Meat Science Commons^™

Joint Angles For Feet And Leg Conformation Traits In Second Gestation Sows, Joseph D. Stock, Julia A. Calderón Díaz, Benny Mote, Kenneth J. Stalder

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

This study is a portion from the validation process of an

objective methodology to measure feet and leg joint angles

and to evaluate their relationship with sow longevity. Five

feet and leg conformation traits (knee, hock, front and rear

pasterns and rear stance) that have been described in the

literature as being related with sow longevity were selected

for this study. Profile and rear stance digital images were

obtained from 277 sows during their 2nd gestation (26.7 ±

17.2 days of gestation; range 0 to 87 days). Sows were

obtained from a single gilt population and were moved to

three …

Genetic And Genomic Basis Of Antibody Response To Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome (Prrs) In Gilts And Sows, Nick V. Serão, Robert A. Kemp, Benny Mote, Philip Willson, John C.S. Harding, Stephen C. Bishop, Graham S. Plastow, Jack C.M. Dekkers

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: Our recent research showed that antibody response to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), measured as sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio, is highly heritable and has a high genetic correlation with reproductive performance during a PRRS outbreak. Two major quantitative trait loci (QTL) on Sus scrofa chromosome 7 (SSC7; QTL_MHC and QTL₁₃₀) accounted for ~40 % of the genetic variance for S/P. Objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for PRRS S/P in gilts during acclimation, identify regions associated with S/P, and evaluate the accuracy of genomic prediction of S/P across populations with different prevalences of …

Rumen Bacterial Community Composition In Holstein And Jersey Cows Is Different Under Same Dietary Condition And Is Not Affected By Sampling Method, Henry A. Paz, Christopher L., Makala J. Muller, Paul J. Kononoff, Samodha C. Fernando

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The rumen microbial community in dairy cows plays a critical role in efficient milk production. However, there is a lack of data comparing the composition of the rumen bacterial community of the main dairy breeds. This study utilizes 16S rRNA gene sequencing to describe the rumen bacterial community composition in Holstein and Jersey cows fed the same diet by sampling the rumen microbiota via the rumen cannula (Holstein cows) or esophageal tubing (both Holstein and Jersey cows). After collection of the rumen sample via esophageal tubing, particles attached to the strainer were added to the sample to ensure representative sampling …

Results Of Survey Of Stakeholders Regarding Knowledge Of And Attitudes Towards Feed Intake, Efficiency And Genetic Improvement Concepts, R. L. Weaber, J. E. Kerley, H. C. Freetly, D. J. Garrick, S. L. Hansen, K. A. Johnson, M. S. Kerley, D. D. Loy, E. Marques, H. L. Neibergs, E. J. Pollak, R. D. Schnabel, C. M. Seabury, D. W. Shike, M. L. Spangler, J. F. Taylor

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Individual animal feed efficiency plays a key role in the profitability and sustainability of the US beef industry. During the growing and finishing phase of production, a 10% improvement in feed efficiency has a two-fold greater impact on profit than a 10% increase in rate of gain (Fox et al., 2001). The traits that beef producers routinely record are outputs which determine the value of product sold and not the inputs defining the cost of beef production. The inability to routinely measure feed intake and feed efficiency on large numbers of cattle has precluded the efficient application of selection despite …

Development Of Economic Selection Indices For Beef Cattle Improvement, Kathleen P. Ochsner

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Profitability is the primary goal for most beef cattle producers. The main source of long-term profitability for a beef cattle operation lies in its production efficiency relative to other operations (Harris, 1970). There are numerous approaches to achieve greater efficiency including nutrition, reproduction, management, and genetics. The goal in animal breeding and genetics is to improve animal populations and future generations of animals (Dekkers et al., 2004). Expected progeny differences (EPD) are the traditional genetic tools used to select parents. A drawback to EPD is that they represent genetic merit in only one trait while in reality multiple traits influence …

Genomic Selection For Feed Efficiency Traits, Kashly Rene Schweer

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Feed costs comprise the majority of variable expenses in beef cattle systems making feed efficiency an important economic consideration within the beef industry (Koch et al., 1963; Dickerson et al., 1974). Aside from the direct economic impact of this trait complex at the individual producer level, the projections of global population growth provide extra pressure for efficient beef cattle production as producers try to combat the growing food demand with limited resources (Eggen, 2012). Improved feed efficiency also has an environmental impact through a decreased carbon footprint as more efficient cattle have fewer days to finish, emitting less methane throughout …

