Animal Sciences Commons^™

The Accuracies Of Dna-Based Estimates Of Genetic Merit Derived From Angus Or Multibreed Beef Cattle Training Populations, K. L. Weber, D. J. Drake, J. F. Taylor, Dorian Garrick, Larry A. Kuehn, R. Mark Thallman, Robert D. Schnabel, Warren M. Snelling, E. J. Pollak, A. L. Van Eenennaam

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Several organizations have developed prediction models for molecular breeding values (MBV) for quantitative growth and carcass traits in beef cattle using Bovine SNP50 genotypes and phenotypic or EBV data. Molecular breeding values for Angus cattle have been developed by IGENITY, Pfi zer Animal Genetics, and a collaboration between researchers from Iowa State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia (ISU/UMC). The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC; Clay Center, NE) has also developed MBV for 16 cattle breeds using 2 multibreed populations, the Germplasm Evaluation (GPE) Program and the 2,000 Bull Project (2K_ALL), and 2 single breed subpopulations of …

Technical Note: Estimating Beef-Cattle Forage Demand: Evaluating The Animal Unit Concept, T. L. Meyer, L. A. Stalker, J. D. Volesky, D. C. Adams, R. N. Funston, T. J. Klopfenstein, Walter H. Schacht

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of BW and physiological status of a beef animal on forage intake. The experiment was repeated over 2 yr with 6 replications of 3 treatments per year: cow-calf pair (CCP, BW = 629 kg), nonlactating cow (NLC, BW = 503 kg), and yearling steer (YS, BW = 305 kg). The CCP was treated as one unit, with the sum of cow BW and calf BW comprising CCP BW. Calves averaged 42 d of age and 73 kg at the start of the experiment each year. Animals were housed in individual …

Calving Date And Wintering System Effects On Cow And Calf Performance I: A Systems Approach To Beef Production In The Nebraska Sandhills, W. A. Griffin, L. A. Stalker, D. C. Adams, R. N. Funston, T. J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A 4-yr study using 217 cows/yr (3/4 Red Angus, 1/4 Simmental) evaluated effects of calving date and wintering system on cow and calf performance from birth to harvest. Cows were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments: 1) March (Mar) calving cows wintered on native range, 2) Mar calving cows wintered on corn residue, 3) June (Jun) calving cows wintered on native range, 4) Jun calving cows wintered on corn residue, and 5) August (Aug) calving cows wintered on corn residue. Steers born in Mar entered the feedlot at weaning (calf-fed). Steers and heifers born in Jun and Aug were divided …

Smooth Bromegrass Pasture Beef Growing Systems: Fertilization Strategies And Economic Analysis, A. K. Watson, T. J. Klopfenstein, Walter H. Schacht, G. E. Erickson, D. R. Mark, Matt K. Luebbe, K. R. Brink, Matthew A. Greenquist

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

In recent years, prices for N fertilizer have increased dramatically, reducing net returns of fertilized pasture systems. A 5-yr study from 2005 to 2009 was conducted to evaluate management strategies and relative differences in profitability for 3 methods of backgrounding calves on smooth bromegrass pastures. Forty-five steers were used each year for a total of 225 animals in a randomized complete block design. Treatments included pastures fertilized in the spring with 90 kg N/ha (FERT), nonfertilized pastures with calves supplemented daily with dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) at 0.6% of BW (SUPP), and control (CONT) pastures that had no …

Nutrient Management In Beef Feedlots And Forage Replacement With Byproduct And Crop Residues, Annie J. Doerr

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Finishing cattle performance and mass balance was evaluated with Micro-Aid was fed in diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) at 35% (DM basis). Micro-Aid is a feed ingredient derived from a Yucca extract which contains saponins, and was included in the treatment diet at 1 g/hd daily in the supplement. There was no difference in performance and carcass characteristics between treatments. In the winter experiment, cattle fed Micro-Aid had a greater amount of OM and DM removed from the pen surface. Micro-Aid in the diet increased the amount of manure N and decreased N lossis in the winter. …

Evaluation Of Condensed Distillers’ Solubles And Field Peas For Feedlot Cattle, Anna C. Pesta

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Limited previous research has investigated feeding high levels of condensed distillers solubles (CDS) as an energy source for feedlot cattle. As an energy dense and relatively inexpensive by-product feed from ethanol production, CDS may provide another opportunity to replace high priced corn in finishing diets. Two feedlot studies and one metabolism study were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding CDS in both corn-based diets, and in combination with other by-product feeds on cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Inclusion of up to 36% CDS, providing 9.4% dietary fat improved performance relative to a corn-based control, with the optimum level of …

