Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons^™

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.

Interaction Of Urea With Frequency And Amount Of Distillers Grains Supplementation On Growing Steer Rumen Digestion Parameters, Haley F. Linder, Joshua E. Sebade, Tyler J. Spore, M. E. Drewnoski, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Ruminally cannulated steers were used in 8 × 6 row-column design with 8 animals and 6 periods. Treatment design was a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, with factors including amount of supplementation, frequency of supplementation, and inclusion of urea. Hay dry matter intake was reduced by increased amount of supplementation and by decreased frequency of supplementation. Total VFA concentration did not differ among treatments. Rumen ammonia-N concentration was impacted by an interaction of amount of supplementation and inclusion of urea but there was no effect of supplementation frequency. In situ NDF disappearance did not differ between daily and alternate …

Interaction Of Urea With Frequency And Amount Of Distillers Grains Supplementation For Growing Steers, Haley F. Linder, Zachary E. Carlson, M. E. Drewnoski, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study was conducted to determine the interaction of urea with the frequency and amount of distillers grain supplementation for growing steers consuming forage. Steers were individually fed for 84 d and received ad libitum grass hay and 1 of 8 treatments. Treatment design was a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial. Supplement was fed either every day or 3x/ week, amount of supplement fed was 13.99 lb/week or 28.00 lb/week, and contained either no urea or 1.3% urea. Supplementation frequency and the inclusion of urea did not impact steer average daily gain. The amount of supplement did impacted steer …

Impact Of Urea On Corn Silage Growing Cattle Diets, Tyler J. Spore, Hannah C. Wilson, Nolan R. Meier, Galen E. Erickson, James C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Andrea K. Watson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing urea in a corn silage growing cattle diet and ensiling time impact on rumen undegradable protein content of corn silage. Four treatments (urea inclusion at 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5% of diet dry matter) were evaluated in diets containing 95% corn silage using 10 ruminally and duodenally cannulated heifers. Corn silage was sampled 5 times (every 32 days) to determine rumen undegradable protein content. Intake and total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber all increased linearly with increasing inclusion of urea in the diet. Measured …

Growth Performance In Livestock With Stress-Induced Low Birthweight Is Recovered By Clenbuterol Administration, Rachel L. Gibbs, Rebecca M. Swanson, Joslyn K. Beard, Ty B. Schmidt, Jessica Lynn Petersen, Dustin T. Yates

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Stress in pregnant livestock causes pathological low birthweight of the offspring and diminishes their muscle growth capacity. Using sheep as a model for beef cattle, this study determined that the limited growth capacity of offspring with stress-induced low birthweight could be recovered by postnatal treatments. Muscle in these animals has less growth-promoting β2 adrenergic activity and thus the injectable β2 adrenergic stimulant clenbuterol was used as a daily treatment. Lambs with stress-induced low birthweight continued to exhibit impaired muscle growth and feed efficiency well past the normal age for weaning. In addition, they began to put on excess fat around …

Zipaterol Supplementation Improved Indicators Of Well-Being, But Not Growth In Heat-Stressed Red Angus Steers, Pablo C. Grijalva, Duarte E. Diaz, Samuel R. Garcia, Ty B. Schmidt, Jessica Lynn Petersen, Dustin T. Yates

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of zilpaterol (β2 agonist) supplementation on respiration rate, body temperature, growth, and carcass traits were studied in chronically heat-stressed feedlot steers. Through a collaborative partnership with the University of Arizona, Red Angus steers were heat stressed (90-105^oF) and fed zilpaterol-supplemented rations (Thermo-neutral control steers were pair-fed to the average feed intake of heat-stressed steers) for 30 days. Hot and cold carcass weights for heat-stressed cattle were 3% less than for controls, despite equal feed intake. Zilpaterol did not affect growth but improved the heat stress-induced hyperventilation and elevated body temperatures. Lighter carcass weights in heat-stressed cattle …

Inflammatory Modulators Improve Daily Gain Of Heat-Stressed Wethers, Micah S. Most, Pablo C. Grijalva, Dustin T. Yates

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Inflammation during heat stress may mediate poor growth in livestock. The effects of anti-imflammatory treatments on muscle growth during chronic heat stress were evaluated by using meat lambs as a smaller cheaper model for feedlot steers. Wethers were maintained in normal (75^oF) or heat stress (105^oF for 12 hours/day, 85^oF for 12 hours/day) environments for 30 days and received dexamethasone injections every 3 days, oral fish oil supplementation twice daily, or no intervention. Growth was tracked and muscles were weighed when harvested afterward. Dexamethasone and fish oil both increased average daily gain over the …

Impact Of Cow Size On Economic Profitability In Cow-Calf And Feedlot Production Systmes, Robert L. Ziegler, Elliott James Dennis, J. A. Musgrave, T. L. Meyer, R. Funston, Kathryn J. Hanford, J. C. Macdonald, J. Travis Mulliniks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study retrospectively evaluated the effect of cow size on profitability in the cow-calf segment and retained ownership of steer calves in the feedlot. Data were collected between 2005 to 2017 from the cowherd at Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory. From these data, two separate herds were assumed, one consisting of small-sized (1,000 lb) cows and another consisting of large-sized cows (1,220 lb) for the GSL cowherd. Larger cows weaned larger calves and produced heavier carcass weights of steers at slaughter. However, smaller cows generated more total pounds of output throughout the entire production system based on more calves retained in feedlots …

