Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons^™

Comparison Of Semi-Confined And Pasture-Based August Calving Beef Cow Systems, Hannah F. Speer, Harvey C. Freetly, M. E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Limited pasture availability and increased pasture rental rates have generated a need to evaluate alternative cow-calf production systems. The current study compared cow and calf performance in two August-calving cow systems that combined corn residue grazing with 1) perennial forage grazing and hay or 2) summer drylot feeding and fall cover crop grazing. Differences in pregnancy rates between systems within year were not observed; however, the effect of production system on cow body condition and calf body weight at different time points varied across years. Overall, cow and calf performance were not negatively impacted in the drylot/cropland system, suggesting that …

Impact Of Planning Horizon Length On Breeding Objectives And Resulting Selection Decisions, Hunter F. Valasek, Bruce L. Golden, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The weighting of traits in a selection index depends on varying circumstances that can difer among beef producers (e.g. economic factors, breeding systems). The determination of planning horizon is an additional variable that can differ among producers that represents the impact of genetic selection decisions over a gradient of time. A web-based economic index construction platform (iGENDEC) was used in the current study to investigate the implications of planning horizon on relative emphasis values of traits within the breeding goal and potential differences in sire selection decisions. General-purpose indexes were created for three breeding systems under six different …

Effects Of High-Speed Training On Messenger Rna Expression In Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses, Mackenzie Grace Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Accumulating high-speed exercise has been identified as a significant risk factor for catastrophic injuries in racing Thoroughbreds. Injuries, regardless of severity, are a main cause of withdrawal from the racing industry, raising animal welfare concerns and resulting in significant economic losses. While most of the current literature focuses on catastrophic injuries incurred during racing rather than training, the present study aims to help fill this gap as well as discuss the associated risk factors. The evaluation of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression changes provides an efficient and straightforward approach to identifying horses at risk for catastrophic injury. While alternative injury risk …

Rumen-Protected Methionine Supplementation Improves Lactation, Oxidative Status, And Immune Response During A Subclinical Mastitis Challenge In Lactating Dairy Cows., Anita Paz Lopez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mastitis is a significant problem in the dairy industry, posing numerous challenges for dairy farmers worldwide. Mastitis refers to the inflammation of the mammary gland, primarily caused by bacterial infections. This condition affects the health and well-being of dairy cows and has severe economic implications for farmers and overall dairy production. The prevalence of mastitis substantially threatens milk quality, productivity, and profitability, making it a top concern in the dairy industry. Preventing mastitis in cows is crucial for maintaining the herd's health and ensuring highquality milk production. Nutritional strategies have recently gained greater attention due to a direct impact on …

Seroprevalence And Titer Concentration Testing For Leptospirosis In Equine, Ashley Himmelsbaugh

Honors College Theses

The most common best management practice used to combat diseases in horses is vaccination, which can decrease the incidence or severity of illness. However, the duration of immunity will vary for each vaccination and must be considered for revaccination purposes. Titer concentration, which evaluates antibodies in the blood, may be a helpful way of determining how long an animal has immunity to a disease. Leptospirosis, a zoonotic, bacterial disease, can result in uveitis, potentially leading to blindness, and abortion in mares. One serovar, Leptospirosis pomona (L. pomona), is associated with most cases of clinical disease in horses in North America. …

Isolation Of Drug-Sensitive Eimeria Species From Wild Turkey Feces And Development Of A Model Bioshuttle Program For Eimeria Meleagrimitis For Domestic Turkeys, Maria Carolina Trujillo Peralta

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis was to determine the anticoccidial profile of Eimeria spp. derived from wild turkeys. These drug-sensitive Eimeria spp. have potential to be used as vaccine candidates to control coccidiosis in commercial turkeys. Chapter two consists of a brief literature review focused on coccidiosis in turkeys. Chapter three addresses the methodologies utilized to isolate, recover, and speciate Eimeria recovered from wild turkey feces in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. From this, we successfully obtained single oocyst-derived stocks for E. meleagrimitis, E. dispersa, E. meleagridis, E. gallopavonis, and E. adenoeides. Chapter four describes the experiment conducted …

Evaluation Of Protective Efficacy Of Viral Vector Based Swine Influenza Vaccine And A Method For B Cell Culture For Monoclonal Antibody Generation, Sushmita Kumari

