Meat Science Commons^™

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 …

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.

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 …

The Color And Consistency Of Steaks And Ground Beef Produced From Mature Bulls, Jace Joseph Hollenbeck

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Two experiments were conducted to compare the color and cooked attributes of steaks and ground beef produced from mature bulls. Beef from mature bulls was used to test the effects of lactic acid (LA) enhancement solution pH (2.5, 3.0, or 3.5; B25, B30, B35, respectively) on fresh (5 d of display) and cooked color and tenderness of strip loin steaks (Exp. 1) and the effect of high pH trim on precooked ground beef patties (Exp. 2). In experiment 1, mature bull strip steaks were enhanced to 111% with a LA, sodium bicarbonate, and tap water solution, in comparison to USDA …

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 …

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 …

Nitrogen Input Effects On Herbage Accumulation And Presence Of Pasture Plant Species, John A. Guretzky, Walter Schacht, Laura Snell, Jonathan Soper, Stephanie Moore, Andrea Watson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Long-term responses of pasture plant species to management strategies that vary amount and form of N inputs form a knowledge gap. Our objective was to determine how supplementation of grazing beef cattle (Bos taurus) with corn (Zea mays L.) dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) in unfertilized pasture (SUPP) affects annual herbage accumulation and presence of plant species and functional groups relative to unsupplemented beef cattle on unfertilized (CONT) and N-fertilized (FERT) smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) pasture. We addressed this objective in the sixth (2010) and seventh (2011) years of a long-term experiment in eastern …

Characterization Of Three Chlorella Sorokiniana Strains In Anaerobic Digested Effluent From Cattle Manure, Naoko Kobayashi, Eric A. Schacht, Austin Barnes, Andrea K. Watson, Julian N. Rosenberg, Galen Erickson, George A. Oyler

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Chlorella sorokiniana CS-01, UTEX 1230 and UTEX 2714 were maintained in 10% anaerobic digester effluent (ADE) from cattle manure digestion and compared with algal cultivation in Bold’s Basal Medium (BBM). Biomass of CS-01 and UTEX 1230 in ADE produced similar or greater than 280 mg/L after 21 days in BBM, however, UTEX 2714 growth in ADE was suppressed by more than 50% demonstrating a significant species bias to synthetic compared to organic waste-based media. The highest accumulation of protein and starch was exhibited in UTEX 1230 in ADE yielding 34% and 23% ash free dry weight (AFDW), respectively, though fatty …

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 …

Comparison Of Molecular Breeding Values Based On Within- And Across-Breed Training In Beef Cattle, Stephen D. Kachman, Matthew L. Spangler, Gary L. Bennett, Kathryn J. Hanford, Larry Kuehn, Warren M. Snelling, R. M. Thallman, Mahdi Saatchi, Dorian J. Garrick, R. D. Schnabel, Jeremy F. Taylor, E. John Pollak

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: Although the efficacy of genomic predictors based on within-breed training looks promising, it is necessary to develop and evaluate across-breed predictors for the technology to be fully applied in the beef industry. The efficacies of genomic predictors trained in one breed and utilized to predict genetic merit in differing breeds based on simulation studies have been reported, as have the efficacies of predictors trained using data from multiple breeds to predict the genetic merit of purebreds. However, comparable studies using beef cattle field data have not been reported.

Methods: Molecular breeding values for weaning and yearling weight …

Genetic Evaluation Of Days To Harvest In Crossbred Lambs, R. M. Lewis, G. C. Marquez, M. H. Davies, D. R. Notter, Rainer Roehe, L. Bünger, G. Simm

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Days to harvest (DTH) is the number of days a lamb is fed before reaching a target level of fatness. Although economically relevant, this trait has not been thoroughly evaluated in sheep. Most lambs harvested in the United Kingdom are crossbreds sired by purebred terminal sires, with Charollais, Suffolk, and Texel most commonly used. Sires from these breeds were selected on an index designed to increase lean growth while constraining fat. The purpose of this research was to 1) evaluate the effects of index selection in terminal sires on DTH and 2) evaluate the feasibility of incorporating DTH into genetic …

Review: Life-Cycle, Total-Industry Genetic Improvement Of Feed Efficiency In Beef Cattle: Blueprint For The Beef Improvement Federation, Merlyn K. Nielsen, M. D. Macneil, J. C. M. Dekkers, D. H. Crews Jr., T. A. Rathje, R. Mark Enns, R. L. Weaber

