Veterinary Medicine Commons^™

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.

Effects Of Grazing On Nebraska Sandhills Meadow Forage Nutrient Content, Jared V. Judy, Jacki A. Musgrave, L. Aaron Stalker Stalker, Karla H. Jenkins, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Nebraska Sandhills subirrigated meadow pastures were utilized to measure the effects of grazing on forage nutrient content in summer pastures. Pre-grazed pastures had greater protein and in vitro dry matter digestibility levelsand lower neutral detergent fiber levels compared with post-grazed pastures early in the grazing season. By late July, post-grazed vs. pre-grazed pastures did not differ in in vitro dry matter digestibility and neutral detergent fiber levels. Observed results indicate the greatest differences in nutrient content between post-grazed and pre-grazed pastures occur early in the grazing season.

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, Jerry D. Volesky, Galen Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Spayed heifers were developed into yearlings by grazing corn residue and bromegrass, followed by native range, and were finished on a common diet. Treatments were 2 lb or 5 lb of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS; DM basis) supplement on corn residue daily, and modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS) fed at 0.6% BW daily or no MDGS during summer grazing. Feeding 5 lb increased winter ADG by 0.68 lb (year 1) or 0.40 lb (year 2) compared to 2 lb, and increased HCW after finishing. Summer supplementation increased summer ADG by 0.50 lb (year 1) or 0. 44 …

Feeding Elevated Levels Of Corn Silage And Mdgs In Finishing Diets, Dirk B. Burken, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing experiment evaluatedsubstitution of corn silage and modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS) in place of corn. The treatment arrangementwas a 2 X 2 + 1 factorial with 15 or 45% corn silage and 20 or 40% MDGS plus a control containing 5% cornstalks and 40% MDGS. There were interactions between corn silage and MDGS for carcass adjusted performance. As corn silage inclusion was increased in the diet, F:G increased when fed with 20% MDGS, however there was no difference when fed with 40% MDGS.

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 …

Use Of A Pelleted Corn Residue Complete Feed In Receiving Diets, Sarah J. Peterson, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Dirk B. Burken Burken, James C. Macdonald, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of feeding a complete pelleted feed to newly received steer calves (585 ± 4 lb; n = 1318 ) was compared to a control ration consisting of 32% (DM basis) wet or modified distillers grains, 32% alfalfa hay, 32% dry-rolled corn, and 4% supplement. The pelleted complete feed consisted of 35% corn residue and a blend of grain byproducts and minerals. Feeding the complete pelleted feed increased DMI but decreased ADG, thereby reducing feed efficiency. The pelleted feed numerically reduced morbidity. Feeding a complete pellet consisting of corn residue appears to be a viable option for receiving calves …

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle fed a de-oiled wet distiller’s grains plus solubles (WDGS) diet were compared to cattle fed corn or traditional (full-fat) WDGS diets to determine effects on discoloration, oxidation, and tenderness of beef aged for seven and 21 days. At seven days of aging, dietary treatment had no effect on discoloration. At 21 days of aging, beef from cattle fed de-oiled WDGS had less oxidation than the corn control and several of the full-fat WDGS treatments. Although tenderness increased with aging and retail display, dietary treatment had no effect on tenderness. These findings suggest that these dietary treatments, followed by a …

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 …

Shelf Life Of Cooked Ground Beef Patties From Cattle Fed Wet Distillers Grains With Solubles, Nathan T. Dierks, Tommi F. Jones, Kimberly A. Varnold Varnold, Derek J. Schroeder, Amy L. Redfield, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle were grazed without or with energy supplementation of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) during backgrounding, and were finished on a corn-based diet with or without 35% WDGS. Ground beef patties were made from shoulder clods, cooked, and stored in a refrigerated or frozen state. Cattle supplemented with WDGS had greater lipid oxidation in cooked ground beef patties regardless of finishing diet or storage type.

Differences In Fecal Bacterial Community Composition Between Beef Steers Which Are High-Shedders And Low-Shedders Of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli (Stec), Nirosh D. Aluthge, Yoshitha A. Wanniarachchi, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The community composition of the fecal microbiota was compared between beef steers which were high-shedders and low-shedders of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. Based on Shannon and Chao 1 diversity indices, the high-shedders had a more diverse fecal bacterial community than the low-shedding steers. Members of the genus Prevotella were observed as being more abundant in the low-shedders compared to the high-shedders, while Succinivibrio were more abundant in the high-shedders. Isolation of specific bacteria which are significantly more abundant in low-shedders may pave the way to developing direct-fed microbials which are effective in reducing STEC shedding among high-shedding beef steers.

Optimal Marketing Date Of Steers Depends On Marketing Strategy, James C. Macdonald, Cody J. Schneider, Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, Stephen D. Kachman, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Seven research trials conducted over five years at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln were summarized to determine how animal performance changes through the finishing period on a live and carcass weight basis. Live weight, carcass weight, carcass ADG, and carcass feed efficiency all changed quadratically throughout the feeding period; live ADG and live feed efficiency declined linearly. During times of negative profit margins, optimal profitability for steers marketed on a live-basis occurred by selling early, whereas optimal profitability was achieved by feeding steers marketed on a carcass-basis longer.

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, …

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

Heifers With Low Antral Follicle Counts Have Low Birth Weights And Produce Progeny With Low Birth Weights, Adam F. Summers, Robert A. Cushman, Karl Moline Moline, Jeff Bergman, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

To determine the relationship of antral follicle count and heifer BW, reproductive tract characteristics, and first-calf performance, Red Angus-composite heifers were used over three years. High antral follicle count heifers had greater BW from birth through pre-breeding. Progeny birth BW was greater for calves born to high antral follicle count heifers compared to low antral follicle count heifers. Taken together these data indicate a relationship between antral follicle counts and BW through the first breeding season and corresponding progeny, and continues to support a possible link between genes that influence growth and development and establishment of ovarian reserve.