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Influenza A virus of the swine (IAV-S) is an economically important swine pathogen that has the potential to spread to humans, thus posing an ongoing public health concern due to its zoonotic potential. Hemagglutinin (HA), the most abundant viral envelope protein, is known to be the key protective antigen. Anti-HA antibodies alone, have been shown to prevent IAV infection. In this study we evaluated the feasibility of a recombinant tri segmented Pichinde virus (PICV) as a viral vector to deliver IAV-S hemagglutinin antigen in pigs. Four groups of weaned pigs (T01-04) were immunized twice with PBS, rPICV-GFP as a vector …

Beef Quality Following Prolonged Aging After Supplementing High Levels Of Vitamin E, Nicolas J. Herrera, Joseph A. Sonderman, David M. Velazco, Chris Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Increased postmortem aging of beef can accelerate discoloration, shortening retail display time, inducing oxidation of lipids and proteins, and generating negative flavor attributes. This study was conducted to evaluate supplementation of high levels (2,200 International Units/head/day for 100 d) of Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) when feeding cattle as a strategy to sustain meat color quality in beef strip loins after prolonged aging. Results showed significantly less discoloration in loins from animals fed high levels of Vitamin E across 3, 6, and 9 weeks of aging. In addition, loins from cattle fed high levels of Vitamin E exhibited significantly greater redness (a*) …

Comparison Of Partially Confined And Traditional Cow-Calf Systems, Zac E. Carlson, Levi J. Mcphillips, Galen E. Erickson, M. E. Drewnoski, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Production of cow-calf pairs and grow/finish performance of calves from a partially-confined, fall-calving, intensive cow-calf system were compared to a traditional, spring-calving, extensive cow-calf system. Body condition was lower at breeding and weaning for the fall-calving alternative system compared to the traditional, spring-calving system. Conception, calving, and weaning rates were not different among treatments. Weaning weights were lower for the fall-calving alternative system than traditional, spring-calving system. Following weaning, calves were grown for 117 d and then subsequently finished to the same target fatness for both systems. In the grower phase, gain was greater and feed conversion improved for the …

2022 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The purpose of beef cattle and beef product research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is to provide reference information that represents the various populations (cows, calves, heifers, feeders, carcasses, retail products, etc.) of beef production.

Dedicated in memory of Dr. Terry Klopfenstein (March 10, 1939-April 30, 2021), Professor Emeritus, Animal Science Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Cow-Calf Nutrition and Management

Impact of Cow Size on Economic Profitability in the Cow-Calf and Feedlot Production Systems

Comparison of Partially Confined and Traditional Cow-Calf Systems

Concepts in Stress Physiology

Inflammatory Modulators Improve Daily Gain of Heat-Stressed Wethers

Zilpaterol Supplementation Improved Indicators of Well-Being, but …

Fate Of Salmonella In Beef Steaks During Sous Vide Cooking, Heather B. Hunt, Samuel C. Watson, Byron D. Chaves, Gary Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sous vide cooking meat products has become a popular in-home method of food preparation. Previous research from UNL Meat Science using generic E. coli demonstrated the potential risk of sous vide cooking at temperatures recommended by some popular press items. To increase the understanding of the safety concerns of cooking beef products to temperatures below USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) guidance temperatures, the experiment was conducted with Salmonella. Steaks were internally inoculated with three serovars of Salmonella, and sous vide cooked to internal temperatures of 115, 125, and 130° F. At least a 5 log₁₀ reduction was achieved …

Beef Quality And Oxidative Stability From Cattle Fed High Levels Of Vitamin E, Nicolas J. Herrera, Joe A. Sonderman, David M. Velazco, Chris Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Meat color is a major factor for consumer meat purchasing decisions. Aging beef, which can improve tenderness, has been shown to accelerate discoloration in fresh beef, shortening retail display time, and generating negative flavor attributes. The objective of this study was to evaluate supplementing cattle high levels (2,200 International Units/ day) of Vitamin E to sustain meat quality during prolonged retail display in beef strip loins after 2 or 14 days aging compared to commercially-produced loins selected as controls. Results showed a treatment x age effect for Warner-Bratzler shear force and free calcium content, primarily due to aging. A dietary …