Supply Chain Performance Of The Australian Beef Industry: Comparing The Industry Structure, Inter-Firm Relationships And Knowledge Systems Of Western Australia And Queensland, Mohammad Nasir Uddin,, Nazrul Islam, Mohammed Quaddus

Books & book chapters

The meat and livestock industry in Australia accounts for more than 45 per cent of Australia’s total value of agricultural production, within which beef is the largest industry in value terms (Nossal, Sheng and Zhao 2008). But the industry is experiencing a long-term decline in terms of trade, and has lagged behind other industries in rates of productivity improvement (MLA 2008). As it is critical for the economy that the beef industry maintains profitability and sustainability, it is believed that the performance, competitiveness and success of the industry depends on improving cost efficiency and productivity of the whole supply chain …

Utilization Of Heterosis In A Beef Cow Herd, D. R. Zobell, J. Severe

All Current Publications

This publication defines heterosis in cows and gives information on the fundamentals, needs, and types of heterosis.

Tips For Synchronizing Cattle Using Progesterone Infused Vaginal Inserts, Kerry A. Rood, Rusty Stott, Kevin Heaton

All Current Publications

This publication provides tips for cattle producers for synchronizing cattle using progesterone infused vaginal inserts.

Synchronizing Cattle Using Progesterone Infused Vaginal Inserts, Kerry A. Rood, Kevin Heaton, Rusty Stott

All Current Publications

This publication provides tips for cattle producers for synchronizing cattle using progesterone infused vaginal inserts.

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Beef-Herd Risk Assessment, Kerry A. Rood, C Kim Chapman

All Current Publications

This publication gives insite into understanding where the greatest risk to a herd is, relative to the introduction of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD).

Major Factors Or Inputs Affecting Profitability Of Beef Cow Herds In The Western United States, J. Severe, D. R. Zobell

All Current Publications

This publication discusses issues and areas that affect profitability of beef cow herds in the western United States.

Animal Performance And Diet Quality While Grazing Corn Residue, Jennifer A. Gigax

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Grazing cattle on corn residue as a winter feed source has become an integral part of many Nebraska producers’ management plans. Utilizing corn residues extends the grazing season and is often more economical than grazing winter range or dry lot situations. Corn residue is high in OM and NDF, moderate in digestibility, and low in CP. Cattle grazing corn residues may need to be supplemented with a protein source to meet requirements. The development and application of DNA technology to create new corn hybrids has improved yields with fewer inputs, leading to a continued low cost food supply for consumers. …

Beef Cattle Vaccination Principles And Recommendations, Kerry A. Rood, Rusty Stott

All Current Publications

This publication provides details and recommendations on vaccinations for beef cattle.

Benefits Of Dna-Based Technology In Beef Production, Kerry A. Rood, Lynn R. Barton, Lee F. Rickords

All Current Publications

This publication discusses how emerging genetic technology coupled with traditional production practice can help beef producers provide high quality products demanded by consumers.

Reproduction And Immune Impacts From Vitamin Or Mineral Deficiencies: Determining If Your Herd Is Deficient, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

This publication describes ways to determine vitamin or mineral deficiencies in cattle herds.

Distillers' Grains With Solubles For Feedlot Cattle: Finishing Performance, Lipid Metabolism, And Ethanol Greenhouse Gas Balance, Virgil R. Bremer

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Previous University of Nebraska feedlot research trials have characterized the feed value of wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). These trials were summarized with meta-analysis methodology and indicated the feed value of WDGS interacts with corn processing type, cattle age (calf-fed or yearling), and inclusion level. Two steer finishing studies and a metabolism study were conducted to understand the impact of different lipid sources in WDGS on WDGS feed value. A biphasic lipid extraction procedure was developed to analyze feed samples from these trials that was more effective than Goldfisch ether extraction at lipid analysis of byproduct feds. These trials …

Fertilization And Supplementation Strategies For Steers Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures, Andrea K. Watson

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Since 2004, fertilizer prices have doubled due to increases in energy prices for production and increased demand for N fertilizer due to high grain prices. This leads to questioning the cost effectiveness of increasing forage production with N fertilizer. At the same time, an increase in ethanol production creates an increase in the production of by-products of the ethanol industry, such as distillers grains. Distillers grains have been shown to be an excellent feed for ruminants both as a supplement while grazing and as part of a complete diet in the feedlot. Distillers grains provide protein, fat, and highly digestible …

