Veterinary Medicine 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 United States Meat Animal Research Center …

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 …

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.

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.

Transitioning Cattle From Ramp® To A Finishing Diet On Feed Intake And Ruminal Ph, Cody J. Schneider, Adam L. Shreck, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism trial was conducted where steers were adapted to high grain diets using a traditional approach or one of two RAMP^® adaptation programs. RAMP programs adapted cattle to a finishing diet either gradually over 28 days in four steps or switched to a finishing ration without steps. Feed intake and ruminal pH were monitored continuously throughout the trial. Cattle on the 4-STEP treatment spent more time eating compared to other treatments but total feed consumption was similar among treatments. Ruminal pH was greater for cattle on RAMP adaptation programs when compared to traditional grain adaptation. Cattle fed RAMP …

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.

Follicular Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A Expression Before And After The Lh Surge, Renee M. Mcfee, Robin A. Artac, Adam F. Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Vanessa M. Brauer, Scott G. Kurz, Robert A. Cushman, Jennifer R. Wood, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Granulosa cell expression of VEGFAisoforms in dominant bovine follicles was evaluated. Collection of granulosa cells via follicle aspiration revealed altered expression of the proangiogenic VEGFA_164 isoform but not the antiangiogenic VEGFA_164B isoform prior to and after the LH surge. Expression of VEGFA_164 declines as both the LH surge and ovulation approaches. In addition, VEGFA_164 and VEGFA_164B expression prior to the LH surge was positively correlated with FSHR and CYP19A1 expression, suggesting that VEGFA expression may be regulated by FSH. These data indicate differential expression of VEGFA isoforms may be an important feature of bovine dominant follicle development.

Androgen Excess In Beef Cows Results In Altered Theca Cell Gene Expression And Fertilityand, Adam F. Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Vanessa M. Brauer Brauer, Kevin M. Sargent, Renee M. Mcfee, Scott G. Kurz, Robert A. Cushman, Jennifer R. Wood, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln physiology herd, two sub-populations of cows with different concentrations of androstenedione have been identified. Androstenedione is a precursor for estradiol production, and androstenedione concentration is increased 24.5-fold in the high androstenedione cows. Our objective was to determine the cause of increased androstenedione production in high androstenedione cows and the effects on theca cell and oocyte gene expression. High androstenedione cows had increased steroidogenic enzyme abundance in theca cells and altered oocyte mRNA abundance. Increased androgen production in high androstenedione cows is associated with altered gene expression and/or mRNA stability during oocyte growth and maturation, which …

Effect Of Pubertal Status And Number Of Estrous Cycles Prior To The Breeding Season On Pregnancy Rate In Beef Heifers, Rebecca A. Vraspir, Adam F. Summers, Andrew J. Roberts Roberts, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate whether pubertal status and number of estrous cycles prior to breeding influences pregnancy rate in beef heifers. Pubertal heifers were heavier and older at the start of breeding and had greater AI and overall pregnancy rate than non-pubertal heifers. Second season pregnancy rate was greater for heifers reaching puberty prior to first breeding and for heifers having ≥ 2 estrouscycles prior to breeding compared with non-pubertal heifers. Pregnancy rate was greater for heifers achieving puberty prior to breeding; however, earlier onset of puberty did not significantly improve first pregnancy rates.

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In a two-year study, spayed heifer calves were backgrounded on cornstalks with 2 lb or 5 lb wet distillers grains with solubles supplemented daily. During the summer, heifers grazed native range and received no summer supplementation or were supplemented with modified distillers grains with solubles at 0.6% BW daily. Heifers were finished on a common regimen, and an economic scenario was applied to each phase of production and overall. Supplementing more in winter increased profit, but summer supplementation did not impact overall profitability. Numerically, heifers not supplemented during the summer were more profitable than supplemented heifers.

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.

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.

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 Calf Age At Weaning On Cow And Calf Performance And Efficiency In A Drylot/Confinement Production System, Jason M. Warner, Karla H. Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An ongoing study evaluated the effectsof calf age at weaning on cow and calf performance and reproduction in a confinement production system. Early-weaning improved cow BW at normal weaning. Pregnancy rates were not impacted by calf age at weaning. Dry matter intake was not different between early-weaned cows and calves compared with normal-weaned pairs. Feed requirements and energy utilization were equal between early- and normal-weaned pairs when fed a distillers grains and crop residue based diet.

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.

Impact Of Supplemental Protein Source On Pregnant Beef Heifers, Adam F. Summers, T. L. Meyer, Michael F. Kirby Kirby, Jim R. Teichert, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred, AI-pregnant heifers were fed in a Calan Broadbent individual feeding system for 110 days beginning at approximately day 142 of gestation. Heifers were offered ad libitum grass hay and no supplement, hay plus distillers based supplement, or hay plus dried corn gluten based supplement. Supplements were isocaloric, isonitrogenous, and equal in lipid content but differed in rumen undegradable protein. Protein supplementation increased DMI and ADG in pregnant heifers; however, calf birth BW and subsequent pregnancy rates were similar.

