Animal Sciences Commons^™

Feed Intake Of Sheep As Affected By Body Weight, Breed, Sex, And Feed Composition, R. M. Lewis, G. C. Emmans

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The hypotheses tested were that genetic size-scaling for mature BW (A, kg) would reduce variation in intake between kinds of sheep and that quadratic polynomials on u = BW/A with zero intercept would provide good descriptions of the relationship between scaled intake (SI, g/A0.73 d) and degree of maturity in BW (u) across feeds of differing quality. Both sexes of Suffolk sheep from 2 experimental lines (n = 225) and from 3 breed types (Suffolk, Scottish Blackface, and their cross; n = 149) were recorded weekly for ad libitum feed intake and BW; recording of intake was from weaning through, …

The Influence Of Affiliative Relations On Copulatory Behaviors Of Tibetan Macaques (Macaca Thibetana), Laura P. Ginn

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The genus Macaca is the largest and most widely distributed primate genus, but M. thibetana remains understudied. Field research on this species has focused on dominance style, post-conflict behaviors, and the effects of eco-tourism, with limited research on sexual selection. As a sexually dimorphic species with linear hierarchies, rank is expected to play a role in mate choice; however, recent data suggest that male rank is not correlated with mating. This study examined affiliative behaviors of male-female dyads in a free-living group of Tibetan macaques at Mt. Huangshan, China to assess whether affiliative interactions influenced copulation patterns. The proportion of …

Induction Of Ip-10 By Sars-Cov Infection Of Calu-3cells And Balb/C Mice, Y. Kumaki, C. W. Day, K. W. Bailey, M. H. Wong, M. K. Wandersee, R. Madsen, J. S. Madsen, N. M. Nelson, J. D. Hoopes, J. D. Woolcott, Z. T. Mclean, L. M. Blatt, A. M. Salazar, Dale L. Barnard

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Destruction of the architectural and subsequently the functional integrity of the lung following pulmonary viral infections is attributable to both the extent of pathogen replication and to the host-generated inflammation associated with the recruitment of immune responses. The presence of antigenically disparate pulmonary viruses and the emergence of novel viruses assures the recurrence of lung damage with infection and resolution of each primary viral infection. Thus, there is a need to develop safe broad spectrum immunoprophylactic strategies capable of enhancing protective immune responses in the lung but which limits immune-mediated lung damage. The immunoprophylactic strategy described here utilizes a protein …

Effects Of Uv Light On Local Stream Frog Behavior, John Buie, Eiichiro Uemura, Candy Hwang, D. Lee, Craig Sutter, Evan Mattiasen, Thomas Vandergon, Rodney Honeycutt, Lee Kats

Featured Research

Amphibian declines have been well documented throughout the world. Several studies have examined whether UV radiation from the sun is a possible contributing cause to declining populations. In Southern California, two closely related species of treefrogs, Pseudacris hypochondriaca and Pseudacris cadaverina, coexist in many perennial streams. P. hypochondriaca is primarily nocturnal while P. cadaverina is known to bask in direct sunlight. The purpose of the study is to determine how the two different species of frogs will react under different types of light emitted by a portable flashlight. The light was emitting either UV radiation or visible light, or …

Conceptual Model For Thermal Limits On The Distribution Of Reptiles, J. Sean Doody, Jennifer A. Moore

USF St. Petersburg Campus Faculty Publications

Recent climate change has re-invigorated scientific interest in the dynamics of geographic distributions of organisms. Climate responses and their biogeographical ramifications can be predicted indirectly by studying variation in fitness-related traits across environmental gradients in wide-ranging species. We review evidence for such variation in reptiles. Clinal variation in seasonal timing (onset) of nesting is common but may offer only minor compensation. In contrast, clinal variation in nesting behavior in two wide-ranging species suggests that reptiles can use nest site choice to counter climate differences. We suggest that when range boundaries located at climate extremes are determined by thermal conditions of …

Comparative Evaluation Of Clinical Samples From Naturally Infected Dogs For Early Detection Of Canine Distemper Virus, Muhammad Zubair Shabbir, Masood Rabbani, Arfan Ahmad, Ali̇ Ahmed, Khushi Muhammad, Ikram Anwar

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Early detection of canine distemper (CD) is critical for appropriate and timely treatment. The present study included 45 suspected cases with respiratory signs for a comparative evaluation of clinical samples in the early detection of canine distemper virus (CDV). Thirty-four dogs exhibited digestive system involvement, but none showed any neurological symptoms. Clinical progression of CD, based on age, sex, vaccination status, disease, and clinical findings, was observed. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect viral nucleoprotein RNA in plasma, conjunctival and nasal swabs. Only 10 dogs were positive for CDV infection. Among the 45 dogs, CDV RNA …

