Animal Sciences Commons^™

Dust Emission From South Dakota Cattle Feedlots, Rick Weber

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Dust and particle emissions (PM) from cattle feedlots is a concern for producers in order to maintain good relations with neighbors and also to comply with the EPA proposed PM_2.5 particulate emission rules. Dust at 2.5 microns, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, is a potential health hazard since it can be ingested into the lungs of humans. One of the proposed regulations of the Federal Clean Air Act is to apply the PM_2.5 standard to the agricultural sector. This research project examines the particulate matter dust emissions of various sizes in microns including 2.5, 10, …

Recent Observations Of The Distribution Of Woodchucks (Marmota Monax) In Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, D. Blake Sasse, Todd Pennington, Nicole Freeman

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

During the last couple of decades, the distribution of the woodchuck (Marmota monax) appeared to be expanding southward in Arkansas (Tumlison et al. 2001). An increase in the frequency of new sightings led us to re-evaluate the present status of this species of squirrel in the state. The woodchuck is not easily confused with other mammals, therefore we sought records of sightings to update information about its distribution. Recent range expansion had been documented in southwestern Arkansas, so we placed notices in stores and advertised in local newspapers in that region to intensively seek new records of sightings from the …

Similar Levels Of X-Linked And Autosomal Nucleotide Variation In African And Non-African Populations Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Nadia D. Singh, J. Michael Macpherson, Jeffrey D. Jensen, Dmitri A. Petrov

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Levels of molecular diversity in Drosophila have repeatedly been shown to be higher in ancestral, African populations than in derived, non-African populations. This pattern holds for both coding and noncoding regions for a variety of molecular markers including single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites. Comparisons of X-linked and autosomal diversity have yielded results largely dependent on population of origin.

Results: In an attempt to further elucidate patterns of sequence diversity in Drosophila melanogaster, we studied nucleotide variation at putatively nonfunctional X-linked and autosomal loci in sub-Saharan African and North American strains of D. melanogaster. We combine our experimental …

Diluents For Cryopreservation Of Semen From Non-Woolly Llamas (Lama Glama), Franz Nicolas Bustos Fernández

Theses and Dissertations

The collection and preservation of llama semen is not a standardized procedure as it is in cattle. It has a number of complications that are mainly associated with the characteristics of the semen. In order to contribute to the knowledge of reproductive biology, we decided to evaluate the behavior of llama semen in relation to the different diluters in this study. This study was done at the National Germplasm Bank for Camelids which is part of the Ministry of Rural Development of Agriculture and Environment. The Ministry is located in the Agriculture Experiment Center of Condoriri which belongs to the …

Evaluation Of Hair Production In Angora Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus), Fed With Three Different Rations Of Reed In The Desaguadero Municipality - Department Of La Paz, Angel Sullca Mamani

Theses and Dissertations

This study was carried out in the Azafranal community of the Desaguadero municipality, which is in the Ingavi Province of the Department of La Paz. It was conducted at an altitude of 3350 meters above sea level at 16°20’00” south latitude and 69°00’00” west longitude. The study went from December 20, 2003 to June 20, 2004. Our objective was to evaluate hair production in angora rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed with three different rations of reed. The experimental trial was done at the Angorita farm over a 135 day period that was divided into three smaller periods of 45 days. The …

The Effects Of Harvesting And Hauling On The Blood Physiology And Fillet Quality Of Market-Size Channel Catfish, C. Douglas Minchew, Rachael V. Beecham, Philip R. Pearson, Bartholomew W. Green, Jin M. Kim, Susan B. Bailey

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Commercially produced, food-size channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus that were harvested using routine procedures had significant elevations in plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate compared with preharvest fish captured from open ponds. Blood samples were taken from 10 fish in each of two treatments (liquid oxygen diffuser- and paddlewheel-aerated holding socks) and four sampling periods (before harvest, after socking, before loading, and before unloading) during each of 10 harvest events. Water column temperatures averaged approximately 278 C during the study. Ten fillet samples were taken from fish held overnight in paddlewheel- and liquid oxygen-aerated holding socks during some harvest events. Mean plasma …

