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

Effect Of Corn Residue Removal On Subsequent Crop Yields, Mary E. Drewnoski, L. Aaron Stalker, James C. Macdonald Donald, Galen E. Erickson, Kathy J. Hanford, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of corn residue harvest on subsequent crop yields. In a long-term study (16 years), cattle grazing corn residue in the spring (February to the middle of April) or the fall (November through January) slightly improved subsequent soybean yields and had no effect on corn yields in an irrigated field maintained in an annual corn-soybean rotation at Mead, Neb. In a five-year study, fall grazing (December through January) or baling of corn residue had no effect on subsequent corn grain yields in a field maintained in continuous corn production at Brule, Neb. These …

Effect Of Feeding Distillers Grains In Different Phases Of Production On The Fatty Acid Profile And Oxidation Of Frozen, Cooked Beef Links, Brandy D. Cleveland, Amy L. Redfield, James C. Macdonald Donald, Tommi F. Jones, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Lipid oxidation of cooked ground beef links made from cattle fed different diets and with different concentrations of added natural antioxidants was compared to evaluate product shelf life. Fatty acid composition was analyzed on raw lean, composite, and fat portions from each shoulder clod. Samples without antioxidants were the most oxidized, with no differences between other antioxidant concentrations throughout frozen storage. An increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids was found in beef when finished on modified distillers grains but did not result in increased oxidation. Therefore, the addition of natural antioxidants was effective at reducing oxidative rancidity regardless of animal diet.

A Basic Mechanism Of Beef Tenderization: Feeding Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Contributes To Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Instability, Michael D. Chao, Katherine I. Domenech, Chris R. Calkins Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) could increase polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentration in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane, thereby altering membrane integrity, resulting in more rapid post-rigor calcium leakage, greater enzyme activity and improved tenderness. Steers were finished on either 0% WDGS or 50% WDGS. Steaks from steers fed WDGS were more tender and had greater free calcium concentrations. Feeding WDGS also increased proportions of PUFA in SR membrane and altered SR lipid and phospholipid profiles. These findings suggest that feeding increased concentrations of WDGS in the finishing diet can possibly increase meat tenderness through the proposed mechanism.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

Developing Transmissible Vaccines For Animal Infections: Intrinsically Safe Designs And A Staged Transparent Development Process Will Be Essential, Daniel G. Streiker, Megan E. Griffiths, Rustom Antia, Laura Bergner, Peter Bowman, Maria Vitoria Dos Santos De Moraes, Kevin Esvelt, Mike Famulare, Amy T. Gilbert, Biao He, Michael A. Jarvis, David A. Kennedy, Jennifer Kuzma, Carolyne Nasi,Iyu Wanyonyi, Christopher Remien, Tonie Rocke, Kyle Rosenke, Courtney Schreiner, Justin Sheen, David Simons, Ivet A. Yordanova, James J. Bull, Scott L. Nuismer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Developing Transmissible Vaccines for Animal Infections: Intrinsically Safe Designs and a Staged Transparent Development Process Will Be Essential

Intrinsically safe, biologically compelling vaccine designs

Pahsed development must incorporate checkpoints and engagement

Staged development with established checkpoints

Wquitable partnerships with international governance

Toward deployment

Workshop organization

Seven proposed commitm ents for the responsible development of transmissible vaccines for infectious disease control in animals

Evolutionary outcomes of vaccine transmission depend on the viral vector and the genetic modifications introduced

Forecasting The Spread Of Raccoon Rabies Using A Purpose-Specific Group Decision-Making Process., Aaron M. Anderson, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Richard B. Chipman, Todd C. Atwood, Tyler Cozzens, Frank Fillo, Robert Hale, Brody Hatch, Joanne Maki, Olin E. Rhodes Jr., Erin E. Rees, Charles E. Rupprecht, Rowland Tinline, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Dennis Slate

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and USDA Wildlife Services (WS) have been involved in an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program for raccoons (Procyon lotor) that has slowed the westward spread of raccoon rabies. The objective of this study was to forecast the spread of the disease if an ORV zone was not maintained. A group decision-making process was designed to address the forecasting problem and was implemented using a group of 15 experts and 4 support personnel at a meeting at the USDA National Wildlife Research Center. Ten expansion regions were constructed that described the spread of …

