Animal Sciences Commons^™

Effect Of Feed Access Time On Feedlot Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Feeding Behavior And Ruminal Ph, Carsten L. Loseke, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Josh R. Benton, Keara O'Reilly, Galen E. C. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Bunk management is crucial for modern feedlots, and understanding the ideal time to target a slick bunk is important. A feedlot study compared the effect of providing finishing cattle with 12, 15, 18, 21, or 24 hours of access to feed on performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behavior, and ruminal pH. As access time to feed increased, feed intake and day-to-day variation of feed intake increased linearly, while gain and feed conversion were unchanged. Cattle with greater access time to feed spent more time per day at the bunk, and consumed feed more slowly. A cubic effect on …

Evaluation Of Lysoforte Extend On Rumen Fermentation Parameters, Rumen And Total Tract Digestion, And Fatty Acid Digestion, Anna Kobza, Dalton Anderson, Jerilyn Hergenreder, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Supplemental fat fed in finishing diets in recent years has generally increased in price. This digestibility study evaluated LYSOFORTE Extend, a lysophospholipid based nutritional emulsifier, in beef finishing diets containing tallow or corn oil. Five ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers were used in a 5 × 5 Latin Square design. Treatments followed a 2 × 2 +1 factorial: 1) No Oil (negative control), 2) Corn Oil (3.5%), 3) Tallow (3.5%), 4) Corn Oil + LFE (8 g/d), and 5) Tallow + LFE (8 g/d). Cattle fed the negative control diet had greater dry matter intake than cattle …

Evaluation Of Renergy On Finishing Steer Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, And Liver Abscess Prevalence And Severity, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Jeff Heldt, Pablo L. Loza, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study evaluated the effects of Renergy™ (Selko USA) and Rumensin® (Elanco Animal Health) on growth performance, carcass traits, and liver abscess severity in finishing beef cattle. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, cattle were fed one of four diets: control (no additive), Renergy, Rumensin, or both additives combined. A significant interaction between Renergy and Rumensin was observed for feed conversion, with a tendency for interaction in dry matter intake (DMI). Cattle fed Renergy tended to have lower DMI and lower average daily gain, though DMI did not differ between cattle fed both additives and …

Evaluation Of Enteric Methane From Cattle Adapted Using Ramp Vs. A Traditional Forage Program Stepped Up To Different Finishing Diets, Jack T. Fort, Isaque F. Vicci, Josh R. Benton, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Jim C. Macdonald, Maggie E. Youngers, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 93-day finishing experiment evaluated feeding RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair NE) during diet adaptation and finishing diet containing 20% Sweet Bran compared to a traditional adaptation program using forage with a finishing diet without Sweet Bran on methane and carbon dioxide production, animal performance and carcass characteristics in beef steers. Cattle were measured using a calorimetry emission barn to quantify the production of methane and carbon dioxide during step 1 of adaptation and 1 time during finishing diet. Feeding RAMP did not significantly reduce methane but did reduce the ratio of methane to carbon dioxide during …

Evaluation Of Enteric Methane From Cattle Adapted To The Same Finishing Diet Using Ramp Versus Forage, Jack T. Fort, Isaque F. Vicci, Josh R. Benton, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Jim C. Macdonald, Maggie E. Youngers, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 139-day finishing experiment evaluating the effects of feeding RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair NE) during diet adaptation compared to a traditional forage program on methane and carbon dioxide emissions was done to corroborate a previous study (2025 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 55-58). Cattle were measured using a calorimetry emission barn to quantify the production of methane and carbon dioxide during step 1 of adaptation and 1 time during a common finishing diet. Feeding RAMP had no statistical reduction in methane or carbon dioxide production during step 1. When cattle were fed the same finishing …

Health Indicators Worsened By Moderate-Intensity Heat Stress Are Only Partially Recovered By Ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation, Melanie R. White, Shelley A. Curry, Ashley A. Hahn, Jessica L. Petersen, Ty B. Schmidt, Dustin T. Yates

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Heat stress throughout the summer and into the fall is a persistent hurdle for growing and finishing cattle in Nebraska. Minimizing the impact of heat on growth and well-being of cattle is critical to the productivity and profitability of beef production. This project aimed to evaluate the effect of an anti-inflammatory dietary supplement, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA), on physiological indicators of stress during a 4-day moderate-intensity heat challenge. Heat stress elevated core body temperature and respiration rates as expected but did not impact circulating inflammatory biomarkers. Heart rate variability measurements indicative of adrenergic stress and …

