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

Echinococcus Species Infections Among Wild Canids In Pennsylvania, Usa, Kayla Garrett, Justin Brown, Ryan K. A. Grunert, Jonathan Hunte, Mark G. Ruder, Kyle Van Why, Michael J. Yabsley, Christopher A. Cleveland

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Echinococcus species are zoonotic tapeworms that can impact the health of wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and humans. Two species of interest in North America are Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus canadensis (Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato). The primary wildlife definitive hosts for E. multilocularis and E. canadensis are similar, including red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and wolves (Canis lupus). These two Echinococcus spp. use different intermediate hosts, including small mammals for E. multilocularis and artiodactylids for E. canadensis. Although historically absent from …

Understory Arthropod Diversity In A Mixed Dryland Ecosystem, Hawai‘I, Matthew J. Madeiros, William P. Haines, Clare E. Aslan, Aaron B. Shiels, Asa Aue, Christina T. Liang

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Tropical drylands are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide, and fewer than 10% of tropical dry forests in Hawai‘i remain intact. Terrestrial arthropods comprise most of the endemic fauna on many islands, including Hawai‘i, where they provide ecosystem services such as pollination, decomposition, and a reliable prey base for predators. The objective of our study was to measure understory arthropod diversity and relative abundances in two common habitat types within dryland Hawai‘i—a non-native grassland, dominated by Cenchrus setaceus (fountain grass) with few native shrubs, and a native woodland, dominated by Metrosideros polymorpha (‘ōhi‘a). We used generalized additive models to examine …

Evaluation Of Roost Culling As A Management Strategy For Reducing Invasive Rose‑Ringed Parakeet (Psittacula Krameri) Populations, C. Janes Anderson, Leonard A. Brennan, William P. Bukoski, Steven C. Hess, Clayton D. Hilton, Aaron B. Shiels, Shane Siers, Bryan M. Kluever, Page E. Klug

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) are one of the most widespread invasive avian species worldwide. This species was introduced to the island of Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, USA, in the 1960s. The rapidly increasing population has caused substantial economic losses in the agricultural and tourism industries. We evaluated the efficacy of a roost culling program conducted by an independent contractor from March 2020 to March 2021. We estimated island-wide minimum abundance was 10,512 parakeets in January 2020 and 7,372 in April 2021. Over 30 nights of culling at four roost sites, approximately 6,030 parakeets were removed via air rifles with 4,415 …

Social Network Analysis Of White-Tailed Deer Scraping Behavior: Implications For Disease Transmission, Michael E. Egan, Kim M. Pepin, Justin Fischer, Scott R. Hygnstrom, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Host contact structure affects pathogen transmission in host populations, but many measures of host contact do not distinguish contacts that are relevant to pathogen transmission from those that are not. Scrapes are sites for chemical communication by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during the breeding season and potential sites of transmission of prions, the causative agent of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Scrape-related behaviors vary in their probability of transmitting prions to or from the environment, suggesting that behavior be combined with contact structure to better reflect potential heterogeneity in prion transmission at scrapes. We recorded visits and behaviors by …

Disease Progression And Serological Assay Performance In Heritage Breed Pigs Following Brucella Suis Experimental Challenge As A Model For Naturally Infected Feral Swine, Vienna R. Brown, Ryan S. Miller, Courtney F. Bowden, Timothy J. Smyser, Nicholas A. Ledesma, Aim E. Hartwig, Paul Gordy, Aaron M. Anderson, Stephanie M. Porter, Kate Alexander, Zane Gouker, Tom Gidlewski, Richard A. Bowen, Angela M. Bosco-Lauth

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Invasive feral swine (Sus scrofa) are one of the most important wildlife species for disease surveillance in the United States, serving as a reservoir for various diseases of concern for the health of humans and domestic animals. Brucella suis, the causative agent of swine brucellosis, is one such pathogen carried and transmitted by feral swine. Serology assays are the preferred field diagnostic for B. suis infection, as whole blood can be readily collected and antibodies are highly stable. However, serological assays frequently have lower sensitivity and specificity, and few studies have validated serological assays for B. suis in feral swine. …

