Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons^™

Impact Of Feeding Distillers Grains Compared To New Fractionated Distillers Grains (Solbran) On Feedlot Cattle Performance And Enteric Methane, Debora G. Sousa, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitchell M. Norman, James C. Macdonald, Rick Stock, Ryan A. Mass, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study evaluated feeding wet or dry traditional distillers grains with wet and dry fractionated distillers (Solbran) fed at 40% of diet DM compared to a corn control diet on enteric methane emissions and performance. Compared to the control, there was no difference in carbon dioxide production, but there was an increase in methane production in the steers fed fractionated distillers compared to conventional distillers. Feeding steers traditional or fractionated distillers grains increased consumption, increased gain, but improved conversions only for steers fed WDGS, while steers fed the other distillers grains had worse or the same feed …

Assessing Reproductive Health In Zoo-Managed African Elephant Bulls (Loxodonta Africana), Kaitlyn Marie Campbell

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Populations of zoo-managed African elephant (Loxodonta Africana) exhibit substantial individual- and population-level variation in reproductive success, yet research has largely focused on females, leaving male fertility poorly understood. Subfertility in bulls, characterized by low libido and inconsistent semen quality, poses significant challenges to genetic management and long-term population sustainability. This study a) systematically evaluates semen quality, b) identifies physiological, behavioral, social, and environmental determinants of fertility, and c) advances ex situ conservation through the expansion of the African elephant sperm bank. Between January 2023 and July 2025, 209 semen collection events were conducted from 13 sexually mature bulls …

Preventing And Managing Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, Kylie Bell, Karl Hoopes

All Current Publications

Current industry trends regarding equine management practices largely contribute to the development of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Research on effective medical management exists; however, we lack studies on the efficacy of equine-welfare-minded solutions. This fact sheet reviews current literature, including diagnosing, treating, and preventing EGUS. It also provides a general overview of the natural equine, promoting a greater understanding of the connection between strategies to prevent and manage EGUS.

The Benefits Of Dexmedetomidine For Pain Mitigation After Cautery Disbudding In Calves, Tsung-Ching Liu, Chen-Fei Chiang, Thomas Chia-Tang Ho, Jacky Peng-Wen Chan

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) alone on pain mitigation following cautery disbudding in calves. A total of 21 calves were randomly divided into three groups: sham-disbudded control with placebo (S, n = 8); hot-iron disbudded after placebo (D, n = 6); hot-iron disbudded after 0.01 mg/kg of DEX (DeD, n = 7). The pain-related responses measured included serum cortisol levels, struggling scores, pain-related behaviors and other physiological values. The results indicated that the struggling scores, the cortisol concentrations from +10 to +60 min after disbudding and the area under curve of cortisol …

The Impact Of A Pgym Variant On Myophosphorylase Deficiency In Red Angus Composite Cattle And Changes In The Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome Due To The Intramuscular Administration Of Lidocaine In Wether Lambs, Mackenzie Christin Batt

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Project 1 focused on eight calves in a Nebraska herd (composite Simmental, Red Angus, Gelbvieh) that displayed exercise intolerance during forced activity. Available sire pedigrees contained a paternal ancestor within 2-4 generations in all affected calves. Pedigrees of the calves’ dams were unavailable, however, the cows were ranch-raised and retained from prior breeding seasons, where bulls used for breeding occasionally had a common ancestor. Therefore, it was hypothesized that a de novo autosomal recessive variant was causative of exercise intolerance in these calves. A genome-wide association analysis followed by whole-genome sequencing led to the identification of a variant in the …

Artificial Insemination And Fetal Programming In Beef Production Systems, Dempster M. Christenson

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

Pregnancy to artificial insemination and late gestation fetal programming of the next calf crop are central to genetic development, reproductive longevity, calf crop productivity, and efficiency of cow/calf ranching. The purposes of this research are to find methods to improve pregnancy rate to artificial insemination, the growth and reproductive health of pregnant heifers, and the productivity of their offspring. In the first of four studies we found that extending the period of progesterone administration in an estrus synchronization protocol did not significantly hasten estrus response or increase pregnancy rate to artificial insemination, but timing of estrus within the melengestrol acetate …

Pilot Study: Effects Of Whole Body Vibrational Therapy On Equine Epaxial Muscle Soreness, Riley Leibeck

