Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons^™

Impact Of Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn On Finishing Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Curtis J. Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Galen E. Erickson, James C. Macdonald, Matt K. Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two finishing experiments were conducted to evaluate Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn containing an alpha amylase enzyme trait compared to the near negative isoline control corn at two locations on cattle performance and carcass characteristics. No statistical differences were observed for final BW, DMI, ADG, or F:G for steers fed Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn versus the near negative isoline control corn. Fat depth and calculated yield grade were greater for steers fed Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn; however, HCW and marbling scores were not different. Previous research has observed a 2.6% to 16.4% decrease in F:G when Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn was …

Chopped Sugar Beets As A Component Of Beef Cow Diets, Karla H. Jenkins, Jacob A. Hansen

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sugar beets not accepted for human consumption were evaluated as an energy source in a limit fed ration for confined beef cows. Initial and final body weight and body condition score were not different between wheat straw based diets containing wet distillers grains and either chopped sugar beets or corn. Body condition score change tended to be greater for the diet containing corn. However, cows on both treatments finished the study with a body condition score of 5.7. Chopped sugar beets mixed with wheat straw and stored in an agricultural bag underwent ensiling and did not result in choking issues. …

Evaluation Of Brown Midrib Corn Silage For Growing And Backgrounding Beef Steers, F. Henry Hilscher, Curtis J. Bittner, John N. Anderson Anderson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study evaluated three corn silage hybrids for growing crossbred steers. The three hybrids were: a standard corn silage hybrid which served as the control, a brown midrib hybrid, and an experimental brown mid rib hybrid with a softer endosperm. Intake, ADG, and ending BW were greater for steers fed either brown mid rib silage compared to control, but not different between the brown mid rib or experimental brown mid rib silage. While brown mid rib hybrids had greater DMI and ADG, there was no difference in F:G between all three treatments. Feeding brown mid rib hybrids as corn …

Evaluation Of Corn Silage Hybrids With The Brown Midrib Trait And Silage Inclusion For Finishing Cattle, F. Henry Hilscher, Curtis J. Bittner, John N. Anderson Anderson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study evaluated three corn silage hybrids fed at either 15 or 45% of diet DM for finishing steers. The three hybrids were a standard corn silage hybrid which served as the control, a brown midrib hybrid and an experimental brown midrib hybrid with a softer endosperm. An interaction was observed between hybrid and silage inclusion. Gain and HCW were greater for steers fed the experimental brown midrib compared to other two hybrids when fed at 15%. Feeding brown midrib hybrids at 45% of the diet DM resulted in greater ADG and HCW when compared to a control corn …

Nutrient Digestibility And Fermentation Of Brown Midrib Corn Fed To Growing Beef Steers, F. Henry Hilscher, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Jana L. Gramkow Gramkow, Hannah C. Wilson, Mitch M. Norman, John N. Anderson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion study evaluated three corn silage hybrids for growing crossbred steers. The three hybrids were: a standard corn silage hybrid which served as the control, a brown midrib hybrid (bm3), and an experimental bm3 hybrid with a softer endosperm. Both bm3 hybrids had greater organic matter and fiber digestibility compared to the control corn silage. However, no differences were observed between the two bm3 hybrids. Rumen pH was reduced for BM3 and BM3-EXP compared to the control suggesting greater rumen fermentation. In vitro gas production was increased for the bm3 hybrids compared to the control further supporting greater rumen …

The Relationship Between Marbling, Superoxide Dismutase, And Beef Tenderness, Nicolas J. Herrera, Emery K. Wilkerson, Katherine I. Domenech-Perez Perez, Felipe A. Ribeiro, Michael D. Chao, Chris Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationships between animal oxidative status (as indicated by superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity) to marbling and beef tenderness. Prime and Select-grade strip loins were selected and aged for 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days for Warner Bratzler shear force, Troponin-T, and SOD activity. Results showed that meat exhibiting higher levels of marbling had lower shear force values and thus were more tender. Low-marbled samples tended to have a greater tenderness response to aging. The effect of oxidative stress, however, was not evident in this study as SOD values were similar. Although the effects …