Evaluation Of The Effect Of Hydrated Lime On The Scavenging Of Feral Swine (Sus Scrofa) Carcasses And Implications For Managing Carcass-Based Transmission Of African Swine Fever Virus, Courtney F. Bowden, James Grinolds, Gregory Franckowiak, Loma Mccallister, Joe M. Halseth, Matthew Cleland, Travis Guerrant, Michael J. Bodenchuk, Robert Miknis, Michael C. Marlow, Vienna R. Brown

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating hemorrhagic disease marked by extensive morbidity and mortality in infected swine. The recent global movement of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in domestic and wild swine (Sus scrofa) populations has initiated preparedness and response planning activities within many ASF-free countries. Within the US, feral swine are of utmost concern because they are susceptible to infection, are wide-spread, and are known to interact with domestic swine populations. African swine fever virus is particularly hardy and can remain viable in contaminated carcasses for weeks to months; therefore, carcass-based transmission plays an important role in the …

Perturbations Highlight Importance Of Social History In Parakeet Rank Dynamics, Annemarie Van Der Marel, Xavier Francis, Claire L. O'Connell, Cesar O. Estien, Chelsea Carminito, Virginia Darby Moore, Nickolas Lormand, Bryan M. Kluever, Elizabeth A. Hobson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Dominance hierarchies can provide many benefits to individuals, such as access to resources or mates, depending on their ranks. In some species, rank can emerge as a product of a group’s history of social interactions. However, it can be difficult to determine whether social history is critical to rank in observation-based studies. Here, we investigated rank dynamics in three captive groups of monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus). We used experimental social perturbations to test whether social history shapes rank emergence in these groups. Using targeted removals and reintroductions, we tested whether differently ranked individuals could re-take their ranks in hierarchies after …

Distribution Of The Misfolded Isoform Of The Prion Protein In Peripheral Tissues And Spinal Cord Of Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus Elaphus Nelsoni) With Naturally Occurring Chronic Wasting Disease, Terry R. Spraker, Thomas Gidlewski, J. G. Powers, T. A. Nichols, M. A. Wild

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids associated with the presence of a misfolded prion protein (PrPCWD). Progression of PrPCWD distribution has been described using immunohistochemistry and histologic changes in a single section of brain stem at the level of the obex resulting in scores from 0 (early) to 10 (terminal) in elk with naturally occurring CWD. Here we describe the spread and distribution of PrPCWD in peripheral tissues and spinal cord in 16 wild and 17 farmed Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) with naturally occurring CWD and correlate these findings with obex scores. …

Predator Telemetry Informs Temporal And Spatial Overlap With Stocked Salmonids In Lake Huron, David G. Fielder, Todd A. Hayden, Thomas R. Binder, Brian S. Dorr, Heidi A. Currier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Double-Crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auratus), Walleyes (Sander vitreus), and Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are migratory predators that undergo extensive movements in Lake Huron. Stocking of juvenile salmonid fish (Oncorhynchus and Salmo sp.) is an important component of fishery management in Lake Huron and assessing the spatial and temporal extent of predator movements is a useful consideration for determining when and where to stock juvenile fish to reduce predation and maximize survival. Previous investigation indicated that some Walleyes migrate to the main basin of Lake Huron in spring from Saginaw Bay. Similarly, telemetry studies of Lake Trout movement in Lake Huron have …

Role Of Social Structure In Establishment Of An Invasive Large Mammal After Translocation, Lindsay M. Clontz, Anni Yang, Sarah M. Chinn, Kim M. Pepin, Kurt C. Vercauterten, George Wittemyer, Ryan S. Miller, James C. Beasley

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Background

Data on the movement behavior of translocated wild pigs is needed to develop appropriate response strategies for containing and eliminating new source populations following translocation events. We conducted experimental trials to compare the home range establishment and space-use metrics, including the number of days and distance traveled before becoming range residents, for wild pigs translocated with their social group and individually.

