Meat Science Commons^™

Timed Insemination Vs. Modified Estrus Detection In Beef Heifers, Benjamin T. Tibbitts, Tonya L. Meyer, Dan J. Kelly Kelly, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Th e objective of this study was to compare a modified estrus detection and fixed time AI vs. no estrus detection and fixed time AI on subsequent pregnancy rates. Yearling heifers were estrus synchronized and AI at 72 ± 2 h after prostaglandin injection. In one group estrus was not detected and all heifers received gonadotropin releasing hormone at the fixed- time AI; in the other group estrus was detected at 58 ± 2 and 70 ± 2 h after prostaglandin and inseminated in the following order at 72 ± 2 h: heifers in estrus at 58 h, heifers in …

Growth And Reproductive Performance Of Yearling Beef Heifers Implanted With Revalor G In The Nebraska Sandhills, Benjamin T. Tibbitts, Hazy Rae Nielson, K. H. Ramsay Ramsay, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Th is study evaluated effects of a single stocker implant (Revalor G) on growth and reproductive performance of yearling beef heifers in the Nebraska Sandhills. Crossbred heifers, grazing native Sandhills range, were randomly assigned to either be implanted 82 ± 2 days prior to estrus synchronization, or not implanted, to determine the effects of growth implants on heifer performance. Heifers were bred via artificial insemination followed with clean- up bulls. Implanted heifers gained more and were heavier at the end of the trial, but had a reduced pregnancy rate than non- implanted heifers. Implanted heifers also had a lower pregnancy …

Impact Of Heifer Development System In Two Different Breeding Seasons, Shelby A. Springman, Hazy Rae Nielson, Jacqueline A. Musgrave Musgrave, John Nollette, Andy Applegarth, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Replacement heifers from March and May calving herds were offered ad libitum meadow hay and 4 lb/d supplement or grazed meadow and offered 1 lb/d supplement from mid- January to mid- April. Heifers fed hay gained more during the treatment; however, heifers grazing meadow experienced compensatory gain, resulting in similar body weight at pregnancy diagnosis in both calving herds. Pregnancy rates were similar between treatment groups in March and May heifers. A reduced input winter management system is a viable option to maintain pregnancy rates in early and late summer breeding seasons.

Effects Of Distillers Grains Or Fiber On Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli In Steers, Liesel G. Schneider, Curtis J. Bittner, Jordan E. Burhoop Burhoop, F. Henry Hilscher, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Rodney A. Moxley, David R. Smith

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Increased probability for fecal shedding and colonization by Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been observed in previous studies when steers are fed increased inclusions of distillers grains. A feeding study was conducted to determine if distillers grains or fiber from distillers grains in the finishing ration of feedlot steers affected fecal shedding prevalence of seven serogroups of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC- 7). For EHEC O45 and EHEC O103, the greatest prevalence of shedding occurred when steers were fed increased distillers grains For all EHECs except for O111, fecal shedding prevalence was similar between the corn control and either of the corn …

Effect Of Long- Term Corn Residue Grazing On Soil Properties, Manbir K. Rakkar, Humberto Blanco, Mary E. Drewnoski Drewnoski, Jim C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of long- term (16 years) corn residue grazing with cattle on soil compaction, soil structure, soil organic matter, and nutrients. Three treatments: 1) fall grazing (November through January; 1.8 to 2.5 AUM/ac), 2) spring grazing (February to middle April; 2.3 to 3.1 AUM/ac), and 3) control (no grazing) under a no- till irrigated corn- soybean system in eastern Nebraska were studied. Crop yields were increased and soil bulk density and cone index (parameters of soil compaction), wet soil aggregate stability (parameter of soil structural quality), and organic matter content were not affected …

Effect Of Increasing Supplemental Rumen Undegradable Protein (Rup) On Performance Of Calves Fed A Silage Growing Diet, Colton R. Oney, F. Henry Hilscher, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study evaluated the effects of increasing supplemental rumen undegradable protein (RUP) on performance of calves fed an 85% corn silage diet. Five levels of supplementation were evaluated with 12 individually fed steers per level of supplement. Supplement levels consisted of 0, 3.25, 6.5, 9.75 and 13% supplemental RUP (% of diet DM) fed as a blend of 60% Soypass and 40% Empyreal. Increasing supplemental RUP in the diet increased ending body weight and average daily gain linearly, and decreased F:G linearly while DMI remained constant among treatments. As cattle grew from 600 to 730 lb, F:G was improved …