Evaluation Of Corn Distillers Solubles On Growing Steer Performance, Benjamin H. Hansen, Robert G. Bondurant, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Galen E. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study evaluated increasing inclusions of corn distillers solubles (CDS) at 10, 20, 30, and 40%, or increasing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) at 10, 20, 30, and 40% compared to a corn control. Corn was replaced by CDS or WDGS in each forage-based diet. Increasing CDS resulted in a quadratic increase for both DMI and F:G. Increasing WDGS linearly increased both DMI and ADG with no effect on F:G. The energy value of CDS is less than that of corn, whereas WDGS had an energy value similar to corn in growing diets with 50% brome hay. A …

Evaluation Of Corn Distillers Solubles On Finishing Steer Performance, Benjamin H. Hansen, Curtis J. Bittner, Bradley M. Boyd Boyd, F. Henry Hilscher, Jim C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding 0, 8, 16, or 20% corn distillers solubles (CDS), as well as the effects of feeding a combination of 16% CDS and 20% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) to replace a blend of dry-rolled and high-moisture corn on finishing steer performance. As inclusions of CDS increased, ADG linearly increased and F:G linearly decreased. Feeding value of CDS at 20% inclusion was determined to be 147% compared to the corn blend. The addition of WDGS resulted in a decrease in DMI with similar ADG, resulting in a decrease in …

Effect Of Myoglobin State On Color Stability Of High Pressure Processed Ground Beef, Jhinuk Gupta, Chad G. Bower, George A. Cavender Cavender, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

High pressure processing, a non-thermal pasteurization technique, can reduce E. coli in beef but the use is limited due to discoloration of raw beef after high pressure processing. Different states of myoglobin have inherently different color stability. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of myoglobin state on color stability of raw beef patties treated with high pressure processing. Modified atmosphere packaging (high oxygen-oxymyoglobin, carbon monoxide-carboxymyoglobin), vacuum packaging (deoxymyoglobin) or added potassium ferricyanide (metmyoglobin) treatments were used to prepare patties with desired myoglobin states. Color was measured (CIE L*, a*, b*) before and after high pressure processing …

Effect Of Ingredients And Packaging On Color Of High Pressure Processed Ground Beef, Jhinuk Gupta, Chad G. Bower, George A. Cavender Cavender, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

High pressure processing is a non-thermal pasteurization technique to control pathogens, like E. coli. However, color changes in raw beef induced by processing restrict high pressure processing’s use within the beef industry. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of adding curing agents (nitrite) and packaging with or without reducing compounds (ascorbic acid/erythorbate) on color retention in high pressure processed ground beef. High pressure processing resulted in a detrimental effect on the color of the beef patties for all treatments. Lightness and yellowness increased and redness decreased after high pressure processing. The effect remained the same throughout …

Effects Of Production System On Cow And Calf Performance, Shelby E. Gardine, Jason M. Warner, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, F. Henry Hilscher, Karla H. Jenkins, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Limited traditional forage resources have prompted interest for alternative cow-calf production systems. This study evaluated the effects of two winter cow-calf production systems (cornstalk grazing and dry-lot feeding) on cow-calf performance in a summer-calving, intensively managed cowherd at two locations. Grazing cow-calf pairs on cornstalks resulted in similar or lower ending BW of cows and lower ADG of calves when compared to cow-calf pairs wintered in the dry-lot. A partial budget of incorporating winter cornstalk grazing into an intensive production system suggests that cows wintered on cornstalks may be $137 more profitable compared to cows wintered in the dry-lot.

Effects Of Production System And Post-Weaning Management On Finishing Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Steer And Heifer Calves, Shelby E. Gardine, Bradley M. Boyd, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher, Karla H. Jenkins, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study evaluated the effects of cow-calf production system and post-weaning management on finishing performance and carcass characteristics of steer and heifer calves. Calves that were wintered on cornstalks prior to weaning had lighter initial BW compared to calves that were wintered in the dry-lot; however, final BW and carcass weight were similar between treatments. Post-weaning management was either adapting calves to a finishing diet following weaning or feeding a grower diet prior to the finishing phase. When harvested at similar back fat, calves that were fed a grower diet for 76 days prior to the finishing phase had 71 …