Results

We found wild pigs translocated with their social group made less extensive movements away from the release location and established a stable home range ~5 days faster than those translocated individually. We also examined how habitat quality …

Impact Of Pistachio Shell Biochar In Finishing Beef Cattle Diets, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, J. L. Sperber, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 190-day finishing experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of feeding biochar on methane and carbon dioxide production, animal performance and carcass traits in beef steers. A high concentrate feedlot diet was used, and two dietary treatments were compared, 0 or 1% biochar as % of diet dry matter. Cattle were monitored using a calorimetry emissions barn to quantify production of methane and carbon dioxide. There were no differences in emissions, performance, or carcass characteristics for cattle fed the control diet or with biochar supplemented into the diet.

2023 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow-Calf Management

• Comparison of Semi-confined and Pasture-based August Calving Beef Cow Systems
• Including Gene Edited Sires in Genetic Evaluations
• Impact of Planning Horizon Length on Breeding Objectives and Resulting Selection Decisions
• Effect of Increasing Energy 30 days Prior to Artificial Insemination in Beef Heifers
• Extending Melengestrol Acetate Treatment from Fourteen to Eighteen Days in Beef Heifers
• Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers with Multi-Sire Sexed Semen

Growing Calf and Yearling Management

• Timing of Implant Use in the Backgrounding System
• Effects of Strategic Supplementation on Return to Management and Performance of Yearling Cattle

Forage Evaluation

• Forage Evaluation of Crested Wheatgrass
• Evaluation of …

Analysis Of Spoilage Bacteria Present In Vacuum Packaged Chilled Beef Treated With Organic Acids, Samuel C. Watson, Rebecca A. Furbeck, Byron D. Chaves, Samodha C. Fernando, Gary Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Preventing the spoilage of fresh, chilled beef is crucial for maintaining market value. Since organic acids are regularly used in the beef industry for pathogen control, their ability to improve the shelf life of fresh, chilled beef was evaluated. Fresh, chilled beef was individually treated with 4.5% lactic acid, 2.5% Beefxide^®, or 380 ppm peroxyacetic acid. After storage, Lactococcus, a genus of lactic acid bacteria, became the most common spoilage organism across all treatment and control samples. Organic acid treatments were not able to slow the growth of this genus and may not be an effective method to …

Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Two Beef Systems From Birth To Slaughter In Eastern Nebraska, Levi J. Mcphillips, Zac E. Carlson, Andrew E. Suyker, J. C. Macdonald, Tala Awada, Jane Okalebo, Shree Dangal, Rick R. Stowell, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Methane emissions from growing and finishing calves born into a spring calving, conventional cow system or a summer calving, partially-confined cow system were compared. Cows fed a restricted diet of corn-byproduct and grain residues in confinement produced less methane and carbon dioxide per day compared to cows grazing pasture or cover crop. 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 …

Ponderosa Pine Wood Biochar Used As An Emissions Reduction Strategy In A Finishing Beef Cattle Diet, Holly A. Heil, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing feedlot experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding biochar on methane and carbon dioxide production, performance, and carcass characteristics in beef cattle. Two dietary treatments were evaluated; 0 or 1% biochar in a high concentrate diet comprised of dry-rolled corn, high moisture corn, Sweet Bran, and corn silage. Ponderosa pine wood biochar was added into the diet at 1% dry-matter displacing a 1% dry-matter blend of corn. Cattle were monitored using a calorimetry emissions barn to capture methane and carbon dioxide production. Emissions production, performance and carcass characteristics did not differ between cattle fed a control …

Effect Of Alga Bio 1.0 On Reducing Enteric Methane Emission From Cattle, Reba L. Conlin, Kassidy K. Buse, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Paul J. Kononoff

