Animal Sciences Commons^™

Bulletin 4270 - Meat Quality In Beef Cattle, Brian Mcintyre

Bulletins 4000 -

Meat quality is the sole concern of the consumer once the product reaches the supermarket shelf. Breeding, feeding or any other factors that may have been important to the beef producer have no influence over the buyer's choice. Meat quality can be divided into two components — appearance and eating quality.

Conventional Versus High Energy Receiving And Step-Up Diets For Feedlot Cattle, C. P. Birkelo, J. Lounsbery

South Dakota Beef Report, 1993

Two hundred sixty-four yearling steers with an initial average weight of 730 Ib were randomly allotted to 24 pens and fed ad libitum either conventional (CONV) receiving or step-up diets (hay content decreased from 50% to 40, 30, 20, and 10% of diet dry matter) or high energy (HE) diets (hay content was maintained throughout at 10% but wet corn distillers grain (WDG) decreased from 43% to 30, 20, 10, and 0%). The feeding of WDG in place of hay was designed to maximize energy intake while not overloading the rumen with starch during the grain adaptation period. Long grass …

Genetic Parameters For Carcass Traits In Beef Cattle, D. M. Marshall

South Dakota Beef Report, 1993

The recent scientific literature was reviewed to summarize genetic parameters for carcass traits in beef cattle. Heritability estimates were generally moderate to large, in agreement with previous literature estimates. This suggests good potential for making change through genetic selection for a given individual carcass characteristic. However, genetic improvement through multiple-trait selection would be slowed by several important genetic antagonisms between traits, suggesting the use of terminal breeding systems with complementary sire and dam genetic types. Individual and maternal heterosis estimates from age-constant analyses were numerically positive and quite large for fat thickness and tended to be numerically positive and small …

Maternal Performance Of First-Calf Crossbred Beef Cowns In Relation To Sire Expected Progeny Differency (Epds), D. M. Marshall, M. B. Long

South Dakota Beef Report, 1993

Cumulative milk production of crossbred daughters of sires of several breeds was estimated using weigh-suckle-weigh procedures. Pooled-across-breed analyses were conducted to determine, in retrospect, relationships of sire expected progeny difference (EPD) values for milk and total maternal value to daughter milk yield and daughter's offspring weaning weight. The pooled coefficient for regression of daughter 214-day milk yield sire milk EPD was 13.4 Ib/lb (residual correlation was .14). The overall mean estimated milk yield was 2,782 Ib, suggesting that a difference in sire milk EPD of 1 Ib corresponded to a difference of approximately 5% in cumulative daughter milk yield. The …

Net Energy Of Soybean Mill Run For Growing Cattle, C. P. Birkelo, D. Thomson

South Dakota Beef Report, 1993

The objective of the experiment was to estimate the net energies for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg) of soybean mill run (SMR), a by-product typically containing about 90% soyhulls. Six steers with an average weight of 288 kg were alternately fed pelleted test diets at intakes varying from 3.6 to 9.4 kg per day in an energy balance experiment arranged in a crossover design. The test diets contained either 96.6% alfalfa (ALF) or 46.6% alfalfa and 50.0% soybean mill run (ALFSMR). Energy intake from feed and losses in feces and urine were determined from total collections. Energy lost as methane …

Repeatabilities Of Pelvic Area Measurements Between And Within Technicians With Varying Levels Of Experience, Steven Ftizner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

There has been some concern recently about the ability of technicians to accurately measure and rank prospective replacement heifers and herd bulls for pelvic area. Two studies were conducted to determine the repeatabilities between and within technicians with varying levels of experience in measuring pelvic areas.

In both studies, virgin yearling heifers were measured for pelvic height and width to determine pelvic area. In each study, technicians included a veterinarian with several years experience in reproductive physiology practice and Western Kentucky University students with varying levels of experience in rectal examinations. In the first study , the veterinarian used both …

Comparative Economics Of Cattle And Wildlife Ranching In The Zimbabwe Midlands, Urs P. Kreuter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The economics of ranches in the Zimbabwe Midlands, generating income from cattle, or wildlife, or both, were compared during 1989/90 to test the claim that wildlife ranching can generate greater profits than cattle ranching on semi-arid African savannas. Both financial (market) prices and economic prices (opportunity cost) were used.

