Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Genetic Parameter Estimates And Breed Effects For Calving Difficulty And Birth Weight In A Multi-Breed Population, Cashley Ahlberg

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

There are multiple breeds of beef cattle available to utilize in breeding systems to maximize production and economics. Calving difficulty (dystocia) is a significant cost to beef production and is more prevalent in first-calf heifers. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and breed differences for calving difficulty and birth weight as a first step towards the development of across-breed adjustment factors for calving difficulty.

Two models were employed to analyze birth weight (BWT) and calving difficulty (CD) recorded on 4,579 first parity females from the Germplasm Evaluation program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC). …

Glucose Significantly Enhances Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli Adherence To Intestinal Epithelial Cells Through Its Effects On Heat-Labile Enterotoxin Production, Prageeth Wijemanne, Rodney A. Moxley

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The present study tested whether exposure of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) to glucose at different concentrations in the media results in increased bacterial adherence to host cells through increased heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) production, thereby suggesting the effects are physiological. Porcine-origin ETEC strains grown in Casamino acid yeast extract medium containing different concentrations of glucose were washed and inoculated onto IPEC-J2 porcine intestinal epithelial cells to test for effects on adherence and host cell cAMP concentrations. Consistent with previous studies, all LT+ strains had higher ETEC adherence to IPEC-J2 cells than did LT2 strains. Adherence of the LT2 but not the …

Genetics Of The Pig Tapeworm In Madagascar Reveal A History Of Human Dispersal And Colonization, Tetsuya Yanagida, Jean-François Carod, Yasuhito Sako, Minoru Nakao, Eric P. Hoberg, Akira Ito

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty and Staff Publications

An intricate history of human dispersal and geographic colonization has strongly affected the distribution of human pathogens. The pig tapeworm Taenia solium occurs throughout the world as the causative agent of cysticercosis, one of the most serious neglected tropical diseases. Discrete genetic lineages of T. solium in Asia and Africa/Latin America are geographically disjunct; only in Madagascar are they sympatric. Linguistic, archaeological and genetic evidence has indicated that the people in Madagascar have mixed ancestry from Island Southeast Asia and East Africa. Hence, anthropogenic introduction of the tapeworm from Southeast Asia and Africa had been postulated. This study shows that …

Nebraska Bqa: Antibiotic Use Guidelines, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen have demonstrated a commitment to animal health through vaccination programs developed carefully in cooperation with their veterinarian. When animals must be treated with an antibiotic after disease diagnosis, producers need to follow important antibiotic use guidelines established through the National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program.

Nebraska Bqa: Effective Cattle Handling, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen know the importance of proper cattle handling and its effect on animal health and performance. Beef Quality Assurance has been implementing effective cattle handling (low-stress) into educational programs since its establishment in the 1980s.

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.

Nebraska Bqa: Handling Compromised Animals, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattle producers have long recognized the need of proper husbandry and stewardship for the animals entrusted into their care. Best livestock production practices, based on research and sound science, help ensure the well-being, animal health and productivity of cattle.

Calf Branding/Processing Time And Beef Quality Assurance, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

It is spring and that means branding time across cattle country. As producers are finishing calving season and preparing for branding/processing, it is important to review Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines. Let's take a minute to look at the key BQA principles:

Audits And Assessments In Beef Cattle Production, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Assessments and audits are becoming a part of doing business in beef cattle production, as we are seeing beef processors implementing third-party audits. Since beginning as the Nebraska Director of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) in July, I have been studying and gathering information on the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Assessment Guides and third-party audits in the beef industry.

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance: Focused On The Safety, Wholesomeness And Quality Of Beef

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Across the nation, beef producers face the challenge of making a living from the land, while producing safe, wholesome beef. Beef that will provide a great eating experience each and every time for American and International consumers.

Evaluation Of Genomic Predictors For Red Angus Cattle, Stephen D. Kachman, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Purebred Red Angus genotypes, via the Ilumina BovineSNP50 assay, and expected progeny differences (EPD) were used to evaluate the accuracy of genomic predictors for traits that are currently reportedthrough the American Red AngusAssociations’ National Cattle Evaluation. Two genomic predictors were evaluated, one derived using prediction equations from the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium and the other from Zoetis.

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 Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Supplementation On Grazing Cattle Performance, Tyler L. Hasenauer, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Cody J. Schneider, Dirk B. Burken

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Yearlings rotationally grazing smooth bromegrass were individually supplemented modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) at .05, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8% BW. Gain increased quadratically as MDGS level increased. Maximal ADG (2.95 lb/d) was predicted when supplementing level of 0.48% of BW. Economic analysis compared 0, 2, and 5 lb (DM) MDGS supplementation. When cattle ownership was retained through the feeding period, MDGS supplementation was profitable. Supplementation at 2 lb (DM) was more profitable than 5 lb (DM) when MDGS is above $265.63/ton (DM) or 85% the price of $7.50 /bu corn.