Effects Of Protein Sources On Growth And Hormonal Status Of Weaned Dairy Calves, Christopher Aaron Sissell

LSU Master's Theses

Eight Holstein calves approximately 6 months of age (mean BW 185.15 + 16.16 kg) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin Square experiment to study effects of protein sources on performance of weaned dairy calves. Dietary treatments consisted of 16% CP diets with three sources of ruminally undegradable protein (RUP). Experimental diets were corn-silage based, with soybean meal (SBM) as the source of ruminally degradable protein (control) and 3 sources of RUP including heat treated soybean meal (SBM) (SoyPLUS®), animal protein blend (PRO-LAK), and extruded-expelled SBM, included at 45% of the dietary CP. The animals were fed their …

Effect Of Culture Conditions On Gene Expression In Manipulated Bovine Embryos, Megan Nicole Purpera

LSU Master's Theses

Numerous studies have reported aberrant gene expression levels attributed to suboptimal in vitro culture conditions presented to embryos. Since the culture environment is a common aspect of both in vitro production (IVP) and nuclear transfer (NT), research focusing on the in vitro culture system will have the potential to improve both techniques. This study investigated the effects of different culture systems and protein sources on the developmental competence of IVP embryos measured by cleavage and blastocyst rates, cell number, and relative abundance of oct-4, nanog, connexin 43, and GLUT-1 transcripts when compared to in vivo embryos. Experiment 1 compared IVP …

Landholder Information For The Safe Use And Management Of Strychnine For Emu Control, Renee Donovan, David Goodall

Biosecurity published reports

Farmnote 34/2003 - Guide to safe use of strychnine poison for emu control included.

Strychnine is a highly poisonous substance that is used in Western Australia for the control of Wild Dogs and Emus. Its use is restricted by law.

This manual outlines your roles and responsibilities in regard to Strychnine use for emu control. In particular this manual outlines the essential information you need to know in regard to:

• The legislative requirements for Strychnine control in Western Australia
• The properties and mode of action of Strychnine
• How to apply to have a strychnine emu baiting program carried out on …

Northern Goshawk Nest Activity As An Indicator Of Habitat Quality On Three National Forests In Southern Utah, K. S. Marvel, R. L. Rodriguez, Landon R. Jones

Student Works

The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) has been a species of concern in the western United States since it was thought to be in decline in the 1970s. Loss of critical breeding and wintering habitat has contributed, in part, to this decline. In the U.S., the goshawk was listed in 1991 as a sensitive species for the Intermountain Region of the Forest Service. This region includes all National Forests in Utah. The goshawk also holds the status of a Management Indicator Species (MIS) on all six National Forests in Utah (USDA Forest Service 1999). The aim of the Forest Service was …

Dried Distillers Grains Substitute For Forage And Nitrogen On Pasture: N Dynamics And Use Efficiency, Matthew A. Greenquist, Kyle J. Vander Pol, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Leonard Baleseng, Walter H. Schacht

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Animal performance and N dynamics of different grazing management and supplementation strategies in cattle production systems were evaluated on smooth bromegrass pastures in eastern Nebraska. Steers supplemented with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on non-fertilized smooth bromegrass pastures gained more (0.58 lb/d) than steers on fertilized and non-fertilized smooth bromegrass. Nitrogen retention per steer supplemented with DDGS was 38.5% greater than non supplemented steers on fertilized smooth bromegrass and non-supplemented steers on non-fertilized smooth bromegrass stocked at 69% of the rate on fertilized pastures. Fertilized and supplemented pastures were stocked at equal densities. Nitrogen use efficiency based on the …