Modulation Of Heat Stress Responses In Cattle Supplemented With Dietary Ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Shelley A. Curry, Melanie R. White, Ashley A. Hahn, Dustin T. Yates

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Heat stress in beef cattle triggers physiological and metabolic disturbances that compromise performance, health, and welfare. In this study, Red Angus heifers exposed to heat stress for 5 days exhibited elevated body temperatures, increased heart and respiration rates, and altered hematological and acid–base parameters. A commercial ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) dietary supplement failed to improve heat stress-reduced ribeye area or red blood cell parameters but did resolve the reduction in blood chloride concentrations, which is consistent with restoration of electrolyte balance and hydration under heat stressed conditions. These results indicate that ω-3 PUFA supplementation offers some …

Impact Of Storage And Cooking Temperature On Listeria Innocua Growth In Plant-Based And Beef Proteins, Esther Vanoverbeke, Oliver Munezero, Gary A. Sullivan, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria spp., is a food-borne illness, that accounts for 260 deaths annually. The objective of this study was to identify how storage method and cooking temperature impacts Listeria innocua growth in ground beef and plant-based protein patties. Patties (162 ground beef; 162 plant-based) were used in 3 replications. For each replication, patties were either inoculated (1×108 CFU) or not inoculated and stored for 26 hr at refrigeration, freezer, or room temperature. Three patties per storage method were cooked to either 145°F or 165°F and were plated before/after cooking. Nine patties …

Inclusion Of Palm Oil Products In Finishing Diets On Ground Beef Quality And Retail Stability, Anna Kobza, Galen E. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald, Mitch L. Norman, Josh R. Benton, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Long Zou, Kyra L. Elliott, Anna G. Hilton, Chad A. Russell, Jessie C. Morrill

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Rising costs and availability of supplemental fats have increased interest in alternative fat sources in feedlot finishing diets, including palm oils. This experiment evaluated how refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm oil products included in the diet of feedlot finishing steers affect beef fat color and ground beef shelf-life. Steers were fed diets with no supplemental fat (No Oil), corn oil (Corn Oil), whole palm (Whole Palm), palm stearin (Stearin), or palm olein (Olein) at 4% dietary DM. Subcutaneous fat from cattle fed corn oil was more yellow than that from No Oil or palm oils. Ground …

Development Of A Shelf-Stable Proxy For Camera-Based Beef Grading Systems, Anna G. Hilton, Jessie C. Morrill

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

The American Meat Science Association's USDA Grading Committee recently expressed the need for a proxy device to verify that various camera grading systems produce consistent readings. To fulfill this need, we developed a proxy device made from 3D printed epoxy resin and other materials. The proxy was designed to have a known fat thickness and ribeye area. The proxy has a ribeye area of approximately 14 square inches and a fat thickness that ranges from 0.4 - 0.6 inches depending on the exact measurement location. The amount of marbling in the proxy can be adjusted incrementally and …

Prediction Of Intramuscular Fat Content Of Beef Longissimus Muscle, Kyra L. Elliott, Willy J. Horne, Bucky L. Gwartney, Jessie C. Morrill

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

In this study, we report the percentage of extractable intramuscular fat that is associated with beef longissimus muscle from a range of USDA marbling scores. The marbling scores were determined by two beef grading camera systems. We also assessed the utility of an open-source imaging software (ImageJ) for objectively quantifying the percentage of intramuscular fat, represented by pixels, in digital images of beef longissimus muscle.

Are Midwest Region Extension Professionals Prepared To Answer Food Safety Questions About Various Meat Products?, Esther Vanoverbeke, Byron D. Chaves

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Forty-eight million consumers in the U.S. get a foodborne illness each year; 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die. Approximately one-third of those illnesses are related to animal-based foods, including meat. With meat-like alternatives being more readily available, it is critical to ensure these foods are handled appropriately to reduce foodborne illnesses. This project evaluated the food safety knowledge of extension professionals related to plant-based products and meat alternatives. A survey was distributed via the North Central Region Extension Center to Extension professionals (N=52). Most respondents, 58%, neither agreed or disagreed that plant-based meats/meat alternatives are microbiologically riskier …

2026 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The 2026 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report brings together applied research, emerging technologies, and management insights that directly address the evolving challenges and opportunities facing today’s beef industry. This year’s collection includes 36 articles that span the full beef production system, from cow/calf and forage management to feedlot nutrition, animal health, behavior, meat quality, and sustainability, providing science-based guidance grounded in real-world production contexts.

