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

Reproductive Trade-Offs In The Colorado Checkered Whiptail Lizard (Aspidoscelis Neotesselatus): An Examination Of The Relationship Between Clutch And Follicle Size, Hannah E. Caracalas, S. S. French, S. B. Hudson, B. M. Kluever, A. C. Webb, D. Eifler, A. J. Lehmicke, Lise M. Aubry

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Life history theory predicts that there should be an inverse relationship between offspring size and number, because individuals cannot simultaneously maximize both when resources are limited. Although extensively studied in avian species, the occurrence and determinants of reproductive tradeoffs in oviparous reptiles are far less understood, particularly in parthenogenetic species. We studied this trade-off in the Colorado Checkered Whiptail, Aspidoscelis neotesselatus, a female-only parthenogenetic lizard. Using data previously collected in 2018 and 2019, we tested for clutch and egg size trade-offs and determined whether this relationship could be influenced by female size and aspects of physiological condition. Physiological condition …

Influenza A Virus Surveillance, Infection And Antibody Persistence In Snow Geese (Anser Caerulescens), Susan A. Shriner, J. Jeffrey Root, Jeremy W. Ellis, Kevin T. Bentler, Kaci K. Vandalen, Thomas Gidlewski, Sarah N. Bevins

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Some snow geese (Anser caerulescens) migrate between Eurasia and North America and exhibit high seroprevalence for influenza A viruses (IAVs). Hence, these birds might be expected to play a role in intercontinental dispersal of IAVs. Our objective in this manuscript was to characterize basic incidence and infection characteristics for snow geese to assess whether these birds are likely to significantly contribute to circulation of IAVs. Thus, we 1) estimated snow goose infection prevalence by summarizing > 5,000 snow goose surveillance records, 2) experimentally infected snow geese with a low pathogenic IAV (H4N6) to assess susceptibility and infection dynamics and …

Invasive Species In Puerto Rico: The View From El Yunque, Jess Zimmerman, Julissa Rojas-Sandoval, Aaron B. Shiels

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Native flora and fauna of Puerto Rico have a long biogeographic connection to South America. Theory and empirical evidence suggest that islands, particularly those distantly isolated from the mainland, should be more susceptible to naturalizations and invasions of non-native species than continental areas. Anthropogenic disturbances can facilitate accidental and deliberate introductions of non-native species. In this study, we asked: What is the current status of introduced species within El Yunque National Forest (EYNF), the largest and most well-conserved forest area of Puerto Rico? To address this question, we reviewed the literature and surveyed local experts to identify introduced plant and …

Modelling The Factors Affecting The Probability For Local Rabies Elimination By Strategic Control, Johann L. Kotzé, John Duncan Grewar, Aaron M. Anderson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Dog rabies has been recognized from ancient times and remains widespread across the developing world with an estimated 59,000 people dying annually from the disease. In 2011 a tri-partite alliance consisting of the OIE, the WHO and the FAO committed to globally eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. Regardless of global support, the responsibility remains with local program managers to implement successful elimination programs. It is well known that vaccination programs have a high probability of successful elimination if they achieve a population-coverage of 70%. It is often quoted that reducing population turnover (typically through sterilizations) raises the probability for …

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

No abstract provided.

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

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

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

2021 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

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

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

Genetic Parameter Estimates For Age At Slaughter And Days To Finish In A Multibreed Population, Lindsay R. Upperman, Larry A. Kuehn, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

No abstract provided.

Categorization Of Birth Weight Phenotypes For Inclusion In Genetic Evaluations Using A Deep Neural Network, Andre Ribeiro, Bruce Golden, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

No abstract provided.

Using Pooling To Capture Commercial Data For Inclusion In Genetic Evaluations, Johnna L. Baller, Stephen D. Kachman, Larry A. Kuehn, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

No abstract provided.

Milk Production Impacts On Cow Reproductive And Calf Growth Performance, Tasha M. King, J. A. Musgrave, R. Funston, Travis Mulliniks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

No abstract provided.