Preconception Distillers Grains Supplementation Improves Mature Beef Cow Return To Estrous, Adam F. Summers, Daniel M. Larson, Andrea S. Cupp Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

For three years, cows and first-calf heifers were supplemented two levels of RUP prior to breeding to determine the effect of RUP on reproductive efficiency and performance. Cows resumed estrous after being supplemented 30 days with distillers grains, but pregnancy rate was not different. First-calf heifer performance and reproductive efficiency was similar regardless of protein supplement offered. Protein supplements offered in this study did not impact cow BW, milk production, or progeny performance. More cows supplemented with distillers grains prior to the breeding season resumedluteal activity prior to breeding; however, pregnancy rates were similar.

Effects Of A Terminal Sorting System With Zilpaterol Hydrochloride On Feedlot Steers, F. Henry Hilscher, Dirk B. Burken, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Galen E. Erickson, Kathy Hanford, Kyle J. Vander Pol, John P. Hutcheson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred yearling steers were utilized to evaluate the effects of Zilpaterol hydrochloride (Zilmax^®) and terminal sorting 50 days prior to harvest on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Four treatments were used: an unsorted group not fed Zilmax (–CON), an unsorted group fed Zilmax, sorting by weight into two market groups and fed Zilmax, or sorting by weight into four market groups and fed Zilmax (4-Sort). Carcass weight was increased in cattle fed Zilmax by 33 lb and was further increased by 9 lb by 4-SORT. Yield grade and marbling score were lower for all cattle fed Zilmax compared …

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.

Alkaline Treated Wheat Straw Or Corn Stover Fed To Growing Calves, Adam L. Shreck, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider Schneider, Dirk B. Burken, Casey N. Macken, William A. Griffin, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Four hundred sixty steer calves were fed CaO treated (5% of DM) or untreated wheat straw and corn stover with wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) during a 69-day growing study. An interaction between crop residue and alkaline treatment was observed for ending BW and ADG. The relative response in ADG and ending BW due to alkaline treatment was greater for wheat straw compared to corn stover. Steers fed wheat straw diets had greater DMI and improved F:G compared to corn stover diets. Alkaline treatment increased DMI and improved F:G, although the F:G response was small. Growing calves on untreated …

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.

Using Enspira™ To Improve Fiber Digestion, Jana L. Harding, Galen E. Erickson, James C. Macdonald Donald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two experiments evaluated the effectof treating various feedstuffs with an enzyme(Enspira) on digestibility. Twelve feeds commonly fed to beef cattle were treated with four levels of the enzyme(0, 0.25, 0.50, or 0.75 lb of enzyme per ton of DM). Enzyme treatment increased in vitro DMD of high moisture corn (HMC), wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), corn bran, and husks. There was a quadratic increasein gas production for corn leaves, as well as a linear increase in gas production for corn bran treated with increasing levels of Enspira. Treating feeds with the commercial enzyme Enspiraimproved in vitro digestibility of feeds …

Dryland Cover Crops As A Grazing Option For Beef Cattle, Alex H. Titlow, Jake A. Hansen, Matt K. Luebbe Luebbe, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Karla H. Jenkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year grazing study was conducted to evaluate forage quality and utilization of cover crops (CC) in dryland cropping systems compared to crested wheatgrass pastures (CWP). The CC mixture consisted of oats, peas and turnips planted in March with a no-till drill. Both CC and CWP were grazed during the month of June. Total tract dry matter digestibility and CP were greater for CC compared to CWP while NDF and ADF of CC were less. The CC was observed to have greater forage quality over both years and may produce similar amounts of forage as crested wheatgrass pastures allowing deferred …

Effect Of Irrigation Allocation On Perennial Grass Production And Quality, Gary W. Hergert, Karla H. Jenkins, James Margheim Margheim, Alex Pavlista, Rex Nielsen, Murali Darapuneni

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cool-season grass mixtures and warm-season grass mixtures were evaluated in 2010, 2011, and 2012 under varying irrigation levels to determine dry matter yield, CP, and TDN for beef cattle in the Nebraska Panhandle. As a generalization, when seasonal precipitation was average, irrigation levels over 10 inches resulted in no significant increase in either grass production or quality. Cool-season grasses produced more dry matter yield and maintained greater CP and TDN than warm-season grasses. In all three years, a mixture of wheatgrasses had greater forage yield than an orchardgrass monoculture or a mixture dominated by bromegrasses. In 2010 and 2011, treatments …

Effect Of Distillers Grains Supplementation On Calves Grazing Irrigated Or Non-Irrigated Corn Residue, Mandi Jones, James C. Macdonald, Galen Erickson Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Andrea K. Watson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steer calves grazing irrigated or non-irrigated corn residue received supplementation of dried or modified distillers grains plus solubles (DGS) at 0.3, 0.7, or 1.1% of BW . Steers were individually supplemented daily through Calan gates. Daily gain improved quadratically with increasing supplementation (1.55 lb/day to 2.12 lb/day) and for calves grazing non-irrigated (2.02 lb/day) compared to irrigated (1.77 lb/day) corn residue. Feeding dry instead of modified DGS did not significantly impact ADG. Supplementing DGS to calves grazing corn residue increased gain during the winter period.