Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons^™

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing experiment evaluated substitution of corn silage and modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS) in place of corn. The experimental arrangementwas a 2 X 2 + 1 factorial with diets containing 15 or 45% corn silage and 20 or 40% MDGS as well as a control containing 5% cornstalks and 40% MDGS. There were no interactions between corn silage and MDGS inclusion for carcass adjusted performance. As corn silage inclusion increased in the diet, there was a modest reduction in ADG and an increase in F:G. When MDGS inclusion was increased, ADG and F:G were improved. Cattle fed 40% …

The Effects Of Corn Price, Shrink, And Harvest Moisture On Corn Silage Economics, Dirk B. Burken, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Economic assumptions were applied to corn production to set corn silage prices for breakeven corn production, whether harvested for corn grain or corn silage. Price levels were used for the calculation of returns per finished steer as corn silage inclusion increased in finishing diets containing distillers grains. As corn price increased, the economics of feeding elevated concentrations of corn silage became more favorable. The economic importance of shrink and harvest moisture content were assessed. As corn price increases and the inclusion of corn silage increases, corn silage management decisions have greater economic importance.

Digestibility Of De-Oiled Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles In Forage-Based Diets, Meredith L. Bremer, Sarah J. Peterson, Adam L. Shreck Shreck, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Over half of Nebraska’s ethanol plants are removing oil from distillers grains via centrifugation of the thin stillage constituent. Removing oil by this method does not impact intake or total tract digestibility in beef cattle growing diets. However, increasing the concentration of de-oiled distillers grains in the diet significantly improved intake and digestibility. Thus, concentration of distillers grain in the diet has a greater impact on total tract digestibility than the fat content in forage-based diets.

Feeding Value Of De-Oiled Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Relative To Normal When Fed With Either Dry-Rolled Corn Or Steam-Flaked Corn In Beef Finishing Diets, Meredith L. Bremer, Marie E. Harris, Jake A. Hansen Hansen, Karla H. Jenkins, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 128-day finishing study utilized 328 yearling steers to determine the effects of feeding de-oiled wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) in dry rolled corn (DRC) or steam-flaked corn (SFC) diets relative to normal fat WDGS. No significant interactions were observed, but cattle fed DRC had greater DMI and were less efficient than those consuming SFC. Linear improvements in ADG and F:G were observed as concentration of de-oiled WDGS increased from 0 to 35%. Numerically cattle fed normal WDGS were more efficient than cattle fed de-oiled WDGS.

Response To Increasing Concentrations Of De-Oiled Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles In Beef Feedlot Diets, Meredith L. Bremer, Curtis J. Bittner, Dirk B. Burken Burken, Galen E. Erickson, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 154-day finishing study, utilizing 378 calf-fed steers, was conducted to evaluate the response to feeding increasing concentrations of de-oiled modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) on cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Two additional diets were fed to compare de-oiled MDGS to normal MDGS at either 15 or 30% inclusion. Increasing concentration of de-oiled MDGS in the diet resulted in a linear improvement in F:G. When comparing 30% de-oiled to normal MDGS, there was a tendency for 3.4% improvement in F:G for cattle fed normal MDGS diets over those fed de-oiled MDGS.

Comparison Of Wet Or Dry Distillers Grains Plus Solubles To Corn As An Energy Source In Forage-Based Diets, Nerissa A. Ahern, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Four experiments were conducted comparing wet or dry distillers grains plus solubles to each other or to corn as an energy source in forage-based diets. Diets included dry distillers grains plus solubles, wet distillers grains plus solubles or dry-rolled corn, with sorghum silage, grass hay and supplement. Data were pooled to generate ADG at differing inclusions allowing energy value of wet distillers grains plus solubles to be calculated relative to dry-rolled corn. The energy value of distillers grains plus solubles fed at 15% of diet DM was 137% and fed at 30% of the diet DM was 136% relative to …

Effect Of Harvest Method On In Vitro Digestibility Of Corn Residues, Janessa J. Updike, Jana L. Harding, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

New corn residue harvesting methods were evaluated to determine the impacts of altering the proportions of plant part that are composed in a round bale. In vitro techniques were used to assess the organic matter digestibility of corn residue bale harvested with different proportions of stalks, leaves, and husk. As husk comprised a greater proportion of the bale, digestibility appeared to increase when compared with a conventional bale of cornstalks.