Transitioning Cattle From Ramp® To A Finishing Diet On Feed Intake And Ruminal Ph, Cody J. Schneider, Adam L. Shreck, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism trial was conducted where steers were adapted to high grain diets using a traditional approach or one of two RAMP^® adaptation programs. RAMP programs adapted cattle to a finishing diet either gradually over 28 days in four steps or switched to a finishing ration without steps. Feed intake and ruminal pH were monitored continuously throughout the trial. Cattle on the 4-STEP treatment spent more time eating compared to other treatments but total feed consumption was similar among treatments. Ruminal pH was greater for cattle on RAMP adaptation programs when compared to traditional grain adaptation. Cattle fed RAMP …

The Effects Of Diet And Cooler Aging On Specific Flavor Notes In Beef, Kimberly A. Varnold, Chris R. Calkins, Rhonda K. Miller Miller, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred steers (n = 64) were grazed on warm- or cool-season grass-dominated pastures, without or with energy supplementation of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS), and were finished on a corn-based diet with or without 35% WDGS. Finishing on corn increased desirable flavor notes and decreasedundesirable flavor notes in both L. dorsi and B. femoris steaks. In addition, grazing on warm-season grasses increased the prevalence of undesirable flavors but was often dissipated by the addition WDGS supplementation. Longer aging periods tended to increase the prevalence of undesirable flavors, especially in B. femoris steaks. It is recommended producers provide WDGS supplementation, …

Evaluation Of Genomic Predictors For Red Angus Cattle, Stephen D. Kachman, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Purebred Red Angus genotypes, via the Ilumina BovineSNP50 assay, and expected progeny differences (EPD) were used to evaluate the accuracy of genomic predictors for traits that are currently reportedthrough the American Red AngusAssociations’ National Cattle Evaluation. Two genomic predictors were evaluated, one derived using prediction equations from the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium and the other from Zoetis.

Follicular Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A Expression Before And After The Lh Surge, Renee M. Mcfee, Robin A. Artac, Adam F. Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Vanessa M. Brauer, Scott G. Kurz, Robert A. Cushman, Jennifer R. Wood, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Granulosa cell expression of VEGFAisoforms in dominant bovine follicles was evaluated. Collection of granulosa cells via follicle aspiration revealed altered expression of the proangiogenic VEGFA_164 isoform but not the antiangiogenic VEGFA_164B isoform prior to and after the LH surge. Expression of VEGFA_164 declines as both the LH surge and ovulation approaches. In addition, VEGFA_164 and VEGFA_164B expression prior to the LH surge was positively correlated with FSHR and CYP19A1 expression, suggesting that VEGFA expression may be regulated by FSH. These data indicate differential expression of VEGFA isoforms may be an important feature of bovine dominant follicle development.

Androgen Excess In Beef Cows Results In Altered Theca Cell Gene Expression And Fertilityand, Adam F. Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Vanessa M. Brauer Brauer, Kevin M. Sargent, Renee M. Mcfee, Scott G. Kurz, Robert A. Cushman, Jennifer R. Wood, Andrea S. Cupp

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln physiology herd, two sub-populations of cows with different concentrations of androstenedione have been identified. Androstenedione is a precursor for estradiol production, and androstenedione concentration is increased 24.5-fold in the high androstenedione cows. Our objective was to determine the cause of increased androstenedione production in high androstenedione cows and the effects on theca cell and oocyte gene expression. High androstenedione cows had increased steroidogenic enzyme abundance in theca cells and altered oocyte mRNA abundance. Increased androgen production in high androstenedione cows is associated with altered gene expression and/or mRNA stability during oocyte growth and maturation, which …

Comparison Of Long-Term Progestin-Based Synchronization Protocols On Fixed-Time Ai Pregnancy Rate In Beef Heifers, Rebecca A. Vraspir, Adam F. Summers, Doug O'Hare Hare, Larry D. Rowden, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Yearling Angus heifers at a commercial ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills were randomly assigned to one of two progestin-based fixed-time AI protocols (MGA or 14-day CIDR) to compare pregnancy rates. Heifers had similar fixed-time AI pregnancy rates between MGA and 14-day CIDR. A similar proportion of MGA and 14-day CIDR heifers displayed a second estrus; however, heifers previously synchronized with MGA tended to have a greater second AI pregnancy rate. Overall pregnancy rate was similar between MGA and 14-day CIDR treatments. The MGA system was the more cost effective synchronization protocol in this study.

