Dairy Science Commons^™

Nebraska Bqa: Veterinarian Client Patient Relationship, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Beef producers are committed producing a high quality, safe and wholesome beef product. A commitment to herd health and veterinary input is critical to achieving this goal. To this end, developing a veterinarian client-patient relationship (VCPR) is important and will benefit all aspects of cattle performance. Veterinarians' working understanding of cattle disease and parasites can help cattle raisers develop targeted vaccination and treatment programs.

Intsormil- Centa’S New Bmr Sorghum Varieties Create A Surge In Dairy Production, René Clará Valencia

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

Scientists from the INTSORMIL-CENTA project based at the National Center for Agricultural Technology and Forestry (CENTA) of El Salvador have worked for five years to develop varieties of sorghum for grain and forage that are highly nutritious to cattle. Using the gene bmr-12, received from Dr. Gebisa Ejeta of Purdue University, they combined commercial varieties CENTA S-2, S-3 CENTA, CENTA RCV and VG 146 and were able to form new varieties containing this same gene. The first generation created 76 new varieties.

Returns To The Introduction Of New Sorghum Cultivars Into The Dairy Industry Of El Salvador, Alexis Homero Villacís Aveiga

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

The returns to the introduction of new photo-insensitive sorghum varieties into the dairy industry were analyzed to determine changes in the welfare of consumers, processors, producers and the society. The economic surplus method was used along with a survey data of a stratified sample of 150 farms conducted in 2011 in El Salvador. Results indicate that there are large returns per dollar spent and substantial benefits to consumers, processors and producers. Results also show that the adoption of these new technologies represents advantages in production costs of milk in each farm size. These cost savings per bottle are very small …

Economic Impact Of Stable Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) On Dairy And Beef Cattle Production, David B. Taylor, Roger D. Moon, Darrell R. Mark

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

Stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), are among the most damaging arthropod pests of cattle worldwide. The last estimate of their economic impact on United States cattle production was published 20 yr ago and placed losses at $608 million. Subsequently, several studies of effects of stable flies on beef cattle weight gain and feed efficiency have been published, and stable flies have become increasingly recognized as pests of cattle on pasture and range. We analyzed published studies and developed yield-loss functions to relate stable fly infestation levels to cattle productivity, and then estimated the economic impact of stable flies on cattle …

Returns To The Introduction Of New Sorghum Cultivars Into The Dairy Industry Of El Salvador, Alexis H. Villacís, John H. Sanders

INTSORMIL Presentations

The driver of agricultural development is the introduction of new technology. Sensitive sorghums have long been a critical component of hillside Central American agriculture providing a reserve or insurance policy when the principal staple of maize falters. The insensitive sorghums have been more recently introduced since the ‘70s for planting in the valleys in the second season. In the last thirty years the introduction of new insensitive cultivars has accelerated initially for poultry and in the previous two decades for dairy production. This growth has been facilitated by strategic investments in research by CENTA and the Ministry of Agriculture.

As …

Rentibilidad De La Introducción De Nuevas Variedades De Sorgo Del Centa En La Industria Lechera De El Salvador: Ponencia Presentada En La Conferencia Del Centa: "Cambio Climático E Impacto De Los Sorgos Forrajeros" Diciembre 7, 2011, San Salvador, El Salvador, Alexis H. Villacís, John H. Sanders

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

El propulsor del desarrollo agrlcola es la introducción de nuevas tecnologlas. Sorgos fotosensitivos' han sido un componente crítico en la agricultura de las laderas centroamericanas, ofreciendo una reserva o póliza de seguro cuando el alimento básico principal de maiz tambalea. Los sorgos foto-insensitivos han sido introducidos recientemente desde los anos 70 para la siembra en postrera en los valles. En los últimos treinta anos, la introducción de nuevas variedades insensitivas se ha acelerado, en un inicio para las aves de corral y en las dos décadas anteriores para la producción lechera. Este crecimiento ha sido posible gracias a las inversiones …

Study Of The Innovative Self-Powered Sensor Based Smart Wireless Identification And Tracking Tag For Production Agriculture Application, Kumud Dhakal

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

A prototype smart animal ear tag has been developed to meet the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal disease traceability requirement. This novel ‘Smart Tag’ is a self–powered device capable of complete animal identification and tracking. Information on animal health, breeding and vaccination records can also be locally stored and retrieved from these small, economical and securely accessible wireless tags. These smart tags are capable of self-organizing into wireless ad-hoc networks for data reporting and retrieval. This work presents study of the distance coverage of a ‘Smart Tag’ and a cost-benefit analysis of ‘Smart Tag’ implementation. The mean distance …