National Program For Genetic Improvement Of Feed Efficiency In Beef Cattle, Jerry Taylor, Monty Kerley, Robert Schnabel, Daniel Pomp, Dorian Garrick, Stephanie L. Hansen, Dan Loy, J. R. Tait, Robert Weaber, Chris Seabury, Jon Beever, Dan Faulkner, Dan Shike, Scott Fahrenkrug, Matt Spangler, Tad Sonstegard, Harvey C. Freetly, John Pollak, Kris Johnson, Holly Neibergs

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Our goal is to sustainably reduce feed resources required to produce beef via the rapid development and deployment of novel nutritional, genomic and genetic improvement technologies.

We will strengthen the international competitiveness of US agriculture and enable increased food production by increasing the animal protein produced without additional feed inputs and with a reduced greenhouse gas footprint.

Comparison Of Wet And Dry Distillers Grains Plus Solubles To Corn As An Energy Source In Forage-Based Diets, Nerissa Ann Ahern, Brandon L. Wingeyer, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Andrea K. Watson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Four experiments compared wet or dry distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS or DDGS) to corn as energy sources in forage-based diets. In Exp. 1, 66 individually fed steers (268 kg of initial BW) were fed a 60:40 blend of sorghum silage and alfalfa hay and supplemented at 0, 0.33, 0.67, or 1.0% of BW with either WDGS or DDGS. In Exp. 2, 160 steers (286 kg of initial BW) were fed 25% WDGS or 33.6% dry rolled corn (DRC) in 35% sorghum silage and grass hay diets (DM basis). In Exp. 3, 60 individually fed steers (231 kg of initial …

Vegfa Splicing: Divergent Isoforms Regulate Spermatogonial Stem Cell Maintenance, Kevin M. Sargent, Debra T. Rozell, Ningxia Lu, William E. Pohlmeier, Andrea S. Cupp

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Despite being well-known for regulating angiogenesis in both normal and tumorigenic environments, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) has been recently implicated in male fertility, namely in the maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells (SSC). The VEGFA gene can be spliced into multiple distinct isoforms that are either angiogenic or antiangiogenic in nature. Although studies have demonstrated the alternative splicing of VEGFA, including the divergent roles of the two isoform family types, many investigations do not differentiate between them. Data concerning VEGFA in the mammalian testis are limited, but the various angiogenic isoforms appear to promote seminiferous cord formation and to …

Genome To Phenome: Improving Animal Health, Production, And Well-Being – A New Usda Blueprint For Animal Genome Research 2018–2027, Caird Rexroad, Jeffrey Vallet, Lakshmi Kumar Matukumalli, James Reecy, Derek Bickhart, Harvey Blackburn, Mark Boggess, Hans Cheng, Archie Clutter, Noelle Cockett, Catherine Ernst, Janet E. Fulton, John Liu, Joan Lunney, Holly Neibergs, Catherine Purcell, Timothy P. L. Smith, Tad Sonstegard, Jerry Taylor, Bhanu Telugu, Alison Van Eenennaam, Curtis P. Van Tassell, Kevin Wells

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

In 2008, a consortium led by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) published the “Blueprint for USDA Efforts in Agricultural Animal Genomics 2008–2017,” which served as a guiding document for research and funding in animal genomics. In the decade that followed, many of the goals set forth in the blueprint were accomplished. However, several other goals require further research. In addition, new topics not covered in the original blueprint, which are the result of emerging technologies, require exploration. To develop a new, updated blueprint, ARS and NIFA, along with scientists in the …

The Role Of Direct-Fed Microbials In Conventional Livestock Production, Joe O. Buntyn, Ty Schmidt, David J. Nisbet, Todd R. Callaway

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Supplementation of direct-fed microbials (DFM) as a means to improve the health and performance of livestock has generated significant interest over the past 15+ years. A driving force for this increased interest in DFM is to reduce or eliminate the use of low-dose antibiotics in livestock production. This increased attention toward DFM supplementation has generated an extensive body of research. This effort has resulted in conflicting reports. Although there has been considerable variation in the design of these studies, one of the main causes for this lack of consistency may be attributed to the variation in the experimental immune challenge …

Determination Of Yolk Contamination In Liquid Egg White Using Raman Spectroscopy, K. Cluff, G. Konda Naganathan, D. Jonnalagada, I. Mortensen, R. Wehling, Jeyamkondan Subbiah