Financial data were obtained from 15 cattle, 7 wildlife and 13 mixed ranches in four areas with wildlife and from 15 cattle ranches in two areas with sparse wildlife. Estimates of economic prices were obtained from official data.

In the first paper, gross revenues, costs, net revenues, and capital investments of …

Comparison Of Production Efficiencies When Calves Are Fed In South Dakota Or Texas, R. H. Pritchard, R. L. Preston

South Dakota Beef Report, 1992

South Dakota's reputation for harsh winters is frequently cited as a limitation to our competitiveness in cattle feeding. To help quantify the impact of climate on cattle feeding, heifers produced in western South Dakota were fed in eastern South Dakota or in the Texas panhandle. Heifer calves were obtained from two ranches, assembled at SDSU, and sorted into three similar groups. Group 1 remained at the SDSU feedlot, Group 2 was shipped half-way to Texas and returned to SDSU, and Group 3 was sent on to Texas for feeding. These groups allow consideration of climate and transit stress on feedlot …

Prediction Of Breeding Values For Twinning Rate And Ovulation Rate With A Multiple Trait, Repeated Records Animal Model, L. Dale Van Vleck, K. E. Gregory, S. E. Echternkamp

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A genetic correlation near unity between ovulation rate in heifers and later twinning frequency led to consideration of using measures of ovulation rate in heifers for each estrous cycle, beginning at puberty, to increase accuracy of selection for twinning rate. An initial evaluation with a multiple trait animal model for predicting breeding values included six genetic groups: 1) selected Scandinavian bulls, 2) transfers from other populations at the Research Center to a twinning project, 3) early-purchased Holsteins, 4) late-purchased Holsteins, 5) early purchases-other breeds. and 6) late purchases-other breeds. For ovulation and twin measures, heritabilities of .l00 and .070 and …

Effect Of Inoculants On High Moisture Corn Fermentation Characteristics And Cattle Performance, C. P. Birkelo, D. Sorenson

South Dakota Beef Report, 1991

High moisture corn was ensiled untreated (treatment 1) or treated with one of three different inoculants (treatment 2 = lactobacillus; treatment 3 = lactobacillus + streptococcus; treatment4 = lactobacillus + serratia), each at two moisture levels (27.2% and 22.4%). lnoculant effects on fermentation were moisture dependent. The pH, acetate concentrations and dry matter losses were generally lower and lactate concentrations higher due to inoculation at 27.2% moisture. Overall, treatment 3 was somewhat more effective than treatments 2 or 4. Inoculation effects were generally less at 22.4% moisture. lnoculant effects on soluble N were small and probably of little nutritional importance. …

Substitution Of Rolled Barley For Whole Shelled Corn In Finishing Diets For Steers, R. H. Pritchard, M. A. Robbins

South Dakota Beef Report, 1991

Rolled barley was substituted for 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100% of the whole shelled corn in finishing diets fed to steers for 84 days. Increasing barley substitution resulted in a linear (P=.12) decrease in ADG and a quadratic (P<.05) decrease in DM1 with no effect on feed conversion. At the termination of the study, barley substitution caused a linear reduction in carcass weight (P<.01) and dressing percent (P<.01). The 100% substitution of barley for corn reduced (Pc.05) the percentage of carcasses grading choice. Dietary net energy values calculated from steer weights, gain and feed intake increased linearly (P<.10) as barley content of the diets increased, possibly reflecting positive associative effects. Published energy values for barley may not be suitable for least cost pricing in all feeding situations.

Relationship Of Maintenance Energy Requirements To Beef Female Production Efficiency, S. A. Shuey, C. P. Birkelo, D. M. Marshall

South Dakota Beef Report, 1991

Thirty-three Hereford x Angus first-calf females were used to determine the relationship between production efficiency (PE = calf weaning weight/l2month dam + calf ME intake) and nonlactating dam maintenance ME requirements (MEm) and its components k, and FHP. Substantial variation existed in PE and energy parameters among individuals. However, maintenance metabolism of the dam contributed little to explaining PE variation (Fs.04). This may have been due to the high plane of nutrition provided. Additionally, FHP was closely related to MEm (r2 = .69), suggesting it could be used as an indicator of fed maintenance requirements.