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Whole body vibrational therapy (WBV) is well-studied in people, but there is a paucity of research of its effect on horses. It is suggested that WBV use in horses increases performance, aids in recovery, and stimulates nerves, bones, and muscles in ways that normal exercise does not. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if frequent WBV therapy sessions affect back soreness in horses using pressure algometry. Most sporthorses will experience back soreness in their careers, and it is regarded as one of the most common causes of poor performance in equine athletes. Five horses were measured for …

2024 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow- calf Nutrition, Reproduction, and Management

• Impact of Increasing Level of Milk Production on Cow- Calf Performance in Nebraska Sandhills
• Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers with Multi- Sire Semen
• Effect of Heifer Percent Mature Body Weight at Breeding on Heifer Performance, Calf Production, and Subsequent Pregnancy Rates
• Effect of Glucogenic Feed Additive on Reproductive Performance in Young Postpartum Range Cows
• The Effect of Late Gestation Supplementation Strategy on Cow- Calf Performance in March- Calving Mature Cows
• The Impact of Pre- partum Supplementation Strategy on Cow- Calf Performance in May- Calving Mature Cows
• The Effect of Postpartum Supplementation Strategy on Performance …

Predicting Live Body Wight Of Yearling Beef Heifers Using 3d Imaging, Dalton J. Anderson, Yijie Xiong, Andrea K. Watson, J. Travis Mulliniks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study was conducted to determine the accuracy of using 3D imaging technology as a method to predict shrunk body weight (BW) of growing yearling beef heifers. Red Angus x SImmental heifers (n = 69, BW = 726 ± 62 lbs; 12 months of age) were utilized for data collection. A time-of-flight depth camera (Azure Kinect, Microsoft) was used to collect depth videos as heifers walked out of the chute. Ideal image frames were identified from videos and used to determine the body volume of each heifer. Prediction of BW using images produced an R² (estimate of model fit) …

Impact Of Varying Inclusion Of Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Compared To Constant Inclusion On Feedlot Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Debora G. Sousa, Rebecca Mcdermott, Mitch M. Norman, J. C. Macdonald, Rick A. Stock, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of varying inclusion of modified distillers grains plus solubles on a weekly basis with two inclusions of grass hay on the performance of finishing steers. no interaction was observed between modified distillers grains plus solubles inclusion (0%, 25% constant, or 25% varying from 15-35%) and hay inclusion (6% or 12%). When evaluating the effect of hay inclusion on performance, cattle fed 6% grass hay had less dry matter intake than those fed 12% grass hay, and there was a tendency for gains to be greater for cattle fed 6% grass hay. Adding …

Impact Of Feeding New Fractioinated Distillers Grains (Fiber Plus Syrup) On Feedlot Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Debora G. Sousa, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitch M. Norman, James C. Macdonald, Rick Stock, Ryan A. Mass, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Fractionation processes are being explored to supply higher protein distillers grains for premium markets. Resulting distillers grains after a fraction is isolated will still be marketed as a cattle feed so knowing the impact on performance is important. This study evaluated feeding wet or dry conventional distillers grains with wet and dry fractionated distillers (fiber plus syrup) fed at 0, 20, or 40% of diet DM. When compared to the corn control, intake and gain increased for each of the four distillers types were fed, but feed conversion was poorer (i.e., increased) for dry distillers grains and dry fiber plus …

Comparison Of Corn Silage And Earlage In Finishing Diets When Fed As A Roughage On A Neutral Detergent Fiber Basis, Garrett N. Lemon, Rebecca Mcdermott, Alfredo Dicostanzo, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The finishing trial was conducted to evaluate the ability of earlage to serve as a roughage source compared to corn silage when both sources were balanced on an NDF basis. Steers were fed in a randomized block design with a 2x2 treatment arrangement, with one factor being NDF source (corn silage or earlage) and the other factor being inclusion ("normal" amount of roughage provided by corn silage or earlage as the only grain source and roughage source). No significant interactions were observed between roughage source and inclusion level on steer performance. Steers fed corn silage and grain had greater intakes …

