Meat Science Commons^™

Short-Term Effects Of Lower Oil Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles In Laying Hen Rations, Sheila E. Scheideler, Kathy Hanford, Brett Kreifels

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Extraction of oil from dried distillers grains has become a common practice among US ethanol producers. The valuable oil has been diverted to markets other than poultry feed, leaving new dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) products higher in fiber and purportedly lower in ME. This study compared 3 DDGS products with 10.3, 7.3, or 5.2% ether extract, respectively, with a corn-soy control ration in young Bovan laying hens for a feeding period from 20 to 33 wk of age. The DDGS was fed at the rate of 20% of the ration. Lower oil content of DDGS had no effect …

Handling Cattle Through High Heat Humidity Indexes, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

As cattlemen enter the summer months, they need to understand and deal with heat and humidity. Consider incorporating the following practices into management plans to help reduce additional stress.

Distillers Grains Supplementation In A Forage System With Spayed Heifers, Kari L. Gillespie, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider, Jerry D. Volesky, Galen Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Spayed heifers were developed into yearlings by grazing corn residue and bromegrass, followed by native range, and were finished on a common diet. Treatments were 2 lb or 5 lb of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS; DM basis) supplement on corn residue daily, and modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS) fed at 0.6% BW daily or no MDGS during summer grazing. Feeding 5 lb increased winter ADG by 0.68 lb (year 1) or 0.40 lb (year 2) compared to 2 lb, and increased HCW after finishing. Summer supplementation increased summer ADG by 0.50 lb (year 1) or 0. 44 …

Feeding Elevated Levels Of Corn Silage And Mdgs In Finishing Diets, Dirk B. Burken, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing experiment evaluatedsubstitution of corn silage and modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS) in place of corn. The treatment arrangementwas a 2 X 2 + 1 factorial with 15 or 45% corn silage and 20 or 40% MDGS plus a control containing 5% cornstalks and 40% MDGS. There were interactions between corn silage and MDGS for carcass adjusted performance. As corn silage inclusion was increased in the diet, F:G increased when fed with 20% MDGS, however there was no difference when fed with 40% MDGS.

Transitioning Cattle From Ramp® To A Finishing Diet On Feedlot Performance And Feed Intake Variance, Cody J. Schneider, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Dirk B. Burken Burken, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Individually fed cattle were adapted to high grain diets with a traditional grain adaptation program or one of two RAMP^® adaptation programs. RAMP programs adapted cattle to a finishing diet gradually over 28 days in four steps or directly without an adaptation. Feed intake variance among d was greater for traditionally adapted cattle compared to either RAMP program, but DMI was not different during the adaptation period. Over the 138-day period, feedlot performance and carcass traits were not affected by adaptation treatment. Cattle fed RAMP for 10 days can be transitioned to a finishing ration containing 47.5% Sweet Bran …

Use Of A Pelleted Corn Residue Complete Feed In Receiving Diets, Sarah J. Peterson, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Dirk B. Burken Burken, James C. Macdonald, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of feeding a complete pelleted feed to newly received steer calves (585 ± 4 lb; n = 1318 ) was compared to a control ration consisting of 32% (DM basis) wet or modified distillers grains, 32% alfalfa hay, 32% dry-rolled corn, and 4% supplement. The pelleted complete feed consisted of 35% corn residue and a blend of grain byproducts and minerals. Feeding the complete pelleted feed increased DMI but decreased ADG, thereby reducing feed efficiency. The pelleted feed numerically reduced morbidity. Feeding a complete pellet consisting of corn residue appears to be a viable option for receiving calves …

Comparison Of Long-Term Progestin-Based Synchronization Protocols On Fixed-Time Ai Pregnancy Rate In Beef Heifers, Rebecca A. Vraspir, Adam F. Summers, Doug O'Hare Hare, Larry D. Rowden, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Yearling Angus heifers at a commercial ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills were randomly assigned to one of two progestin-based fixed-time AI protocols (MGA or 14-day CIDR) to compare pregnancy rates. Heifers had similar fixed-time AI pregnancy rates between MGA and 14-day CIDR. A similar proportion of MGA and 14-day CIDR heifers displayed a second estrus; however, heifers previously synchronized with MGA tended to have a greater second AI pregnancy rate. Overall pregnancy rate was similar between MGA and 14-day CIDR treatments. The MGA system was the more cost effective synchronization protocol in this study.