2017 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report (Complete)

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Contents

Cow/Calf: Effect of Heifer Development System on Reproduction and Subsequent Gain as a Pregnant Heifer • Impact of Heifer Development System in Two Breeding Seasons • Timed Insemination vs. Modifi ed Estrus Detection in Beef Heifers • Growth and Reproductive Performance of Yearling Beef Heifers Implanted with Revalor G in the Nebraska Sandhills • Development of Terminal and Maternal Economic Selection Indices in Beefmaster Cattle • Effects of Wintering System on Cow and Calf Performance in a Summer- Calving Intensive Production System • Methods to Increase Productivity of Spring Calving Production Systems in the Nebraska Sandhills

Growing: Effect of …

In Situ Digestibility Of Residue Parts Of Corn Planted In Different Populations And Row Widths, Viviane B. Ferrari, Janessa J. Updike, Jana Harding Harding, Keith Glewen, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Plant density can be changed by altering row width and/or number of plants within a row. The use of narrower rows at seeding may increase yield and reduce plant-toplant competition. Corn seeds were planted at 2 row widths (15 and 30- inch rows) and 3 plant populations (25,200, 35,000 and 54,000 seeds / acre). Samples of corn residue were collected 4 dates (October 8, October 24, November 5 and November 19) postharvest and separated into cob, stem, leaf and husk to determine changes in quality over time. Th e greatest plant population increased the NDF content and NDF digestibility of …

Effect Of Harvest Method And Ammoniation On Digestibility And Intake Of Corn Residue, Ashley C. Conway, Tasha M. King, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt Breithaupt, Jim C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of three harvest methods, both with and without ammonia treatment, on the in vivo digestibility and intake of baled corn residue were assessed in a digestion trial with lambs. Treatments included three corn residue harvest methods (conventional rake and bale, New Holland Cornrower™ with eight rows or with two rows of corn stalks chopped into the windrow containing the tailings [leaf, husk and upper stalk] from eight harvested rows) and the effects of ammoniation at 5.5% of DM compared to no ammoniation of the residue. Th e 2- Row baled residue (51.7%) had greater dry matter digestibility than …

Methods To Increase Productivity Of Spring Calving Production Systems In The Nebraska Sandhills, Devin Broadhead, L. A. Stalker, Jacki A. Musgrave Musgrave, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feeding supplement to cattle grazing dormant winter range increased cow BW and BCS and calf performance, but not pregnancy rate. Using a CIDR to shorten the post-partum interval in a cow herd with existing acceptable reproductive performance did not improve pregnancy rate. Feeding creep feed to calves increased weaning BW but should be considered within the context of a cost/benefit analysis. Additional years of data collection may be necessary to draw definitive conclusions.

Predicting Feedlot Growth Performance Over The Feeding Period Utilizing Steer Age And Body Weight, Curtis J. Bittner, Andrea K. Watson, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A pooled- analysis of UNL feedlot pens examined the effects of steer age and body weight on feedlot growth performance. For data analysis, pens were divided into 3 subclasses based on steer age (calf- fed, short yearling, or long yearling) and, grouped based upon initial body weight (500 to 1200 lb, in 100 lb increments) within each age class. As initial body weight increased, DMI (lb/d) for the whole feeding period increased quadratically in calf-fed steers and increased linearly in short and long yearlings. A quadratic increase in ADG was observed in calf- feds as initial body weight increased. No …

Acknowledgements

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Appreciation is expressed to the following firms, associations, or agencies who provided grant support for research in the beef cattle program.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant/ USDA/NIFA Foundation Program: Animal Reproduction

The Beef Checkoff , Centennial, Colo

Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, Neb.

CSIRO, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Dickson, ACT, Australia

Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, Ind.

Huvepharma Inc. Peachtree City, GA

Dr. Kenneth and Caroline McDonald Eng Foundation San Antonio, Tex.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition. Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Centennial, Colo.

Effect Of Harvest Method On Digestibility Of Corn Residue, Tasha M. King, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Jana L. Gramkow Gramkow, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Corn residues can be an economical forage source for producers and advanced harvest methods have increased the quality of baled residue. A digestion study was conducted to evaluate the effects of harvest method of corn residues (low- stem, highstem, and conventional) on digestibility in lambs. Samples from total fecal collection were dried 1 of 3 ways to determine effects on digestibility estimates. Corn residue containing low- stem had greatest overall digestibility with high- stem residue being intermediate and conventional harvesting having the lowest digestibility. Drying method had no effect on digestibility estimates.