Effect Of Winter Supplementation Level On Yearling System Profit Across Economic Scenarios, Kari L. Gillespie, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Calves backgrounded in a forage–based, yearling system at a greater ADG maintained a performance advantage through finishing. High-level supplemented cattle gained an additional 0.18 lb daily during finishing and produced an additional 81 lb of saleable live weight compared to cattle backgrounded at a low-supplementation level. Across four economic scenarios with varying corn and distillers prices, high-level supplemented cattle returned $55.54 more than cattle fed a low level of supplementation during the winter backgrounding phase. Corn price would have to exceed $11.70/bu for high supplementation level to no longer be profitable.

Replacement Of Grazed Forage And Animal Performance When Distillers Grains Are Fed In A Bunk Or On The Ground On Summer Range, Kari L. Gillespie, L. Aaron Stalker, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Jerry D. Volesky, Jacki A. Musgrave

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Forage savings and supplement loss caused by feeding on the ground were estimated when spayed yearling heiferswere fed modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS) while grazing Sandhills summer range. Across two years, heifers fed 0.6% BW MDGS had 1.39 lb greater ADG and consumed approximately 17% less forage than non-supplemented heifers. Calculated loss of MDGS when fed on the ground was 5.6%. Supplementing MDGS decreased forage consumption approximately 17% and increased summer gains.

Effects Of Forage Quality, Mdgs, And Monensin On Performance, Methane Concentration, And Ruminal Fermentation Of Growing Cattle, Anna C. Pesta, Andrea K. Watson, Samodha Fernando Fernando, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study was conducted to evaluate a novel method for measuring methane concentration by feedlot cattle, and to determine the effects of forage quality, inclusion of modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS), and presence or absence of monensin on performance, methane concentration, and rumen fermentation characteristics. Performance was improved by use of high-quality forage and MDGS, while response to monensin was variable across basal diet type. Response of methane concentration and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile due to diet was variable and subject to multiple interactions, reflecting the complexity of the microbial processes involved within the rumen.

Effects Of Winter Supplementation On Cow Performance And Post-Weaning Management On Steer And Heifer Progeny In A Late Spring Calving System, John D. Harms, Rick N. Funston, L. Aaron Stalker Stalker, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, Andrew F. Applegarth, Adam F. Summers

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of winter supplementation while grazing dormant Sandhills winter range or meadow on cow performance and the effects of post-weaning management on steer and heifer progeny. Winter treatment had no effect on cow BCS or BW at precalving, prebreeding, and weaning. Steers and heifers fed hay gained more BW during winter treatment compared to those grazing meadow, but post-weaning management had no subsequent effects on steer or heifer progeny.

Effects Of Increasing Inclusion Of Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles With And Without Oil Extraction On Finishing Performance, Melissa L. Jolly, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Dirk Burken Burken, Cody J. Schneider, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to assess the effects of feeding increasing amounts of wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) with and without corn oil removal. Oil removal and WDGS inclusion did not interact. Compared to normal oil, de-oiled WDGS did not impact ADG, F:G, or carcass characteristics. Increasing inclusion of WDGS decreasedDMI and F:G linearly, with no change in ADG. Regardless of inclusion, oil removal via centrifugation had little impact on finishing cattle performance.

Optimum Inclusion Of Alkaline-Treated Cornstalks And Distillers Grains Fed To Calf-Fed Steers, Sarah J. Peterson, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider Schneider, Dirk B. Burken, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study evaluated the effects of adding 10, 20 or 30% CaO treated cornstalks to diets containing either 20 or 40% (DM basis) modified distillersgrains (MDGS). Steers fed a diet containing 40% MDGS responded quadratically with 10 and 20% (DM basis) treated residue having equal and better F:G than feeding 30% treated stalks. However, cattle fed 20% MDGS did not respond as well to treated cornstalks with 10% treated stalks having the lowest F:G, but poorer than the control diet with 5% stalks and 20% MDGS.

Use Of Treated Corn Residues In Growing Diets, Sarah J. Peterson, Dirk B. Burken, James C. Macdonald Donald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study compared the effectsof pelleting corn residue and treating with calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. All diets contained 60% corn residue, 36% distillers products, and 4% supplement (DM basis). Steers consuming pelleted diets had increased DMI, greater ending BW, but poorer F:G compared to non-pelleted treatments. Diets containing the chemically treated corn stover had increased ADG and lower F:G compared to the non-treated diets. While both pelleting and chemical treatment with CaO increased DMI, and ADG, only the use of CaO improved feed efficiency.