Analyses Of Birthdate And Growth In Beef Heifers Categorized By Puberty And Pregnancy Status, Aline Gomes Da Silva, Andy Roberts, T. L. Meyers, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Heifer records were retrospectively evaluated to see if Julian birthdate, cycling status prior to breeding, and body weight collected from weaning through final pregnancy diagnosis differed when heifers were categorized by 5 different approaches: 1) pubertal status prior to estrous synchronization, 2) whether or not detected in estrus at AI, 3) heifers impregnated by AI vs all other heifers, 4) final pregnancy status, and 5) a 5-way classification accounting for AI and pregnancy status (AI pregnant, heifers subjected to AI that subsequently conceived to bull, heifers not AI that were impregnated by bull, heifers subjected to AI that were not …

The Effect Of Harvest Method And Ammoniation Of Corn Residue On Growing Calf Performance, Ashley C. Conway, Robert G. Bondurant, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, James C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Mary Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing trial was conducted to determine the effect of feeding baled corn residue harvested using three different methods, with and without ammoniation of the residue. Residue harvested with the New Holland Cornrower™ with two rows of chopped stem added to the windrow resulted in a 9% increase in ADG compared to conventional rake and bale harvest or turning off the combine spreader and baling tailing. Ammoniation of residue increased ADG 67% (increase of 1.1 lb/d) over non-ammoniated residue. Feed efficiency was not affected by harvest method, but ammoniation decreased F:G by 13% compared to cattle fed non-ammoniated residue. Although …

Evaluation Of Protein From Distillers Grains In Finishing Diets On Nutrient Digestibility, Zachary E. Carlson, Jana L. Gramkow, Hannah C. Wilson Wilson, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Galen E. Erickson, Jim C. Macdonald, Matt K. Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism trial was conducted to evaluate protein from modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) in finishing diets on nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics. Isolated protein from corn was not different than MDGS for dry matter, organic matter, or neutral detergent fiber digestibility. However, steers fed MDGS tended to have lower total tract organic matter digestibility compared to corn and protein from corn. Protein had greater total tract organic matter and starch digestibility than MDGS. Protein from corn did not contribute towards the lower digestibility of MDGS. Protein is more easily digestible than the other components in distillers grains …

Production Of High-Quality Beef–The Nebraska Advantage, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Here is a clear description of the Nebraska Advantage in producing high-quality beef: the right genetics, numerous pastures, a multitude of cattle, great water resources, locally-grown corn, the availability of ethanol byproducts for feed, and young cattle that grow fast, with sufficient marbling and subcutaneous fat to ensure tender, flavorful, beef. The science of beef quality supports this production system. The state supports its citizens and agriculture through the University of Nebraska and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, augmenting the infrastructure. If one could invent an ideal place to produce high-quality beef, it would look much like Nebraska! The impact …

Potential Variation In Determination Of Longissimus Muscle Area In Carcasses From Heifers Fed With Or Without Zilpaterol Hydrochloride, Chris R. Calkins, Jenna J. O'Daniel, Govindarajan Konda Naganathan Naganathan, Kellen B. Hart, Katherine I. Domenech-Perez, T.B. Schmidt

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study was conducted to evaluate some sources of potential variation in determination of longissimus muscle area between the 12th and 13th ribs of carcasses from heifers fed with or without zilpaterol hydochloride. Cross sections of the rib-loin were taken cranial to the 11th rib and caudal to the 13th rib, about 3–4 millimeters thick at 90 degrees perpendicular to the long axis of the longissimus muscle. Potential variation of longissimus muscle area can arise from the natural variation of muscle size when cutting between the 12th and 13th ribs (up to 9%). Deviation in cutting perpendicular to the long …

Impact Of Feeding Distillers Grains With Or Without Oil Removal As Well As Supplemental Corn Oil On Nutrient Digestibility By Finishing Cattle, Jordan E. Burhoop, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Jana L. Gramkow Gramkow, Matthew K. Luebbe, Jim C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion trial was conducted to determine the effects of the removal of corn oil from modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) and the impact of supplemental corn oil on finishing cattle nutrient digestion. Four treatments were evaluated: a corn control diet (CON), 40% de-oiled MDGS (DO MDGS), or 38% de-oiled MDGS plus 2% corn oil (MDGS + Oil) formulated to equal the fat content of FF MDGS, or 40% full fat MDGS (FF MDGS). Treatment differences were observed for digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and fiber, but not for fat. When oil was added to de-oiled MDGS, digestibility …