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Purified egg white is an important ingredient in a number of baked and confectionary foods because of its foaming properties. However, yolk contamination in amounts as low as 0.01% can impede the foaming ability of egg white. In this study, we used Raman spectroscopy to evaluate the hypothesis that yolk contamination in egg white could be detected based on its molecular optical properties. Yolk contaminated egg white samples (n = 115) with contamination levels ranging from 0% to 0.25% (on weight basis) were prepared. The samples were excited with a 785 nm laser and Raman spectra from 250 to 3,200 …

The Effect Of Copper And Zinc Source On Pre-Weaning Performance Of Cows, Health And Performance Of Suckling Calves, And Post-Weaning Feedlot Performance, Carcass Composition, And Meat Quality Of Calves, Jesse Fulton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During gestation an elevated level of nutrient intake is required by the cow in order to meet the requirements of the maturing fetus and if these requirements are not met, changes in fetal development can occur. However, little is understood about the effects of gestational manipulation of specific nutrients, such as minerals, on progeny growth, performance and carcass traits. Previous research supports the hypothesis that minerals provided in an organic form should be more soluble and readily available to the body for absorption. Therefore the objectives of this study were to determine if source of gestational and post-natal Cu and …

Metabolic And Body Temperature Responses To Environmental Conditions Across Seasons In Finishing Steers, Bradley M. Boyd, Terry L. Mader, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, Dirk Burken, Henry Hilscher, Gene Wijffels, John B. Gaughan, Megan Sullivan, Judy Cawdell- Smith, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two trials (summer and winter) were conducted with 80 steers each at the UNL ARDC near Mead, Neb. Continuous body temperature was collected throughout both trials and blood samples were taken every other week until four weeks prior to harvest. Th is resulted in a total of 6 collections for the summer and 8 collections for the winter. Blood measures responded differently between seasons with significant quadratic interactions between collection time and season suggesting environmental conditions affect blood metabolites.

Effects Of Shade And Feeding Zilpaterol Hydrochloride To Finishing Steers On Performance, Carcass Quality, Heat Stress, Mobility, And Body Temperature, Bradley M. Boyd, Steven D. Shackelford, Kristin E. Hales Hales, Tami M. Brown- Brandl, Meredith L. Bremer, Matthew L. Spangler, Tommy L. Wheeler, David A. King, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study evaluated the effects of shade and feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on performance, carcass quality, mobility, and body temperature. No effect on body temperature, or performance was observed for shaded cattle versus cattle in open pens. Feeding ZH increased HCW, LM area and decreased yield grade. Zilpaterol hydrochloride increased respiration rate but did not significantly affect body temperature or mobility. Across all treatments mobility decreased with time, therefore, cattle were least mobile at the time of harvest.

Feeding Vitamin E May Reverse Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Instability Caused By Feeding Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles To Cattle, Michael D. Chao, Katherine I. Domenech, Chris R. Calkins Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steers were finished on either 0% or 30% wet distillers grains plus solubles with four antioxidant treatments (control; vitamin E; Agrado; vitamin E + Agrado). Feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles increased polyunsaturated fatty acids contents in SR membrane and altered sarcoplasmic reticulum phospholipid profiles. Steaks from steers fed wet distillers grains plus solubles also had more protein degradation. Supplementing vitamin E reversed the alteration of sarcoplasmic reticulum phospholipid profiles and prevented the accelerated protein degradation resulted from feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles. These findings suggest that feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles in the finishing diet may accelerate …

Granulosa Cell Exposure To Excess Androgens Inhibits Their Ability To Proliferate In The Cow Which May Cause Or Perpetuate Androgen Excess, Andrea S. Cupp, Sarah Romereim, Adam F. Summers Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Renee M. Mcfee, Renata Spuri- Gomes, Scott G. Kurz, Anthony K. Mcneel, Robert A. Cushman, John S. Davis, Jennifer R. Wood

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Within the UNL physiology herd, a group of cows have been identified with excess androgen (androstenedione, A4) in their dominant follicle (30 fold higher than controls) and a 17% reduction in calving rate, suggesting subfertility. Th e objective was to identify altered granulosa cell gene expression that could be preventing these cells from converting excess androgen into estrogen. Microarray analysis suggests these granulosa cells experience inhibited proliferation resulting in a reduced total population of cells. Improved understanding of the causes of this phenotype may provide beef producers with tools to identify potentially subfertile cattle and improve reproductive efficiency.