Supplementing Cow-Calf Pairs Grazing Smooth Bromegrass, Jason M. Warner, Annie J. Doerr, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Rick J. Rasby, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A three-year study evaluated supplementing ethanol co-products mixed with low-quality forage to cow-calf pairs grazing smooth bromegrass as a method to replace grazed forage intake. Supplementing a 30:70 modified distillers grains plus solubles:cornstalks mixture reduced estimated grazed forage intake by approximately 40%. Doubling the stocking rate and supplementing did not impact cow or calf performance. A summer supplementation program designed to reduce grazed forage intake is a viable strategy for increasing stocking rate if forage for grazing is limited.

Effect Of Post-Weaning Management And Age At Weaning On Calf Growing And Finishing Performance, Jason M. Warner, Curtis J. Bittner, Karla H. Jenkins Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The impact of post-weaning management system and calf age at weaning on growing and finishing performance was evaluated. During the growing phase, cattle in the fast-track system had improved intake, gain, and feed conversion. Although initial finishing weight was similar between systems, slow-track cattle had greater intake, gain, final body weight, and carcass weight. While the impact of age at weaning was negligible, the improvement in finishing performance for slow-track cattle demonstrates the value of different management systems.

Estimation Of British- And Continental-Specific Heterosis Effects For Birth, Weaning, And Yearling Weight In Cattle, Lauren N. Schiermiester, R. Mark Thallman, Larry A. Kuehn Kuehn, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Heterosis, assumed proportional to expected breed heterozygosity, was calculated for 6,834 individuals with birth, weaning, and yearling weight records from Cycle VII of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation Program. Heterosis was further estimated by proportions of British x British (BxB), British x Continental (BxC), and Continental x Continental (CxC) crosses. Estimates of BxB, BxC, and CxC heterosis were significant for weaning and yearling weight. This study illustrated that differences among biological types exist and provide an opportunity to utilize specific breeds and exploit heterosis in a crossbreeding system to achieve production goals.

The Effects Of Source And Amount Of Nitrite On Quality Characteristics Of All-Beef Frankfurters, Eric Miller, Chad G. Bower, Amy L. Redfield Redfield, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In an effort to meet consumers’ demand for foods with more natural ingredients, processors have begun manufacturing meat products cured with natural nitrite sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of all-beef frankfurters cured with traditional or alternative sources of nitrite and using equivalent amounts of nitrite. Frankfurters cured with alternative sources of nitrite had a slightly darker, less red exterior and slightly more yellow interior than those containing sodium nitrite. No differences were observed for pH or water activity. Both curing methods can be used to manufacture all-beef frankfurters with similar characteristics when using …

Stocking Rate Effects On Forage Nutrient Composition In Early Summer Pastures, Jared V. Judy, Jacki A. Musgrave, L. Aaron Stalker Stalker, K. H. Jenkins, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Nebraska Sandhills upland range pastures were used to measure the effectsof stocking rate on forage nutrient content in early summer pastures. Stocked pastures had lower CP, in vitroorganic matter digestibility, forage availability, and higher NDF compared with ungrazed pastures. Clipped samples of current year growth had greater CP and in vitro organic matter digestibility than diet samples. Observed results indicate early season grazing decreasesdiet nutrient content and forage availability compared with ungrazed pastures, suggesting that cattle were consuming both current and previous year growth.

Comparison Of Commercial Lick Tubs To Distillers Grains Supplementation For Calves Grazing Corn Residue, Mandi Jones, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Kathleen R. Brooks, Dirk B. Burken, Robby Bondurant, Andrea K. Watson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steer calves grazing irrigated corn residue were supplemented dried distillers grains plus solubles (DGS) or allowedcontinuous access to a commercial lick tub. Dried DGS was fed at 2.94 lb/steer/day and the lick tubs were consumed at 2.04 lb/steer/day (DM basis). Gain was greater for cattle supplemented with dried DGS (1.36 lb/day) compared to those with access to lick tubs (0.83 lb/day). Supplement efficiency varied between calves receiving dried DGS (46%) and those with continuous access to the lick tub (43%) when expressed on a DM basis. Values for dried DGS supplementation (48%) were not different for supplement efficiencyon an OM …

Nutrient Digestibility And Ruminal Ph Of Finishing Diets Containing Dry Milling Byproducts With And Without Oil Extraction, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Adam L. Shreck, Jana L. Harding Harding, James C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism trial was conducted to determine the effects of corn oil removal in condensed distillers solubles (CDS) and modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) on nutrient digestibility and ruminal pH. Oil removal had no impact on DM, OM, or NDF digestibility in steers fed CDS or MDGS. However, steers fed de-oiled CDS had a lower fat digestibility than steers fed normal CDS. Average ruminal pH was lower for steers fed de-oiled MDGS than for steers fed normal MDGS, however no difference within CDS was observed.