Digestibility, Rumen Metabolism, And Site Of Digestion For Finishing Diets Containing Wet Distillers Grains Or Corn Oil, Kyle J. Vander Pol, Matt K. Luebbe, Grant Crawford, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Five ruminally and duodenally fistulated, Holstein steers were used in a 5X5 Latin square metabolism experiment to evaluate digestibility of wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) compared with corn fiber and corn oil in finishing diets. Treatments were a 40% WDGS diet, a composite of corn fiber and corn protein (COMP), COMP plus corn oil to equal the distillers diet (COMP+OIL), and dry-rolled corn control diets without (CON) or with corn oil (CON+OIL). Cattle fed WDGS had numerically lower rumen pH compared with cattle fed other treatments. Cattle fed the WDGS had greater propionate, lower acetate:propionate ratios, greater total tract …

Environmental Factors Affecting Water Intake In Steers Finishing In Feedlots, Rodrigo A. Arias, Terry L. Mader

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Simple and multiple regression analyses were executed using records of six experiments conducted from 1999 to 2006 at the University of Nebraska Northeast Research and Extension Center. The objective of the study was to obtain the best equation to predict water intake of feedlot steers under summer and winter weather conditions. The analysis permitted regression equations to be obtained for summer, winter and both seasons (overall model). From simple regression analysis, the best predictor of water intake was minimum temperature with r²= 0.61 in the overall model. Whereas, from multiple regression analysis the overall model with the best …

Effect Of Distillers Grains Composition And Level On Steers Consuming High-Quality Forage, Mark E. Corrigan, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Kyle J. Vander Pol, Matthew A. Greenquist, Matt K. Luebbe, Kip Karges, Matt L. Gibson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dried distillers grains (DDG) supplementation level and composition on growing steer performance and forage intake. Factors included DDG supplementation level (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.00% of BW), and DDG solubles level (0, 5.4, 14.5, 19.1, or 22.1% DM). Final BW improved, and forage intake decreased with increasing levels of DDG. An interaction between DDG supplementation level and solubles level was observed on ADG and F:G and was likely related to supplemental fat levels. Supplementation of forages with DDG improves performance while decreasing forage intake when fat levels are not too great.

Effect Of Sorting And Feeding Optaflexx On Performance And Economics Of Long Yearling Steers, William A. Griffin, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Dillon M. Feuz, Kyle J. Vander Pol, Matthew A. Greenquist

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year experiment evaluated the effects of sorting long yearling steers by initial feedlot BW and supplementing 200 mg/steer of Optaflexx daily the last 28 days of the feeding period on ADG, F/G, carcass characteristics and profitability. Feedlot ADG, F/G, and profitability were not effected by sorting. However, sorted cattle exhibited increased fat thickness, increased ribeye area, and increased percentage of carcasses with a yield grade of four or higher. Supplementing Optaflexx the last 28 days of the feeding period had no effect on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, or profitability.

Off-Flavor Mitigation In Cow Steaks, Donald A. Moss, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Strip loins from fed (high energy diet for at least 60 days) and nonfed cows were treated with 1% water a solution containing one of four commercial bitter blockers to determine if off-flavors could be blocked. Neither trained nor consumer taste panels detected differences among the bitter blockers. Trained panelists frequently found metallic, sour, rancid, bloody, salty, and bitter flavors, with nonfed cow beef having more bloody, bitter, and burnt off-flavors. Consumers most frequently identified bloody, metallic and liver-like off-flavors in cow beef, but found no differences in frequency of off-flavor notes between fed and nonfed cow beef. Commercial bitter …

Effects Of Aging On Beef Chuck And Round Muscles Enhanced With Ammonium Hydroxide And Salt, Adam E. Hamling, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study was conducted to determine if aging alters the beneficial effects of enhancement with a 20% solution of water, ammonium hydroxide, and salt, on beef steaks. For all muscles (triceps brachii, biceps femoris, rectus femoris), steaks had lower shear force values when compared to non-pumped controls at every aging period (1, 7, 14 days). Also, enhanced steaks received more desirable evaluations for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptability at every aging period from consumer taste panels. These data indicate aging does not decrease the benefits of enhancement.