Cow/Calf Nutrition, Reproduction, and Management

This section highlights management strategies that influence reproductive success and long-term herd performance. Articles focus on late-gestation heifer nutrition and practical applications of artificial insemination to support efficient, productive cow/calf systems.

Forage, …

Hfpo-Da Aquatic Toxicity And Bioaccumulation, Bailey Dawn Rappold

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected globally in environmental media and biota. Legacy compounds PFOA and PFOS have been observed to be toxic and bioaccumulative in low doses and have been removed from production and industrial processes. Replacement PFAS chemicals are less understood and present a gap in current knowledge in their toxicological effects. This research utilized extended chronic toxicity studies to assess the impacts of HFPO-DA, a short chain replacement PFAS, on the standard aquatic toxicology organism Pimephales promelas. Organisms were exposed for 29 to 30 days at environmentally relevant concentrations of the toxicant, 7.8125 ng/L …

Practical Considerations For Conducting Canine Behavioral Science, Lucrezia Lonardo, Madeline H. Pelgrim, Jeffrey R. Stevens

Jeffrey Stevens Publications

Research on behavior in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) has increased rapidly recently due to the interest in them as pets, working dogs, and model species for understanding evolution, domestication, and even human health. This interest in canine behavioral science has resulted in the creation of dozens of dog lab worldwide, with more starting every year. Our aim here is to review practical issues that potential dog researchers might consider when deciding how to set up a dog lab and conduct research in canine behavioral science. We hope that this can offer a path forward in promoting high-quality, cutting-edge …

Temporal Avoidance By Gray Foxes Reflects Growing Pressure From Expanding Coyotes In The Neotropics, Madison Odenbach

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are rapidly expanding their range towards South America, potentially threatening the world’s highest canid diversity residing on that continent. A better understanding of their interactions with native species is needed to anticipate potential competitive impacts. In Costa Rica, native gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) likely occupy a similar niche to the coyote newcomer, yet little data exists on their interactions in tropical ecosystems. We hypothesized the two species separate temporally to minimize the potential for competition in our study area, given preliminary data suggesting high spatial overlap (57.1% of coyote-detected sites overlap with fox-detected …

Dietary Ecology Of Waterfowl Nest Predators In The Prairie Pothole Region: Evaluating Resource Use From Species To Individual Using Stable Isotope Analysis, Grace Barthelmess

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Nest predation is a primary factor influencing waterfowl productivity in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America. Although this system is intensely managed and studied, research has largely focused on how predators affect waterfowl populations, with comparatively little attention to how predators actually rely on waterfowl as a resource. Understanding predator feeding ecology is therefore critical for informing effective management strategies and interpreting the complexity of predator-prey interactions on this landscape. My objective overall was to elucidate the feeding ecology of nine focal predator species commonly associated with waterfowl nest predation in the Aspen Parkland Ecoregion of the PPR: …

Using Genetic Analysis To Infer Familial Relationships Of Westslope Cutthroat Trout In The Lower Priest River, Idaho, Kolby Emtman

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

The Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus lewisi) is a native species of salmonid that holds both cultural and ecological significance in the Idaho Panhandle region of the United States. Within this region, the Priest River is a major contributor of migrant Westslope Cutthroat Trout to the Clark Fork Pend Oreille basin. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of juveniles that have at least one migrant parent, illustrate gene flow using juvenile half sibling relationships, and showcase varying levels of spawning success using juvenile full sibling relationships. Sampling of juvenile individuals occurred in 11 tributaries of the Priest River over …

Clawing Our Way To Inclusion: Identifying Minority Students’ Barriers To Entering The Veterinary Medicine Profession, Danielle Reeves, Lauren Rogers