Comparison Of Titanium® 5 Ph- M Versus Titanium® 5 Plus Nuplura® Ph With The Presence Or Absence Of Monensin On Health And Performance Of Newly Received Feedlot Calves Fed Ramp®, Robert M. Jones, Curtis J. Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Mallorie F. Wilken, Rick Stock, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A receiving study was conducted to evaluate the effects of RAMP® with Rumensin® concentration (0 or 25.0 g/ton) given with one of two viral vaccinations (Titanium® 5 PH- M or Titanium® 5 plus NUPLURA® PH) on steer growth performance and morbidity. There were no significant vaccine by diet interactions observed. Neither vaccine treatment nor Rumensin® level affected intake, gain, or feed conversion. Vaccine type did not affect first pull (P = 0.19) or second pull morbidity rates (P = 0.52). These findings suggest that neither vaccine type nor Rumensin® concentration had any effect on steer growth performance or morbidity rate.

Evaluation Of 0 Or 300 Mg Of Optaflexx® On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Steers Fed To Different Degrees Of Finish, Robert M. Jones, Curtis J. Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Mallorie F. Wilken, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A feedlot study evaluated the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx®) dosage (0 or 300 mg/steer daily) and days on feed (118, 139, 160, 174 DOF) as a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial (steers fed 174 d were not fed Optaflexx) on performance of big yearlings. No interaction was observed between Optaflexx and days on feed. Feeding Optaflexx improved live final BW, carcass- adjusted ADG, carcass- adjusted feed conversion, and calculated yield grade. Increasing days on feed linearly increased live final BW, carcass-adjusted feed conversion, HCW, dressing percent, and marbling score but not ADG. Furthermore, a quadratic increase in LM …

Corn Residue Quality Throughout The Grazing Season, Shelby E. Gardine, Gavin L. Harsh, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, Jana L. Gramkow, Andrea K. Watson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Changes in in vitro organic matter digestibility and digestible organic matter of corn residue were evaluated throughout the fall grazing and spring grazing seasons. In vitro organic matter digestibility and digestible organic matter were greatest at the beginning of fall grazing and declined over time. Slight weathering resulted in lower quality corn residue available at the beginning of spring grazing compared to the beginning of fall grazing. The in vitro organic matter digestibility of available residue declined 21% over the fall grazing season and 51% throughout the spring grazing season. As the availability of nutrients declines over time, adjustments in …

Perceptions Of Crop Consultants And Producers On Grazing Corn Residue In Nebraska, Jordan L. Cox, Kristen M. Ulmer, Manir Rakkar Rakkar, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Humberto Blanco-Canqui, Mary Drewnoski, Jim C. Macdonald, Richard J. Rasby

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A survey was conducted to explore factors influencing corn residue grazing recommendations by crop consultants and producer practices in Nebraska. Approximately 80% of consultants recommended grazing corn residue, while 63% of producers allowed grazing. Of producers who did not graze, about 50% cited concerns related to soil compaction, inconvenience (lack of water, fencing, and land/equipment damage), and lack of access to livestock. Producers who allowed and consultants who recommended grazing were more likely to perceive that grazing residue increased subsequent grain yields. Most consultants (56.0%) and producers (43.8%) reported making decisions in regards to grazing based on their own observation. …

Pooled Gain Analysis Of Steers Grazing Corn Residue And Supplemented With Distillers Grains, Cody A. Welchons, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A pooled analysis combined data from three trials in which steer calves grazing corn residue were supplemented with distillers grains at varying amounts as a percent of BW. A regression equation was calculated in order to provide an accurate estimate of gain for calves fed distillers grains at various rates. Steers supplemented with distillers grains in a range from 0.3 to 1.1% of BW (1.5 to 6.5 lb / steer daily) had estimated gains that ranged from 1.07 to 1.94 lb / d. Th is prediction equation provides an estimate of gain for calves supplemented with distillers grains at various …