Ranking Beef Muscles For Warner-Bratzler Shear Force And Trained Sensory Panel Ratings, Gary A. Sullivan, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Combining 60 years of published research, 40 different beef muscles were ranked by Warner-Bratzler shear force. Relative ranks for tenderness, juiciness and beef flavor ratings were also determined. The psoas major and infraspinatus are the two most tender. Sensory tenderness ratings correlated to shear force means (-0.85; p=0.001) where a desirable tenderness rating reflected a low shear force. These data help reconcile differences among various studies of beef tenderness and provide a weighted ranking for beef muscles, which will be useful when selecting muscles for value-added beef products.

Diurnal And Dietary Impacts On Purine Derivative Excretion From Spot Samples Of Urine, Grant I. Crawford, Kyle Vander Pol, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An individual feeding experiment was conducted to estimate diurnal and dietary impacts on microbial CP (MCP) production estimated from urinary purine derivative (PD) and creatinine excretion. Heifers were fed one of three diets formulated to produce differences in MCP production: an 85% steam-flaked corn-based diet (SFC); the SFC diet with 1.5% urea (UREA); or a corn milling byproduct-based diet (BYPROD). Spot samples of urine were collected at 0700 and 1700 hours. No urine collection time x dietary treatment interactions were present for any variable. Dry matter intake, ADG, and F:G were poorest with the SFC treatment. Urinary PD:creatinine (PD:C) ratio …

Chronic Exposure Of Ruminal Fluid Cultures To Treatments That Inhibit Methanogenesis, Eric J. Behlke, James M. Takacs, Stephen W. Ragsdale, Clayton Mcneff, Peter Newsome, Jess L. Miner

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Methanogenesis in ruminal cultures was inhibited by Yucca shidigera, 2-bromoethanesulfonate, and a nitrofuranyl para-aminobenzoic acid derivative. Only the nitrofuranyl para-aminobenzoic acid derivative remained effective beyond 10 days of culture indicating that this may be an effective treatment for chronically inhibiting methane production in cattle.

Inhibition Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Manipulates Follicles In Beef Females, Robert A. Cushman, Debra T. Clopton, Mark F. Allan, S. E. Echternkamp, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is produced by cells surrounding the egg in the follicle. If VEGF is inhibited, ovulation does not occur. Understanding how VEGF regulates follicle development may allow for manipulation of estrous cycles. In previous studies in our laboratory, blocking the actions of VEGF decreased activation of early stage follicles in neonatal rat ovary cultures. Therefore, we hypothesized inhibition of VEGF actions would also inhibit follicle activation in bovine ovarian cortical cultures. Inhibition of VEGF did inhibit follicle progression, thus regulation of VEGF may be a way to manipulate follicle development and more accurately time ovulation.

In Vitro Development Of Bovine Embryos Cultured In A Frozen-Thawed Commercial Culture Medium, Jeanne Lee Glaser

LSU Master's Theses

As in vitro fertilization (IVF) becomes more acceptable for the treatment of human infertility, it is essential for clinics to have in place an optimal embryo culture system. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether freezing and storing human embryo culture medium will alter embryo post-thaw viability. In consecutive experiments, commercial culture medium was frozen at -20°C and at -80°C and stored at 4°C until its use in IVF. Each IVF-derived replicate of bovine embryos contained a laboratory control group, a fresh commercial culture medium group(s) and a frozen-thawed commercial culture medium group(s). The commercial culture medium was …

Deer–Human Conflict And Hunter Access In An Exurban Landscape, Daniel J. Storm, Clayton K. Nielsen, Eric M. Schauber, Alan Woolf