Animal Production From Tagasaste Growing In Deep Sands In A 450 Mm Winter Rainfall Zone, Chris Oldham, Greg Allen, Peter Moore, Bruce Mattinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In 1985, Martindale Pty Ltd, Sir James McCusker's family company, signed a unique research contract with Professor David Lindsay of the University of Western Australia. The aim of the Martindale Research Project was to study ways of increasing farm productivity in the sheep-wheat zone of south-western Australia. A primary focus was the high cost of grain or hay used to fill the autumn feed gap in grazing systems.

However, it was not clear how or if tagasaste might be economically used to replace the grain and/or hay traditionally fed by hand to sheep and cattle in autumn.

Ovulation Rate And Twinning Rate In Cattle: Heritabilities And Genetic Correlation, L. Dale Van Vleck, K. E. Gregory, S. E. Echternkamp

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Repeated measures of ovulation rate on puberal heifers should be an effective way to select for increased twinning rate. A reliable estimate of the genetic correlation between ovulation and twinning rates is needed to implement such selection and to predict its efficiency. Restricted maximum likelihood was used to estimate genetic correlations from subsets of data collected from the twinning project at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. The animal model included numerator relationships among the animals and 6x4 effects of year-season of measurement, age at measurement, and birth group. Genetic correlations between averages of ovulation rates for …

Infection Rates In Glossina Morsitans Morsitans Fed On Waterbuck And Boran Cattle Infected With Trypanosoma Congolense, Steve Mihok, Reardon O. Olubayo, David F. Wesonga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Teneral Glossina morsitans morsitans were fed on waterbuck (Kobus defassa) and Boran cattle (Bos indicus) infected experimentally with Trypanosoma congolense clone IL2895. Infection rates in tsetse varied from 9 to 31% when fed on cattle, and from 2 to 59% when fed on waterbuck. In waterbuck, infections were often detected through the development of parasites in tsetse at times when parasitaemia could not be detected through microscopic examination of blood. Male and female, and 1- and 2-day-old flies were equally susceptible to infection on both hosts. Infection in tsetse was associated with a 14% absolute reduction in survival during the …

Pathogenicity Of Tsetse-Transmitted Trypanosoma Congolense For Waterbuck (Kobus Defassa) And Boran Cattle (Bos Indicus), R. O. Olubayo, S. Mihok, D. F. Wesonga, E. R.M. Mbwabi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Five waterbuck (Kobus defassa) and four Boran cattle (Bos indicus) were infected with Trypanosoma congolense IL2895 using Glossina morsitans morsitans. At the same time, two waterbuck and two cattle were inoculated intravenously with bloodstream forms. With both methods of challenge, cattle had short prepatent periods followed by a continuous high parasitaemia. All cattle became severely anaemic and had to be treated with trypanocidal drugs to prevent death. In contrast, tsetse and intravenous challenge of waterbuck resulted in a long prepatent period, followed by brief, intermittent levels of low parasitaemia, and eventual selfcure. Waterbuck did not become anaemic, even during short …

Miscellaneous Publication 23/90 - The Economic Implications Of Btec Destocking Part Of The West Kimberley Cattle Herd, Bruce Howard

Biosecurity published reports

Economic implications of destocking infected breeding cows from the West Kimberley region, as part of the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign (BTEC) programme, were studied to evaluate effects on herd size, turn-off, cash surpluses and herd asset value.

The Effect Of Seasonal Cattle Grazing On California Bighorn Sheep Habitat Use, Melanie J. Steinkamp

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effect of seasonal cattle grazing on a newly reintroduced population of California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Idaho, was studied. The hypothesis that bighorn sheep avoid cattle was tested. The issue of avoidance between bighorn sheep and livestock is arguable. Some studies have found that bighorn sheep avoid cattle while others have found no response of bighorn sheep to cattle.