Nebraska Producer Perceptions On The Role And Implications Of Negotiations In Fed Cattle Transactions, Taralee Hudson, Elliott James Dennis, Brad D. Lubben, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A survey of ten feelot operators, as identified through the Nebraska Department of Agriculture's (NDA) 2019-2020 Cattle Feeder's Directory was conducted to identify the important concepts related to negotiated transactions and price discovery within the fed cattle market. The surveyed feedlots account for approximately 10 percent of the cattle on feed identified within the directory, on a one time capacity basis. Conducted in April of 2023 via phone conversation, the questions were related to 1) negotiated cash transactions, 2) the bidding process, and 3) thinning cash trade. Such results lend insight into the marketing practices that currently dominate the fed …

Evaluation Of Gas Emissions From Cattle On Different Diet Adaptation Strategies Using Either Forage Or Ramp, Cindy D. Mansfield, Rebecca Mcdermott, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Maggie Youngers, Andrea K. Watson, Rick Stock, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 173-day finishing experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) during diet adaptation compared to a traditional forage adaptation program on methane and carbon dioxide emissions, animal performance and carcass traits in beef steers. Cattle were monitored using a calorimetry emission barn to quantify production of methane and carbon dioxide during step 1 of grain adaptation and at two subsequent times while fed a common finishing diet. Feeding RAMP reduced methane by 12% during the initial diet (step 1) compared to a traditional diet that contained 43% forage. When cattle were fed …

Rethinking Corn Residue: Effects Of Grain Yield On Quality And Quantity Of Residue, Kaylee E. Wheeler, Jessica Miller, Sadie Ference, Stephan Geu, Bill Struckmeyer, Amanda Easterly, Cody F Creech, Brian Maust, Daren D. Redfearn, Jay Parsons, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year experiment evaluated the effects of corn grain yield on the resulting quality and quantity of corn residue. Among the wide variety of corn hybrids, locations, and growing conditions, observed grain yields ranged from 120 to 350 bushels per acre. As corn yield increased, the total pounds of residue increased. However, the amount of reside relative to grain decreased. Within the residue, the proportion of leaf increased from 10 to 28% as corn yield increased while husk remained unchanged at 13%. Overall, the yield of leaf and husk per bushel of corn grain was not affected by grain yield …

Survey Of Current Management Practices And Evaluation Of Their Impact On Nutrient Content Of Small Cereal Silage In Nebraska, Alexa R. Johnson, Mary E. Drewnoski, Daren D. Redfearn, Susan Vanderplas, Jenny Rees, Ben Beckman, Erin Laborie, Todd Whitney, Kim Clark, Brad Schick, Gary Lesoing, Conner Biehler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The nutrient content of small cereal silage from 16 producers in Nebraska was measured at harvest and post-fermentation. At packing, 42% of the samples were below the target dry matter of 30-35%. Samples with dry matter percentage below 30% had a significant increase in the loss of energy (total digestible nutrient) content of the silage. The wetter silage appeared to have increased rates of clostridial fermentation as indicated by production of butyric acid. These data suggest that moisture management is a challenge and increased attention to ensuring the target dry matter content is achieved before packing could improve the quality …

Cereal Rye, Winter Triticale Or Winter Wheat: Which Is Best For Early Spring Grazing?, Alyssa K. Hall, Abigail M. Sartin, Kallie J. Calus, Morgan T. Grabau, Daren D. Redfearn, Robert B. Mitchell, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study was conducted to determine which winter-hardy small cereal grain was best suited for early spring grazing. Three species were evaluated: winter wheat, cereal rye, and winter triticale, as a double-cropped forage in a continuous soybean rotation. Within this rotation the number of grazing days is limited, but all three species provided high rates of cattle weight gain, with an average daily gain (ADG) of 3 lb/d in April. However, in a year where freezing conditions occurring after cattle started grazing, cattle grazing cereal rye had the greatest ADG, likely due to greater forage growth. Thus, cereal rye may …

Vitamin A In Cow-Calf Production: Impacts Of Maternal Supplementation And Status On Offspring, Hannah F. Speer, Harvey C. Freetly, Karla H. Jenkins, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The young calf is at greatest risk of vitamin A deficiency when cow vitamin intake is low in late pregnancy. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the relationship between cow and calf vitamin A status and how vitamin A status of cow-calf pairs was influence by maternal vitamin A supplementation. In general, calves did not have adequate liver vitamin A concentrations despite cows having adequate liver vitamin A stores following calving. Both cow iver stores and cow vitamin A intake during late gestation influence the amount of vitamin A in colostrum, so it benefits the calf if the cow has …

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 …