Quality Parameters Of Wet And Dry Aged Beef Loins From Cattle Fed High Doses Of Vitamin E, David M. Velazco, Joe A. Sonderman, Nicolas J. Herrera, Chris Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this experiment was to determine if dietary supplementation of high doses of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol; 2,200 IU per day for 100 days) can impact quality attributes of wet and dry-aged beef strip loins. Steaks from beef cattle supplemented with high doses of vitamin E exhibited less lipid oxidation after wet or dry aging, took longer time to discolor during retail display, and sustained redder color for a longer period under retail display conditions compared to controls. Free amino acids related to positive beef flavor attributes were higher for dry-aged loins compared to traditional wet aged samples loins. …

Effects Of Lime Amendment On Antibiotic Resistance In Beef Cattle Manure Of Open Feedlots, Noelle A. Mware, Galen E. Erickson, Amy Schmidt, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt, Xu Li

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lime amendment on the reduction of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes in beef cattle manure in open feedlots. Hydrated lime was uniformly applied to the surface of feedlot pen floor 1 day prior to cattle harvest at a rate of 0.36 lb/ft² and samples were collected over time. Collected samples were analyzed for change in pH and levels of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes. Lime amendment elevated the pH of pen floor surface materials to pH > 12 for 4 hours and then pH > 11 …

Effect Of Biochar As A Feedlot Pen Surface Amendment On Manure Nutrient Capture, J. L. Sperber, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Levi J. Mcphillips, Heather Nobert, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two mass balance experiments were conducted during winter and summer seasons to evaluate the effect of spreading biochar on the feedlot pen surface on manure nutrient retention. The winter experiment (Dec to June) evaluated three treatments including biochar spread to pen surface (approximately 54 lb of biochar per steer), hydrated lime spread to pen surface (cooperation with UNL Environmental Engineering; approximately 68 lb per steer) and negative control (no treatment applied). The summer experiment (June to Nov) evaluated biochar treatment (approximately 68 lb of biochar per steer) against negative control. Biochar utilized in winter and summer was unprocessed and sourced …

Impact Of Spring Corn Residue Grazing On Soil Physical Properties And Crop Yield, Morgan T. Grabau, J. C. Macdonald, Zachary E. Carlson, M. E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of stocking density for spring corn residue grazing on soil physical properties and soybean yield were evaluated in an experiment with three treatments: no grazing, normal density, and high density. Normal density was stocked at 3 calves/acre and grazed 45 days starting in mid-February. High-density was stocked at 9 calves/acre and grazed 15 days starting in mid-March. Increased stocking density decreased residue cover and increased surface roughness. Bulk density and penetration resistance were increased for normal density compared to no graze, with no difference between grazed treatments, illustrating that grazing may cause minor compaction, regardless of stocking density. …

Evaluation Of Methane And Co2 Production In Growing And Finishing Cattle Raised In Conventional Or Partial Confinement-Based Herds, L. J. Mcphillips, Z. E. Carlson, Rick R. Stowell, J. C. Macdonald, Andrew E. Suyker, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Methane emissions from growing and finishing calves compared either a spring calving, conventional cow system or a summer calving, partially-confined cow system. 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 phases, calves from the confinement-based system produced more total CH₄ and CH₄ per lb. HCW. Production of methane and CO₂ per lb. of gain was lower in …

Impact Of Biochar Supplementation In Finishing Diets On Greenhouse Gas Emissions, J. L. Sperber, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Levi J. Mcphillips, Heather Nobert, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding biochar in a finishing diet on cattle performance, methane and carbon dioxide emissions, and carcass characteristics. Two treatments were evaluated, a high-concentrate control diet without biochar and a diet with biochar included at 1.0% of the diet dry matter, replacing high moisture corn in the diet. Pens of cattle were rotated through a two-sided emissions barn (2 pens evaluated simultaneously) to capture CH4 and CO2 production. There were no statistical differences in gas emissions for biochar supplemented steers compared to control. There was a 2.4% decrease in dry matter intake …

Impact Of A Natural Feed Additive Using Direct Fed Microbes On Finishing Beef Cattle Performance And Liver Abscess Rate, Kelton C. Adair, Alison C. Bartenslager, Zachary E. Carlson, Galen E. Erickson, Samodha C. Fernando, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A feedlot study with individually fed steers (n=60) was conducted comparing a natural feed additive (Direct Fed Microbial) to no feed additive (control) on performance and liver abscess rate of finishing beef cattle. There were no significant differences between treatments on intake, gain, feed conversion, or hot carcass weight and carcass traits. Liver abscess occurrence and severity were similar for both treatments with 4/29 steers having abscessed livers in the control group and 3/29 steers in the group that received direct fed microbials. The direct fed microbial feed additive fed in this exploratory study did not significantly affect performance, liver …