Effect Of Feeding De-Oiled Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Beef Oxidation And Tenderness, Katherine I. Domenech, Kim A. Varnold, Michelle E. Semler, Michael D. Chao, Tommi F. Jones, Galen E. Erickson, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle fed a de-oiled wet distiller’s grains plus solubles (WDGS) diet were compared to cattle fed corn or traditional (full-fat) WDGS diets to determine effects on discoloration, oxidation, and tenderness of beef aged for seven and 21 days. At seven days of aging, dietary treatment had no effect on discoloration. At 21 days of aging, beef from cattle fed de-oiled WDGS had less oxidation than the corn control and several of the full-fat WDGS treatments. Although tenderness increased with aging and retail display, dietary treatment had no effect on tenderness. These findings suggest that these dietary treatments, followed by a …

Effect Of Feeding Different Types Of Byproducts And Concentrations Throughout A Beef Growing System On Ground Beef Color And Lipid Oxidation, Joe O. Buntyn, Brandy D. Cleveland, Amy L. Redfield Redfield, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Tommi F. Jones, Ty B. Schmidt, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of feeding different concentrations of wet distillers grains during winter backgrounding and either modified wet distillers grains or Sweet Bran^® during the finishing phase on ground beef color and lipid oxidation. After a 14 day aging period, ground beef patties were made and placed in a simulated retail display for seven days. There were no overall differences in lipid oxidation between treatments but was a treatment by day interaction for discoloration. Ground beef from heifers finished with modified wet distillers grains discolored at a greater extent when compared to …

Shelf Life Of Cooked Ground Beef Patties From Cattle Fed Wet Distillers Grains With Solubles, Nathan T. Dierks, Tommi F. Jones, Kimberly A. Varnold Varnold, Derek J. Schroeder, Amy L. Redfield, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle were grazed without or with energy supplementation of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) during backgrounding, and were finished on a corn-based diet with or without 35% WDGS. Ground beef patties were made from shoulder clods, cooked, and stored in a refrigerated or frozen state. Cattle supplemented with WDGS had greater lipid oxidation in cooked ground beef patties regardless of finishing diet or storage type.

Differences In Fecal Bacterial Community Composition Between Beef Steers Which Are High-Shedders And Low-Shedders Of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli (Stec), Nirosh D. Aluthge, Yoshitha A. Wanniarachchi, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The community composition of the fecal microbiota was compared between beef steers which were high-shedders and low-shedders of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. Based on Shannon and Chao 1 diversity indices, the high-shedders had a more diverse fecal bacterial community than the low-shedding steers. Members of the genus Prevotella were observed as being more abundant in the low-shedders compared to the high-shedders, while Succinivibrio were more abundant in the high-shedders. Isolation of specific bacteria which are significantly more abundant in low-shedders may pave the way to developing direct-fed microbials which are effective in reducing STEC shedding among high-shedding beef steers.

Optimal Marketing Date Of Steers Depends On Marketing Strategy, James C. Macdonald, Cody J. Schneider, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Stephen D. Kachman, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Seven research trials conducted over five years at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln were summarized to determine how animal performance changes through the finishing period on a live and carcass weight basis. Live weight, carcass weight, carcass ADG, and carcass feed efficiency all changed quadratically throughout the feeding period; live ADG and live feed efficiency declined linearly. During times of negative profit margins, optimal profitability for steers marketed on a live-basis occurred by selling early, whereas optimal profitability was achieved by feeding steers marketed on a carcass-basis longer.

The Effects Of Diet And Cooler Aging On Specific Flavor Notes In Beef, Kimberly A. Varnold, Chris R. Calkins, Rhonda K. Miller Miller, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred steers (n = 64) were grazed on warm- or cool-season grass-dominated pastures, without or with energy supplementation of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS), and were finished on a corn-based diet with or without 35% WDGS. Finishing on corn increased desirable flavor notes and decreasedundesirable flavor notes in both L. dorsi and B. femoris steaks. In addition, grazing on warm-season grasses increased the prevalence of undesirable flavors but was often dissipated by the addition WDGS supplementation. Longer aging periods tended to increase the prevalence of undesirable flavors, especially in B. femoris steaks. It is recommended producers provide WDGS supplementation, …