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Exurban development (non-metropolitan, residential development) poses unique challenges for wildlife managers through increases in human–wildlife interactions. However, little is known about hunting activity and human attitudes toward white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in exurban areas. In 2004, we surveyed exurbanites near Carbondale, Illinois, regarding their experiences with and attitudes toward deer, whose population in the study area was at or above cultural carrying capacity. Deer–vehicle collisions (DVC) were common and a concern for most respondents (84%). However, DVCs were less influential than plant damage in determining landowner tolerance of deer. Only 19% of respondents allowed hunting on their property, …

Evolution Of The Field Of Wildlife Damage Management In The United States And Future Challenges, James E. Miller

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Through the early twentieth century, people in rural areas of North America either dealt with problems caused by wildlife by killing the problem species, eliminating its habitat, changing crops or husbandry practices, tolerating the damage, or moving to a new area devoid of such problem animals. However, many of these solutions are impractical today with the increase in human populations, the increased expansion of development into previously rural landscapes, the increased fragmentation of land ownership, and the increasing movement of people into metropolitan areas. Because of current local, state, and federal ordinances and regulations, along with the impacts of animal …

A Review Of Shiga Toxin Escherichia Coli And Salmonella Enterica In Cattle And Free-Ranging Birds: Potential Association And Epidemiological Links, Kerri Pedersen, Larry Clark

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Cattle are the main reservoir for human infection by pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. To prevent entry of these foodborne pathogens into the human food chain, management factors at the farm level must be identified and controlled. External sources of contamination, such as birds, should be considered as potential sources of transmission over long distances. In this review, we focus on the epidemiology of infection by E. coli and S. enterica and the consequences of birds acting as disseminators of these pathogens at dairy farms in terms of cattle health and the subsequent effects on human health.

20,25-Diazacholesterol As An Oral Contraceptive For Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Population Management, Paul B. Nash, Carol A. Furcolow, Kimberly S. Bynum, Christi A. Yoder, Lowell A. Miller, John J. Johnston

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies can become overcrowded, and the colonies, landscape, and people affected by them may benefit from controlled populations. Contraception is a method that may be useful, particularly where lethal control is inappropriate or illegal. We investigated if oral administration of 20,25-diazacholesterol (DiazaCon®), an inhibitor of cholesterol and reproductive steroid hormone production, could reduce reproductive success of treated black-tailed prairie dogs in a fi eld trial. Ten treatments of approximately 45-mg DiazaCon per black-tailed prairie dog yielded a 47% reduction of young:adult ratios compared to control sites. Over a 3-month period, desmosterol, a cholesterol …

In Memory

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Book Review Living With Coyotes: Managing Predators Humanely Using Food Aversion Conditioning, John A. Shivik

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Wildlife Damage And Species Conservation: Lessons Learned From The Utah Prairie Dog, R. Dwayne Elmore, Terry A. Messmer, Mark W. Brunson

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens), a federally listed threatened species, causes damage to agricultural operations, yet little incentive exists for private landowners to conserve them. Therefore, we surveyed Utah residents to identify stakeholder attitudes regarding prairie dog management. We assessed how perceptions of wildlife damage affect respondent attitudes regarding conservation among agricultural producers, rural residents, and urban residents. Higher levels of perceived wildlife damage were reported for agriculture respondents (79%) than for urban (20%) or rural (45%) respondents. Compensation for damage caused by Utah prairie dogs was supported by those engaged in agricultural production but not by …

Use Of Snares To Live-Capture Beavers, Lance B. Mcnew Jr., Clayton K. Nielsen, Craig K. Bloomquist

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wildlife managers, researchers, and nuisance-control operators often require a nonlethal means of capturing beavers (Castor canadensis). Historically, live-capture has relied on enclosure-type traps such as Bailey or Hancock traps. We describe the live-capture of 231 beavers using snares in southern Illinois from 2002 to 2005. Capture success averaged 5.4 beavers/100 trap-nights. Capture success did not differ between sexes (P = 0.57) or age-classes (P = 0.68). We captured most beavers in haul-out slide sets, surface run sets, or channel sets. Recaptures accounted for 28% (n = 65) of all captures. Mortality rate using snares was …