Effect Of Feeding Field Peas On Fresh Beef Quality, Hope R. Voegele, Katherine I. Domenech, Emery K. Kunze Kunze, Felipe A. Ribeiro, Karla H. Jenkins, Jim C. Macdonald, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Th is study was conducted over two years to evaluate the use of field peas during two phases of production (grazing and finishing) on overall fresh beef quality. The backgrounding treatments included: no supplement, field peas, or dry- rolled corn and finishing treatments included the presence or absence of field peas. Loin samples (n = 232) were aged for 14 d and placed under retail display conditions for 7 d. Dietary treatments had no effect on tenderness (WBSF or SSF) or visual discoloration and minimal effects on objective color, lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition. These data indicate field peas …

Nutrient Content Of Summer-Planted Oats After Corn Harvest And Grazing Performance, Kristen M. Ulmer, Robert G. Bondurant, Jana L. Gramkow Gramkow, Mary E. Drewnoski, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Annual forages provide producers with an alternative grazing source in the fall. A cover crop grazing study was conducted following corn harvest to evaluate the steer ADG and yield of summer sown oats and turnips planted after either high moisture corn or corn silage production. Th e gain of steers grazing oats aft er silage was 1.29 lb/day, while the gain of steers grazing corn residue and oats aft er high moisture corn was 0.72 lb/day. Average oat forage production aft er silage harvest was 2857 lb/acre, while oat production following corn harvest was 523 lb/ acre. Fall forage production …

Statistics Used In The Nebraska Beef Report And Their Purpose

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The purpose of beef cattle and beef product research at UNL is to provide reference information that represents the various populations (cows, calves, heifers, feeders, carcasses, retail products, etc) of beef production. Obviously, the researcher cannot apply treatments to every member of a population; therefore he/ she must sample the population. The use of statistics allows the researcher and readers of the Nebraska Beef report the opportunity to evaluate separation of random (chance) occurrences and real biological effects of a treatment. Following is a brief description of the major statistics used in the beef report. For a more detailed description …

Effect Of Heifer Development System On Reproduction And Subsequent Gain As A Pregnant Heifer, Shelby A. Springman, Hazy Rae Nielson, Tonya L. Meyer, Mike Kirby, Jim Teichert, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Weaned heifers grazed corn residue, upland range, or were fed 1 of 2 drylot diets differing in energy. Heifer development diets did not impact their resulting AI or final pregnancy rates. Cost per pregnant heifer was similar among treatments. A subset of AI- pregnant heifers was placed in a Calan Broadbent individual feeding system during late gestation. As a pregnant heifer, feed efficiency was not impacted by development system. These results indicate producers may utilize their most readily available and/or cost- effective feed resources with no detriment to pregnancy rates or feed efficiency as first- calf heifers.

Effect Of Three Initial Implant Programs With A Common Terminal Revalor®- 200 On Feedlot Performance And Carcass Traits Of Weaned Steers, Colton R. Oney, Galen E. Erickson, Andrea K. Watson Watson, Marshall N. Streeter, Robert J. Cooper, Bill D. Dicke, D. J. Jordon, Tony L. Scott

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A commercial feedlot study utilizing 1,350 calf- fed steers (initial BW = 623 lb; ±23 lb) compared three initial implant strategies: Revalor®- IS (day 1), Revalor®- IS (day 1) and Revalor®- 200 (day 67), or Revalor®- XS (day 1). Each initial implant strategy was followed by a terminal Revalor®- 200 implant (day 133) to determine effects on performance and carcass traits. No differences in final body weight, intake, gain, or feed conversion were observed on either a live, or carcass adjusted basis. Th ere were also no differences in hot carcass weight, USDA quality grade, or USDA yield grade. Results …

Carcass Gain, Efficiency, And Profitability Of Steers At Extended Days On Feed, Robert G. Bondurant, Jim C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Kate Brooks, Rick N. Funston, Kelly Bruns

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steers were individually fed for 22 and 44 days longer than the industry average marketing point of 0.5” backfat to determine carcass- based gain, efficiency, and deposition changes throughout the feeding period (142, 163, and 184 days on feed). Premiums and discounts for yield grade, quality grade, and overweight carcasses were applied to determine profitability. Feeding steers for 22 and 44 days longer increased carcass weight, quality grade, and yield grade 4 and 5s. Steers fed 44 days longer had increased total revenue and profit per head despite a decrease in live gain and efficiency.