Effect Of Feeding Cars On Digestibility And Fatty Acid Flow In Finishing Cattle Diets, John C. Gibbons, Mitchell M. Norman, Tyler J. Spore, Hannah C. Wilson, Kylie Butterfield, Andea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Jonathan W. Wilson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of a liquid feed, Condensed Algal Residue Solubles (CARS) on diet digestibility and fatty acid flow to the small intestine. Three treatments included CARS at 0, 2.5, and 5% of the diet dry matter, replacing steam-flaked corn. The base diet included 73, 70.5, or 68% steam flaked corn, 15% dried distillers grains plus solubles, 8% alfalfa haylage, and 4% supplement. Inclusion of CARS in the diet did not affect dry matter or organic matter intake or digestibility of dry matter, organic matter or neutral detergent fiber. Amount of fatty acid flowing to …

Evaluation Of Green Grass On Nutrient Digestibility And Fatty Acid Flow In Cattle Finishing Diets, Aksel R. Wiseman, Tyler J. Spore, Mitchell M. Norman, Hannah C. Wilson, J. C. Macdonald, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Six ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers were utilized in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square experiment to test 0, 15, and 30% dietary inclusion of Green Grass (Sunseo Omega 3; Chungcheong Duk-Do, South Korea), a feed comprised of sesame meal, giant kelp, cassava, and sorghum (not currently approved to be fed in the US). Dry matter and fiber intake increased linearly with increased Green Grass inclusion. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility were not affected by Green Grass inclusion. Concentration of saturated fatty acids at the duodenum were similar for Green Grass 0 and Green Grass 15 with a …

Evaluation Of Processing Technique For High-Moisture And Dry Corn On Nutrient Digestion When Fed To Finishing Cattle, Caitlin A. Coulson, Mitch M. Norman, Nicole M. Woita, Hannah C. Wilson, Kylie M. Butterfield, Tyler J. Spore, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion trial was conducted to determine the effect of corn milling method when processing dry or high-moisture corn on nutrient digestion. Treatments were evaluated as a 2 × 2 factorial with the first factor as corn type [dry corn or high-moisture corn] and second factor as mill type [roller mill or hammer mill]. Feeding high-moisture corn decreased the amount of excreted dry matter and organic matter regardless of processing method, but there tended to be an interaction between corn type and milling method for digestibility. There was no difference between milling treatments fed as high-moisture corn, but hammer milled …

Impact Of Steam-Flaked Rye Fed In Combination With Steam-Flaked Corn On Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Yearling Steers, Samantha K. Wagner, Braden T. Troyer, Levi J. Mcphillips, Rebecca S. Brattain, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study evaluated the effect of feeding steam-flaked rye on performance and carcass characteristics of yearling steers. Treatments consisted of different ratios of steam-flaked rye to steam-flaked corn. The ratios were 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, and 100:0 rye:corn. Increasing inclusions of rye linearly decreased final body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, and hot carcass weight. As a result, feed conversion was poorer as rye replaced corn. Carcass characteristics reflected lower gain with linear decreases in marbling score, ribeye area, and backfat thickness. There was no difference in yield grade among treatments. Based on dietary energy calculated from performance, …

Evaluating Performance Of Cattle Fed Steam-Flaked Corn Based Finishing Diets Fed Increasing Inclusions Of Wet Or Modified Distillers Grains, Braden C. Troyer, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing trial using 560 calf-fed steers was conducted to evaluate the effect of distillers type and inclusion on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics in steam-flaked corn based diets. Treatments were applied in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement, with the first factor being distillers type (modified distillers grains plus solubles or wet distillers grains plus solubles) and the second factor being distillers grains inclusion of 10%, 20%, or 30%, as well as a control diet containing no distillers. There was an interaction between inclusion and type of distillers for feed conversion. A linear improvement in feed …