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Alga Bio 1.0 inclusion on methane and carbon dioxide emissions along with diet digestibility. Three treatments were evaluated with 0, 69, and 103 grams per day Alga Bio 1.0 fed as a top dress in a corn-based diet. Indirect calorimetry headboxes were utilized to evaluate gas production with 12 cows in 4 replicated 3x3 Latin squares. There was a 39% reduction in methane per lb of dry matter intake for cattle fed 69 g of Alga Bio 1.0 and 63% reduction when cattle were fed 103 g of Alga Bio 1.0 …

Effects Of Corn Processing And Silage Inclusion In Feedlot Diets On Steer Performance, Jessica L. Miller, Nolan R. Meier, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A feelot study compared the effects of corn silage inclusion on steer performance and carcass characteristics withing dry-rolled corn diets and steam-flaked corn diets. Treatments included four corn silage inclusions as 0, 15, 30, 45% of dry matter in both steam-flaked corn and dry-rolled corn base diets. Feeding a steam-flaked based corn diet increased average daily gain by 7.8% and improved feed conversion by 6.8% when compared to steers fed a dry-rolled corn diet. As corn silage inclusion increased, feed conversion increased linearly. When fed to the same days on feed carcass adjusted final body weight, hot carcass weight, and …

Effect Of Enogen Feed Corn Inclusion In Conventional And Natural Finishing Cattle Diets, Jessica Miller, K. H. Jenkins Pas, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Increasing the extent of starch digestibility during finishing could allow producers to improve cattle efficiency. A finishing performance study was conducted to determine the effect of Enogen Feed Corn inclusion as dry-rolled corn and corn silage in comparison to a control corn hybrid within natural and conventional feeding programs for heifers and steers. Cattle in the conventional feeding program received implants and the ration included feed additives, while cattle on the natural program were not implanted and the ration did not contain feed additives. The inclusion of Enogen Feed Corn had no impact on steer or heifer finishing performance. The …

Effect Of Corn Processing On Steer Performance And Fecal Starch Content, Jessica L. Miller, Braden C. Troyer, Levi J. Mcphillips, Mitchell M. Norman, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Processing corn as high-moisture corn increases starch digestion and improves cattle efficiency when fed blended with dry rolled corn in finishing rations. A finishing study evaluated the effect of corn processing method (dry-rolled corn or 2:1) high-moisture corn to dry rolled corn blend) on performance of calf-fed steers. Corn processing method did not affect average daily gain; however, steers fed a high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn blend consumed 1.1 lb/day less than steers fed a dry-rolled corn diet. Feeding high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn blend diets improved feed efficiency by 5.2% compared to steers fed dry-rolled corn. Fecal starch content …

Supplemental Lysine In Finishing Cattle Diets, Hanna Cronk, Zac Carlson, Mitch Norman, Levi Mcphillips, Andrea Watson, Galen E. Erickson, Gary Ducharme

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of increasing lysine supply in finishing beef cattle diets. Crossbreed steers (n=120, BW=577 ± 2 lb) were individually fed using a Calen Gate system for 195 days. Animals received a common finishing diet (63% corn, 15% corn silage and 15% distillers grains) with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 g per day of supplemental rumen bypass lysine. High levels of lysine (5 or more g per day) in the diet decreased dry matter intake, carcass adjusted body weight with no impact on carcass adjusted feed efficiency. Hot …

Impact Of Removing 20% Distillers Grain After One-Third Or Two-Thirds Of The Feeding Period On Performance Of Finishing Yearling, Sofia Suarez Lorences, Braden C. Troyer, Mitch M. Norman, Pablo L. Loza, Rick Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study evaluated the effect of removing modified distillers grains plus solubles after one-third or two-thirds of the feeding period on performance and carcass characteristics of yearling steers. Treatment diets included 20% modified distillers for the entire feeding period; 20% modified distillers for two-thirds of the feeding period and then 0%; and 20% modified distillers for one-third of the feeding period, then 0%. Removing modified distillers from the diet decreased average daily gain, final body weight and dry matter intake and tended to increase feed conversion. Cattle fed 20% modified distillers throughout the entire feeding period had greatest hot …