Effect Of Pubertal Status And Number Of Estrous Cycles Prior To The Breeding Season On Pregnancy Rate In Beef Heifers, Rebecca A. Vraspir, Adam F. Summers, Andrew J. Roberts Roberts, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate whether pubertal status and number of estrous cycles prior to breeding influences pregnancy rate in beef heifers. Pubertal heifers were heavier and older at the start of breeding and had greater AI and overall pregnancy rate than non-pubertal heifers. Second season pregnancy rate was greater for heifers reaching puberty prior to first breeding and for heifers having ≥ 2 estrouscycles prior to breeding compared with non-pubertal heifers. Pregnancy rate was greater for heifers achieving puberty prior to breeding; however, earlier onset of puberty did not significantly improve first pregnancy rates.

Economics Of Distillers Grains Supplementation In A Forage System With Spayed Heifers, Kari L. Gillespie, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider, Galen Erickson, J. D. Volesky

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In a two-year study, spayed heifer calves were backgrounded on cornstalks with 2 lb or 5 lb wet distillers grains with solubles supplemented daily. During the summer, heifers grazed native range and received no summer supplementation or were supplemented with modified distillers grains with solubles at 0.6% BW daily. Heifers were finished on a common regimen, and an economic scenario was applied to each phase of production and overall. Supplementing more in winter increased profit, but summer supplementation did not impact overall profitability. Numerically, heifers not supplemented during the summer were more profitable than supplemented heifers.

Distillers Grains Supplementation In A Forage System With Spayed Heifers, Kari L. Gillespie, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider, Jerry D. Volesky, Galen Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Spayed heifers were developed into yearlings by grazing corn residue and bromegrass, followed by native range, and were finished on a common diet. Treatments were 2 lb or 5 lb of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS; DM basis) supplement on corn residue daily, and modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS) fed at 0.6% BW daily or no MDGS during summer grazing. Feeding 5 lb increased winter ADG by 0.68 lb (year 1) or 0.40 lb (year 2) compared to 2 lb, and increased HCW after finishing. Summer supplementation increased summer ADG by 0.50 lb (year 1) or 0. 44 …

Effect Of Winter Supplementation Level On Yearling System Profit Across Economic Scenarios, Kari L. Gillespie, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Brandon L. Nuttelman, Cody J. Schneider

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Calves backgrounded in a forage–based, yearling system at a greater ADG maintained a performance advantage through finishing. High-level supplemented cattle gained an additional 0.18 lb daily during finishing and produced an additional 81 lb of saleable live weight compared to cattle backgrounded at a low-supplementation level. Across four economic scenarios with varying corn and distillers prices, high-level supplemented cattle returned $55.54 more than cattle fed a low level of supplementation during the winter backgrounding phase. Corn price would have to exceed $11.70/bu for high supplementation level to no longer be profitable.

Energy Value Of De-Oiled Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles In A Forage-Based Diet, Meredith L. Bremer, Andrea K. Watson, Dirk B. Burken Burken, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sixty individually fed steers were used to determine the effects of feeding de-oiled modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) on steer performance in an 84-day forage-based growing study. De-oiled MDGS did not significantly alter performance when compared to normal MDGS if fed at the same concentration in growing diets. Inclusion of either de-oiled or normal MDGS at 40% of the diet resulted in improved ending BW, DMI, ADG, and F:G as compared to inclusion of 20% MDGS in the diet.

Effects Of Forage Quality, Mdgs, And Monensin On Performance, Methane Concentration, And Ruminal Fermentation Of Growing Cattle, Anna C. Pesta, Andrea K. Watson, Samodha Fernando Fernando, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study was conducted to evaluate a novel method for measuring methane concentration by feedlot cattle, and to determine the effects of forage quality, inclusion of modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS), and presence or absence of monensin on performance, methane concentration, and rumen fermentation characteristics. Performance was improved by use of high-quality forage and MDGS, while response to monensin was variable across basal diet type. Response of methane concentration and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile due to diet was variable and subject to multiple interactions, reflecting the complexity of the microbial processes involved within the rumen.

Effects Of Calf Age At Weaning On Cow And Calf Performance And Efficiency In A Drylot/Confinement Production System, Jason M. Warner, Karla H. Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An ongoing study evaluated the effectsof calf age at weaning on cow and calf performance and reproduction in a confinement production system. Early-weaning improved cow BW at normal weaning. Pregnancy rates were not impacted by calf age at weaning. Dry matter intake was not different between early-weaned cows and calves compared with normal-weaned pairs. Feed requirements and energy utilization were equal between early- and normal-weaned pairs when fed a distillers grains and crop residue based diet.