Statistics Used In The Nebraska Beef Cattle Report And Teir Purpose, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Te 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. Te use of statistics allows the researcher and readers of the Nebraska Beef Cattle 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 …

Economics Of Grazing Calves On Oats Planted After Corn Silage In Eastern Nebraska, Kallie J. Calus, Mckenna M. Brinton, Benjamin H. Hansen, Kristen M. Ulmer, Zachery E. Carlson, Fred H. Hilscher, M. E. Drewnoski, Jay Parsons, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A five-year study (2015–2019) evaluated profitability of planting and grazing an oats cover crop after early harvested corn silage in eastern Nebraska. Oats were typically planted in the first week of September. Stocking rate ranged from 1.7 to 0.6 steers per acre and was based on oats biomass. Calves were turned out in early November each year and allowed to graze until oats biomass or weather limited intake. Grazing period ranged from 30 to 69 days. Average daily gain of calves ranged from 3.35 to 1.29 pounds with an average of 1.97 pounds. Shortened grazing seasons in some years were …

Effects Of Strong Oxidants Present In Acer Spp. On Hemolysis Methemoglobin Production In Equine Erythrocytes, Gabrielle Mcgeorge, Jeffrey Lehman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Maple toxicosis is a deadly condition affecting equines after they have ingested wilted leaves of the genus Acer (i.e., maple species). It is characterized by hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia. Although the toxins responsible for causing toxicosis have not been identified, they are thought to be strong oxidants. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of eight compounds (galloyl derivatives) found in Acer spp. on hemolysis and methemoglobin production in bioassays with equine erythrocytes. Seven of the compounds are known constituents of Acer spp. that are commercially available. One of the compounds--acertannin--was isolated and characterized from leaf extracts …

Antibiotic Resistance In Manure- Amended Agricultural Soils, Maranatha Zelt, Zachary Staley, Xu Li, Bing Wang, Daniel N. Miller, Amy Schmidt

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Manure application to agricultural land benefits soil health and agronomic yields. However, as antibiotic resistance becomes a more serious threat to public health, there is concern that antibiotic resistance originating from livestock manure could impact human health through contamination of the environment or food. This study sought to quantify this risk by monitoring concentrations of antibiotic resistance bacteria and genes in fallow soil during the period of October through April, representing fall manure application through spring planting. Resistance to three common antibiotics— tylosin, azithromycin and tetracycline— was monitored following application of fresh, stockpiled, or composted beef feedlot manure, or inorganic …

Winter Growth Rate And Timing Of Marketing On Economics Of Yearling Systems, Michael Merical, M. E. Drewnoski, Jay Parsons

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Economic analyses were conducted examining 18 years of Nebraska monthly- average auction data to ! nd the e" ects of certain management decisions on the pro! tability of yearling production systems. A 2×2 experimental design was used to examine four possible scenarios. $ e variables were either fast winter growth (daily gain, 2.0 lb/ day) or slow winter growth (daily gain, 0.8 lb/day), and either a September or a July marketing date. In addition to pro! tability, risk management was also examined in this study. Average pro! tability of all scenarios was good, ranging from $112 to $143 per calf. …

Impact Of Masters Choice Corn Silage On Nutrient Digestion In Growing Cattle, Jiehua Xiong, Mitch M. Norman, Hannah C. Wilson, Caleb Crabtree, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Monensin And Protein Type On Performance Of Yearling Steers Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures, Z. E. Carlson, K. Butterfield, Levi Mcphillips, Galen E. Erickson, M. E. Drewnoski, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Two-year study evaluated the effects of monensin on protein type, either rumen degradable or rumen undegradable, with yearling steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures. Steers were supplemented soybean meal (rumen degradable protein) or nonenzymatically browned soybean meal (rumen undegradable protein) at isonitrogenous levels to dried distillers grains plus solubles provided at 0.50% BW. Likewise, steers were provided either zero or 200 mg/hd/d of monensin for a total of six treatments with a 2 × 3 (no protein, RDP, or RUP) factorial design. There was no interaction of monensin by protein type. Providing monensin to grazing yearlings did not …

2021 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow-Calf Nutrition and Management: Metabolic Profile Associated with Pre-Breeding Puberty Status in Range Beef Heifers 5 • Milk Production Impacts on Cow Reproductive and Calf Growth Performance 8 • Genetic Selection Tools: Using Pooling to Capture Commercial Data for Inclusion in Genetic Evaluations 11 • Categorization of Birth Weight Phenotypes for Inclusion in Genetic Evaluations Using a Deep Neural Network 14 • Genetic Parameter Estimates for Age at Slaughter and Days to Finish in a Multibreed Population 16

Growing Calf and Yearling Management: Effects of Monensin and Protein Type on Performance of Yearling Steers Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures 18 • …