with a “fast” rate of gain (1.5 lb/day) profited $28.85/head compared to losses by steers wintered with a “slow” rate of gain (0.5 lb/day; $-30.24/head) or calf finishing ($-20.87/head).

Consumer Acceptance And Value Of Strip Steaks Differing In Marbling And Country-Of-Origin, K. M. Killinger, W. J. Umberger, Chris R. Calkins, Kent M. Eskridge, D. Feuz

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Consumers (72.6%) visually preferred low marbled steaks. However, high marbled steaks were rated more juicy, tender and desirable in flavor and overall acceptability than low marbled steaks. Based on auction bids, consumers in Chicago (but not San Francisco) were willing to pay more for high marbled steaks than low marbled steaks. Domestic steaks were rated higher in all sensory attributes than Argentine steaks. Consumers in both locations were willing to pay more for domestic steaks than Argentine steaks. Although most consumers visually prefer low marbled steaks, most consumers find high marbled steaks to be more acceptable in sensory characteristics.

Influence Of Restricted Intake And Reduced Dietary Starch On Colonic Ph And E. Coli Prevalence, Tim Loy, Casey Wilson, Doreen Baily, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Rodney A. Moxley, David R. Smith, Spring Younts

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Ninety feedlot steers were used to test the effects of reducing dietary starch and intake on colonic pH, VFA, total and acid-resistant coliform and E. coli populations, and E. coli O157:H7 shedding. When corn bran and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF), or high moisture corn and WCGF were substituted for dry rolled corn, colonic pH increased while VFA concentration decreased. The corn bran and WCGF diet reduced acid-resistant E. coli shedding. Restricting intake increased colonic pH and decreased VFA concentration, but did not affect acid-resistant E. colishedding. Prevalence of E. coliO157:H7 was not affected by diet or intake.

Implant Programs For Feedlot Heifers Using Synovex® Plus™, Casey Macken, Todd Milton, Bill Dicke, Dave Mcclellan, Frank Prouty

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two commercial feedyard experiments evaluated implant strategies for feedlot heifers. In both experiments, implanting heifers with Synovex Plus increased ADG compared to heifers implanted with Finaplix-H and fed MGA. In Experiment 1, implanting heifers with Synovex Plus improved feed conversion and increased live basis net returns, and the use of MGA with Synovex Plus increased carcass merit basis net returns and had similar marbling scores compared with Finaplix-H and MGA.

Changes To The Purine Assay Improve Purine Recovery And Assay Precision, Ryan Mass, Kelly Creighton, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Three experiments tested modifications of the purine assay designed to improve estimation of microbial crude protein supply. In Experiment 1, changing hydrolysis conditions from 12 normal perchloric acid to 2 normal increased purine recovery and lowered the coefficient of variation. In Experiment 2, phosphate buffer yielded greater recovery of purines than acetate buffer and using the extraction solution as a wash was less variable than silver nitrate in .005 molar hydrochloric acid. In Experiment 3, purine nitrogen:total microbial nitrogen ratios for five forages were determined by incubating NDF in situ and analyzing them before and after neutral detergent extraction.