Veterinary Medicine Commons^™

The Effect Of Postpartum Supplementation Strategy On Performance In May-Calving 2- And 3-Yr-Old Range Cows, Nicole M. Woita, Selby L. Boerman, J. A. Musgrave, Kacie L. Mccathy, J. Travis Mulliniks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Reproductive performance in young 2- and 3-yr-old cows are often the lowest in the cow herd, which is due to their inability to consume enough energy and protein to meet their requirements for growth and lactation. A 3-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of postpartum supplementation strategy on reproduction, cow body weight, and calf performance in lactating young 2- and 3-yr-old May-calving range cows. Supplementation was initiated 20 d prior to the start of the breeding season (45-d postpartum) and continued throughout the 45-d breeding season (125-d postpartum). Supplementation was provided daily with treatments being 1) mineral supplement …

The Impact Of Prepartum Supplementation Strategy On Cow-Calf Performance In May-Calving Mature Cows, J. A. Musgrave, Kacie L. Mccathy, J. Travis Mulliniks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Implementation of minimal supplemental protein strategies during late gestation may have the potential to minimize any negative postweaning progeny performance while decreasing feed costs. A 3-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mid- to late-gestation supplementation strategies on reproduction, cow body weight, and calf performance in May-calving mature range cows grazing upland native range. Supplementation was provided 2x weekly with treatments being 1) 05 lb per day of a 30% CP distillers-based supplement, 2) 1 lb per day of a 30% CP distillers-based supplement, 3) a negative control as a flexible supplementation strategy. The Flex strategy was developed …

The Effect Of Late Gestation Supplementation Strategy On Cow-Calf Performance In March-Calving Mature Cows, J. A. Musgrave, Kacie L. Mccathy, J. Travis Mulliniks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Implementation of supplemental protein strategies during late gestation has been shown to positively affect postweaning progeny performance. A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of late gestation supplementation strategies on reproduction, cow body weight, and calf performance in March-calving mature range cows grazing dormant upland range. Supplementation was individually fed and provided daily with treatments being: 1) no supplementation, 2) 2 lb per day of a 30% CP distillers-based supplement, 3) 2 lb per day of a 30% CP distillers-based supplement with the inclusion of 160 mg/cow daily of monensin, 4) 2 lb per day of a 30% …

Effect Of Glucogenic Feed Additive On Reproductive Performance In Young Postpartum Range Cows, Tasha M. King, J. A. Musgrave, Nicole M. Woita, Shelby L. Boerman, J. C. Macdonald, J. Travis Mulliniks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Performance of young March-Calving range cows receiving a protein supplement with the addition of either monensin or propionate salt were compared to evaluate the effect of feed additive on overall production in the postpartum stage. cow body weight and body condition were not impacted by postpartum supplementation throughout the study. Calf body weights were not impacted by type of feed additive at birth, weaning, or 205-d. Twenty-four-hour milk production was not impacted by the type of feed additive. Conception rates for cows receiving postpartum supplementation containing propionate salt were greater than cows receiving monsensin. This implies that the addition of …

Effect Of Heifer Percent Mature Body Weight At Breeding On Heifer Performance, Calf Production, And Subsequent Pregnancy Rates, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis Mulliniks, J. A. Musgrave, Kathy J. Hanford, Kacie L. Mccathy

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A retrospective study was done utilizing 1,434 March- and May- calving Red Angus x Simmental crossbred cows and heifers from 2005 through 2019. Heifer weight as a percentage of mature body weight at breeding was used to conduct a regression analysis from 50 to 70% of mature body weight to determine the impact of body weight at breeding on reproductive performance. Heifer pregnancy rates and second pregnancy rates as 2-year-olds were greater for heifers at 60, 65, and 70% of mature body weight at breeding than heifers at 50 and 55%. However, heifer percent mature body weight at breeding did …

Impact Of Increasing Level Of Milk Production On Cow-Calf Performance In Nebraska Sandhills, Selby L. Boerman, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kathryn J. Hanford, Mitchell B. Stephenson, J. Travis Mulliniks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In a 2-yr study, data were collected on 118 crossbred cow-calf pairs from March and May-calving herds. On approximately 30, 60, 90, 120, and 210 d postpartum, individual cow 24-h bilk yield was estimated through weigh-suckle weigh techniques. Cow body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were collected weekly through breeding. Calf BW was recorded at each milking. Individual cow milk area under the curve (AUC) values were calculated and data were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Results from this study illustrate that increasing total milk produced throughout the lactation period had minimal influence on the cow production parameters …

