Beef Science Commons^™

The Influence Of Carcass Weight On Beef Primal Temperature, Tenderness, And Palatability, Samantha Egolf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The United States beef industry has experienced increasing hot carcass weights (HCW) and improvements to quality grade the last three decades. Postmortem chilling of beef carcasses is critical to overall product quality. Carcass weight and composition may influence carcass temperatures during postmortem chilling. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of HCW and quality grade during postmortem chilling and on product quality. A-maturity carcasses were selected by weight [light = 296–341 kg; middle = 386–432 kg; heavy = 466–523 kg]. A 20 cm data logger was placed into the chuck and round and a 10 cm data …

The Interactions Of Change In Nutrition Prior To And After Artificial Insemination On Plasma Metabolites, Steroid Hormones, And Uterine Histotroph In Beef Heifers, Taylor N. Andrews

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The management of heifers can have lifetime effects on their reproductive success and efficiency. Nutrition is one of the management factors that can influence steroid hormone production, oocyte development, embryo development, and uterine histotroph, thus affecting heifers’ reproductive efficiency. Therefore, the objectives of the following studies were to evaluate the impact of nutritional changes prior to and after Artificial Insemination (AI) on plasma cholesterol concentrations, and uterine mineral concentrations (Chapter 2) and the impact of nutritional change after AI on uterine mineral concentrations, steroid hormone production, and circulating metabolites (Chapter 3). In experiment 1 (Chapter 2), beef heifers (n = …

The Effects Of Weather, Body Weight, And Feed Intake On Total And Liquid Water Intake In Beef Cattle, Zachary Mcdaniel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two completely randomized design feedlot experiments were conducted over the course of a year. Both experiments were performed in order to determine the effects of weather, body weight (BW), and feed intake on total daily water intake (TDWI) and liquid daily water intake (LDWI) in beef steers. Experiment 1 utilized Angus weaned steers (n = 27; initial BW = 273 + 21.3 kg). Experiment 2 utilized yearling Bos taurus steers (n = 26; initial BW = 421 + 16.2 kg). Individual feed and water intake were collected using the Insentec (Insentec RIC, Hokofarm, Marknesse, Netherlands) automated feeding and water system. …

Influence Of Preharvest Management Strategies In Beef Cattle On Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Meat Quality, Erin Gubbels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The overall goal of this thesis project was to better understand the influence of preharvest management strategies at critical growth and development periods on beef performance and meat quality. This was accomplished through two primary objectives: 1) to investigate the effects of maternal prepartum dietary energy source during mid- and late-gestation on growth performance, carcass composition, and meat quality of offspring and 2) to compare the influence of two low stress weaning methods with conventional weaning on post-weaning performance and carcass characteristics of steers. For objective 1, Angus-based cows from two sources (n = 129 from South Dakota State University, …

Influence Of Dietary Manipulation On The Relationship Between Temperament Measures And Growth In Beef Cattle: Endophyte Exposure, Phytogenic Supplementation, And Controlled Feeding, Paul Shanks

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

The influence of dietary factors (including endophyte exposure, phytogenic supplementation, and controlled feeding) on relationships between exit velocity (EV), growth performance in grazing and finishing cattle, and carcass characteristics were explored. Two grazing studies were conducted evaluating EV effects on cattle grazing both toxic and nontoxic endophyte-infected tall fescue. Cattle were followed through two subsequent finishing studies and an additional beef cattle finishing beef cattle study was also conducted. Results from these studies agree with many literature reports indicating that EV measures relate to growth performance and associated carcass traits in beef cattle being fed high energy diets in confinement, …

Impact Of Mineral Supplementation On Intake Behavior And Blood Flow In Growing Beef Cattle Exposed To Fescue-Derived Alkaloids, Hannah Marie Herzing

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue by cattle has repeatedly been shown to negatively impact dry matter intake (DMI), growth rate, and circulating prolactin concentrations. The objective of the current study was to determine if a mineral supplementation would mitigate the negative effects of fescue-derived alkaloid consumption on feed intake, circulating prolactin, and the vascular system. Twelve Angus crossbred steers were used in a triplicated Latin square design consisting of three 28 d experimental periods. Treatments consisted of three top-dressed mineral supplements (142 g/head/d): a non-medicated control (CON), commercially available Fescue EMT® Mineral Defense (EMT), and a test prototype (EMT 2). …

Monocyte Abundance And White Blood Cell Expression Of Prolactin And Nf-Kb Pathway Genes In Beef Steers Are Altered By Grazing Toxic Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue And Lipopolysaccharide Challenge, Cecilia Winfrey