Effects Of Late Gestation Supplementation, Synchronization, And Creep Feeding In A Spring Calving Beef Herd In The Nebraska Sandhills, Devin Broadhead, L. A. Stalker, Jacki A. Musgrave Musgrave, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Supplementation during winter grazing increased cow BW and BCS but had no effect on reproduction or calf performance, thus increasing production costs without increasing returns. Using a CIDR for estrus synchronization in a herd with existing acceptable reproductive performance did not increase cow pregnancy rate or advance calving date. Feeding creep feed to calves is an effective means of increasing weaning BW which resulted in increased live and carcass weight. Under the conditions of this study, when additional feed and price slide for heavier calves was considered, feeding creep feed did not result in added profits.

Field Evaluations Of Insecticide Modes Of Action Classes For Control Of Horn Flies In Nebraska, David J. Boxler, Gary J. Brewer, Richard N. Funston Funston, Jacqueline A. Musgrave

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Insecticides of different Mode of Action (MoA) classes were tested for their ability to reduce horn fly populations on cattle in Nebraska pastures between 2009 and 2016. Macrocyclic lactone products were the most efficacious, reducing horn fly numbers by an average of 93% over ten location years of testing. Organophosphate and pyrethroid MoA products, tested in 7 and 12 location years, reduced fly numbers by 75% and 73%. Classes tested only once were METI (88% reduction) and a combination of organophosphate + pyrethroid (64%).

Evaluation Of Revalor-Xh For Beef Heifers Fed Different Days On Feed, Robert G. Bondurant, Marshall N. Streeter, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, James C. Macdonald, Matt K. Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Heifers were treated with either no implant, an initial implant of Revalor-200 and re-implanted with Revalor-200, or Revalor-XH and assigned to one of four serial slaughter harvests at 151, 165, 179, and 193 days on feed to determine the effects on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Implanting heifers increased final BW, ADG and HCW while decreasing marbling score and improving feed efficiency compared to non-implanted heifers. Increasing days on feed decreased ADG while increasing feed efficiency, HCW, fat thickness, marbling score, and calculated yield grade. By increasing HCW sold, implanting revenue can be maximized, assuming added risk for YG discounts.

Supplementing Rumen Undegradable Protein To Grazing Cattle, Braden C. Troyer, Bradley M. Boyd, Andrea K. Watson Watson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A pooled-analysis of previous Nebraska Beef Report Articles examined the impact of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) supplementation for cattle grazing different types of forage. Each lb of RUP supplement increased ADG by 0.63 lb/d when cattle were grazing smooth brome and 0.43 lb/d when grazing warm season grasses. Cattle did not respond to RUP when grazing summer annuals which were high (18.2%) in CP.

Effect Of Supplementation During The Breeding Season On A May-Calving Herd In The Nebraska Sandhills, Alicia C. Lansford, Jacki A. Musgrave, Richard N. Funston Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Females in their first and second breeding season received either a 32% crude protein (DM) supplement or no supplement throughout the breeding season. Supplementation did not affect heifer BW, BCS, and pregnancy rate at pregnancy diagnosis. Supplementation impacted primiparous cow BW and BCS at pregnancy diagnosis, but did not affect pregnancy rates. Calf birth weight and dystocia rates were unaffected by supplementation for both heifers and primiparous cow. Calves nursing supplemented dams were heavier at weaning. Greater supplementation may be needed to affect pregnancy rate.

Impact Of Corn Oil Removal From Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles And Supplemental Corn Oil On Finishing Cattle Performance, Jordan E. Burhoop, Curtis J. Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher Hilscher, Matt K. Luebbe, Jim C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to evaluate removal of corn oil from modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) and replacement of supplemental corn oil on finishing cattle performance. Four treatments were evaluated: a corn control diet, 40% de-oiled MDGS, 38% de-oiled MDGS plus 2% corn oil to equal the fat content of full fat MDGS, or 40% full fat MDGS. There was a significant improvement in ADG and F:G for cattle fed de-oiled MDGS plus oil compared to other treatments. Cattle fed full fat MDGS had numerically lower ADG and numerically poorer F:G (3.7%) compared with cattle fed MDGS plus …