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

On a life-cycle basis, beef animals are able to consume large amounts of low-cost, low-quality forages relative to higher-cost concentrates compared with pigs and chickens. However, of the 3, beef is still more expensive to produce on a cost–per–edible pound basis. Accordingly, there is need for genetic programs and management changes that will improve efficiency, sustainability, and profitability of beef production. Options include improving reproductive rate, reducing feed used for maintenance, or both, while not reducing output. A goal for improving efficiency of feed utilization is to reduce the amount or proportion of feed used for maintenance. Such reduction is …

Effect Of Rate Of Body Weight Gain In Steers During The Stocker Phase. I. Growth, Partitioning Of Fat Among Depots, And Carcass Characteristics Of Growing-Finishing Beef Cattle, E. D. Sharman, P. A. Johnson, C. P. Mcmurphy, A. J. Garmyn, B. J. Pye, G. G. Mafi, C. L. Goad, W. A. Phillips, J. D. Starkey, C. R. Krehbiel, G. W. Horn

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of growth rate to similar age or BW on fat deposition in stocker cattle grazing dormant native range (DNR) or winter wheat pasture (WP). In each experiment, fall-weaned Angus steers were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 stocker production programs: 1) control, 1.02 kg/d of a 40% CP cottonseed mealbased supplement during grazing of DNR (CON); 2) corn/soybean meal-based supplement fed at 1% of BW during grazing of DNR (CORN); 3) grazing WP at a high stocking rate to achieve a low rate of BW gain (LGWP); and 4) grazing WP at …

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 …

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.

Range Beef Cow Symposium Xxiii: Program & Brochure

Range Beef Cow Symposium

Registration Information

Lodging Information

General Information

Bull Pen Sessions

Commercial Booth Displays

Advance Registration

Program: Tuesday, December 3 -- Thursday, December 5

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 Beef Heifer Development System On Adg, Reproduction, And Feed Efficiency During First Pregnancy, Adam F. Summers, T. L. Meyer, Stetson P. Weber Weber, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study evaluated the effect of post-weaning development system on heifer ADG, reproductive performance, and subsequent feed efficiency as a pregnant heifer. Heifers were developed on dormant pasture and grazed corn residue or dormant pasture and placed in a drylot. The following winter, a subset of pregnant heifers were placed in a Calan Broadbent individual feeding system during late gestation. Drylot-developed heifers had greater BW from pre-breeding through pregnancy diagnosis and greater overall ADG during development. However, there was no difference in reproductive performance. Pre-calving BW, ADG, and G:F tended to be greater for drylot heifers. Heifers developed on corn …

Hormonal Residues In Feedlot Pens And Runoff, Terry L. Mader, Leslie J. Johnson, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt Hunt, Daniel D. Snow, William L. Kranz, Charles A. Shapiro, Simon Van Donk, David P. Shelton, David Tarkalson, Tian Zhang

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two identically designed trials were conducted in separate years at the University of Nebraska Haskell Agricultural Laboratory, Concord, Neb., using 192 crossbred heifers (96/trial). Within a trial, heifers were assigned randomly to 2 groups (3 pens/group): 1) treatment (TRT) animals were administered synthetic hormones via subcutaneous implants (Ralgro and Revalor-H) and fed Melengesterol Acetate (MGA), or 2) control (CON) animals with no synthetic hormone provided.

Gains and feed conversions were 18.8 and 7.5% better, respectively, for TRT, while CON had 16.7% greater choice and prime carcasses. In runoff samples, progesterone was greater for CON. With the exception of androsterone, average …

Effect Of Development System On Heifer Performance And Primiparous Heifer Grazing Behavior, Adam F. Summers, T. L. Meyer, Jacqueline Musgrave Musgrave, Stetson P. Weber, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effect of heifer development system on primiparous heifer performance grazing corn residue during late gestation was investigated. Weaned heifers grazing corn residue tended to have reduced final BW after corn residue grazing compared to heifers grazing winter range. However reproductive performance for the two treatments was similar. When grazing corn residue as pregnant heifers during late gestation, heifers developed on corn residue had improved ADG compared to drylot-developed heifers and tended to have increased ADG compared to winter range-developed heifers. Adaptation to corn residue grazing as a developing heifer improves primiparous heifer performance grazing corn residue during late gestation.