Oral Inoculation With Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium Or Choleraesuis Promotes Divergent Responses In The Somatotropic Growth Axis Of Swine, B. L. Davis, J. N. Fraser, Thomas E. Burkey, K. A. Skjolaas, S. S. Dritz, B. J. Johnson, J. E. Minton

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Enteric disease and immune challenge are processes that have detrimental effects on the growth performance of young swine. The current study tested the hypothesis that salmonella-induced enteric disease would perturb the endocrine growth axis in a serovar-dependent fashion. Specifically, we evaluated the effects of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (Typhimurium) and serovar Choleraesuis (Choleraesuis) on critical regulatory components of growth in young swine. Weaned pigs were housed 2 per pen with ad libitum access to feed and water in a 14-d experiment. Pigs were then repeatedly fed 108 cfu of either Choleraesuis or Typhimurium in dough balls, with control pigs receiving …

Environmental And Endogenous Factors Influencing Emigration In Juvenile Anadromous Alewives, Benjamin I. Gahagan, Eric T. Schultz, Katie E. Gherard

EEB Articles

We analyzed juvenile anadromous alewife migration at Bride Lake, a coastal lake in Connecticut, during summer 2006 and found that migration on 24-hour and seasonal timescales was influenced by conditions of the environment and characteristics of the individual. To identify environmental cues of juvenile migration, we continuously video recorded fish at the lake outflow and employed information-theoretic model selection to identify the best predictors of daily migration rate. More than 80% of the approximately 320,000 juveniles that migrated from mid-June to mid-August departed in three pulses lasting one or two days. Pulses of migration were associated with precipitation events, transient …

Potassium For High Rainfall Pastures, Mike Bolland, Bill Russell

Bulletins 4000 -

Potassium plays a major role in plant growth. It maintains the solutions in plant cells at ionic strengths suitable for maintaining strong plant walls and for the proper functioning of leaf pores (stomata) and plant processes such as photosynthesis, transport of sugars and enzyme activation.

Potassium does not become a direct part of the plant structure but acts to regulate water balances, nutrient and sugar movement in plant tissue. Plants deficient in potassium cannot use other nutrients and water efficiently. They are less tolerant of stresses such as drought and waterlogging and are more susceptible to pests and diseases.

What Scatter-Hoarding Animals Have Taught Us About Small-Scale Navigation, Kristy L. Gould, Debbie M. Kelly, Alan Kamil

Avian Cognition Papers

Many animals use cues for small-scale navigation, including beacons, landmarks, compasses and geometric properties. Scatter-hoarding animals are a unique system to study small-scale navigation. They have to remember and relocate many individual spatial locations, be fairly accurate in their searching and have to remember these locations for long stretches of time. In this article, we review what is known about cue use in both scatter-hoarding birds and rodents. We discuss the importance of local versus global cues, the encoding of bearings and geometric rules, the use of external compasses such as the Sun and the influence of the shape of …

Absence Of Predation Eliminates Coexistence: Experience From The Fish-Zooplankton Interface, Z. M. Gilwicz, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, E. Szymansk

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Examples from fishless aquatic habitats show that competition among zooplankton for resources instigates rapid exclusion of competitively inferior species in the absence of fish predation, and leads to resource monopolization by the superior competitor. This may be a single species or a few clones with large body size: a cladoceran such as Daphnia pulicaria, or a branchiopod such as Artemia franciscana, each building its population to a density far higher than those found in habitats with fish. The example of zooplankton from two different fish-free habitats demonstrates the overpowering force of fish predation by highlighting the consequences of its absence. …

Evaluation Of Storage Covers When Wet Distillers Byproducts Are Mixed And Stored With Forages, Dana L. Christensen, Kelsey Rolfe, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Wet corn co-products were mixed with forage and stored in 55 gallon barrelswith different covers mimicking bunker storage methods to determine shrink losses and spoilage. Three mix combinations and seven cover treatments were used to compare spoilage levels of covered co-product mixes vs. uncovered mixes. Spoilage and losses of the mix were effectively reduced with all covers, with losses reduced from 8 to 9% when uncovered, to 1 to 5% when different cover treatments were used.