Statistics Used In The Nebraska Beef Reports And Their Purpose, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

Evaluation Of Vivalto® On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics In Growing And Finishing Beef Steers, Garrett N. Lemon, Rebecca Mcdermott, Galen E. Erickson, Jeff Heldt, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing trial conducted at the Pan-handle Research, Extension, and Education Center (PREEC) near Scottsbluff, NE evaluated the effect of Vivalto^®, a B-vitamin complex, on the feeding performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers. The design of the study was completely randomized block design with three treatments, control without Vivalto^®, 1g Vivalto^®/steer/day, and 2g Vivalto^®/steer/day. Cattle fed the diets that included Vivalto^® feed had lower intakes during the first 56 days than cattle that received no Vivalto^® in the diet. No significant differences were observed for ADG, intake, feed efficiency …

Effect Of Biochar On Enteric Methane Production And Cattle Performance, Hanna Cronk, Holly Heil, Rebecca Mcdermott, Mitch Norman, Galen E. Erickson, Andrea Watson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Because ruminant animals, including cattle, emit methane, strategies are actively being sought to reduce these emissions. Pistachio shell-sourced biochar was included at 0.5% of a finishing cattle diet to determine effects on methane emissions and cattle performance. Eight pens of cattle were rotated through a 2-chambered emissions barn to analyze methane and carbon dioxide produced by the cattle. Biochar tended to increase methane emissions on a g/d basis with no effect on methane emissions as g/lb of feed intake and no differences in carbon dioxide emissions. There were no differences …

Impact Of Strip-Grazing Stockpiled Annual/Cover Crop Forages On Carrying Capacity And Animal Performance, Shelby L. Davies-Jenkins, Abigail Sartin, Devin Jakub, Zac Carlson, Erin Laborie, Jack Arterburn, Ben Beckman, Brad Schnick, M. E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Annual forages/cover crops can be used to fill the fall/winter grazing gap, and strip grazing may increase carrying capacity by reducing trampling losses of the forage. The current experiment utilized a series of on-farm experiments across two growing seasons to compare continuous and strip grazing of various summer planted cover crops. Strip grazing increased carrying capacity by an average of 47 ± 15% and gain per acre by 44 ± 5% compared to continuous grazing although significant variability in the amount of increase was observed. This variability can likely be attributed to forage type (quality), frequency of moves, and forage …

Strategies For Ddgs Supplementation Frequency To Frazing Yearling Streers, Sydney T. Vanderhoff, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Mitchell M. Norman, Isaque F. Vicci, Jim C. Macdonald, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Infrequent supplementation saves labor and may reduce animal performance, but recent research with reduced fat distillers grains has provided inconsistent results. This experiment evaluated the effects of daily and three times a week supplementation of dried distillers grains on yearling steer performance grazing smooth bromegrass pastures from May to August. Daily supplemented steers received 5.6 pounds of dry matter per steer of dried distillers grains with solubles 7 days/week. The three times a week supplemented steers received 13.0 pounds of dry matter per steer of dried distillers grains with solubles three days/week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). A control treatment received no …

Effect Of Methionine Supplementation During Late Gestation In Beef Females, Landon F. Tadich, Jim R. Teichert, Kathryn J. Hanford, Jacki A. Musgrave, Rich N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Some amino acids are known to be essential to cattle and effect protein availability to the animal, especially during gestation when nutrient requirements are higher. Methionine is found to be one of the most limiting in low quality forage diets. Two 3-yr studies were performed to evaluate the impact of methionine supplementation during late gestation on intake, body weight, average daily gain, and subsequent calf performance in primiparous and multiparous females. In exp 1, 120 artificially inseminated pregnancy heifers were placed in a Calan gate feeding system (n=40/yr) and assigned 1 of 3 treatments during late gestation and fed ad …