Applying Corn Condensed Distillers Solubles To Hay Windrows Prior To Baling: Ii. Effects On Growing Cattle Performance, Jason M. Warner, Cody J. Schneider, Richard J. Rasby Rasby, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Mark Dragastin

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two experiments evaluated the feeding value of grass hay bales previously treated with CCDS in growing cattle diets. In Experiment 1, heifers fed bales treated with 20% CCDS (DM) gained less than those fed an equal level of dried distillers grains plus solubles and nontreated hay. In Experiment 2, ADG and F:G linearly improved with increasing CCDS levels. Furthermore, supplementing cattle to meet metabolizable protein requirements when fed diets of CCDS and hay did not improve ADG at levels greater than 15% CCDS. Data indicate hay bales previously treated with CCDS are adequate for use in growing diets, confirming that …

Field Peas As A Binder For Dried Distillers Grains-Based Range Cubes, Alex H. Titlow, Jacob A. Hansen, Matt K. Luebbe Luebbe, Karla Jenkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A grazing study was conducted to determineif field peas are a good naturalbinder for dried distillers grains-based range cubes. Cattle supplemented dried distillers grains in the bunk or a 25% field pea/75% distillers grains cube fed on the ground gained similarly and outgained cattle supplemented dried distillers on the ground. A 25.6% loss of the distillers grains fed loose on the ground was estimated. The similar performance of cattle fed distillers grains in the bunk and those fed pea/distillers cube on the ground suggests field peas reduced distillers grains loss and therefore are an acceptable binder for distillers grains based …

Economic Analysis Update: Supplementing Distillers Grains To Grazing Yearling Steers, Stephanie K. Moore, Andrea K. Watson, Terry Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Walter H. Schacht

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A seven-year study from 2005-2011 was conducted to evaluate four grazing management strategies for backgrounding yearling steers on smooth bromegrass pastures. Economic budgets were used to calculate profit differences with current (April 2012) market prices. Overall, cattle receiving supplement had greater net returns, lower cost of gain, and lower breakeven prices. In recent years fertilizer prices have increased at a greater rate than land costs in Nebraska, making it more economical to use a lower stocking rate instead of fertilizing pastures. As land prices increase, the incentive to use either N fertilizer or DDGS supplementation increases.

Corn Residue Removal Effects On Subsequent Yield, Brian J. Wienhold, Gary E. Varvel, Virginia L. Jin Jin, Rob B. Mitchell, Kenneth P. Vogel

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Corn residue is used for forage and feed, but residue removal effects on soil properties and yield is a concern. Residue removal effects on corn yields and soil organic carbon is site specific. Removing 50% of the residue from rain fed sites reduced corn yield by 1.9 bu/ac, whereas removing 40% of the residue from irrigated sites increased corn yield by 15.4 bu/ac. However, removing 53% of the residue increased soil erosion by 30%. Agronomic practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, or manure may offset residue removal impacts. Residue removal should be based on site-specific characteristics and management, but …

Evaluation Of A New Chemistry For Rangeland Grasshopper Control, Jeffrey Bradshaw, Karla Jenkins, Sean Doyle Whipple Whipple, Rick Patrick

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A grasshopper control study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a new class of systemic chemical. The new pesticide Prevathon^® (high and low levels) was compared to Coragen^®, Dimilin^®, and a nontreated check. Grasshoppers were numerically reduced the most by Coragen and Prevathon, though not significant. The highest level of Prevathon did not numerically impact beneficial insects in general. Biomass and forage quality were not significantly impacted by chemical treatment. However, forage biomass was numericallygreatest for the highest level of Prevathon. Prevathon appears to be an acceptable systemic pesticide for grasshopper control with minimal …

Replacing Steam-Flaked Corn And Dry Rolled Corn With Condensed Distillers Solubles In Finishing Diets, Alex H. Titlow, Adam L. Shreck, Stephanie A. Furman Furman, Karla Jenkins, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The interaction between corn processing method and condensed distillers solubles (CDS) was evaluated using either steam-flaked corn (SFC) or dry rolled corn (DRC). As CDS replaced corn at either 15 or 30% of the diet DM, DMI intake decreased quadratically for both SFC and DRC. Within DRC- based diets, ADG increased quadratically with 15% CDS being greatest and F:G improved quadratically with 30% inclusion being best. When SFC was used as the grain source, ADG increased linearly and F:G improved quadratically with increasing levels of CDS. A greater performance response was observed with SFC compared to DRC when feeding increased …

Effects Of Feeding 44 G/Ton Rumensin® During Grain Adaptation On Animal Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Cody J. Schneider, Matt K. Luebbe, Karla Jenkins Jenkins, Stephanie A. Furman, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle were adapted to a finishing diet over 20 days while feeding 33 or 44 g/ton (DM) of Rumensin. Following grain adaptation, all cattle were fed a common finishing diet containing 33 g/ton Rumensin for the remainder of the feeding period. Feeding 44 g/ton of Rumensin during the adaptation period did not affect performance during the adaptation period or over the entire feeding period when compared to the 33 g/ton adaptation level.