Animal Sciences Commons^™

Dried Distillers Grains As A Substitute For Grazed Forage, L. A. Stalker, T. J. Klopfenstein, Walter H. Schacht, J. D. Volesky

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A 2-yr study evaluated effects of feeding dried distillers grains (DDG) to yearlings grazing native range at greaterthan- recommended stocking rates on BW gain, grazed forage quality, and forage disappearance. Thirty-six paddocks were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) control, stocked at a moderate stocking rate (1.48 animal unit months/ha in yr 1, 1.06 animal unit months/ha in yr 2) with no DDG; 2) double stocked, in which stocking rate was exactly twice the control with no DDG; and 3) double stocked with 2.27 kg/d (DM) of DDG per animal. Six paddocks per treatment replication were grazed in …

Genetic Parameter Estimates For Calving Difficulty And Birth Weight In A Multi-Breed Population, C. M. Ahlberg, L. A. Kuehn, R. M. Thallman, Stephen D. Kachman, M. L. Spangler

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Birth weight (BWT) and calving difficulty (CD) were recorded on 4,580 first parity females from the Germplasm Evaluation (GPE) program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. Both traits were analyzed using a bivariate animal model with direct and maternal effects. Genetic groups for breed of AI sire were fitted to estimate breed differences. Bos Indicus influenced breeds tended to have the largest BWT. Heritability estimates for BWT direct, CD direct, BWT maternal and CD maternal were 0.45 (0.09), 0.40 (0.09), 0.18 (0.08), and 0.18 (0.08), respectively. Genetic correlation estimates were positive between direct BWT and CD direct at 0.82 …

Murine Gut Microbiota Is Defined By Host Genetics And Modulates Variation Of Metabolic Traits, Autumn M. Mcknite, Maria Elisa Perez-Munoz, Lu Lu, Evan G. Williams, Simon Brewer, Penelope A. Andreux, John W. M. Bastiaansen, Xusheng Wang, Stephen D. Kachman, Johan Auwerx, Robert W. Williams, Andrew K. Benson, Daniel A. Peterson, Daniel C. Ciobanu

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex and diverse microbiota that has an important role in host metabolism. Microbial diversity is influenced by a combination of environmental and host genetic factors and is associated with several polygenic diseases. In this study we combined next-generation sequencing, genetic mapping, and a set of physiological traits of the BXD mouse population to explore genetic factors that explain differences in gut microbiota and its impact on metabolic traits. Molecular profiling of the gut microbiota revealed important quantitative differences in microbial composition among BXD strains. These differences in gut microbial composition are influenced by host-genetics, which …

Infant And Juvenile Play Patterns In Tibetan Macaques (Macaca Thibetana), Courtney Batts

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Primate play is an important feature of physical and cognitive development. Previous research suggests differences among age and sex classes for type and amount of play, and that play partner preference is for individuals of the same age and sex class. We investigated play among Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana) infants and juveniles. Infants played more often and engaged in more solitary play behaviors, juvenile females played the least and engaged in more object play, and juvenile males engaged in the most social play. Total play time differed significantly among infants, juvenile males, and juvenile females. Cluster analysis showed that overall …

Salinity Preference Of Alaskan Threespine Stickleback: Test For Divergence In Halotaxis Between Ancestral And Landlocked Populations, David Fryxell, Eric T. Schultz

EEB Articles

Glacial retreat during the Pleistocene caused landlocking of anadromous Alaskan threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, furnishing a natural ‘experiment’ in osmoregulatory divergence. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of individual acclimation and population divergence on salinity preference. Full-sibling families of marine, anadromous, and freshwater-landlocked populations of stickleback were reared in common environments until 3 weeks post-hatch, then were split and acclimated to low or high salinity. At 6 to 8 weeks of age the six experimental groups were tested for salinity preference in a tank that offers fish a choice of compartments with different salinities arranged …

Sheep: The Simple Guide To Making More Money With Less Work - Cereal-Sheep Zone Of Australia, Bob Hall, Mark Ferguson, Mandy Curnow, Andrew Thompson

Animal production and livestock published reports

The national sheep flock is a mere 40% of the size it was at its peak in the early 1990s. Some would say that it is on the verge of losing its critical mass for survival into the future. Others would see it already as a niche market industry, especially in regards to wool.