Artificial Insemination Of Beef Heifers With Multi-Sire Semen, Dempster Christenson, Jordan Thomas, Daniel J. Kelly, John G. Maddux, R. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The study compared pregnancy rates of beef heifers artificially inseminated with multi-sire semen to single-sire semen at ranch 1 and demonstrated pregnancy to multi-sire sexed semen at rand 2. It was hypothesized pregnancy rates resulting from multi-sire semen would be increased compared to single-sire semen. Ranch 1 heifers were inseminated with either single-sire or multi-sire semen and all heifers expressing estrus at ranch 2 were inseminated with multi-sire semen averaged numerically greater pregnancy rate than the average single-sire pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcomes from multi-sire sexed semen exceed previous literature but cannot be directly compared. Despite similar pregnancy results between …

Long-Term Performance Of Steers Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures, Morgan Hodges, Holly Heil, Rebecca Mcdermott, Anastasios Mazis, Tala Awada, Galen E. Erickson, Andrea K. Watson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Body weight gain of yearling steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures was measured across 17 years from 2005 to 2021. Three treatments were applied, (1) control pastures with no additional inputs, (2) pastures fertilized with 80 lb of N per acre, and (3) pastures grazed with cattle supplemented daily with approximately 5 lb of dry distillers grains. The cnntrol treatment pastures (1.4 acres/steer) were stocked 30% lighter than the fertilized and supplemented pastures (1.0 acre/steer). Across the 17 years, the supplemented cattle gained 2.24 lb/day while the non-supplemented cattle (both control and fertilized treatments) gained 1.57 lb/day. Body …

Impact Of Pistachio Shell Biochar In Finishing Beef Cattle Diets, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, J. L. Sperber, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 190-day finishing experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of feeding biochar on methane and carbon dioxide production, animal performance and carcass traits in beef steers. A high concentrate feedlot diet was used, and two dietary treatments were compared, 0 or 1% biochar as % of diet dry matter. Cattle were monitored using a calorimetry emissions barn to quantify production of methane and carbon dioxide. There were no differences in emissions, performance, or carcass characteristics for cattle fed the control diet or with biochar supplemented into the diet.

2023 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow-Calf Management

• Comparison of Semi-confined and Pasture-based August Calving Beef Cow Systems
• Including Gene Edited Sires in Genetic Evaluations
• Impact of Planning Horizon Length on Breeding Objectives and Resulting Selection Decisions
• Effect of Increasing Energy 30 days Prior to Artificial Insemination in Beef Heifers
• Extending Melengestrol Acetate Treatment from Fourteen to Eighteen Days in Beef Heifers
• Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers with Multi-Sire Sexed Semen

Growing Calf and Yearling Management

• Timing of Implant Use in the Backgrounding System
• Effects of Strategic Supplementation on Return to Management and Performance of Yearling Cattle

Forage Evaluation

• Forage Evaluation of Crested Wheatgrass
• Evaluation of …

Analysis Of Spoilage Bacteria Present In Vacuum Packaged Chilled Beef Treated With Organic Acids, Samuel C. Watson, Rebecca A. Furbeck, Byron D. Chaves, Samodha C. Fernando, Gary Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Preventing the spoilage of fresh, chilled beef is crucial for maintaining market value. Since organic acids are regularly used in the beef industry for pathogen control, their ability to improve the shelf life of fresh, chilled beef was evaluated. Fresh, chilled beef was individually treated with 4.5% lactic acid, 2.5% Beefxide^®, or 380 ppm peroxyacetic acid. After storage, Lactococcus, a genus of lactic acid bacteria, became the most common spoilage organism across all treatment and control samples. Organic acid treatments were not able to slow the growth of this genus and may not be an effective method to …

Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Two Beef Systems From Birth To Slaughter In Eastern Nebraska, Levi J. Mcphillips, Zac E. Carlson, Andrew E. Suyker, J. C. Macdonald, Tala Awada, Jane Okalebo, Shree Dangal, Rick R. Stowell, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Methane emissions from growing and finishing calves born into a spring calving, conventional cow system or a summer calving, partially-confined cow system were compared. Cows fed a restricted diet of corn-byproduct and grain residues in confinement produced less methane and carbon dioxide per day compared to cows grazing pasture or cover crop. Calves weaned from the confinement-based production system were smaller at weaning and compensated with greater gain during the growing phase. More days on feed in the finishing phase were needed for the calves from the confinement system to reach same backfat thickness. Over the entire growing and finishing …