Effect Of Distillers Grains Plus Solubles And Monensin Supplementation On Grazing Steers, Tyler L. Hasenauer, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Robby G. Bondurant, Dirk B. Burken

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Yearling steers rotationally grazing smooth bromegrass were individually supplemented monensin at 0 or 200 mg with modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) at .05, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8% BW. Cannulated steers continuously grazing smooth bromegrass were assigned randomly to one of two treatments: 0.4% BW MDGS supplementation with 0 or 200 mg monensin. Monensin did not affect ADG of steers supplemented MDGS ≥ 0.4% BW. Steers supplemented with monensin had a decreasein estimated average forage intakefrom 16.16 lb to 14.75 lb/OM daily.

Effects Of Processing Treated Corn Stover And Distillers Grains On Performance Of Growing Cattle, Jana L. Harding, Curtis J. Bittner, Dirk B. Burken Burken, Galen E. Erickson, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study evaluated the effects of replacinga diet consisting of 60% corn stover, 18% solubles, and 18% distillers grains with a complete pelleted feed containing calcium oxide (CaO) treated corn stover and distillers grains on growing cattle performance. The pelleted feed was either pair-fed to the control treatment or fed ad libitum. There were no differences in ending BW, ADG, or F:G between the control and pair-fed treatment. Feeding the pellet ad libitum resulted in greater DMI and ADG; however, the cattle had greater F:G. The pellet has 98% the feeding value of the control treatment.

Effects Of Replacing Corn With A Pelleted Treated Corn Stover And Distillers Grains On Intake And Total Tract Digestibility Of Finishing Diets, Jana L. Harding, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing dry-rolled corn (DRC) with a pelleted feed containing treated corn stover, solubles, and distillers grains (DDG). Replacing DRC with the pelleted feed had no effect on intakes. Similarly, total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, or NDF were not affected by dietary treatment. There was a tendency for differences in average ruminalpH between treatments; however, proportions of acetate, propionate, and butyrate were not impacted. It was concluded that the DRC could be replacedwith a pelleted stover and distillers in the finishing diet without altering total tract digestion.

Effect Of 300 Or 400 Mg Daily Of Ractopamine Hydrochloride On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Finishing Steers During The Last 14, 28, Or 42 Days, Curtis J. Bittner, Dirk B. Burken, Adam L. Shreck Shreck, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Nathan A. Pyatt

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx®) dosage (0, 300, and 400 mg/head/day) and duration (14, 28, or 42 days) on growth performance were evaluated in feedlot finishing diets. Feeding 300 mg of Optaflexx for 28 or 42 days increased live final BW by 13 and 29 lb, while feeding Optaflexx at 400 mg resulted in 27 or 24 lb increases relative to 0 mg steers, respectively. Feeding 300 mg of Optaflexx for 28 or 42 days would suggest 11.1 or 16.6 lb improvements in HCW, while feeding 400 mg of Optaflexx would suggest 19.7 or 20.7 lb heavier carcasses compared …

Genetic Parameter Estimates For Calving Difficulty And Birth Weight In A Multibreed Population, Cashley M. Ahlberg, Larry A. Kuehn, R. Mark Thallman Thallman, Stephen D. Kachman, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Eighteen breeds were utilized to estimate genetic parameters for birth weight and calving difficulty on first-parity females. Birth weight and calving difficulty were moderately heritable allowing for genetic selection to decrease calving difficulty. Genetic correlation estimates were positive between direct effects for birth weight and calving difficulty. This work will serve as the foundation for estimating across-breed EPD for calving difficulty in the U.S.