Effect Of Brown Midrib Corn Silage And Dried Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Lactational Performance And Nitrogen Utilization By Dairy Cows, Hugo A. Ramirez

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

Thirty six Holstein cows, four ruminally cannulated, (mean ± SD, 111 ± 35 DIM; 664 ± 76.5 kg BW) were used in replicated 4×4 Latin squares to investigate the effects of brown midrib (bm3) and conventional (DP) corn silages, and the inclusion of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) on milk production and N utilization. In each 28 d period cows were assigned to one of four treatments: DP plus 0% DDGS (CON); bm3 plus 0% DDGS (BMR); DP corn silage plus 30% DDGS (DP+DG); and bm3 plus 30% DDGS (BMR+DG). Dry matter intake was greater (P < 0.01) for cows consuming bm3 (25.8 VS 24.4 ± 0.47 kg), likewise for DDGS (24.3 and 25.9 ± 0.47 kg/d for 0 and 30%). Compared to DP hybrid, NDFD was higher (P < 0.01) for bm3 (32.5 VS 38.1 ± 1.79%). There was a hybrid × DDGS interaction (P < 0.01) for total concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and rumen pH as the highly digestible treatment BMR+DG resulted in the highest VFA and the lowest pH. Milk yield was not affected by treatment and averaged 30.6 ± 1.09 kg/d. Milk protein yield (MPY) was greater (P < 0.01) for bm3 and DDGS treatments. There was a hybrid by DDGS interaction (P = 0.02) for milk fat yield (MFY) resulting in 1.03, 1.08, 0.84 and 0.78 ± 0.045 kg/d for DP, BMR, DP+DG and BMR+DG. Fat corrected milk (FCM) was affected by DDGS (P < 0.01) and averaged 30.0 and 26.4 ± 1.0kg/d (0% and 30% inclusions). Urinary N excretion was similar among treatments; however fecal N was lower (P = 0.03) for diets containing bm3 corn silage which caused lower (P = 0.02) manure N. These results indicate that bm3 corn silage and DDGS increase DMI, NDFD and MPY; however high inclusion of corn silage with 30% DDGS reduces FCM. Nitrogen excretion was reduced when cows consumed bm3.

Caring For Compromised Cattle: Assessing Animals At Risk

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen have long recognized the need to properly care for their livestock. Sound animal husbandry practices – based on research and decades of practical experience – are known to impact the well-being of cattle, individual animal health and herd productivity. There is no doubt that producers work hard to ensure that their cattle are properly cared for throughout all stages of production. Unfortunately, it’s a fact of raising cattle that some animals will become injured to the extent that they are unable to stand or walk without assistance.

Assessor’S Guide To A Beef Quality Assurance Cow-Calf Assessment

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

The BQA Cow-Calf Assessment is an on-site educational tool that allows for assessing and benchmarking key indicators of animal care and well-being as well as operational conditions. The Cow-Calf Assessment focuses on three main areas – Animals, Records and Best Management Practices (BMP), and Facilities and Equipment.

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 …

Dairy Animal Care: Quality Assurance

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Dairy producers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance (DACQA) Certification program. The purpose of this program is to enhance and demonstrate quality animal care practices, which assure food safety, quality and value as well as enhance consumer confidence in the milk and beef products that are harvested from cattle on America’s dairy farms.

Feedyard Assessment: Assessor's Guide

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

The BQA Feedyard Assessment is an on-site educational tool that allows for assessing and benchmarking key indicators of animal care and well-being as well as feedyard conditions. The Feedyard Assessment focuses on three main areas – Animals, Records and Best Management Practices (BMP), and Facilities and Equipment.

Stocker And Backgrounding Self Assessment

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen in stocker operations have long recognized the need to properly care for livestock. Sound animal husbandry practices, based on decades of practical experience and research, are known to impact the well-being of stocker cattle, individual animal health and herd productivity. Stocker cattle operations are located in many diverse environments and geographic locations in the United States. A universal set of production practices can not be recommended for all stocker cattle producers in light of the divergent climate and geographic variations of the stocker and backgrounding segment. Personal experience, training and professional judgment can serve as a valuable resource for …

The Cattle Industry's Guidelines For The Care And Handling Of Cattle

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen have long recognized the need to properly care for livestock. Sound animal husbandry practices, based on decades of practical experience and research, are known to impact the wellbeing of cattle, individual animal health and herd productivity. Cattle are produced in very diverse environments and geographic locations in the United States. There is not one specific set of production practices that can be recommended for all cattle producers. Personal experience, training and professional judgment can serve as a valuable resource for providing proper animal care.