Metabolomic Profile Associated With Pre-Breeding Puberty Status In Range Beef Heifers, Joslyn K. Beard, Waseem Abbas, J. A. Musgrave, R. Funston, Samodha C. Fernando, Travis Mulliniks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 4-yr study utilizing heifers from March and May calving herds collected serum samples prior to breeding to determine puberty status. Serum samples were used for Metabolomics analysis to investigate differences related to circulating serum metabolites in pubertal and non-pubertal heifers. Metabolomics, which is a shotgun approach analysis of a large number of small metabolites, is an emerging technology that can provide a more robust analysis of metabolism. No differences were observed in heifer ADG, pregnancy rate, or the percentage that calved within the first 21 d between heifers classified as pubertal and non-pubertal at the start …

Statistics Used In The Nebraska Beef Cattle Report And Their Purpose

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The purpose of beef cattle and beef product research at UNL is to provide reference information that represents the various populations (cows, calves, heifers, feeders, carcasses, retail products, etc) of beef production. Obviously, the researcher cannot apply treatments to every member of a population; therefore he/she must sample the population. The use of statistics allows the researcher and readers of the Nebraska Beef Cattle Report the opportunity to evaluate separation of random (chance) occurrences and real biological effects of a treatment. Following is a brief description of the major statistics used in the beef report. For a more detailed description …

Dietary Impact On Antibiotic Resistance In Feedlot Manure, Maranatha Zelt, Amy Schmidt, Noelle Mware, Xu Li, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

There is a growing public concern regarding antibiotic resistance and the use of antibiotics, including in livestock management. Understanding the ecology of antibiotic resistance among microbes, identifying resistance gene reservoirs, and implementing antibiotic resistance mitigation practices in livestock production are critical to protecting animal and human health while meeting increasing food demands. This research is one of several studies seeking to assess risk for livestock- to- human transfer of antibiotic resistance and to identify mechanisms for reducing that risk where possible. This study evaluated the impact of forage concentration and supplemental essential oil in beef cattle finishing diets on antibiotic …

Perceptions Of Barriers And Benefits Of Manure Use In Cropping Systems, Richard Koelsch, Daniel Andersen, Erin Cortus, Leslie Johnson, Amy Schmidt, Siok A. Siek, Melissa Wilson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Animal agriculture is tasked with recycling the nitrogen and phosphorus in manures in an environmentally sound manner, typically as a soil fertility amendment, which often requires voluntary transfer of manures to crop farms on which there may be little or no history of manure use. # e ability of manure to compete with commercially available fertilizers is essential for this transfer. A survey was conducted of farmers’ and their advisors’ perceptions of the benefits and barriers to manure use in crops. There exists a strong recognition of manure’s agronomic, yield, and soil health benefits. However, many challenges associated with manure …

Predicting Nitrogen And Phosphorous Flows In Beef Open Lots, Megan N. Homolka, Galen E. Erickson, Richard K. Koelsch

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Manure collected from open lot animal housing systems experiences variability due to weather conditions, management of beef cattle and pens, and other factors resulting in substantial changes in manure characteristics. Data from 15 winter and summer periods at the beef feedlot at Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center including 416 independent pen measurements, were summarized for nutrient mass balance, and then used to determine sources of variability impacting nitrogen and phosphorous. Understanding variability is important to regulated manure nutrient planning processes. The results of this review suggest significant challenge associated with planning based upon standard values for estimating manure characteristics. …

Transforming Manure And Cedar Mulch From “Waste” To “Worth”, Karla Melgar, Agustin Olivo, Richard Koelsch, Larry Howard, Gary Lesoing, Aaron Nygren, Randy Saner, Amy D. Timmerman, Troy Walz, Todd Whitney, Amy Schmidt

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In nearly every production environment, there are opportunities to capture profits if waste streams can be further processed or enhanced to create “value added” products. Animal feeding operations in Nebraska generate significant amounts of manure that are considered as a “waste” product. Additionally, Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) encroachment into grazing land has become an economic and ecological threat, reducing forage production, fragmenting wildlife habitats, and increasing the risk and severity of wild fires. Value- added uses for cedar woodchips are being sought by the Nebraska Forest Service and other agencies to promote tree management by landowners. Using manure and …