Site And Extent Of Digestion Of Finishing Diets Containing Syngenta Enhanced Feed Corn, Melissa L. Jolly- Breithaupt, Jana L. Harding, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Galen E. Erickson, Matt K. Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Four ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers were utilized to evaluate the effects of Syngenta Enhanced Feed Corn™ containing an alpha amylase enzyme trait (SYT- EFC) compared to the isoline parental control corn without the alpha amylase enzyme trait (Negative Isoline) on site and extent of digestion in finishing diets. Cattle fed SYT- EFC dry rolled corn had numerically greater postruminal starch digestibility, excreted lower fecal starch, and had greater total tract starch digestibility compared to cattle fed Negative Isoline corn. These data would suggest that cattle are able to utilize more starch from corn containing the SYT- EFC trait, which …

Evaluation Of Different Byproduct Combinations Along With Treated Corn Stover On Growing Steer Performance, Kristen M. Ulmer, Curtis J. Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Galen E. Erickson, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study was conducted to determine the effects of maximizing the energy density of treated corn stover through feed component additions. Calves fed 46% brome hay diet with treated corn stover and varying amounts of solubles or glycerin had greater dry matter intake, but lower average daily gain compared to calves fed modified distillers grains. Calcium oxide treated corn stover treatments also had lower feed to gain and ending body weight than control calves fed distillers grains. Displacing protein as solubles or fat as glycerin in a treated corn stover feed did not provide the same feeding value as …

Effect Of Winter Distillers Grains Supplementation Level On Spayed Heifer Performance, Robert G. Bondurant, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, James C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of winter level of supplementation were evaluated using spayed heifers grazing winter corn residue followed by brome grass and native range grazing periods and finished on a common diet. Distillers grains were supplemented during winter corn residue grazing at 3, 5, and 7 lb per heifer daily. Gain during the winter phase increased while summer phase decreased with increasing level of winter supplementation. Th ere were no differences in feedlot performance for either year across treatments. In year 2, HCW increased from 820 to 848 and 855 lb as heifers were supplemented 3, 5, or 7 lb distillers …

Effect Of Crude Glycerin Concentration On Forage Digestion Parameters In Beef Calves, Robert G. Bondurant, Jana L. Harding, Melissa L. Jolly- Breithaupt Breithaupt, James C. Macdonald, Andrea R. Mccain, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Seven ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers were used to evaluate effects of increasing concentrations of crude glycerin on digestion in high forage diets. As glycerin inclusion increased, DM, OM, and NDF intake decreased. Neither DM nor OM digestibility were affected by glycerin inclusion. While dietary NDF digestibility decreased as glycerin increased, glycerin inclusion had no effect on rate or extent of in situ NDF digestibility estimates. As glycerin inclusion increased, propionate and butyrate VFA proportions increased while acetate decreased. Decreases in acetate to propionate ratio with increasing concentrations of crude glycerin may improve F:G in forage- based diets.

Producer Concerns And Perceptions Regarding The Effect Of Methane On Cattle Production And The Environment, Bradley M. Boyd, Amanda Burken, Lisa Franzen- Castle Castle, Karla Jenkins, Richard J. Rasby, Matt K. Luebbe, Rick Stowell, Samodha C. Fernando, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Knowledge of producer concerns and perceptions on methane production from cattle and its impact on the environment is unknown. Therefore, the objectives of this survey were to determine what producers know about methane production by cattle and to determine if different age groups, regions of Nebraska, and production size/ type affects producer opinions on enteric methane production and climate change. Producers felt that methane production has little impact on animal performance but were not very confident in their knowledge. Most producers received information related to animal agriculture from veterinarians; therefore, veterinarians should continue to be a major target for extension …

Effects Of Feeding Omnigen- Af® On Immune Function, Performance, And Carcass Characteristics During The Feeding Period, Joe O. Buntyn, Sara E. Sieren, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, Dirk Burken, Galen E. Erickson, Nicole C. Burdick Sanchez, Jeff A. Carroll, Steven J. Jones, Ty B. Schmidt, Keven C. Dehann, Troy J. Wistuba

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

OmniGen- AF (Phibro Animal Health, Quincy, IL) was fed to steers to evaluate the effects on the metabolic and immune response during an immune challenge, as well as feedlot performance. Th e inclusion of OmniGen- AF for either the first 28 d or the entire feeding period) did not impact feedlot performance or carcass characteristics. However, within a subset of cattle receiving an immune challenge (the endotoxin lipopolysaacharide; LPS), OmniGen- AF supplementation did alter the metabolic and immune profile of steers. These results suggest that feeding of OmniGen- AF may enhance the metabolic and immune response if cattle are challenged …