Composting Of Feedlot And Dairy Manure: Compost Characteristics And Impact On Crop Yields, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Walker Luedtke, Mark Schroeder, Charles A. Francis, Gary Lesoing

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Since 1993, approximately 17,600 tons of beef feedlot and dairy compost have been spread on 1,100 acres. Crop yields were measured to determine the impact of a one-time compost application by using no-compost check strips in large-scale production fields. Adding compost to irrigated corn, irrigated soybeans, and dryland corn acres significantly increased yields, with four-year average increases of 2.3, 1.5, and 2.7%, respectively. For all crops measured, the response to compost was greatest the first year following application and declined linearly in subsequent years. The increased yield from compost application offsets spreading costs using average prices for crops.

The Incidence Of Cryptosporidial Infections In Nebraska Dairy Calves, Douglas Lee Varner

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Within the last decade a new etiologic agent has been identified as a possible cause of diarrhea in humans and domestic animals—that being the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and distribution of Cryptosporidium in the state of Nebraska, to determine if Cryptosporidium occurs more frequently in association with other enteropathogens and to determine about the relation of scouring in the calves to infection with Cryptosporidium. A total of 620 fecal samples from 334 dairy calves from 71 herds in Nebraska were examined for cyptosporidial oocysts using the Sheather’s sugar flotation …

Motion And Time Studies Of Milking Parlors And Routines, R. D. Appleman, C. F. Micke

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

This study defines and describes the parameters of milking in both the elevated side-opening and herringbone style milking parlor. Included in this "motion and time" study are measurements of differences in milking routines or techniques, as well as the probable contribution of certain mechanical aids, including both crowd gates and group-washing systems. Milker (men) differences are also identified. Detailed measurements of time requirements for specific milking activities or chores are expensive to obtain. Very limited data are found in the scientific literature. This bulletin is published to supply resource data which may be used in planning milking parlors or as …

Calf Diarrhea (Scours): Reproduced With A Virus From A Field Outbreak, C. A. Mebus, N. R. Underdahl, M. B. Rhodes, M. J. Twiehaus

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

Neonatal calf diarrhea typical of that seen in field cases was produced in colostrum-deprived calves by inoculating either feces or bacteria-free filtrates via the duodenum, orally, or by a spray (aerosol). Three calves, kept free of E. coli, developed severe diarrhea following inoculation with a bacteria-free filtrate. Intense fluorescence in the epithelium of sections of small intestine from two experimental calves was observed following staining with ftuorescein-labeled gamma globulin produced with viral antigen prepared from the feces of two experimental diarrhetic E. coli-free calves. Fluorescing cells were also present in the feces of experimental and field cases of neonatal …

Relationship Between Measures Of Semen Quality And Fertility In Bulls Mated Under Natural Conditions, J. N. Wiltbank, W. W. Rowden, J. E. Ingalls

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

An evaluation of the relationship between several measures of semen quality and fertility of bulls mated under natural conditions has been conducted over a three-year period. Semen was collected three different times with an electro-ejaculator from bulls used in the fertility tests. Collections were made at weekly intervals. Fertility was evaluated by mating bulls to heifers starting about three days after the last collection. Semen quality refers to the percent abnormals and the percent motility evaluated at the time of collection. Fertility was measured by the proportion of heifers that settled at natural service. Several multiple regression equations were calculated. …

Factors Affecting The B-Vitamin Content Of Cottage Cheese, Gary Dean Reif

Open Access Master's Theses (through 2010)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vitamin content of Cottage cheese and to study the factors which may alter the content of certain B-vitamins. The specific objectives were as follows:

1. To determine the niacin, B₆, B₁₂ and folic acid content of skimmilk and Cottage cheese and the retention of those vitamins in the curd from the milk.
2. To study the synthesis of niacin, B₆, B₁₂ and folic acid during the 16-hr setting period used in making Cottage cheese, and to determine whether the vitamin synthesis by the starter was partly responsible …

Factors Affecting The B-Vitamin Content Of Cottage Cheese, Gary Dean Reif

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vitamin content of Cottage cheese and to study the factors which may alter the content of certain B-vitamins. The specific objectives were as follows:

1. To determine the niacin, B₆, B₁₂ and folic acid content of skimmilk and Cottage cheese and the retention of those vitamins in the curd from the milk.
2. To study the synthesis of niacin, B₆, B₁₂ and folic acid during the 16-hr setting period used in making Cottage cheese, and to determine whether the vitamin synthesis by the starter was partly responsible …

A Histological Study Of The Postnatal Development Of The Bovine Testis, R. G. Fossland, A. B. Schultze

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

A limited number of detailed studies on the development of the bovine testis from birth to sexual maturity have been reported. Further study of bovine testis development appears desirable to furnish additional observations and to note variations that may occur during the developmental process. Information on the process of spermatogenesis should furnish a basis for experimental work designed to promote increased spermatogenic activity in the postpubertal testis as well as for work directed toward promoting complete spermatogenesis at an earlier than usual age. This report is a study of the histological picture of the testes from 56 bulls varying from …

Relation Of Heart Girth To Weight In Holsteins And Jerseys, H. P. Davis, W. W. Swett, W. R. Harvey

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

Body weight is the one measurement most extensively used to evaluate growth, condition, and value for beef, and as a basis for calculating feed requirements for cattle. Weight can be determined readily by scales but unfortunately scales of a capacity adequate for weighing cattle are not always available. Thus there is a real need for a basis of estimating weight from some body measurement that can be obtained easily and at a minimum of cost and time. It is the aim of this study to utilize additional data now available to increase further the accuracy and reliability of estimating weight …

Growth Measurements Of Holstein, Ayrshire, Guernsey And Jersey Males, H. P. Davis, I. L. Hathaway

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

This study was based on monthly observations of all Holstein, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Jersey males born in the University of Nebraska dairy herd between 1922 and 1942. There were varying numbers of animals for the different months of age for the several breeds. Measurements of weight, slope of the rump, thickness of skin, and 13 linear measurements were taken monthly, from birth to disposal of the animals. The linear measurements were of heights at withers, hooks and rump; of lengths-diagonal (shoulder point to pinbone), body and rump; of widths at chest, hooks and pinbones; of depths at chest and barrel; …

Cc144 Adjusting To Drought...Why Cull Your Herd Now?, K. C. Fouts, Philip Cole, Paul Guyer, C. W. Nibler, P. A. Henderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Extension Circular CC144 This circular is about adjusting to drought and why to cull your herd now.

Forty Years Of Dairy Cattle Breeding At The North Platte Experiment Station, Mogens Plum, Myron G.A. Rumery

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

In 1913 the Nebraska Legislature appropriated $17,500 to establish a Dairy Department at the North Platte Experiment Station. The department's herd was to be used in demonstrating management and breeding practices and as a source of breeding stock. Since the North Platte herd was started, research in the field of animal breeding has developed new concepts in many phases of dairy cattle breeding and selection. The purpose of the present study is to analyze the progress made under a system of dairy cattle breeding and selection carried out according to the principles that dominated 40 years ago. The results of …

Comparative Measurements Of Holstein, Ayrshire, Guernsey, And Jersey Females From Birth To Seven Years, H. P. Davis, I. L. Hathaway

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

Body measurements are important for a proper understanding of how growth takes place in animals. Unfortunately, few growth data other than for weight have been published concerning dairy cattle. This is a report of measurements of females in the University of Nebraska dairy herd made as part of a long-time growth study. During the period 1922 to 1942 each animal born into the herd was weighed and measured at regular intervals. Presented here are the data for weight, height, length, width, depth, girth and hide thickness for females of the Holstein, Ayrshire, Guernsey, and Jersey breeds. The average body measurements …

Growth Measurements Of Holstein Females From Birth To Seven Years, H. P. Davis, I. L. Hathaway

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

Measurements of growth, to be meaningful, must be taken of various parts of the body, at regular intervals, under standardized environmental conditions, from birth through the growth span of the animal. From these measurements skeletal growth standards may be prepared for the several ages. Such standards can be used to measure growth at any age period. They will serve the research worker as a guide for experimental procedure and will provide the livestock raiser a basis with which his animals may be compared. Present standards of growth for dairy cattle are based mostly upon live weight, although considerable data are …

Judging Quality In Dairy Products, P. A. Downs

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Circulars

In the dairy industry increasing attention is being paid to the question of quality of products. The well established system of buying and selling butter and cheese on the basis of quality by score or grade is practiced in the principal markets of the world. The other dairy products, while not marketed by score, are receiving more and more attention in this respect. As more information becomes available and the judging better standardized, other dairy products will doubtless be sold by grade.