2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report (Complete)

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Contents

Cow/Calf: Analyses of Birthdate and Growth in Beef Heifers Categorized by Puberty and Pregnancy Status • Letrozole: A Steroid-Free Estrous Synchronization Method • Comparison of Two Alternate Prostaglandin Products in Yearling Beef Heifers • Impact of Pre-and Postpartum Nutrition on March-calving Cow and Progeny Productivity • Effects of Late Gestation Supplementation, Synchronization, and Creep Feeding in a Spring Calving Beef Herd in the Nebraska Sandhills • Effect of Supplementation during the Breeding Season on a May-calving Herd in the Nebraska Sandhills • Impact of Winter Supplementation of May Calving Cows and Heifer Development System in Two Different Breeding Seasons …

Impact Of Pre-And Postpartum Nutrition On March-Calving Cow And Progeny Productivity, Jacki A. Musgrave, Devin L. Broadhead, L. A. Stalker Stalker, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

March-calving cows were fed hay or grazed corn residue prepartum, and then either fed hay or grazed subirrigated meadow postpartum. Combinations of these different feeding strategies impacted body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) during the pre-and postpartum period; however, resulted in similar pregnancy rates. Although differences were not observed in cow pregnancy rates, a benefit in pre-weaning growth was observed for calves from the dams in postpartum meadow treatment. A tendency for an improvement in marbling score was observed for steers born to cows fed hay prepartum, perhaps indicating a higher plane of nutrition prepartum may improve quality …

Relationship Between Dietary Total Digestible Nutrients And Digestible Organic Matter In Beef Cattle Finishing And Growing Diets With Or Without Distillers Grains, Hannah C. Hamilton, Jana L. Gramkow, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Galen E. Erickson, Andrea K. Watson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The relationship between organic matter digestibility and total digestible nutrients is unestablished for diets containing distillers grains. Three cattle digestion studies were used to evaluate the relationship between total digestible nutrients and digestible organic matter. Results suggest digestible organic matter is consistent relative to total digestible nutrients content for traditional, corn based diets. In finishing and growing diets containing distillers grains additional digestible energy supplied by distillers grains is not accounted for when evaluating only digestible organic matter. Measuring digestible energy content of diets used in digestion trials is essential.

Effect Of Harvest Method And Ammoniation On Digestibility And Intake Of Corn Residue, Ashley C. Conway, Tasha M. King, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt Breithaupt, Jim C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of three harvest methods, both with and without ammonia treatment, on the in vivo digestibility and intake of baled corn residue were assessed in a digestion trial with lambs. Treatments included three corn residue harvest methods (conventional rake and bale, New Holland Cornrower™ with eight rows or with two rows of corn stalks chopped into the windrow containing the tailings [leaf, husk and upper stalk] from eight harvested rows) and the effects of ammoniation at 5.5% of DM compared to no ammoniation of the residue. Th e 2- Row baled residue (51.7%) had greater dry matter digestibility than …

Evaluation Of The Value Of Fiber In Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Performance Of Finishing Cattle, Jordan E. Burhoop, Liesel J. Schneider, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher, Jim C. Macdonald, Rodney A. Moxley, David R. Smith, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to determine the value of the fiber in distillers grains plus solubles on cattle performance. Five treatments were evaluated: a corn control diet, 20 or 40% modified distillers grains plus solubles, plus two diets containing corn germ meal and corn bran balanced to equal the fiber content of the two modified distillers grains plus solubles diets. Th ere was a significant improvement in ADG and F:G for cattle fed modified distillers grains plus solubles compared to control. Cattle fed the corn germ meal and bran diets had increased DMI, slightly lower ADG, and poorer F:G …

Methods To Increase Productivity Of Spring Calving Production Systems In The Nebraska Sandhills, Devin Broadhead, L. A. Stalker, Jacki A. Musgrave Musgrave, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feeding supplement to cattle grazing dormant winter range increased cow BW and BCS and calf performance, but not pregnancy rate. Using a CIDR to shorten the post-partum interval in a cow herd with existing acceptable reproductive performance did not improve pregnancy rate. Feeding creep feed to calves increased weaning BW but should be considered within the context of a cost/benefit analysis. Additional years of data collection may be necessary to draw definitive conclusions.