Effect Of Two Estrus Synchronization Protocols On Reproductive Performance Of May Calving Cows, John D. Harms, Adam F. Summers, Jacqueline Musgrave Musgrave, Rick Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effectiveness of fixed-time AI utilizing one of two estrus synchronization protocols, CO-Synch or CO-Synch + CIDR, in May-calving cows. Cows synchronized with the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol had increased AI and overall pregnancy rates compared to cows synchronized utilizing the CO-Synch protocol. Due to increased AI pregnancy rates, CO-Synch + CIDR cows calved earlier, resulting in a greater proportion of cows calving within the first 21 days of the calving season compared to CO-Synch cows.

Efficacy Of Newborn Bovine Dna Samples Taken Via Different Mediums In Assigning Paternity, Jeremy T. Howard, Lynsey K. Whitacre, Matthew L. Spangler Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

DNA samples from 25 newborn calves taken via hair, ear notch, and nasal swabs were used to determine the efficacy of sampling method in assigning parentage. Nasal swab samples were collected at six time points from birth to 120 hours post-birth. Calf samples and all candidate sires were genotyped with a 99 SNP parentage panel. Nasal swab collection time did not result in significant differences in the ability to assign the correct sire, although differences were seen in apparent cleanliness of the sample. Clean nasal swab samples are comparable in efficacy to hair and ear notch samples in assigning parentage.

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

Nitrogen Fertilization And Ddgs Supplementation Reduces Annual Weeds In Pastures, John A. Guretzky, Laura K. Snell, John C. Soper Soper, Walter H. Schacht, Terry Klopfenstein, Stephanie K. Pruitt

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Ongoing research has found body weight (BW) gains of steers supplemented with corn dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) on unfertilized smooth bromegrass pasture (SUPP) to be greater than unsupplemented steers on N fertilized (FERT) and unfertilized, control (CONT) smooth bromegrass pasture. In the seventh year of the study, annual weeds increased to 20%, 9%, and 2% of relative cover within CONT, SUPP, and FERT pastures, respectively. Supplementation of DDGS on unfertilized pastures improves steer BW gains and reduces N inputs while providing intermediate resistance to annual weed invasion. AnnualN fertilization maximizes forage yield and minimizes annual weeds in pasture.

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

The Effect Of Lameness On Average Daily Gain In Feedlot Steers, Giselle T. Kruse, Richard R. Randle, Douglas E. Hostetler Hostetler, Gary K. Tibbetts, Dicky D. Griffin, Kathryn J. Hanford, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Brandon L. Nuttelman, David R. Smith

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this study was to test the effects of lameness on average daily gain (ADG) of feedlot steers. We evaluated two feedlot health data sets: 1) 14,798 steers from a 14-year period (1993 to 2006) at the Meat Animal Research Center (USDA MARC) near Clay Center, Neb.; and 2) 16,766 steers from an 8-year period (2002 to 2009) at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead, Neb. The ADG for USDA MARC steers with lameness late in the feeding period (≥ 60 days) was 0.04 lb./day less than steers without lameness. The ADG …

Including Next Enhance® Essential Oils In Finishing Diets On Performance With Or Without Rumensin® And Tylan®, Curtis J. Bittner, Galen E. Erickson, Karla Jenkins Jenkins, Matt K. Luebbe, Troy Wistuba

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Finishing cattle performance was evaluated using NEXT ENHANCE essential oils in finishing diets. Treatments consisted of 1) control (CON), 2) NEXT ENHANCE at 300 mg/day (NE), 3) Rumensin and Tylan at 360 and 90 mg/day, respectively (RT), or 4) NEXT ENHANCE plus Rumensin and Tylan (NERT). No NEXT ENHANCE by Rumensin/Tylan interaction was observed. Steers fed Rumensin/Tylan had decreased F:G and increased live final BW and marbling score. The prevalence of liver abscesses decreased 46% when steers were fed Rumensin/Tylan. Including NEXT ENHANCE in finishing diets did not impact performance or carcass characteristics.

The Effect Of Commensal Microbial Communities On The Fecal Shedding Of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. Coli (Stec) In Beef Cattle, Nirosh D. Aluthge, Yoshitha A. Wanniarachchi, Brandon L. Nuttelman Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Jayne E. Stratton, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This ongoing study compares the gut microbial community composition between shedding steers high in shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) counts and low-shedding steers. Shedders were identified among 170 beef animals over three time periods using selective microbiological culture media. The isolated bacterial cultures were confirmed to be STEC using PCR, 16s rRNA sequencing and a shiga toxin immunoassay. The most abundant strains found in the cattle feces were those belonging to the serogroups O111 (40.3%) and O157:H7 (37.3%), with O103 (8.3%), O26 (6.0%), O83 (4.5%), and O55 (3.0%) being detected in much lower numbers . Out of the 52 animals …

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Anaerobic Digestion Of Finishing Cattle Manure, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Samodha C. Fernando, Jana L. Harding

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Utilizing manure from cattle fed distillers grains in anaerobic digesters improved methane production and DM degradation of manure compared to manure from cattle fed no distillers grains. Manure from cattle fed in open lot pens had soil contamination which decreased OM content and led to decreased total methane production (L/day), but not when expressed as methane/g OM. If ash buildup is avoided, open lot manure can be used as anaerobic digester feedstock.

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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