Ponderosa Pine Wood Biochar Used As An Emissions Reduction Strategy In A Finishing Beef Cattle Diet, Holly A. Heil, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing feedlot experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding biochar on methane and carbon dioxide production, performance, and carcass characteristics in beef cattle. Two dietary treatments were evaluated; 0 or 1% biochar in a high concentrate diet comprised of dry-rolled corn, high moisture corn, Sweet Bran, and corn silage. Ponderosa pine wood biochar was added into the diet at 1% dry-matter displacing a 1% dry-matter blend of corn. Cattle were monitored using a calorimetry emissions barn to capture methane and carbon dioxide production. Emissions production, performance and carcass characteristics did not differ between cattle fed a control …

Effect Of Alga Bio 1.0 On Reducing Enteric Methane Emission From Cattle, Reba L. Conlin, Kassidy K. Buse, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Paul J. Kononoff

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Alga Bio 1.0 inclusion on methane and carbon dioxide emissions along with diet digestibility. Three treatments were evaluated with 0, 69, and 103 grams per day Alga Bio 1.0 fed as a top dress in a corn-based diet. Indirect calorimetry headboxes were utilized to evaluate gas production with 12 cows in 4 replicated 3x3 Latin squares. There was a 39% reduction in methane per lb of dry matter intake for cattle fed 69 g of Alga Bio 1.0 and 63% reduction when cattle were fed 103 g of Alga Bio 1.0 …

Effects Of Corn Processing And Silage Inclusion In Feedlot Diets On Steer Performance, Jessica L. Miller, Nolan R. Meier, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A feelot study compared the effects of corn silage inclusion on steer performance and carcass characteristics withing dry-rolled corn diets and steam-flaked corn diets. Treatments included four corn silage inclusions as 0, 15, 30, 45% of dry matter in both steam-flaked corn and dry-rolled corn base diets. Feeding a steam-flaked based corn diet increased average daily gain by 7.8% and improved feed conversion by 6.8% when compared to steers fed a dry-rolled corn diet. As corn silage inclusion increased, feed conversion increased linearly. When fed to the same days on feed carcass adjusted final body weight, hot carcass weight, and …

Effect Of Enogen Feed Corn Inclusion In Conventional And Natural Finishing Cattle Diets, Jessica Miller, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Increasing the extent of starch digestibility during finishing could allow producers to improve cattle efficiency. A finishing performance study was conducted to determine the effect of Enogen Feed Corn inclusion as dry-rolled corn and corn silage in comparison to a control corn hybrid within natural and conventional feeding programs for heifers and steers. Cattle in the conventional feeding program received implants and the ration included feed additives, while cattle on the natural program were not implanted and the ration did not contain feed additives. The inclusion of Enogen Feed Corn had no impact on steer or heifer finishing performance. The …

Effect Of Corn Processing On Steer Performance And Fecal Starch Content, Jessica L. Miller, Braden C. Troyer, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Processing corn as high-moisture corn increases starch digestion and improves cattle efficiency when fed blended with dry rolled corn in finishing rations. A finishing study evaluated the effect of corn processing method (dry-rolled corn or 2:1) high-moisture corn to dry rolled corn blend) on performance of calf-fed steers. Corn processing method did not affect average daily gain; however, steers fed a high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn blend consumed 1.1 lb/day less than steers fed a dry-rolled corn diet. Feeding high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn blend diets improved feed efficiency by 5.2% compared to steers fed dry-rolled corn. Fecal starch content …

Supplemental Lysine In Finishing Cattle Diets, Hanna Cronk, Zac Carlson, Mitch Norman, Levi Mcphillips, Andrea Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Gary Ducharme

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of increasing lysine supply in finishing beef cattle diets. Crossbreed steers (n=120, BW=577 ± 2 lb) were individually fed using a Calen Gate system for 195 days. Animals received a common finishing diet (63% corn, 15% corn silage and 15% distillers grains) with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 g per day of supplemental rumen bypass lysine. High levels of lysine (5 or more g per day) in the diet decreased dry matter intake, carcass adjusted body weight with no impact on carcass adjusted feed efficiency. Hot …