Widespread Detection Of Antibodies To Leptospira In Feral Swine In The United States, K. K. Pedersen, K. L. Pabilonia, T. D. Anderson, S. N. Bevins, C. R. Hicks, J. M. Kloft, Thomas J. Deliberto

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

As feral swine continue to expand their geographical range and distribution across the United States, their involvement in crop damage, livestock predation, and pathogen transmission is likely to increase. Despite the relatively recent discovery of feral swine involvement in the aetiology of a variety of pathogens, their propensity to transmit and carry a wide variety of pathogens is disconcerting. We examined sera from 2055 feral swine for antibody presence to six serovars of Leptospira that can also infect humans, livestock or domestic animals. About 13% of all samples tested positive for at least one serovar, suggesting that Leptospira infection is …

Genetic Parameter Estimates And Breed Effects For Calving Difficulty And Birth Weight In A Multi-Breed Population, Cashley Ahlberg

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

There are multiple breeds of beef cattle available to utilize in breeding systems to maximize production and economics. Calving difficulty (dystocia) is a significant cost to beef production and is more prevalent in first-calf heifers. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and breed differences for calving difficulty and birth weight as a first step towards the development of across-breed adjustment factors for calving difficulty.

Two models were employed to analyze birth weight (BWT) and calving difficulty (CD) recorded on 4,579 first parity females from the Germplasm Evaluation program at the United States Meat Animal Research Center …

The Current Prevalence Of Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus In Midwestern Goat Herds, Bradley Todd Jones

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

Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) is an incurable disease of goats that has both social and economic impacts. Clinical disease in goats includes encephalitis in kids; chronic arthritis, inflammatory mastitis and progressive respiratory disease in adults. In the last 25 years there have been significant changes in the United States goat industry with rapid growth in the meat and dairy industries. Recent prevalence studies are lacking and historic studies may not reflect changes in the industry. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of CAEV in Midwestern herds that are not routinely acquiring new animals from known negative …

Glucose Significantly Enhances Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli Adherence To Intestinal Epithelial Cells Through Its Effects On Heat-Labile Enterotoxin Production, Prageeth Wijemanne, Rodney A. Moxley

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The present study tested whether exposure of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) to glucose at different concentrations in the media results in increased bacterial adherence to host cells through increased heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) production, thereby suggesting the effects are physiological. Porcine-origin ETEC strains grown in Casamino acid yeast extract medium containing different concentrations of glucose were washed and inoculated onto IPEC-J2 porcine intestinal epithelial cells to test for effects on adherence and host cell cAMP concentrations. Consistent with previous studies, all LT+ strains had higher ETEC adherence to IPEC-J2 cells than did LT2 strains. Adherence of the LT2 but not the …

Evaluation Of Pre-Harvest Screening For Antibiotics And Flunixin Meglumine In Cattle, Shuna A. Jones

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

Many antibiotics and medications used in the treatment of animals have a withdrawal time; residues are a concern for the meat industry. The most recently published 2009 USDA-FSIS Residue Program Data Report listed 135,389 Inspector-in-Charge-Generated (IICG) residue samples from 43,142,500 beef and dairy cattle inspected that year at harvest. Of these samples, 1,306 contained violative antibiotic residues and 327 violative flunixin meglumine residues. Two classes of antimicrobials comprised over half of the documented violative antimicrobial residues (beta-lactams that include ceftiofur and sulfa drugs that include sulfadimethoxine). While the violative residue rate seems small, violative residues are unacceptable. Management of carcasses …

Nebraska Bqa: Antibiotic Use Guidelines, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen have demonstrated a commitment to animal health through vaccination programs developed carefully in cooperation with their veterinarian. When animals must be treated with an antibiotic after disease diagnosis, producers need to follow important antibiotic use guidelines established through the National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program.

Nebraska Bqa: Effective Cattle Handling, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattlemen know the importance of proper cattle handling and its effect on animal health and performance. Beef Quality Assurance has been implementing effective cattle handling (low-stress) into educational programs since its establishment in the 1980s.

Nebraska Bqa: Handling Compromised Animals, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Cattle producers have long recognized the need of proper husbandry and stewardship for the animals entrusted into their care. Best livestock production practices, based on research and sound science, help ensure the well-being, animal health and productivity of cattle.

Calf Branding/Processing Time And Beef Quality Assurance, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

It is spring and that means branding time across cattle country. As producers are finishing calving season and preparing for branding/processing, it is important to review Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines. Let's take a minute to look at the key BQA principles:

Audits And Assessments In Beef Cattle Production, Rob Eirich

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Assessments and audits are becoming a part of doing business in beef cattle production, as we are seeing beef processors implementing third-party audits. Since beginning as the Nebraska Director of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) in July, I have been studying and gathering information on the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Assessment Guides and third-party audits in the beef industry.

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance: Focused On The Safety, Wholesomeness And Quality Of Beef

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Across the nation, beef producers face the challenge of making a living from the land, while producing safe, wholesome beef. Beef that will provide a great eating experience each and every time for American and International consumers.