Use Of Robust Multivariate Linear Mixed Models For Estimation Of Genetic Parameters For Carcass Traits In Beef Cattle, S. O. Peters, K. Kizilkaya, D. J. Garrick, R. L. Fernando, E. J. Pollak, R. Mark Enns, M. De Donato, O. O. Ajayi, I. G. Imumorin

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Assumptions of normality of residuals for carcass evaluation may make inferences vulnerable to the presence of outliers, but heavy-tail densities are viable alternatives to normal distributions and provide robustness against unusual or outlying observations when used to model the densities of residual effects. We compare estimates of genetic parameters by fitting multivariate Normal (MN) or heavy-tail distributions (multivariate Student’s t and multivariate Slash, MSt and MS) for residuals in data of hot carcass weight (HCW), longissimus muscle area (REA) and 12th to 13th rib fat (FAT) traits in beef cattle using 2475 records from 2007 to 2008 from a large …

Beef Cattle Body Temperature During Climatic Stress: A Genome-Wide Association Study, Jeremy T. Howard, Stephen D. Kachman, Warren M. Snelling, E. John Pollak, Daniel C. Ciobanu, Larry A. Kuehn, Matthew L. Spangler

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Cattle are reared in diverse environments and collecting phenotypic body temperature (BT) measurements to characterize BT variation across diverse environments is difficult and expensive. To better understand the genetic basis of BT regulation, a genome-wide association study was conducted utilizing crossbred steers and heifers totaling 239 animals of unknown pedigree and breed fraction. During predicted extreme heat and cold stress events, hourly tympanic and vaginal BT devices were placed in steers and heifers, respect i v e l y. I n d i v i dua l s we r e genotyped with t h e BovineSNP50K_v2 assay and data …

Atf3 Expression In The Corpus Luteum: Possible Role In Luteal Regression, Dagan Mao, Xiaoying Hou, Heather Talbott, Robert A. Cushman, Andrea S. Cupp, John S. Davis

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The present study investigated the induction and possible role of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) in the corpus luteum. Postpubertal cattle were treated at midcycle with prostaglandin F2α(PGF) for 0–4 hours. Luteal tissue was processed for immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and isolation of protein and RNA. Ovaries were also collected from midluteal phase and first-trimester pregnant cows. Luteal cells were prepared and sorted by centrifugal elutriation to obtain purified small (SLCs) and large luteal cells (LLCs). Real-time PCR and in situ hybridization showed that ATF3 mRNA increased within 1 hour of PGF treatment in vivo. Western blot and immunohistochemistry demonstrated …

Loss Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (Vegfa) Isoforms In The Testes Of Male Mice Causes Subfertility, Reduces Sperm Numbers, And Alters Expression Of Genes That Regulate Undifferentiated Spermatogonia, Ningxia Lu, Kevin M. De Avila, Debra T. Clopton, William E. Pohlmeier, Vanessa M. Brauer, Renee M. Mcfee, John S. Weber, Napoleone Ferrara, David W. Silversides, Andrea S. Cupp

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) isoform treatment has been demonstrated to alter spermatogonial stem cell homeostasis. Therefore, we generated pDmrt1-Cre;Vegfa^−/− (knockout, KO) mice by crossing pDmrt1-Cre mice to floxed Vegfa mice to test whether loss of all VEGFA isoforms in Sertoli and germ cells would impair spermatogenesis. When first mated, KO males took 14 days longer to get control females pregnant (P < .02) and tended to take longer for all subsequent parturition intervals (9 days; P < .07). Heterozygous males sired fewer pups per litter (P < .03) and after the first litter took 10 days longer (P < .05) to impregnate females, suggesting a more progressive loss of fertility. Reproductive organs were collected from 6-month-old male mice. There were fewer sperm per tubule in the corpus epididymides (P < .001) and fewer ZBTB16-stained undifferentiated spermatogonia (P < .003) in the testes of KO males. Testicular mRNA abundance for Bcl2 (P < .02), Bcl2:Bax (P < .02), Neurog3 (P < .007), and Ret was greater (P = .0005), tended to be greater for Sin3a and tended to be reduced for total Foxo1 (P < .07) in KO males. Immunofluorescence for CD31 and VE-Cadherin showed no differences in testis vasculature; however, CD31-positive staining was evident in undifferentiated spermatogonia only in KO testes. Therefore, loss of VEGFA isoforms in Sertoli and germ cells alters genes necessary for long-term maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonia, ultimately reducing sperm numbers and resulting in subfertility.