Using Coal Char From Sugar Production In Cattle Manure Management, Bijesh Maharjan, K. H. Jenkins Pas

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Application of coal char, a coal combustion residue from the sugar factory in Scottsbluff, NE (containing up to 30 % C by weight), was evaluated as a nitrogen (N) loss mitigation tool for feedlot manure in three experiments. In experiment 1, when char was added to piled manure previously removed from feedlot pens, N loss potential was reduced (44% vs. 68% in the control). In experiment 2, manure was collected fresh from the animal, from the pen surface with cattle still in the pen, and from a pile removed from the pen. Char was mixed with these samples in replicated …

Accelerated Dry Aging Under Anaerobic Conditions, Joseph A. Sonderman, Soon K. Lau, Felipe A. Ribeiro, David M. Velasco, Nicolas A. Bland, Nicolas J. Herrera, Morgan L. Henriott, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Chris Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The purpose of dry aging is to develop novel favors and other sensory characteristics different from wet aged meat. However, leaving meat exposed to air for an extended period of time can have negative effects on meat quality. As the meat is exposed to oxygen for an extended period of time, lipids are oxidized resulting in compounds that negatively affect favor. In this study, oxygen concentration was regulated along with time, temperature, humidity, and air flow. The purpose of oxygen regulation was to determine the effect of oxidation on the quality, specifically flavor preference, of dry aged meats. Sensory analysis …

The Impact Of Oxidative Stress On Postmortem Meat Quality, Nicolas J. Herrera, Felipe A. Ribeiro, Nicolas A. Bland, Morgan L. Henriott, Kellen B. Hart, Jessica Lynn Petersen, Chris Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between animal oxidative status, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a promoter for oxidation. This was used as a model to evaluate tenderization and meat quality factors early postmortem. Lambs were administered an intravenous injection of either saline, 50 ng/kg bodyweight (LPS50), or 100 ng/kg bodyweight (LPS100) every 72 hours for a 9- day period to stimulate physiological oxidative stress. After a day of rest, lambs were harvested, and pre- rigor Longissimus dorsi-muscles were obtained for transcriptomic analysis. Loins, aged for 1 and 14 days, were analyzed for attributes relating to oxidative potential, meat …

The Relationship Of Liver Abscess Scores And Early Postmortem Meat Tenderness, Nicolas J. Herrera, Felipe A. Ribeiro, Nicolas A. Bland, Morgan L. Henriott, Kellen B. Hart, Chris Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Acidosis is one of the most common nutritional disorders found in commercial feedlots. Cattle diets with high concentrations of starch can cause rapid production of acids in the rumen, disrupting microbial fermentation, causing liver abscess formation, and lowering livestock performance. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of liver abscesses and beef tenderness early postmortem. Results showed numerically lesser shear force values (greater tenderness) in loins from animals without liver abscesses, however, this was not statistically significant for slice shear force or Warner- Bratzler shear force. Although the effects of liver abscess occurrence in relation to …

Proteomic Analysis Of Oxidized Proteins In Beef, Nicolas A. Bland, Nicolas J. Herrera, Felipe A. Ribeiro, Morgan L. Henriott, Kellen B. Hart, Chris Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

To evaluate the effects of diet and quality grade on tenderness and oxidative damage to proteins, strip loins from USDA Upper 2/3rd Choice and Select- grade carcasses were obtained. Steers were fed either a diet containing dry rolled corn, steam flaked corn, dry rolled corn with 30% dried distillers grains with solubles, or steam flaked corn with 30% dried distillers grain with solubles. Results suggest that steaks from steers fed dry rolled corn are more objectively tender than steam flaked corn; in addition, steaks grading USDA Upper 2/3rd Choice steaks were more tender when compared to USDA Select quality grade. …