Alternative Muscles For Traditional Japanese And Korean Beef Recipes, Chris R. Calkins, Amilton S. Demello, Lasika S. Senaratne, Kanae Watanabe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This research was conducted to identify alternative cuts that would be acceptable in popular dishes in Japan and Korea in order to encourage usage of a broader portion of beef carcasses that qualify for export. Typical dishes were tested twice (6 panels per country) using traditional and three alternative beef muscles. Dishes were compared regarding appearance, aroma, juiciness, tenderness, flavor, and overall acceptability by natives of each country who served as panelists. Japanese dishes were sukiyaki (sauté), shabu-shabu (hot pot), and yakiniku (grill); Korean dishes were jang jo rim (boiled), miyeok-guk (soup), and kalbi (grill). Alternative muscles were selected because …

Comparing Ensiled Or Fresh Mixed Wet Distillers Grains With Solubles With Straw At Two Inclusions In Growing Calf Diets, Crystal D. Buckner, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, William A. Griffin, Joshua R. Benton

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study evaluated feeding ensiled or freshly mixed wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) with straw at 2 blends and the effect of an inoculum with the ensiled mixture on steer calf performance. Treatments included 30 or 45% WDGS (DM basis) mixed with straw and fed either as a fresh mix or ensiled with and without a microbial inoculum. No significant interactions were observed between type and level of mix. Steers fed the ensiled mixes had higher ADG and lower F:G compared to those fed the fresh mix.

Fiber Digestibility And Rumen Ph For Diets Containing Wet Corn Gluten Feed Or Wet Distillers Grains With Solubles, Crystal D. Buckner, Kelsey Rolfe, Nathan Meyer, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Seven ruminally cannulated steers were used to evaluate fiber digestibility and rumen pH for diets containing 35 or 88% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) or 35% wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). These diets were top-dressed with or without a direct-fed microbial (DFM). Interactions were observed for DM and NDF digestibility. Feeding 88% WCGF decreased DM digestibility, but NDF digestibility increased especially with the DFM. Rumen pH was greatest for steers fed 88% WCGF and lowest for steers fed 35% WCGF.

Distillers Grains And Livestock Are Important To Ethanol Energy And Greenhouse Gas Balance, Virgil R. Bremer, Adam J. Liska, Haishun Yang, Daniel T. Walters, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Richard K. Koelsch, Kenneth G. Cassman

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A life cycle assessment of the impact of distillers grains plus solubles (DGS) on mitigation of energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions comparing corn ethanol to gasoline demonstrates the importanceof feeding wet DGS (WDGS) to feedlot cattle to optimize the environmental benefit of ethanol production relative to gasoline. Ethanol produced in Nebraska has a superior environmentalimpact compared to ethanol produced in Iowa or Texas.

Tympanic Temperature Of Steers Fed Different Levels Of Metabolic Energy Intake During Summer And Winter, Rodrigo A. Arias, Terry L. Mader

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Tympanic temperatures (TT) of steers were recorded during July (8 days) and January (6 days). In each experiment, steers were fed 11, 18, or 25 Mcal/day ME in a roughage-based diet, or 18, 25, or 32 Mcal/day ME in a concentrate-based diet. Tympanic temperatures were greater during summer than during winter. Also, steers fed a concentrate diet had greater TT than those fed a roughage diet. Linear equations were obtained to estimate TT of cattle for summer and winter seasons. During the winter, TT response to MEI was dependent on the type of diet. Resultsdemonstrate that increases in the energy …

Effects Of Feeding Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles And Vitamin E On Beef Tenderness And Color Under Different Packaging Systems, Amilton S. De Mello, Kanae Watanabe, Chris R. Calkins, Lasika S. Senaratne, Timothy P. Carr, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), vitamin E supplementation (E), and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and sensorial tenderness were investigated in m. longissimus lumborum aged 7 or 21 days. Steers (n = 90) were allocated to dietary treatments consisting of corn or 35% WDGS with 0, 100, 300, 500, and 1000 I.U. of E per head daily. Afteraging, muscles were displayed for 5 days under O2 permeable film, high O2 and low O2 atmospheres. Feeding 1000E extendedcolor stability of permeable film-packaged steaks during retail display. Feeding WDGS led to higher …

Fatty Acid Profile Of Beef From Steers Fed Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles (Wdgs) And Vitamin E, Amilton S. De Mello, Chris R. Calkins, Kanae Watanabe, Lasika S. Senaratne, Timothy P. Carr, Galen E. Erickson, Judy A. Driskell