Effect Of Dam Age On Offspring Productivity, Aline G. Da Silva, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, John Nollette Nollette, Andy Applegarth, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Records collected from 1997 to 2014 were analyzed to evaluate the effects of dam age on off spring productivity. Steer calves born from young mothers (2 and 3 yr old dams) had lighter carcasses with more carcasses grading Choice and upper 2/3 Choice. Th e calving performance and reproductive performance in the second breeding season for heifer calves born from first calving dams were the lowest compared with heifers born from multiparous dams. A quadratic effect of dam age on off spring performance was observed; as dam age increased, off spring performance increased, until dam age reached 7 to 8 …

Impact Of Supplementing Cattle With Omnigen- Af At The Receiving Or Finishing Phase On Beef Shelf- Life, Katherine I. Domenech, Michael D. Chao, Joe Buntyn Buntyn, Ty B. Schmidt, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A patented proprietary product, OmniGen- AF, was evaluated to extend beef steak shelf- life at 8, 22 and 29 days of aging. Th e three treatment groups included a control group with no supplementation, OmniGen- AF supplementation for28 d aft er receiving, and supplementation for 210 d during finishing. Th e inclusion of OmniGen- AF had no effect on tenderness or visual discoloration under retail display conditions and minimal effects on fatty acid composition. Although color stability seemed to be unaffected by the supplementation, feeding OmniGen- AF throughout the entire feeding period tended to decrease oxidation. Supplementing cattle with a …

Effects Of Replacing A Traditional Growing Diet With A Complete Pelleted Feed On Total Tract Digestibility Of Growing Diets, Jana L. Harding, Melissa L. Jolly, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion study evaluated the effects of replacing traditional growing diets containing 60% untreated corn stover \or 60% alkaline treated corn stover, with one of two types of complete pelleted feeds (Pellet C or Pellet S) containing alkaline treated corn stover and dry distillers grains. Pellet C and S were harvested using different methods. Pellet S had the greatest OM and NDF digestibility, while the untreated stover had the lowest. Pellet C and the treated stover fell intermediate. Replacing a traditional growing diet with a complete pelleted feed resulted in similar or improved diet digestibility, depending on stover harvesting method.

Evaluating Syngenta Enhanced Feed Corn On Finishing Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Marie E. Harris, Melissa L. Jolly- Breithaupt, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Dirk Burken, Galen E. Erickson, Ivan G. Rush, Matt K. Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two experiments were conducted to compare Syngenta Enhanced Feed Corn™ containing an alpha amylase enzyme trait (SYT- EFC) with commercially available corn grain without the alpha amylase enzyme trait (Conventional) for cattle performance and carcass characteristics at 2 locations. In Exp. 1, steers were fed SYT- EFC or Conventional corn with or without the addition of 25% Sweet Bran, or a BLEND (Conventional and SYT- EFC) without Sweet Bran. In Exp. 2, steers were fed SYT- EFC, Conventional, BLEND, or Conventional with an alpha amylase enzyme supplement (NZ). In Exp. 1, feed conversion improved 8.5% for SYT- EFC compared with …

Effect Of Harvest Method On Residue Quality, Tasha M. King, Robert G. Bondurant, Jana L. Harding Harding, Jim C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study was conducted to evaluate the effect of residue quality due to harvest method and inclusion of supplemental rumen undegradable protein on performance of growing steers. The residue harvested with an alternative method to minimize stem increased gain and improved efficiency compared to conventionally harvested corn residue. Inclusion of rumen undegradable protein increased gain and improved feed effi ciency compared to diets without supplemental rumen undegradable protein.

Finishing Yearling Heifers Using Self- Fed Dried Distillers Grains On Pasture, Jared M. Mracek, Jason M. Warner, Bradley R. Wetovick Wetovick, Dennis E. Bauer, Twig T. Marston, Jim C. Macdonald, Jerry D. Volesky, Richard J. Rasby

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 2- yr study compared a traditional system of grazing yearlings followed by a grain- based drylot finishing program to a system using a self- fed dried distillers grain supplement during a spring/summer/fall pasture grazing season. Th e self- fed (SF) heifers had greater ADG and ending BW on pasture but the traditionally managed heifers had greater final BW and HCW. At harvest, SF heifers had greater 12th rib back fat. When data were adjusted to a common empty body fat, carcass weight and marbling score were greater for traditionally managed heifers.