Estimating Livestock Forage Demand: Defining The Animal Unit, Tonya L. Meyer

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of a beef animal’s physiological status on forage intake. The experiment was repeated over two years with six replications of three treatments per year: cow-calf pair (CC; BW = 629 kg), dry cow (DC; BW = 503 kg), and yearling steer (S; BW = 305 kg). The cow and calf were treated as one unit, with cow BW and calf BW comprising CC BW. Calves were approximately 42 d of age and weighing 73 kg at the start of each year. Animals were housed in individual pens and fed high …

Residual Feed Intake As A Selection Tool, Jessica Crozier, D. R. Zobell

All Current Publications

This publication explains how residual feed intake can be used as a helpful tool when deciding which sires and dams to utilize to obtain superior genetics.

Review: Preweaning, Postweaning, And Carcass Trait Comparisons For Progeny Sired By Subtropically Adapted Beef Sire Breeds At Various Us Locations, F. A. Thrift, J. O. Sanders, M. A. Brown, A. H. Brown Jr, A. D. Herring, D. G. Riley, S. M. Derouen, J. W. Holloway, W. E. Wyatt, R. C. Vann, C. C. Chase Jr., D. E. Franke, L. V. Cundiff, J. F. Baker

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

This review, which represents a summarization of research results generated during an approximately 22-yr period, involves preweaning, postweaning, and carcass trait comparisons of progeny sired by Bos indicus (Brahman, Boran, Nellore, Indu-Brazil, Gir, Sahiwal), B. indicus-derivative (Brangus, Beefmaster, Santa Gertrudis, Gelbray, Simbrah), non-B. indicus (Tuli, Romosinuano, Bonsmara, Senepol) subtropically adapted, and traditional Bos taurus (Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Red Poll) sire breeds. Relative to Brahman-sired progeny, preweaning (weaning weight) and postweaning (postweaning ADG, feedlot ADG, final feedlot BW) performance is expected to be less for progeny sired by non-B. indicus subtropically adapted sire breeds. The non-B. indicus subtropically adapted sire …

Tympanic Temperature In Confined Beef Cattle Exposed To Excessive Heat Load, Terry L. Mader, John B. Gaughan, Leslie J. Johnson, G. Leroy Hahn

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Angus crossbred yearling steers (n=168) were used to evaluate effects on performance and tympanic temperature (TT) of feeding additional potassium and sodium to steers exposed to excessive heat load (maximum daily ambient temperature exceeded 32°C for three consecutive days) during seasonal summer conditions. Steers were assigned one of four treatments: (1) control; (2) potassium supplemented (diet containing 2.10% KHCO3); (3) sodium supplemented (diet containing 1.10% NaCl); or (4) potassium and sodium supplemented (diet containing 2.10% KHCO3 and 1.10% NaCl). Overall, additional KHCO3 at the 2% level or NaCl at the 1% level did not improve performance or heat stress tolerance …

Nutritional And Management Methods To Decrease Nitrogen Losses From Beef Feedlots, Galen Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Nitrogen losses from open beef feedlots are a concern. Methods that decrease volatilization losses will lead to greater manure N, which is likely to be beneficial in open lot beef operations. Twelve or more pens were dedicated to N research whereby N intake, retention, and excretion were quantified and a mass balance conducted using manure, runoff, soil balance, and loss quantities. The objective was to decrease N volatilization losses or increase manure N or both. Dietary CP affects N excretion and N volatilization losses. Four experiments across 2 yr compared industry average CP (13%) to diets that were phase-fed to …

Prediction Of Genetic Values For Feed Intake From Individual Body Weight Gain And Total Feed Intake Of The Pen, A. J. Cooper, Calvin Ferrell, Larry V. Cundiff, L. D. Van Vleck

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Records of individual feed intake (FI) and BW gain (GN) were obtained from the Germ Plasm Evaluation (GPE) program at US Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC). Animals were randomly assigned to pens. Only pens with 6 to 9 steers (n = 289) were used for this study (data set 1). Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using data set 1. Estimated genetic values (EGV) for FI were calculated by 5 methods using single and 2-trait analyses: 1) individual FI and individual GN, 2) individual FI alone, 3) 2-trait with individual GN but with FI missing, 4) individual GN and …

Effects Of Creep Supplementation While Grazing Improved Irrigated Pastures, A. F. Summers

All Current Publications

This publication describes results of a study of creep supplementation versus grazing among calves.