Genome-Wide Prediction Of Age At Puberty And Reproductive Longevity In Sows, Julie Kathleen Tart, Rodger K. Johnson, Justin W. Bundy, N. N. Ferdinand, A. M. Mcknite, Jennifer R. Wood, Phillip S. Miller, M. F. Rothschild, Matthew L. Spangler, Dorian J. Garrick, Stephen D. Kachman, Daniel C. Ciobanu

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Traditional selection for sow reproductive longevity is ineffective due to low heritability and late expression of the trait. Incorporation of DNA markers into selection programs is potentially a more practical approach for improving sow lifetime productivity. Using a resource population of crossbred gilts, we explored pleiotropic sources of variation that influence age at puberty and reproductive longevity. Of the traits recorded before breeding, only age at puberty significantly affected the probability that females would produce a first parity litter. The genetic variance explained by 1-Mb windows of the sow genome, compared across traits, uncovered regions that influence both age at …

Using High-Fiber Diets To Limit Energy Intake In Developing Gilts: Effects On Puberty, Reproduction, Culling Rates, Lifetime Productivity, And Progeny Health And Growth, Phillip S. Miller, Rodger Johnson, Justin Bundy, Daniel Ciobanu

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A total of 182 gilts were used to evaluate the effects of limiting energy intake during development compared to traditional corn-soybean meal based diets using the addition of soybean hulls to reduce caloric intake with ad libitum access to feed. The gilt developmental period consisted of 110 days, from 120 to 230 days of age. Data collected during development included body weight, backfat, longissimus muscle area, and feed intake, every 2 weeks. Estrus detection was conducted on a daily basis until breeding. Females were maintained in the breeding groups for 4 parities (785 days of age), at which time data …

Genome-Wide Association Analyses Of Sow Reproduction And Lifetime Productivity, Daniel Ciobanu

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Concurrent with increased prolificacy, high sow death losses and replacement rates are serious economic and welfare issues facing producers. Reproductive failure is the most frequent reason for culling sows. Lifetime productivity is characterized by moderate heritability and high phenotypic variance and, as a result, substantial genetic variation is expected to exist in most populations. Traditional selection for sow reproductive longevity results is ineffective due to low heritability and late expression of the trait. The primary goal of this research project was to identify DNA markers associated with reproductive and sow lifetime productivity that can be used in nucleus herds to …

Nebraska Bqa: Herd Health Plan/Protocol, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Nebraska cattlemen have demonstrated a commitment to the integrity of today's beef products by implementing sound cattle management practices. Consumers are looking for beef raised in a healthy and safe environment. An appropriate Herd Health Plan/Protocol ensures that all cattle are raised in the best health.

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.

Effect Of Citrus Byproducts On Survival Of O157:H7 And Non-O157 Escherichia Coli Serogroups Within In Vitro Bovine Ruminal Microbial Fermentations, Heather A. Duoss-Jennings, Ty B. Schmidt, Todd R. Callaway, Jeffery A. Carroll, James M. Martin, Sara A. Shields-Menard, Paul R. Broadway, Janet R. Donaldson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Citrus byproducts (CBPs) are utilized as a low cost nutritional supplement to the diets of cattle and have been suggested to inhibit the growth of both Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. The objective of this study was to examine the effects in vitro that varying concentrations of CBP in the powdered or pelleted variety have on the survival of Shiga-toxin Escherichia coli (STEC) serotypes O26:H11, O103:H8, O111:H8, O145:H28, and O157:H7 in bovine ruminal microorganism media. The O26:H11, O111:H8, O145:H28, and O157:H7 serotypes did not exhibit a change in populations in media supplemented with CBP with either variety. The O103:H8 …

The Effect Of Soluble Uterine Factors On Porcine Embryo Development Within A Three-Dimensional Alginate Matrix System, Catherine Sargus-Patino, Elane C. Wells, Jeremy R. Miles, Angela K. Pannier

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Between day 10 and 12 of gestation in the pig, the embryo undergoes a dramatic morphological change, known as elongation. During elongation the embryo produces and secretes estrogen, which serves as a key signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy. The uterine environment prepares for embryo elongation and implantation by releasing nutrients, metabolites, and hormones in a time-dependent manner relative to paracrine signals from the conceptus (i.e., estrogen) and endocrine/paracrine signals within the endometrium (i.e., progesterone). Despite advances in identification of specific uterine factors present throughout pregnancy in the pig, little is known about the exact mechanisms by which porcine embryos …