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The aim of this work was to investigate the fatty acid profile of m. teres major (TER) and m. infraspinatus (INF) from steers fed 0 or 40% WDGS (DM basis) with or without 500 I.U. of vitamin E/steer daily for 100 days. Thirty-two steers were allocated to 4 treatments: Corn; Corn + vit. E; 40% WDGS; or 40% WDGS + vit. E. After 7 days of aging, 2 TER and 2 INF muscles were excised from the shoulder clods of each animal. Fatty acids were analyzed from raw TER and INF, pan fried TER and INF, and grilled INF. For …

Reproductive Aging Influences Ovarian Function In Beef Cows, Robert A. Cushman, Jennifer R. Wood, Rachael G. Slattery, Debra T. Clopton, Jacqueline Smith, Kevin A. Beavers, William E. Pohlmeier, Jeffrey W. Bergman, Karl V. Moline, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) has been associated with follicle number and age of the ovary. Therefore, our hypothesiswas that AMH was a biomarker for both follicle number and ovarian function in the beef cow. Ovaries were collected by flank laparotomy. The number of follicles increased as cows aged from 1.5 to 6 years and began to decrease thereafter; however, the size of the ovary continued to increase with advanced age. Expression of the AMH gene increased with increasing follicle number in 2-year-old beef cows. These results suggest that heifers with larger ovaries will have greater numbers of follicles and greater productivity, …

2010 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow/Calf
Effect of Calving Season and Wintering System on Cow Performance
Extending Grazing in Heifer Development Systems Decreases Cost Without Compromising Production
Post Weaning Management of Heifer Calves Impacts ADG and Feed Efficiency as Pregnant Heifers
Estrous Synchronization Increases Early Calving Frequency, Which Enhances Steer Progeny Value
Reproductive Aging Influences Ovarian Function in Beef Cows
Comparison of Feeding Wet Distillers Grains in a Bunk or on the Ground to Cattle Grazing Native Sandhills Winter Range.. 19 Supplementing Wet Distillers Grains Mixed with Low Quality Forage to Grazing Cow/Calf Pairs
Evaluation of Storage Covers When Wet Distillers Byproducts Are Mixed and …

Genetic Analysis Of Mature Size In American Angus Cattle, Marco G. Dib, L. Dale Van Vleck, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Genetic parameters for weights and heights of mature cows were estimated using a repeatability model from field data provided by the American Angus Association. The results showed that the heritabilities of both traits were large, and correlations between them were positive and strong. Selection on either trait should easily produce a response, and changing one should lead to a correlated response in the other. Genetic trend was generally for increasing cow weight over the last 25 years.

Forage Quality And Grazing Performance Of Beef Cattle Grazing Brown Midrib Grain Sorghum Residue, Jacob R. Geiss, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Josh R. Benton, William A. Griffin, Robert B. Mitchell, Jeffrey F. Pedersen

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two hybrids of grain sorghum, the AWheatland x RTx430 hybrid (CON) and its near isogenic brown midrib counterpart (BMR), were used in a 65-day residue grazing experiment. Grain sorghum was planted in 4 replications for each treatment within the same field, and grazed with 6 steers/replication. Samples of the sorghum residue were collected on days 1, 31, and 60 for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and in vitro NDF digestibility analysis. Steers grazing the BMR treatment gained 1.55 lb/day while the steers grazing the CON treatment gained 1.32 lb/day (P = 0.14). The BMR and CON were similar in NDF (73.5%), …

Supplementing Dried Distillers Grains To Steers Grazing Cool Season Meadow, William A. Griffin, Brandon L. Nuttleman, Terry J. Klopfenstein, L. Aaron Stalker, Richard N. Funston, Jacqueline A. Musgrave

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two experiments evaluated the performance response of supplementing dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) to steers grazing cool season meadow. Steers were supplemented 0.0 or 0.6% of BW in Exp. 1, and 0.0, 0.6, or 1.2% of BW in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, supplemented steers had 0.13 lb/day greater ADG. In Exp. 2, there was a linear response to supplementation level, with steers supplemented 1.2% of BW having greatest ADG. Diet samples indicate the differences were due to increased energy and not increased protein intake.