Evidence was found to document the avoidance of cattle by bighorn sheep. The size of the bighorn's home range and core area decreased with the movement of cattle into areas of high bighorn …

Twinning In Cattle: 111. Effects Of Twinning On Dystocia, Reproductive Traits, Calf Survival, Calf Growth And Cow Productivity, K. E. Gregory, S. E. Echternkamp, G. E. Dickerson, Larry V. Cundiff, R. M. Koch, L. Dale Van Vleck

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

An evaluation of natural twinning in beef cattle revealed that cows birthing twins had shorter (P < .0l) gestation lengths, more (P < .0l) retained placentas, more (P < .01) dystocia, more (P < .0l) days to estrus, lower (P < .0l) conception rates and more (P < .01) days to pregnancy than cows birthing singles. Days to estrus, conception rate and days to pregnancy were not affected by number of calves reared (1 vs 2) in cows birthing twins. Survival at birth was greater (P < .0l) for single- than for twin-born calves, but twins and singles did not differ (P > .05) in postnatal survival. When dystocia was experienced, calf survival at birth was 95% vs 73% for singles vs twins compared with 99% vs 92% when no dystocia was experienced. Calves born twins were lighter (P < .01) at birth, 100 d and 200 d, but twins and singles did not differ in postweaning gains. Total calf weights at 100 d per cow calving were 12% greater (P < .01) in cows birthing twins vs singles when twin calves reared by foster dams were! excluded. The potential increase in cow productivity for total calf weight at 100 d is 40% if calf survival rates of twins with dystocia relative to survival rates of twins without dystocia were comparable to survival rates of singles with and without dystocia, and if cows birthing twins were fed and managed to obtain conception rates equal to those of cows birthing singles. Identification of cows gestating twins to provide for their higher prepartum nutritive requirements and calving assistance at parturition is necessary to make twinning in cattle an economically viable technology.

Growth Stimulants And Feed Additives, Norris J. Stenquist

All Archived Publications

In recent years, the most revolutionary increases in beef cattle weights and feeding efficiencies have resulted from the development and use of growth stimulants, feed additives, and antibiotics. These nonnutritive products not only improve the rate and efficiency of gain but prevent certain diseases as well. Their use has significantly improved beef cattle production efficiency and provided a greater return per dollar invested than any other factor in the livestock industry. Growth stimulants deposit increased protein in the animal without changing protein or energy intake. They are designed to provide a constant slow release of active ingredients into the animal's …

Twinning In Cattle: Ii. Genetic And Environmental Effects On Ovulation Rate In Puberal Heifers And Postpartum Cows And The Effects Of Ovulation Rate On Embryonic Survival, S.E. Echternkamp, K. E. Gregory, G. E. Dickerson, Larry V. Cundiff, R. M. Koch, L. Dale Van Vleck

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The potential of ovulation rate before 18 to 21 mo of age in puberal heifers as an indirect selection criterion for twinning rate was considered. Heritability (h²) was .07 ± .03 for single observations and .34 ± .18 for the mean of 7.9 estrous cycles per heifer. Estimated repeatability (r) of ovulation rate was ≤h², indicating negligible permanent environmental effects. Expected h² for mean ovulation rate (assuming h² = r = .07 for single observations) for increasing numbers of estrous cycles would be as follows: 4, .23; 6, .31; 8, .38; and 10, .43. …

Twinning In Cattle: 1. Foundation Animals And Genetic And Environmental Effects On Winning Rate, K. E. Gregory, S. E. Echternkamp, G. E. Dickerson, Larry V. Cundiff, R. M. Koch, L. Dale Van Vleck

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Foundation cows were selected using prior records from one of two sources, private herds or other projects at the Research Center. Comparing twinning rates before and after selection, the repeatability was lower for those from the fist (.08) than for those from the second (.16) source with a combined value of .12. Realized heritability of single-parity twinning rate estimated from selection of parents and response in daughters of foundation females was .06. Paternal half-sib estimate of heritability of twinning rate was .02 ± .07. Estimates of repeatability computed from calving records of females born in the project indicate that permanent …

Cattle Management, Norris Stenquist, James A. Bennett, Deevon Bailey, University Extension

University Extension - OCW

"Managing Cattle Under Drought Conditions" Ednet Teleconference

Bulletin No 4158 - Western Australian Beef Industry - Economic Constraints And Future Market Outlook, Alan Peggs

Bulletins 4000 -

Since the mid 1970s there has been a substantial decline in cattle numbers in Western Australia. Most of this decline has occurred in the agricultural areas.

Much of the decline in cattle numbers can be attributed to low real cattle prices.