Effect Of Safeguard® On Fecal Egg Count And Steer Performance In Newly Received Calves, Antonio J. Neto, Curtis J. Bittner, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of Safeguard® on fecal egg count (FEC) and performance of newly received calves in the feedlot were evaluated. Treatments were Safeguard® and Dectomax® injectable or only Dectomax® injectable. Th e basal diet consisted of 30% dry- rolled corn, 36% Sweet Bran® Cargill, 30% alfalfa hay, and 4% supplement. Th ere were no diff erences in DMI, ADG, F:G, and initial FEC between treatments. However, FEC on d 19 was lower for animals receiving Safeguard® and Dectomax® compared to Dectomax®. Th e combination of Safeguard® and Dectomax ® reduced FEC to very low amounts of newly received calves in …

How Many Clean-Up Bulls Are Needed Aft Er Estrus Synchronization And Artificial Insemination?, Hazy R. Nielson, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

To evaluate the ideal number of bulls to use following estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI), research reporting AI and final pregnancy rates and bull to female ratio in Bos taurus cattle was reviewed and summarized. Pregnancy rate means were weighted based on the number of females in each study. Final pregnancy rates for a normal bull to female ratio (1:20 to 30) in a natural service setting were 87.8%. In comparison, final pregnancy rates following estrus synchronization and AI for a normal, intermediate (1:31 to 49), and half the number of bulls (1:50 to 60) were 87.8, 82.6, and …

Effect Of Feeding De-Oiled Dry Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Beef Oxidation, Color And Tenderness, Keni E.Z. Nubiato, Katherine I. Domenech, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle fed a de-oiled dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) diet (50% DM basis) were compared to cattle fed a corn- based control diet to determine effects on discoloration, oxidation, color, and tenderness of beef aged for 2, 8, 14 and 21 days. Dietary treatment had no effect on tenderness. From the fourth day of retail display, beef from animals fed de-oiled DDGS had greater lipid oxidation and greater percentages of discoloration. Th e de-oiled DDGS treatment also showed greater discoloration aft er 21 days of aging. While feeding de-oiled DDGS did not impact lipid oxidation at 2, 8 and …

Effects Of Direct- Fed Microbial Supplementation In Different Diets On Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Beef Feedlot Heifers, Laura F. Prados, Nirosh D. Aluthge, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher, Samodha C. Fernando, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and carcass characteristics of heifers fed a newly developed direct- fed microbial (DFM), using 336 heifers in a pen study. Th e experiment consisted of feeding corn (CON) or 40% modified distillers grains plus solubles (40MDGS) and presence or absence of DFM added as a top- dress. No significant differences were observed for heifer performance and carcass characteristics due to DFM. Feeding MDGS increased ADG, while reducing F:G compared to CON. The DFM developed for this study did not enhance performance as was hypothesized, while feeding MDGS did.

Observations Of Forage Quality And Calf Gain When Grazing Double Cropped Forage Following Wheat Harvest, Kristen M. Ulmer, Robert G. Bondurant, Jana L. Harding Harding, Gary Lesoing, M. E. Drewnoski, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 2- year cover crop grazing study was conducted following wheat harvest to evaluate the quality and yield of a 5- way forage annual forage mix in addition to cattle performance. In 2013, gain of steer calves was 2.03 lb/day, while 2014 steer calves had gain of 1.55 lb/day. Above ground forage production was 1.08 and 1.72 tons/acre in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Daikon radish and purple top turnip (brassicas) were high in sulfur and low in fiber. Fall forage production of brassica and oat based mixes following wheat grain harvest provide 97 to 137 lb of gain per acre.

Effect Of Pelleted Feed Products And Bambermycins On Performance When Fed To Cattle Grazing Residue, Cody A. Welchons, Robert G. Bondurant, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Jim C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Cody A. Nichols

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steer calves grazing non- irrigated corn residue were supplemented with a corn residue and by- product pellet at 0.3, 0.7, or 1.1% of BW. Th e, pellet was formulated to deliver either 0 or 10 mg/steer daily of bambermycins (Gainpro). Th ere was no interaction between bambermycins inclusion and level of supplementation. Likewise, there was no effect of bambermycins on ending BW or ADG. As level of supplement increased, both ending BW and ADG increased linearly.