Effect Of Finishing Cattle With Blends Of High Moisture And Steam-Flaked Corn With And Without Distillers Grains, Braden C. Troyer, Zac C. Carlson, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, Andrea K. Watson, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of feeding different ratios of high-moisture corn and steam-flaked corn in diets with or without distillers grains and test for an associative effect between grain processing methods. Steers (n=120; BW=775 ± 15.6 lb) were assigned randomly to one of 8 diets. Diets tested included 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100 of high-moisture corn:steam-flaked corn in diets with 20% modified distillers grains or 100:0, 50:50, and 0:100 in diets without distillers grains. There was an interaction observed for average daily gain as gain improved in 50:50 blends of HMC:SFC in diets …

Characterizing Digestion Traits Of Novel Corn Bran Products, Jiehua Xiong, Chanon Suntara, Rebecca Sjostrand, Tyler Spore, Maggie Youngers, Rick Stock, Galen E. Erickson, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion study was conducted to evaluate novel corn bran products from Cargill Corn Milling on nutrient digestibility in beef steers. Three bran products (Bran A/B/C) were included at 70% of diet dry matter of TRT A, B and C, with an internal control (SFC control) diet which consisted of 70% SFC. The SFC control exhibited the greatest dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and starch digestibility, and the least neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility. Among TRT A, B and C when bran products were included at 70%, there was no difference in DM or OM intake and digestibility. NDF …

Interaction Of Sweet Bran Inclusion And Corn Processing Method In Beef Finishing Diets On Digestibility, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Kathlyn Hauxwell, Maggie Youngers, Rick Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Six ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers were utilized in a 6 × 6 Latin square design to evaluate the interaction of corn processing method and Sweet Bran inclusion in finishing diets on total tract digestibility and rumen fermentation characteristics. Treatments were designed as a 2 × 3 factorial, with one factor as corn processing method (steam-flaked corn or a blend of high-moisture and dry-rolled corn) and the second factor as Sweet Bran inclusion at 0, 20, or 40% of diet dry matter. Cattle fed steam-flaked corn diets had greater starch digestibility while cattle fed high-moisture/ dry-rolled corn diets had greater …

Interaction Of Sweet Bran Inclusion And Corn Processing Method In Beef Finishing Diets, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Levi J. Mcphillips, Braden C. Troyer, Maggie Youngers, Rick Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of corn processing method and Sweet Bran concentration on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics were evaluated in steam-flaked corn or a blend of high-moisture and dry-rolled corn-based diets. Sweet Bran was included at 0, 20, or 40% of diet dry matter. When cattle were fed 0% Sweet Bran, feeding steam-flaked corn resulted in a 11.7% improvement in feed conversion and heavier hot-carcass weight compared to feeding high-moisture/ dry-rolled corn. As Sweet Bran increased in the diet, there was a linear improvement in feed conversion for high-moisture/dry-rolled corn-fed steers and no change in feed conversion for steam-flaked corn-fed …

Evaluation Of Models To Predict Dry Matter Intake Of Forage Based Diets, Aksel Wiseman, Andrea K. Watson, Rick Stock, Terry Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Dry matter intake (DMI) data from growing cattle experiments at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center were summarized in order to evaluate the accuracy of model predicted DMI. Cattle were fed individually (n = 78) or in pens (n = 15) and predicted DMI using the Beef Cattle Nutrient Requirements Model (BCNRM, 2016) was compared to observed DMI. The model over predicted DMI when total digestible nutrients (TDN) was less than 64%, under predicted DMI when dietary TDN was greater than 64%, and had a low accuracy, explaining less than 22% of the variation in DMI. An equation to …

Effect Of Rapeseed Inclusion In Late-Summer Planted Oat Pasture On Growing Performance Of Beef Steers, Devin A. Jakub, Hannah E. Riley, Kristin E. Hales, Steven D. Shackelford, Harvey C. Freetly, M. E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An oat monoculture was planted in late summer at 100 lb/ac and compared to oats planted at 50 lb/ac with rapeseed included at 3 lb/ac. Seed cost of the oat monoculture ($20/ac) was greater than the mix ($15/ac). Initial forage yield was not affected by the inclusion of rapeseed with fall oat. Calf gain was significantly greater and cost of gain was significantly decreased when rapeseed was included due to the combination of greater gains and lesser seed cost. Including rapeseed in late summer planted oats may be beneficial for producers who want to graze growing calves in the fall.