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Veterinary services are being utilized more each year as pet owners are increasingly viewing and treating their pets like family members. Due to this changing perspective, the veterinary profession has grown significantly. Yet, despite this change, there is a lack of ethnic/racial diversity within the veterinary field. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors and/or barriers associated with minority students’ desire or lack of desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. This study used an online survey tool to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 456 undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas during the spring …

Influence Of Increased Supplementation Of Organic-Complexed Zinc To Beef Cows During Gestation And The Effects On Offspring, Naija N. Sharpley, Robin A. Cheek, Elizabeth B. Kegley, Jeremy G. Powell, Kenneth P. Coffey

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing zinc (Zn) supplementation of beef cows during gestation on calf performance. Angus crossbred cows confirmed pregnant with female sexed semen (n = 83) were allotted to 4 groups (20 to 21 cows/group), 2 groups/treatment. There were 2 treatments: 1) grain supplement with inorganic Zn to meet current National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine requirements (CONTROL), and 2) grain supplement containing an additional 360 mg/day of Zn as an amino acid complex (Zinpro Availa Zn; HIGHZN). A subset of cows (n = 32; 16 cows/treatment) was selected for …

Factors Affecting Diet Selection In Sheep Fed Endophyte-Infected Toxic Fescue, Jordan Thomas, Ronelson Stinfil, Kenneth P. Coffey, Christine C. Nieman, Derico Setyabrata, Shawna Weimer

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire) infected with toxin‑producing fungi can induce fescue toxicosis in grazing ruminants, reducing performance and altering forage intake. Chemical compounds in red clover (Trifolium pratense), such as biochanin A, have been proposed to mitigate these effects by improving palatability and blood vessel relaxation. This study examined whether the inclusion of ground red clover (GRC), either alone or in combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), affected voluntary diet selection in lambs offered toxic fescue. Thirty‑three lambs were housed individually and assigned randomly to one of four diets: (1) toxic …

Vegetation Species And Bed Position May Drive Epifaunal But Not Nekton Habitat Use In Estuarine Submerged Vegetation In The Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Alabama, Steven Vroljik, Kathryn O'Shaughnessy, Ashley Mcdonald, Zoey Hendrickson, Bethany Kiley, Anna Reimer, Sierra Robertson, Samantha Smith, Edward Sullivan, Charles Martin

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) supports nekton and epifaunal macroinvertebrates, sustaining food webs and ecosystem services in estuaries. Invasive SAV can alter these dynamics by displacing native vegetation and restructuring communities. In Alabama’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta (MTD), Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is rapidly expanding and outcompeting native wild celery (Vallisneria americana). This study compared nekton and epifaunal assemblages between M. spicatum and V. americana, focusing on edge versus interior positions. Nekton surveys identified 22 taxa (M. spicatum, n = 13; V. americana, n = 18), but assemblages did not differ significantly between vegetation types …

Design And Fabrication Of A Scaled Automated Dairy Farm Model: A Report, Md Towfiqur Rahman

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Summary

This study investigates how ventilation systems work in dairy barns and builds a scaled model to support education and research. The project is designed to help students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), K-12 learners, and researchers in animal science, veterinary medicine, and engineering gain visual experience with dairy facility components and processes. Different ventilation methods were studied, leading to the design of a 1/64-scale tunnel-ventilated dairy barn meant for 60 Holstein Friesian cows. Barn dimensions were set based on real Holstein cow measurements to ensure proper cow comfort, while airflow requirements were calculated and scaled down. Miniature fans …

Greenhouse Gas Report For Western Australian Wild-Catch Fisheries And Aquaculture 2004-2025, Christophe D'Abbadie, Johnny Machon, Dipesh Maharjan, Mark Goninon, Pia Dobson, Jason How, Rodney Duffy Dr., Ainslie Denham, Shaye Carman, Trina Anderson

Climate Science Published Reports

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Western Australian wild-catch fisheries and aquaculture for the fiscal years (FY) 2004/05 to 2024/25. These industries represent important components of the Western Australian primary production sector, with distinct emissions profiles and trends.

Key Findings:

Emissions from wild-catch fisheries have declined significantly over time, from approximately 0.341 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂e) in FY 2004/05 to 0.136 Mt CO₂e in FY 2024/25, a reduction of approximately 60%.