Farmers in a recent survey gave two key reasons for either quitting sheep or reducing the flock size: “sheep do not pay” or “the work involved in sheep is unacceptable”. We believe that sheep do pay — and they don’t have to be hard work.

The …

Ramphotyphlops Braminus (Brahminy Blindsnake): Predation, Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

Ramphotyphlops braminus currently has the most widespread, near worldwide, nonindigenous distribution of any snake. In Florida, USA, R. braminus is rapidly expanding its distribution.

The stomach contents of a necropsied Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo) found on the premises of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Gaisesville in March 2011 included an intact adult R. braminus. Dasypus novemcinctus is nonindigenous in Florida. It has a primarily insectivorous diet but occasionally preys upon small vertebrates, including reptiles. This is the first record of R. braminus in the diet of D. novemcinctus.

Gesture Use By Free-Living Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes) Related To Partner Attentional State, Glee Larsen

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Both in the wild and in captivity, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) use gesture to communicate with each other. The three modalities of gesture that chimpanzees use are auditory, tactile, and visual. Captive chimpanzees use gesture modalities appropriately according to the communicative partner's attentional state. A communicative partner is the target of the communicator's actions. A partner may be either paying attention (attending) or not paying attention (inattentive) to the chimpanzee who is attempting to communicate with them. The present study investigated whether a free-living population of chimpanzees use gesture modality appropriately to the partner's attentional state. Visual gestures depend …

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%.

Increasing Levels Of Condensed Distillers Solubles And Finishing Performance, Anna C. Pesta, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William A. Griffin Griffin, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Effects of adding 0, 9, 18, 27, or 36% condensed corn distillers solubles (CDS) to finishing diets containing a blend of dry-rolled and high-moisture corn and no other byproducts, were evaluated. As CDS replaced corn, DMI decreased linearly, while ADG and F:G increased quadratically. Feeding up to 36% CDS may effectively reduce dietary inclusion of corn, while improving ADG and F:G in finishing diets, with calculated maximal ADG at 20.8 and best F:G at 32.5% inclusion of CDS (DM).

Feeding Condensed Distillers Solubles In Finishing Diets Containing Wdgs Or Synergy, Anna C. Pesta, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William A. Griffin Griffin, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Effects of adding 0, 7, 14, or 21% condensed distillers solubles (CDS) to diets containing either 20% modified distillers grains (MDGS) or 20% Synergy (a combination of modified distillers grains and wet corn gluten feed) were evaluated. A byproduct by CDS level interaction was observed for final BW, hot carcass weight, and ADG. Cattle fed Synergy had greater DMI than cattle fed MDGS. In MDGS diets at 14% CDS and in Synergy diets at 21% CDS, ADG was maximized. Increasing CDS level in both types of diets improved F:G linearly.

Wet Distillers Grains And Ratios Of Steam-Flaked And Dry-Rolled Corn, Cody A. Nichols, Karla H. Jenkins, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Matt K. Luebbe, Stephanie A. Furman, Brandon L. Sorensen, Kathryn J. Hanford, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feeding different ratios of dryrolled corn (DRC) and steam-flaked corn (SFC) in diets that contain 0 or 35% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) was evaluated. As SFC replacedDRC in diets containing no WDGS, F:G improved. Varying SFC and DRC ratio in diets containing 35% WDGS did not impact F:G. Feeding WDGS increased hot carcass weight, and fat depth while feeding different ratios of corn impacted marbling deposition. Wet distillers grains appears to reducethe positive impacts of feeding SFC in finishing diets when included at 35% of diet DM.

Effect Of Corn Processing On Feedlot Steers Fed Sugarbeet Pulp, Cody A. Nichols, Matt K. Luebbe, Karla H. Jenkins Jenkins, Galen E. Erickson, Stephanie A. Furman, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Impact of feeding three levels of beet pulp (0, 10, 20%, DM basis) with either dry-rolled corn (DRC) or steamflaked corn (SFC) in feedlot rations was evaluated. Final BW, DMI, and ADG decreased linearly as beet pulp replaced corn in the diet. Beet pulp linearly decreased HCW, 12^th rib fat, and yield grade. Corn processing had no impact on carcass characteristics. Feeding SFC improved F:G, compared to feeding DRC. The inclusion of beet pulp in the diet did not impact F:G, however, because of the decrease of both DMI and ADG.