Genetic Testing For Tmem154 Mutations Associated With Lentivirus Susceptibility In Sheep, Michael P. Heaton, Theodore S. Kalbfleisch, Dustin T. Petrik, Barry Simpson, James W. Kijas, Michael L. Clawson, Carol G. Chitko-Mckown, Gregory P. Harhay, Kreg A. Leymaster, International Sheep Genomics Consortium

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

In sheep, small ruminant lentiviruses cause an incurable, progressive, lymphoproliferative disease that affects millions of animals worldwide. Known as ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV) in the U.S., and Visna/Maedi virus (VMV) elsewhere, these viruses reduce an animal’s health, productivity, and lifespan. Genetic variation in the ovine transmembrane protein 154 gene (TMEM154) has been previously associated with OPPV infection in U.S. sheep. Sheep with the ancestral TMEM154 haplotype encoding glutamate (E) at position 35, and either form of an N70I variant, were highly-susceptible compared to sheep homozygous for the K35 missense mutation. Our current overall aim was to characterize TMEM154 in …

Nutritional Management Post-Ai To Enhance Pregnancy Outcomes, S. L. Lake, R. Arias, P. Gunn, G. A. Bridges

Range Beef Cow Symposium

Effective replacement heifer development is a critical segment of the integrated management program in an efficient beef cow production system. The most critical factor determining the success of any heifer development program is nutrition. Most efforts are concentrated in providing the right amount and quality of feed to achieve gains from 1.5 to 2.0 lb/day, so heifers can reach 65% of their mature BW by the day of breeding. Approximately 80% of the U.S. cow-herds are spring calving, which means that producers utilizing estrous synchronization and AI are keeping their heifers in a feedlot environment until heifers are inseminated. Immediately …

Animal Health Effects Of The October 2013 Blizzard: Observations, Russ Daly, Ken Olson, Dave Ollila, Dennis Todey, Warren Rusche, Joseph Neary, Dale Miskimins, George Perry

Range Beef Cow Symposium

From Thursday, October 3, through Saturday, October 5, 2013, an unprecedented early season winter storm affected western South Dakota and portions of Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and Nebraska. This storm resulted in the deaths of an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 head of cattle, along with many sheep, horses, and other animals. The early occurrence of the storm as well as its severity contributed to direct losses of animals as well as subsequent health effects.

Managing Annual Cow Costs, Julie Walker

Range Beef Cow Symposium

What is your annual cow costs? _________________

What is your breakeven cost ($/pound of weaned calf)? __________________

The cow/calf enterprise is a highly competitive, narrow margin business. Every day the margin seems to get smaller. Cattle producers are always looking for ways to save a dollar or get an additional dollar for their product. When you hear talk about ‘managing annual cow cost’ do you think that equates to being a low cost producer? You have been told to manage cow cost in the largest cost category, which is normally feed. Feed costs are normally 50 to 75% of the …

Fetal Programming: Implications For Beef Cattle Production, A. F. Summers, R. N. Funston

Range Beef Cow Symposium

The concept of fetal programming, also known as developmental programming, was first hypothesized using human epidemiological data in which environmental stimulus in utero resulted in altered long term development, growth and disease susceptibility in children from undernourished mothers during the Dutch famine (Barker et al., 1993). Recently, literature regarding fetal programming effects in domesticated livestock has been reviewed (Funston et al., 2010a; Ford and Long, 2012). Many factors influence livestock nutrient requirements including breed, season, and physiological function (NRC, 2000). Fetal programming responses can result from a negative nutrient environment, which can be caused by 1) breeding of young dams …

Using Crop Residues And By-Products To Limit Feed Cows In Confinement, Karla H. Jenkins

Range Beef Cow Symposium

The available forage supply for maintaining beef cow herds continues to be threatened by several factors. High commodity prices encourage the conversion of pasture land into crop ground, cities and towns continue to sprawl out into rural areas creating subdivisions where historically cattle grazed, and drought, fires, hail, and insects continue to periodically deplete forage supplies. When forage supplies cannot be located or are not affordably priced; cattle producers must either sell their cattle or feed the cattle in confinement. Feeding beef cows in confinement is not a new concept. However, limit feeding them (less than 2% of body weight …