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Experiment 1 tested the hypothesis that ad libitum consumption of a 1:1 blend (MIX) of sodium selenite (ISe) and SELPLEX vs solely ISe as selenium (Se) supplements (27 ppm) in a vitamin-mineral mix (V-M) by steers subjected to summer-long grazing of toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue (TE) would ameliorate the negative effects of TE by positively affecting the expression pattern of prolactin (PRL) and NF-kB pathway genes by circulating leukocytes (WBC). Experiment 2 tested the hypothesis that the MIX form of supplemental Se also would ameliorate the negative effects of in vitro blood lipopolysaccharide challenge (LPS) on WBC gene expression. The …

Predicting Carcass Cut Yields In Cattle From Digitalimages Using Artificial Intelligence, Darragh Matthews

Theses

Beef carcass classification in Europe is predicated on the EUROP grid for both fatness and conformation. Although this system performs well for grouping visually similar carcasses, it cannot be used to accurately predict meat yields from these groups, especially when considered on an individual cut level. Deep Learning (DL) has proven to be a successful tool for many image classification problems but has yet to be fully proven in a regression scenario using carcass images. Here we have trained DL models to predict carcass cut yields and compared predictions to more standard machine learning (ML) methods. Three approaches were undertaken …

The Effect Of Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Seed Consumption On Gut And Satiety Hormones Related To Intake Regulation In Holstein Steers, Mindy Elizabeth King

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Cattle consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) typically experience a syndrome termed fescue toxicosis which is thought to be caused by ergot alkaloids produced by the endophyte. The most abundant alkaloid, and considered the most likely cause of the syndrome, is ergovaline (ERV). During fescue toxicosis, a decrease in ADG is observed which is likely due to the decrease in DMI commonly observed in animals consuming E+ compared to animals consuming non-endophyte-infected tall fescue (E-). However, the cause of the decrease in intake is not well elucidated. Many physiological responses control feed intake including, but not limited to, physical, neural, metabolic, …

Cattle Industry Funding Scheme Annual Report 2019/2020, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

In June 2010 the Cattle Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) was introduced to address biosecurity threats relevant to the Western Australian (WA) cattle industry. The Scheme was established under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 to enable cattle producers to identify the pest and disease priorities at a whole-of-industry level and to raise funds for activities to address these priorities.

There are currently three Industry Funding Schemes in operation. In addition to the Cattle IFS, there is a Sheep and Goat IFS and a Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS. The three IFSs operate in a similar manner.

The purpose of …

Incorporation Of Summer Annual Mixtures Into Grazing Systems In Kentucky, Kelly Marie Mercier

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Utilizing summer annual grass-legume forage mixtures has the potential to improve forage yield and nutritive characteristics, and/or animal performance during times when cool-season pasture growth is limited by high temperatures. Legumes can utilize atmospheric nitrogen, which can increase crude protein and forage digestibility in mixtures. As nitrogen application generally improves both the yield and nutritive characteristics of summer annual forages, but can have a negative effect on legume competitiveness, nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for legume-containing summer annual mixtures are not well established.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of utilizing summer annual mixtures in Kentucky, USA. The first experiment …

Corn Grain Alternatives And Coated Versus Non-Coated Trenbolone Acetate And Estradiol Impants For Feedlot Finishing Animals: Influence On Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Efficiency Of Dietary Net Energy Utilization, Beef Production Per Hectare And Digestiblilty, Elizabeth Buckhaus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Corn grain alternatives are often not used in finishing rations due to reduced caloric densities and reluctance to deviate from traditional methods. Along with optimum nutrition, cattle need to have proper implant strategies to reap maximum returns on investment. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of corn grain alternatives and implant type on feedlot finishing cattle. The objective of the first study was to determine the influence of corn silage (15% or 30% dry matter inclusion), and terminal implant type (coated or non-coated) containing equal hormonal doses on animal growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, beef production per …

A Survey Of Anthelmintic Resistance In Angus Bulls Participating In Centralized Performance Tests In Appalachia, Roger Tyler Rohrbaugh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Resistance to anthelmintics, more commonly referred to as “de-wormers,” has been on the rise in parasites that affect cattle. Parasite infection can have severe impacts on calf productivity resulting in reduced profitability. Therefore, we sought to better understand anthelmintic resistance in Appalachia by surveying Angus bulls entering performance tests in VA and WV. During a four-year period, over 1050 Angus bulls were tested at bull development facilities in Wardensville, WV, Culpeper, VA and Wytheville, VA. Fecal samples were collected at arrival and 14-21 days later for determination of fecal egg count (FEC) reduction. Upon arrival, all bulls received either fenbendazole …

Tsetse Blood-Meal Sources, Endosymbionts And Trypanosome-Associations In The Maasai Mara National Reserve, A Wildlife-Human-Livestock Interface, Edward Edmond Makhulu, Jandouwe Villinger, Vincent Owino Adunga, Maamun M. Jeneby, Edwin Murungi Kimathi, Enock Mararo, Joseph Wang’Ang’A Oundo, Ali Abdulahi Musa, Lillian Wambua