Fate Of Generic Escherichia Coli In Beef Steaks During Sous Vide Cooking At Different Holding Time And Temperature Combinations, Heather B. Hunt, Samuel C. Watson, Byron D. Chaves, Gary Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Sous vide cookery utilizes water baths held at precise temperatures to cook food and has increased in popularity in domestic and food service settings due to ease of use and consistent final cooking temperature of food. Some sous vide manufacturers’ cooking websites suggest cooking intact and nonintact beef products to internal temperatures as low as 115º F. To address the safety concerns of cooking non- intact beef products to temperatures below USDA- FSIS guidance temperatures, steaks were internally inoculated with a strain of generic E. coli and sous vide cooked to internal temperatures of 115, 125, 130, and 145º F …

Economic Analysis Of Increased Corn Silage Inclusion In Beef Finishing Cattle, Hannah C. Wilson, J. C. Macdonald, Andrea K. Watson, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An economic analysis was conducted to assess the feasibility of feeding greater inclusions of corn silage in finishing diets. Cattle were fed two inclusions of corn silage (15 and 45% of diet dry matter) with or without tylosin. Cattle fed 15% corn silage with tylosin had the best feed conversion, 15 % corn silage without tylosin was intermediate, and both 45% corn silage with and without tylosin had the poorest feed conversion. Feeding corn silage at greater inclusions decreased ADG but increased final body weight when fed to an equal fatness (28 days longer). However, feeding corn silage at 45% …

Effect Of Increasing Corn Silage Inclusion In Finishing Diets With Or Without Tylosin On Performance And Liver Abscesses, Hannah C. Wilson, Levi Mcphillips, Bradely M. Boyd, Andrea K. Watson, J. C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to assess the impact of increasing silage inclusion in finishing diets to reduce the prevalence of liver abscesses in beef cattle. Cattle were fed two inclusions of corn silage (15 or 45% of diet dry matter), with or without tylosin for control of liver abscesses. Cattle fed 15% corn silage had a 2% improvement in feed efficiency when tylosin was added to the diet. However, in cattle fed 45% corn silage, no improvements in feed efficiency were observed when tylosin was added to the diet. Cattle fed 15% corn silage without tylosin, had the greatest …

Impact Of Days Fed On Holstein Bull And Steer Performance And Cutability Of Cattle Pen- Fed Organic Diets, Elizabeth A. Schumacher, Braden C. Troyer, Bradley M. Boyd, Levi Mcphillips, J. C. Macdonald, Andrea K. Watson, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Performance, carcass characteristics, and total meat yield of Holstein bulls and steers were compared in a simulated organic production system with the goal of producing ground beef. Holstein bulls (n = 120, initial BW = 487 lb) and steers (n = 120, initial BW = 471 lb) of the same age were blocked by BW and assigned randomly to be harvested at 308, 343, 378, and 413 days on feed. After harvest, all meat o" the carcass was considered trim and was collected and weighed to calculate total trim yield. Bulls gained faster and had greater live body weight, carcass …

Evaluation Of Condensed Algal Residue Solubles As An Ingredient In Cattle Finishing Diets, John C. Gibbons, Bradley M. Boyd, Levi Mcphillips, Andrea K. Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study was conducted to evaluate feeding 0, 2.5, or 5.0% of a novel liquid feed, Condensed Algal Residue Solubles (CARS), in one of two base diets with CARS replacing corn. ! e two base diets were fed to mimic Northern Great Plains (high moisture and dry rolled corn blend fed with wet distillers grains plus solubles) and Southern Great Plains (steam- flaked corn and dry distillers grains plus solubles) feedlot diets. ! ere were no interactions between base diet and CARS inclusion. Feed intake and longissimus muscle area decreased as CARS inclusion increased in the diet. A quadratic effect …

Evaluation Of Wheat Blended With Corn In Finishing Diets Containing Wet Distillers Grains, C A. Coulson, B M. Boyd, B B. Conroy, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of grain type and wet distillers grains inclusion on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics. It was hypothesized that a greater inclusion of wet distillers grains would help mitigate acidosis previously observed with feeding wheat. Treatments were designed as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the first factor as grain type at either 100% dry rolled corn or a 50:50 blend of dry- rolled wheat and dry rolled corn, and the second factor as wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) inclusion at either 12 or 30% of diet dry matter. There …