Relationship Of Metabolizable Protein Balance, Purine Derivative Excretion, And 3-Methyl Histidine Excretion To Feed Efficiency In Individually Fed Finishing Heifers, William A. Griffin, Kelsey Rolfe, Grant I. Crawford, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Phillip S. Miller, Ruth M. Diedrichsen

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Individually fed heifers were used to determine the relationship of 3-methyl histidine, purine derivatives, and metabolizableprotein balance to feed efficiency. Heifers were fed finishing dietsthat were either deficient or sufficient in metabolizable protein. Urine samples were collected and analyzed for early, late, and entire feeding period concentrations of 3-methyl histidine, purine derivatives, and creatinine. Results from this study indicated a negative relationship between feed efficiency and metabolizable protein balance, and no relationship between 3-methyl histidine excretion and feed efficiency, suggesting that protein turnover and microbial protein synthesis are not related to feed efficiency

Sensory Attributes Of Beef From Steers Fed Field Peas, Jeremy H. Hinkle, Judson Vasconcelos, Stephanie A. Furman, Amilton S. De Mello Jr., Lasika S. Senaratne, Siroj Pokharel, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Field peas were fed at inclusion rates of 0, 10, 20 and 30% (DM basis) to 139 yearling steers (initial BW = 900 ± 68 lb). Choice grade strip loins and carcass data were collected from the Tyson Fresh Meats Plant in Lexington, Neb. Consumer sensory ratings and Warner-Bratzler shear force data were collected. Feeding field peas caused a cubicresponsein overall like (P = 0.009), tenderness (P = 0.006), and flavordesirabilityratings (P = 0.06), with the highest (most desirable) ratings occurring with 30% field peas. Shear force decreasedlinearly (P = 0.02) as field peas increased in the diet. These data …

Effects Of Time Of Transporting Prior To Sale Date On Selling Weight Of Weaned Steer Calves, Luke M. Kovarik, Matt K. Luebbe, Richard J. Rasby, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted using 88 weaned steer calves to evaluate shrink difference when shipped at differing times prior to sale date. Two groups of calves were transported 24 hours prior to sale date, with one group being withheld from water and feed 2 hours prior to sale while the other group was not restricted. Another group (control) was transported 2 hours prior to the sale. All cattle were transported 95 miles and co-mingled at the sale facility prior to processing. Percent shrink for +1-Adlib, +1-R, and Control was 1.8, 2.2, and 0.6%, respectively.

Estrous Synchronization Increases Early Calving Frequency, Which Enhances Steer Progeny Value, Daniel M. Larson, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Calving records collected between 2000 and 2008 at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, Neb., were used to determine the effect of estrous synchronization on calving distribution and the impact of time of calving on carcass characteristics. More synchronized cows calved during the first 21 days compared to non-synchronized cows, and calves born to synchronized dams were heavier at weaning. Calves born in the first 21 days of the calving season had greater carcass weights, marblingscores, and yield grades than later born calves. In addition, the percentage of steers grading premium choice or greater and the total carcass value declined as …

Post Weaning Management Of Heifer Calves Impacts Adg And Feed Efficiency As Pregnant Heifers, Daniel M. Larson, Tonya L. Meyer, Leslie Aaron Stalker, James R. Teichert, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Replacement heifers were developed on cornstalks (Exp. 1, 2, and 3), dry lot (Exp. 1 and 2), or winter range (Exp. 3). In Exp. 1, pregnant heifers were individually fed during mid to late gestation. Heifers developed on cornstalks were more feed efficient than heifers developed in a dry lot. In Exp. 2 and 3, pregnant heifers grazed cornstalks during mid to late gestation. Heifers developed on cornstalks gained more and were more efficient, especially compared to heifers developed in a dry lot. These data provide evidence of an adaptive response to grazing low quality forages and may be beneficial …

Comparison Of Revalor-Xs Vs. Two Common Implant Strategies In Finishing Steers, Cody A. Nichols, Galen E. Erickson, Judson T. Vasconcelos, Justin J. Sindt, Robert L. Botts, Bill D. Dicke, D.J. Jordon, Robert J. Cooper, Tony L. Scott, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A commercial feedlot experiment was performed to compare the effects of a Component TE-IS/TE-S with Tylan (TE-IS/S) implant strategy to a Component TE-200 with Tylan (TE-200) or a Revalor XS (Rev-XS) single implant strategy on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers. Cattle receiving the TE-IS/S implants and the Rev-XS implant had greater (P < 0.05) final BW and lower F:G (P < 0.05) than the cattle that received the TE-200 treatment. Daily gain was improved (P = 0.04) when comparing TE-IS/S to TE-200, but intermediate for steers that received the Rev-XS treatment. Quality grade categories were unaffected by implant strategy. Cattle given TE-IS/TE-S had a greater number (P < 0.05) of yield grade 1 and 2 carcasses than other implant treatments, while cattle receiving TE-200 had greater (P < 0.01) yield grade 3 and 5 carcasses.