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

African trypanosomiasis (AT) is a neglected disease of both humans and animals caused by Trypanosoma parasites, which are transmitted by obligate hematophagous tsetse flies (Glossina spp.). Knowledge on tsetse fly vertebrate hosts and the influence of tsetse endo-symbionts on trypanosome presence, especially in wildlife-human-livestock interfaces, is limited. We identified tsetse species, their blood-meal sources, and correlations between endosymbionts and trypanosome presence in tsetse flies from the trypanosome-endemic Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya. Among 1167 tsetse flies (1136 Glossina pallidipes, 31 Glossina swynnertoni) collected from 10 sampling sites, 28 (2.4%) were positive by PCR for trypanosome DNA, most (17/28) …

Effects Of Premortem Stress On Heat Shock Protein Abundance, Oxidation, And Color In The Longissimus Lumborum Of Holstein Steers Following Harvest, Reganne K. Briggs

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Consumers consider tenderness and steak color to be two important attributes associated with meat quality. However, inconsistencies in both tenderness and steak color remain despite similar production practices of beef cattle. Stressful events before harvest may impact meat quality by initiating certain pathways such as abundance of heat shock proteins (HSP) and oxidation within the skeletal muscle. Heat shock proteins have been associated with tenderness while oxidation may affect steak color and flavor. In this study, 40 Holstein steers were administered adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) to mimic a stressful event before harvest. Animals were harvested at different times following the ACTH …

Biogeography Of The Bovine Respiratory Microbiome And Its Relationship With Bovine Respiratory Disease, Jianmin Chai

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most common and costly disease in the beef cattle industry, leading to high morbidity, mortality and huge economic loss. Despite the recent advances in vaccination and antimicrobial techniques, no significant health-improved outcomes have developed. Due to a deep investigation of the microbiome, respiratory microbiotas are known to have important roles for host health and disease. However, BRD specific pathogens have not yet been identified since they are found in both healthy and diseased animals. A systemic and comprehensive study of the biogeography of the bovine respiratory microbiome and its relationship with BRD is lacking …

Bovine Liver Supplement Labeling Practices And Compliance With U.S. Regulations, Anthony J. Silva, Olive J. Dahm, Rosalee S. Hellberg

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Bovine liver supplements are sought after by consumers due to their nutrient-dense profile and high protein content. However, there is a lack of information regarding bovine liver supplement labeling practices. The objective of this study was to assess labeling practices and compliance with U.S. regulatory standards among commercially sold bovine liver supplements. The product labels for 49 bovine liver supplements were examined for required information, including a statement of identity; net quantity of contents; “Supplement Facts” label; ingredient statement; and name and place of business of manufacturer, packer, or distributor with domestic address or telephone number. Any claims made on …

Impact Of Mixed Biofilm Formation With Environmental Microorganisms On E. Coli O157:H7 Survival Against Sanitization, Sapna Chitlapilly Dass, Joseph M. Bosilevac, Maggie Weinroth, Christian Elowsky, You Zhou, Angela Anandappa, Rong Wang

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Biofilm formation by foodborne pathogens is a serious threat to food safety and public health. Meat processing plants may harbor various microorganisms and occasional foodborne pathogens; thus, the environmental microbial community might impact pathogen survival via mixed biofilm formation. We collected floor drain samples from two beef plants with different E. coli O157:H7 prevalence history and investigated the effects of the environmental microorganisms on pathogen sanitizer tolerance. The results showed that biofilm forming ability and bacterial species composition varied considerably based on the plants and drain locations. E. coli O157:H7 cells obtained significantly higher sanitizer tolerance in mixed biofilms by …

Effect Of Method Of Drying Piglets At Birth On Rectal Temperature Over The First 24 H After Birth, Katherine D. Vande Pol, Andres F. Tolosa, Caleb M. Shull, Catherine B. Brown, Stephan A.S. Alencar, Michael Ellis

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Piglets are born wet, and evaporation of that moisture decreases body temperature, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two commercially applicable methods for drying piglets at birth on piglet rectal temperature over 24 h after birth. The study was carried out in standard commercial farrowing facilities with 52 litters, using a completely randomized design with three Drying Treatments: Control (not dried); Desiccant (dried at birth using a cellulose-based desiccant); Paper Towel (dried at birth using paper towels). Litters were randomly allotted to treatments at the birth of the first piglet. …

Effect Of Drying And/Or Warming Piglets At Birth On Rectal Temperature Over The First 24 H After Birth, Katherine D. Vande Pol, Andres F. Tolosa, Caleb M. Shull, Catherine B. Brown, Stephan A. S. Alencar, Michael Ellis

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Piglets experience a rapid decrease in body temperature immediately after birth, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth. The study was carried out at a commercial sow facility using a completely randomized design with four treatments (applied to piglets at birth): Control (no drying or warming), Desiccant (dried using a desiccant), Warming Box (placed in a box under a heat lamp for 30 min), and Desiccant + Warming Box (both dried and warmed as above). …