Impact Of Removing 20% Distillers Grain After One-Third Or Two-Thirds Of The Feeding Period On Performance Of Finishing Yearling, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Braden C. Troyer, Mitch M. Norman, Pablo L. Loza, Rick Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study evaluated the effect of removing modified distillers grains plus solubles after one-third or two-thirds of the feeding period on performance and carcass characteristics of yearling steers. Treatment diets included 20% modified distillers for the entire feeding period; 20% modified distillers for two-thirds of the feeding period and then 0%; and 20% modified distillers for one-third of the feeding period, then 0%. Removing modified distillers from the diet decreased average daily gain, final body weight and dry matter intake and tended to increase feed conversion. Cattle fed 20% modified distillers throughout the entire feeding period had greatest hot …

Impact Of Constant Inclusion Or Decreasing Inclusion Of Distillers Grains With High-Quality Or Low-Quality Roughage On Finishing Cattle Performance, Sofia Suarez Lorences, University Of Nebraska - Lincoln, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing trial was conducted to evaluate high-quality or low-quality roughage inclusion in diets containing three concentrations of modified distillers grains plus solubles on finishing cattle performance. In a randomized block design, steers were fed according to a 2x3 factorial arrangement with two roughage sources (6% corn stalks versus 12% corn silage) in three diets containing 0, 15, or decreasing inclusion of distillers (30, 15, then 0% across the feeding period). No interactions were observed between distillers inclusion and roughage source except for intake. Steers fed corn silage consumed less, gained the same, and had slightly better feed conversions Steers …

Evaluate The Effect Of Corn Processing, Drying Distillers Grains, Oil Removal From Distillers Grains, And Distillers Inclusion On Cattle Performance, Braden C. Troyer, Elliott James Dennis, Alfredo Dicastanzo, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An analysis of over 9,300 head of cattle and 980 pen means was conducted to evaluate the effect of corn processing, drying distillers grains, oil removal from distillers, and distillers inclusion on cattle performance. This analysis looked at both steam-flaked corn and high-moisture corn or dry-rolled corn or a blend of the latter two grains and their effects on performance with and without distillers grains. Additionally, wet, modified, and dried distillers grains were analyzed as both full fat or de-oiled products at various dietary concentrations with each corn type as the primary cereal grain to determine performance responses. There was …

Effects Of Individual Sweet Bran Components In Beef Finishing Diets On Nutrient Digestion, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Rittikeard Prachumchai, Maggie Youngers, Rick A. Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sweet Bran is a branded wet corn gluten feed recognized for improving rumen health, energy intake, and gains in finishing cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated steers were utilized in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin Square design to evaluate the effect of individual Sweet Bran components on total tract digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters. Three Sweet Bran components (solvent extracted germ meal, corn bran, and mixed steep) were included at 40% of diet dry matter in their respective treatment, with a steam-flaked corn control diet. Total tract dry matter and organic matter digestibility were least for bran, intermediate for solvent extracted …

Evaluation Of Lactiproflx In An Acidosis Challenge Model, Samantha K. Wagner, Rebecca J. Sjostrand, Tyler J. Spore, Mark E. Corrigan, Galen E. Erickson, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An acidosis challenge study was conducted comparing different administration techniques for LactiproFLX, a direct fed microbial product containing Megaspharea elsdenii (a lactate-utilizing bacteria) for the prevention of acidosis. Four treatments were utilized in a randomized block design with 24 ruminally cannulated steers. Treatments consisted of a control group which did not receive the product, a group which received the commercial dose of the product four days before the acidosis challenge, one which received the commercial dose of the product one day before the challenge, and one which received ten times the commercial dose one day before the challenge. No differences …

Evaluation Of Encapsulated Megasphaera Elsdenii In An Accelerated Beef Step-Up Program And An Acidosis Challenge Event, Cindy D. Mansfield, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Tyler Spore, Mark Corrigan, Galen E. Erickson, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 100-day metabolism study with 40 ruminally cannulated steers, individually fed, was conducted to determine the efects of daily feeding of encapsulated Megasphaera elsdenii along with a one-time dose of Lactipro NXT on dry matter intake, rumen organic acid concentration, lactate disappearance and native and specific strains of Megasphaera elsdenii concentration following an acidosis challenge. Steers fed Megasphaera elsdenii daily had greater intake after an acidosis event. Cattle fed daily Megasphaera elsdenii also had a faster rate of lactic acid disappearance after an acidosis event. Feeding Megasphaeara elsdenii daily may result in a faster recovery time, after an acidosis event, …