Sheep Updates 2008 - Part 3, L. J. E. Karlsson, J. C. Greeff, L. Slocombe, K. Jones, N. Underwood, Fred Wilkinson, W. D. Hoffman, W. A. Mckiernan, V. H. Oddy, M. J. Mcphee, B. L. Mcintyre, P. F. Parnell, R. A. Clark, J. Timms, G. Griffith, C. Mulholland, P. Hyland, Danielle England, Fiona Jones, John Lucey, Martin Staines, Richard Morris, Megan Abrahams, Caroline Peek, Dennis Van Gool, Daniel Gardiner, Kari-Lee Falconer, Sandra Prosser, Mario D'Antuono, John Young, Andrew Thompson, Chris Oldham, Brown Besier, Angus Campbell, Ralph Behrendt

Sheep Updates

This session covers fiveteen papers from different authors:

CONTROLLING FLY STRIKE

1. Breeding for Blowfly Resistance - Indicatoe Traits, LJE Karlsson, JC Greeff, L Slocombe, Department of Agriculture & Food, Western Australia

2.A practical method to select for breech strike resistance in non-pedigreed Merino flocks, LJE Karlsson, JC Greeff, L Slocombe, K. Jones, N. Underwood, Department of Agriculture & Food, Western Australia

3. Twice a year shearing - no mulesing, Fred Wilkinson, Producer, Brookton WA

BEEF

4. Commercial testing of a new tool for prediction of fatness in beef cattle, WD Hoffman^A, WA McKiernan^A, VH Oddy …

Board-Invited Review: Use Of Distillers By-Products In The Beef Cattle Feeding Industry, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Virgil R. Bremer

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The ethanol industry is expanding rapidly. This expansion in production of renewable energy also increases production of by-products. These byproducts, primarily distillers grains plus solubles (DGS), are utilized very efficiently by ruminants. When the starch in corn is fermented to produce ethanol, the remaining nutrients (protein, fat, fiber) are concentrated about 3-fold. Whereas DGS is an excellent protein source for ruminants, the large supply and the price relative to corn make DGS an attractive energy source as well. This is especially important with reduced availability and higher price of corn because of demand by the ethanol industry. A meta-analysis of …

Utilization Of Dried Distillers Grains For Developing Beef Heifers, J. L. Martin, Andrea S. Cupp, Richard J. Rasby, Z. C. Hall, Richard N. Funston

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A 2-yr study was conducted at 2 locations to determine if supplementing beef heifers with dried distillers grains (DDG) as an energy source affected growth or reproduction. Spring-born crossbred heifers (n = 316) were blocked by age or sire and age and assigned randomly to DDG or control (dried corn gluten feed, whole corn germ, urea) supplement. Heifers received prairie hay in amounts sufficient for ad libitum intake and 0.59% of BW DDG or 0.78% of BW control supplement (DM basis). Supplements were formulated to be isocaloric, but protein degradability differed. Supplemental undegradable intake protein intake from DDG averaged 267 …

Bovine Respiratory Disease In Feedlot Cattle: Phenotypic, Environmental, And Genetic Correlations With Growth, Carcass, And Longissimus Muscle Palatability Traits, G. D. Snowder, L. Dale Van Vleck, L. V. Cundiff, G. L. Bennett, M. Koohmaraie, M. E. Dikeman

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most costly feedlot disease in the United States. Selection for disease resistance is one of several possible interventions to prevent or reduce the economic loss associated with animal disease and to improve animal welfare. Undesirable genetic relationships, however, may exist between production and disease resistance traits. The objectives of this study were to estimate the phenotypic, environmental, and genetic correlations of BRD with growth, carcass, and LM palatability traits. Health records on 18,112 feedlot cattle over a 15-yr period and slaughter data on 1,627 steers over a 4-yr period were analyzed with bivariate animal …

Effect Of Competition On Gain In Feedlot Bulls From Hereford Selection Lines, L. Dale Van Vleck, L. V. Cundiff, R. M. Koch

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

This study examined competition effects on ADG in the feedlot of 1,882 Hereford bulls representing 8 birth years from a selection experiment. Each year, 8 feedlot pens were used to feed bulls in groups, with 2 pens nested within each of the 4 selection lines. Gains were recorded for up to 8 periods of 28 d. Models for analyses included pen effects (fixed or random), fixed effects such as year and line, and random direct genetic, competition genetic (and in some analyses competition environmental), and environmental effects. Each pen mate as a competitor affected the records of all others in …