Impact Of Constant Inclusion Or Decreasing Inclusion Of Distillers Grains With High-Quality Or Low-Quality Roughage On Finishing Cattle Performance, Sofia Suarez Lorences, University Of Nebraska - Lincoln, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing trial was conducted to evaluate high-quality or low-quality roughage inclusion in diets containing three concentrations of modified distillers grains plus solubles on finishing cattle performance. In a randomized block design, steers were fed according to a 2x3 factorial arrangement with two roughage sources (6% corn stalks versus 12% corn silage) in three diets containing 0, 15, or decreasing inclusion of distillers (30, 15, then 0% across the feeding period). No interactions were observed between distillers inclusion and roughage source except for intake. Steers fed corn silage consumed less, gained the same, and had slightly better feed conversions Steers …

Evaluate The Effect Of Corn Processing, Drying Distillers Grains, Oil Removal From Distillers Grains, And Distillers Inclusion On Cattle Performance, Braden C. Troyer, Elliott James Dennis, Alfredo Dicastanzo, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An analysis of over 9,300 head of cattle and 980 pen means was conducted to evaluate the effect of corn processing, drying distillers grains, oil removal from distillers, and distillers inclusion on cattle performance. This analysis looked at both steam-flaked corn and high-moisture corn or dry-rolled corn or a blend of the latter two grains and their effects on performance with and without distillers grains. Additionally, wet, modified, and dried distillers grains were analyzed as both full fat or de-oiled products at various dietary concentrations with each corn type as the primary cereal grain to determine performance responses. There was …

Effects Of Individual Sweet Bran Components In Beef Finishing Diets On Nutrient Digestion, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Rittikeard Prachumchai, Maggie Youngers, Rick A. Stock, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sweet Bran is a branded wet corn gluten feed recognized for improving rumen health, energy intake, and gains in finishing cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated steers were utilized in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin Square design to evaluate the effect of individual Sweet Bran components on total tract digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters. Three Sweet Bran components (solvent extracted germ meal, corn bran, and mixed steep) were included at 40% of diet dry matter in their respective treatment, with a steam-flaked corn control diet. Total tract dry matter and organic matter digestibility were least for bran, intermediate for solvent extracted …

Evaluation Of Lactiproflx In An Acidosis Challenge Model, Samantha K. Wagner, Rebecca J. Sjostrand, Tyler J. Spore, Mark E. Corrigan, Galen E. Erickson, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An acidosis challenge study was conducted comparing different administration techniques for LactiproFLX, a direct fed microbial product containing Megaspharea elsdenii (a lactate-utilizing bacteria) for the prevention of acidosis. Four treatments were utilized in a randomized block design with 24 ruminally cannulated steers. Treatments consisted of a control group which did not receive the product, a group which received the commercial dose of the product four days before the acidosis challenge, one which received the commercial dose of the product one day before the challenge, and one which received ten times the commercial dose one day before the challenge. No differences …

Evaluation Of Encapsulated Megasphaera Elsdenii In An Accelerated Beef Step-Up Program And An Acidosis Challenge Event, Cindy D. Mansfield, Rebecca L. Sjostrand, Braden C. Troyer, Mitchell M. Norman, Tyler Spore, Mark Corrigan, Galen E. Erickson, J. C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A 100-day metabolism study with 40 ruminally cannulated steers, individually fed, was conducted to determine the efects of daily feeding of encapsulated Megasphaera elsdenii along with a one-time dose of Lactipro NXT on dry matter intake, rumen organic acid concentration, lactate disappearance and native and specific strains of Megasphaera elsdenii concentration following an acidosis challenge. Steers fed Megasphaera elsdenii daily had greater intake after an acidosis event. Cattle fed daily Megasphaera elsdenii also had a faster rate of lactic acid disappearance after an acidosis event. Feeding Megasphaeara elsdenii daily may result in a faster recovery time, after an acidosis event, …

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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