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A total of 336 steers were fed one of seven finishing diets: a corn-based control, 35%, 50%, or 65% inclusion of wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), either traditional (full-fat) or de-oiled. At harvest, 15 low USDA Choice carcasses within each dietary treatment (n = 105) were selected to evaluate the effect of diet on the fatty acid profile of strip loin steaks aged seven days. Feeding WDGS increased the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in comparison to a corn based diet. Feeding de-oiled WDGS resulted in less PUFA’s than the full-fat WDGS diets. It seems that the removal …

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 …

Effect Of Micro-Aid® Supplementation On Nitrogen Losses From Manure, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Mike J. Rincker

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 2x2 factorial designed experiment was used to study the effects of Micro-Aid and time on OM and N losses from manure, in a simulated feedlot pen setting. Manure was collected from cattle on a common diet, except for the addition of 1 g Micro-Aid /steer daily. Losses of OM were greater at 60 d than 30 d, and greater for control than Micro-Aid. Nitrogen losses at d 30 were similar between treatments but control pans had greater N losses at d 60. Feeding Micro-Aid to cattle may inhibit N volatilization from manure, enhancing the fertilizer value of manure.

The Effects Of Diet On The Biochemical Constituents Of Beef, Kimberly A. Varnold, Chris R. Calkins, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Lasika S. Senaratne-Lenagala, Justine J. Stevenson, Michelle E. Semler, Michael D. Chao, Tommi F. Jones, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred steers (n = 64) were grazed on warm- or cool-season grasses, 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. Grass-type was the major contributor in determining the biochemical composition of L. dorsi steaks, with warm-season grasses causing increased concentrations of moisture and zinc and decreased concentrations of magnesium. Aging 28 days instead of 7 days increased pH and caused an increased concentration of carbohydrates, and non-heme and heme iron in B. femoris steaks. Diet, especially grass type, during grazing, can alter the end …

Grass Type, Grazing Supplementation, And Finishing Diets Affect Beef Fatty Acids, Kimberly A. Varnold, Chris R. Calkins, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Lasika S. Senaratne-Lenagala, Tommi F. Jones, Timothy P. Carr, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred steers (n = 64) were grazed on warm- or cool-season grasses, 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. Grass type was the major contributor in determining the fatty acid profile, especially in the neutral lipid layer. Warm-season grasses decreased concentrations of most fatty acids compared to cool-season grasses. The provision of WDGS as an energy supplement while grazing dissipated any differences caused by grass type.

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, …

Effects Of Dietary Change On Viral-Bacterial Interactions In The Rumen Of Cattle, Christopher L. Anderson, Melissa L. Jolly, Adam L. Shreck Shreck, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This ongoing study investigates the impact of diet and bacteriophage activity on the structuring of rumen microbial community composition and diversity. Fistulated cattle were acclimated to a given diet for 21 days before samples were collected and subsequently enriched for viral particles with tangential flow filtration. Taxonomic identification, abundance, and functional attributes were assigned to both bacterial and viral communities. Principle coordinate analysis of the bacterial communities revealed significant clustering based on diet. While diet drives the structuring of rumen bacterial communities, bacteriophages may maintain high, constant bacterial diversity.

Vein Steak Differences In Strip Loins Of Heifers Due To Mutation Of The Myostatin Gene, Michelle E. Semler, Chris R. Calkins, Galen E. Erickson Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Strip loins from heifers with variations of the myostatin gene; 19 homozygous dominant (Angus), 20 heterozygous dominant (Angus x Piedmontese), and 20 homozygous recessive (Piedmontese) were studied. Strip loins were cut into 1-inch thick steaks and total number of steaks and number of steaks with Gluteusmedius (often called vein steaks) were recorded. Strip loins from heterozygous dominant heifershad a greater number of non-vein steaks and decreased percentage of vein steaks compared to homozygous dominant and homozygous recessive samples. Differences in percentage of vein steaks were inconsistent and showed no meaningful pattern.

Energy Value Of De-Oiled Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles In A Forage-Based Diet, Meredith L. Bremer, Andrea K. Watson, Dirk B. Burken Burken, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sixty individually fed steers were used to determine the effects of feeding de-oiled modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) on steer performance in an 84-day forage-based growing study. De-oiled MDGS did not significantly alter performance when compared to normal MDGS if fed at the same concentration in growing diets. Inclusion of either de-oiled or normal MDGS at 40% of the diet resulted in improved ending BW, DMI, ADG, and F:G as compared to inclusion of 20% MDGS in the diet.

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 …