Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons^™

Effect Of Ad Libitum Vs. Limit Feeding Program At Receiving On Morbidity And Performance Of Feedlot Calves, Rebecca A. Funk, Braden C. Troyer, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-phase study was conducted to determine the effects of two different feed delivery strategies during the receiving period of feedlot calves. Calves were fed either by limit-feeding at approximately 75% of ad libitum, or ad libitum feed offerings for the 30-d receiving period to determine effects on health and performance. During the receiving period, average daily gain and total weight gained was increased for the ad libitum treatment. No differences between ad libitum and limit-fed treatment groups were observed in either feed to gain or morbidity rates. During the second phase of the trial, a subset of calves was …

Effect Of Species And Maturity On Small Grain Silage Yield And Quality, Abigail M. Sartin, Kallie J. Calus, Morgan T. Grabau, Alyssa K. Kuhn, Mary E. Drewnoski, D. D. Redfearn

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study was conducted to determine the effect of species and maturity on yield and nutritive value of winter-hardy small cereal grains used for silage. Three species were evaluated: cereal rye, winter triticale, and winter wheat at four different stages of maturity: boot, pollination, milk, and soft dough. As species matured, yield increased across all stages, but crude protein (CP) and digestible organic matter (DOM) decreased, except at soft dough where there was a slight increase in DOM. Crude protein was greatest at the boot stage at 17.7% and least at soft dough at 9.8%. When comparing species, rye and …

Evaluation Of Ankom F58 Filter Bags Compared To Beakers For Analysis Of Neutral Detergent Fiber, Sawyer R. Kappel, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feed ingredient, feed refusals, duodenal and fecal samples were analyzed to compare two methods of determining neutral detergent fiber. All samples were weighed into Ankom F58 fiber bags and Analyzed using an Ankom 2000 automated fiber Analyzer. Results were then compared to the Van Soest beaker method. The fiber values determined from both methods were within 3.5% of one another, with the beaker method being consistently greater compared to the Ankom method, except for fecal samples. Variability in fiber estimates for ingredients, feed refusals, and feces translated to substantial inconsistency in estimated neutral detergent fiber digestibilities among treatments. It is …

Forage Evaluation Of Crested Wheatgrass, Kelton C. Adair, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Andrea K. Watson, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment evaluated the forage value of crested wheatgrass (CWG) harvested throughout the grazing season near Sidney, Nebraska over a two-year period (2019-2020). The purpose of the evaluation was to determine forage quality and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) content to help producers with supplementation decisions for cattle grazing monoculture CWG pastures. In vitro dry matter disappearance quadratically decreased from 54% in May to 37% in September of 2019, with no changes throughout 2020, averaging 43%. In both years, crude protein (CP) decreased throughout the growing season while rumen undegradable protein (RUP) increased (as % CP). Digestible RUP was less than …

Effects Of Strategic Supplementation On Return To Management And Performance Of Yearling Cattle, Kaylee E. Wheeler, Dean Dustin, Jay Parsons, M. E. Drewnoski, K. H. Jenkins Pas

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A three-year experiment evaluated the effects of two supplementation strategies on yearling cattle performance and producer returns to management. Yearling cattle grazed on crested wheatgrass pastures and were supplemented either throughout the entire grazing season, only during the latter part of the grazing season, or not supplemented at all. The supplemented yearlings received 3.5 lb of dried distillers grains with solubles 6 days/week. On average non-supplemented yearlings had an average daily gain of 1.1 lb/d and providing supplement increased average daily gain by 0.5 lb/d. Yearlings supplemented during the latter part of the season had similar performance to yearlings supplemented …

Timing Of Implant Use In The Backgrounding System, Kelton C. Adair, Kylie M. Butterfield, Zach E. Carlson, Braden C. Troyer, Jiehua Xiong, Mitchell M. Norman, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, M. E. Drewnoski, Brandon L. Nuttelman

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A two-year study utilized 240 weaned steers each year in a 3-phase yearling production system: winter backgrounding, summer grazing, and finishing. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of winter rate of gain (LOW or HIGH) and implant strategy during the winter backgrounding and summer grazing periods on compensatory gain, animal performance, and carcass characteristics. Calves received 1 of 3 implant strategies: NONE, SINGLE (Revalor-G during summer grazing), and MULTIPLE (Ralgro during winter backgrounding and Revalor-G during summer grazing). All cattle received a Revalor-XS during the finishing phase. Implant strategy and rate of gain during the winter …

Artificial Insemination Of Beef Heifers With Multi-Sire Sexed Semen, Dempster Christenson, John Maddux, Jordan M. Thomas, R. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study observed pregnancy outcomes resulting from artificial insemination of beef heifers with multi-sire sexed semen. It was hypothesized, pregnancy rates resulting from multi-sire sexed semen would be increased compared to pregnancy rates from prior studies using single-sire sexed semen. Producers looking to maximize the proportion of calves of one sex may consider the technique. Ultrasound determined pregnancy rate of heifers given multi-sire sexed semen was 65%, which is 12% greater than the average pregnancy rate reported in previous studies using single-sire sexed semen. After accounting for date of birth however, the adjusted AI conception rate was calculated to range …

Extending Melengestrol Acetate Treatment From Fourteen To Eighteen Days In Beef Heifers, Dempster Christenson, Jordan M. Thomas, Daniel J. Kelly, R. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study compared estrus synchronization, estrus response, and artificial insemination pregnancy rates of beef heifers fed melengestrol acetate the normal 14-day period or extended to an 18-day period using the melengestrol acetate -prostaglandin- heat detect and timed artificial insemination protocol. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate if extending melengestrol acetate feeding by 4 days increases the number of heifers ovulating, which would result in greater estrus response and pregnancy rate in the whole herd. Early estrus response following prostaglandin administration occurred in heifers who averaged an earlier estrus response after melegestrol acetate withdrawal but extending the melengestrol …

Effect Of Increasing Energy 30 Days Prior To Artificial Insemination In Beef Heifers, Landon F. Tadich, Rachel E.S. Rogers, Jim R. Teichert, R. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 3-yr study utilized 300 Angus-based, spring-born heifers to evaluate postweaning heifer development systems on gain and reproductive performance. Three groups of heifers were developed over the winter development period either grazing winter range or fed a dry lot diet targeted to 1.5 lb/d of gain in order to achieve 65% of their mature body weight at breeding. Thirty days prior to artificial insemination, heifers grazing winter rand entered the dry lot and were fed this same diet, one group of dry lot heifers remained on this diet, and the other received increased energy in the form of wet corn …

Including Gene Edited Sires In Genetic Evaluations, Leticia P. Sanglard, Garret M. See, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A simulation study investigated and provided potential solutions to practical issues that could arise from including gene-edited sires in routine genetic evaluations. Gene-editing is a technique for adding, deleting, or replacing nucleotides in the genome. Editing nucleotides controlling important socioeconomic traits (e.g., growth, carcass, disease susceptibility) is expected to improve rates of genetic gain. However, targeted alterations of the genome can affect the relationship among individuals and, consequently, introduce bias in Expected Progeny Differences. The current study illustrated that, indeed, Expected Progeny Differences for the progeny of edited sires were underestimated. Consequently, these animals would be less likely to be …

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 …

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 …