As a result of the fall in cattle numbers beef production has also fallen. However, the percentage fall in production has been somewhat less than the percentage decline in numbers due to a rise in the average carcass weight of animals slaughtered.

With declining beef production the amount of beef available for export has also declined. Similarly domestic consumption …

The Benefits Of Weaning Cattle In The Kimberley, David Pratchett, Stuart Young

Animal production and livestock research reports

The Kimberley region was populated with Shorthorn cattle from Queensland and New Sonth Wales in the 1880's. The descendants of these cattle known as Kimberley Shorthorn are still the predominant breed in the region. The relatively poor performance of these cattle under the harsh Kimberley conditions and the fact that changing the genotype can improve productivity was recently published (Pratchett D. WADA Journal No. 4 1988)

While the adoption of Bos indicus breeds is the correct move, improved husbandry can also increase the productivity of the Kimberley Shorthorn cow. The majority of cattle in the Kimberley are not weaned. Sometimes …

U.S. Grazing Lands: 1950-8, Arthur B. Daugherty, United States Department Of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

U.S. livestock owners grazed their herds on 817 million acres in 1982, down about 20 percent from 1950. This drop resulted primarily from improved productivity of grazing lands, as animal units of cattle and sheep increased more than 30 percent during 1950-82. Only the Southern Plains, of all farm production regions, showed an increase in land grazed during 1950-82. Non-Federal grazing land consisted of rangeland (67 percent), pastureland (21 percent), and grazed forest (12 percent). More than 30 percent of the non-Federal range and pasture was rated in good to excellent condition, and 12 percent of the grazed forest had …

Growth Stimulants, Nyle J. Matthews

Archived Agriculture Publications

A tiny pellet inserted under the skin of a calf's ear may increase weight gains as much as 15 to 20 percent. This same result would take years to accomplish through breeding and selection. These tiny pellets are growth stimulants. They are made of hormones that are constructed to slowly release minute amounts into the blood stream that stimulate the animal to produce natural body hormones. One of these hormones is a growth hormone. It regulates the rate of growth of the animal. Increasing the rate of growth will almost always improve feed efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. These pellets …

Miscellaneous Production 23/87 - Animal Production In The Spinifex And Shrubland Regions Of Western Australia, D. Burnside

Animal production and livestock published reports

The role of the Rangeland Management Branch is to promote the sustained economic use of the rangeland resource. It provides research and extension services to the pastoral industry, provides advice on the condition of the range resource to Government and provides technical information on rangelands to other rangeland managers. A principal objective to be met in fulfilling that role is the development and promotion of economically efficient place systems that conserve the rangeland resource. At the inaugural Pastoral Soil Conservation Districts Conference in Meekatharra in May 1987, pastoralist delegates emphasized the importance of achieving that objective within the various soil …

Use Of Soybean Meal, Raw Soybeans, & Heat-Treated Soybeans As Protein Supplements With & Without Niacin For Dairy Cows In Early Lactation, Daniel Aguilar

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Twenty three cows with an average of 2.7 lactations were used to measure the effects of different protein sources (soybean meal, soybeans, and heat-treated soybean) and supplementation with niacin on milk production, milk components (protein, fat, somatic cell counts), 4% fat corrected milk, solid corrected milk, dry matter intake, body weight changes, and rumen volatile fatty acids (acetate, propionate, butyrate).

Diets affected performance of cows. The results indicate, in general, that feeding heat-treated soybean and soybean meal to lactating dairy cows in early lactation resulted in greater milk production, milk protein, dry matter intake and less loss of body weight …

Effect Of Spring Grazing By Cattle On Growth And Survival Of Shrub Seedlings Interplanted In Crested Wheatgrass, Lynn M. Mcconville

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A short duration-high intensity grazing trial was conducted in spring of 1985 to determine whether shrub establishment in crested wheatgrass pastures could be enhanced through spring grazing by cattle, or by fertilization of shrub seedlings. Data was collected on diet selection by cattle during spring grazing, and on subsequent shrub growth and survival. Shrubs studied were transplants of sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, fourwing saltbush, Atriplex canescens, bitterbrush, Purshia tridentata, and one year old bitterbrush seedlings.

Cattle did not browse sagebrush or fourwing saltbush transplants, but utilization of bitterbrush transplants and seedlings averaged 15 and 42 percent, respectively. Shrub …