Emissions from aquaculture in FY 2024/25 were approximately 0.350 Mt CO₂e, reflecting substantial industry growth from near-negligible levels in …

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Modulates Gut Microbiota And Lipid Metabolism To Reduce Diarrhea In Low-Birth-Weight Neonatal Calves, Zhanhe Zhang, Duo You, Donglin Wu, Xintong Li, Yang Jia, David L. Harmon, Ming Xu

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which colonic fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) improves lipid metabolism in low-birth-weight neonatal calves via modulation of the gut microbial ecosystem. In a completely randomized design, seventy newborn Holstein calves (1 day old, 32.63 ± 3.13 kg BW) were assigned to two groups (35 calves/treatment; 30 females and 5 males per group). A healthy calf was used as a fecal donor. A 10% fecal bacterial suspension was prepared and administered colonically (50 mL, twice daily for 5 days). All calves were fed the same milk replacer and weaned using a step-down protocol at …

Wet Aging And Internal Endpoint Cooking Temperature Influence Color Of Lamb Longissimus Lumborum Muscle, Oluwatobi M. Ogunsola

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Color is a critical quality attribute that influences consumer purchase decisions for fresh and cooked lamb and is governed by myoglobin's redox chemistry. Wet aging is commonly used to enhance lamb tenderness, while endpoint cooking temperature is the primary determinant of internal cooked color. However, the combined effects of these factors on the color stability of the lamb longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle during refrigerated storage remain unclear. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the effect of wet aging duration on the color attributes and lipid oxidation of fresh lamb LL chops and endpoint cooking temperature and refrigerated storage …

Characterization Of A Coastwide Sheepshead (Archosargus Probatocephalus) Fishery Reveals Increased Fishing Pressure During Spawning Activity In Texas, Ethan T. Getz, Catherine M. Eckert, Charles Downey Iii

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) have been characterized as one of the most vulnerable species to overfishing in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) based on their reproductive strategy of spawning in aggregations. Here, we analyzed fishery—independent and dependent data (1983—2023) collected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to assess Sheepshead populations and describe the fishery in Texas. Gill net sampling was used to describe Sheepshead abundance and distribution, while creel survey data and commercial landings were used to determine spatial and temporal characteristics of the fishery and evaluate targeted fishing activity during the spawning season. Sheepshead encountered in gill …

The Impacts Of Wing-Flashing By Northern Mockingbirds On Foraging, Parental Care, And Reproductive Success, Anna R. Starman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Foraging efficiency may be enhanced by flashing patches of white wing and tail feathers and has been documented in several avian species. Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos, NOMO) exhibit this “wing-flashing” (WF) behavior while foraging, during displays, and in response to predators. In NOMOs, WF has been hypothesized to increase foraging success, but previous findings are inconclusive. To further investigate the biological role(s) of WF behavior in NOMOs, the ventral surface of white primary feathers of male NOMOs were artificially darkened, and the foraging and provisioning rates of undarkened (control) males and their mates were compared. While foraging, undarkened …

Independent Animal Chiropractic Practice: An Evidence-Based Argument For Autonomy Beyond Veterinary Supervision, Montana Adams

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Animal chiropractic is a growing form of conservative care used to improve mobility, reduce pain, and support neuromusculoskeletal function in animals. Despite evidence suggesting it is both effective and low risk, access remains limited due to inconsistent state regulations. Many jurisdictions require chiropractors to obtain veterinary supervision, referral, or licensure, even when they have completed specialized training and certification in animal chiropractic. This paper evaluates the effectiveness and safety of animal chiropractic while analyzing the impact of current regulatory policies. Research indicates that chiropractic care can improve mobility and reduce spinal conditions in animals when performed by trained professionals. However, …

Fisheries Research Report No. 359: Metropolitan Monitoring Program 2025, Alissa Tate, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan, Troy Matthews

Fisheries Research Reports

Ongoing monitoring of recreational fisheries in the Perth Metropolitan zone is essential to ensure the sustainable use of fisheries resources. Surveys of shore- and boatbased recreational fishers within the Metropolitan zone of the West Coast bioregion provide information on human dimensions and catch-per-fisher as well as mean length and weight of key recreationally caught species. For shore-based fishers, estimates of fishing effort, catch and harvest are also presented for key nearshore species. This information is used to support ongoing assessments for key nearshore species and the development and evaluation of harvest strategies and other management actions, such as for Australian …