Meat Science Commons^™

Evaluation Of Biochar On Nutrient Loss From Fresh Cattle Manure, Jessica L. Sperber, Tyler Spore, Galen E. Erickson, Andrea K. Watson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of biochar and time on manure nutrient retention. Pans were used to simulate feedlot pens with 10 replications per treatment. Biochar was included at 0, 5, or 10% of manure dry matter with 30 and 60 day durations to evaluate pan contents over time. There was a 13- percentage unit increase in organic matter losses from day 30 to 60 for pans without biochar, and a 3- percentage unit increase for pans containing biochar. The least nitrogen loss was measured on the pans without biochar harvested at 30 days. Pans harvested at …

Psxii-19 Urine Metabolomics Analysis Associated With Feed Efficiency On Crossbred Steers During The Growing And Finishing Period On Forage- And Concentrate- Based Diets., Virginia M. Artegoitia, John Newman, Ronald M. Lewis, Andrew P. Foote, Harvey C. Freetly

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A discovery project to identify non‐invasive biomarkers that can detect subtle metabolic discrepancies for cattle feed efficiency was performed using untargeted and targeted urine metabolomics by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Individual feed intake and body weight gain were measured in crossbred steers (n = 80) on a forage-based growing ration (stage-1) followed by a high-concentrate diet finishing ration (stage- 2). Urine was collected on study days 0, 21, 42, 63, and 83 for each dietary stage. In total, 28 steers with the greatest and the least average daily-gain (ADG) within 0.32 SD of the mean of dry-matter-intake (DMI) were used. …

Epigenetic Clock And Methylation Study Of Oocytes From A Bovine Model Of Reproductive Aging, Pawel Kordowitzki, Amin Haghani, Joseph A. Zoller, Caesar Z. Li, Ken Raj, Matthew L. Spangler, Steve Horvath

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Cattle are an attractive animal model of fertility in women due to their high degree of similarity relative to follicle selection, embryo cleavage, blastocyst formation, and gestation length. To facilitate future studies of the epigenetic underpinnings of aging effects in the female reproductive axis, several DNA methylation-based biomarkers of aging (epigenetic clocks) for bovine oocytes are presented. One such clock was germane to only oocytes, while a dual-tissue clock was highly predictive of age in both oocytes and blood. Dual species clocks that apply to both humans and cattle were also developed and evaluated. These epigenetic clocks can be used …

Relationship Between Urinary Energy And Urinary Nitrogen Or Carbon Excretion In Lactating Jersey Cows, D. L. Morris, Jeffrey L. Firkins, C. Lee, W. P. Weiss, Paul J. Kononoff

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Measurement of urinary energy (UE) excretion is essential to determine metabolizable energy (ME) supply. Our objectives were to evaluate the accuracy of using urinary N (UN) or C (UC) to estimate UE and ultimately improve the accuracy of estimating ME. Individual animal data (n = 433) were used from 11 studies with Jersey cows at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where samples were analyzed after drying (n = 299) or on an as-is basis (n = 134). Dried samples resulted in greater estimated error variance compared with as-is samples, and thus only as-is samples were used for final models. The as-is …

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 …

Pseudomonas Survive Thermal Processing And Grow During Vacuum Packaged Storage In An Emulsified Beef System, Samuel C. Watson, Rebecca A. Furbeck, Byron D. Chaves, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

New research has suggested the ability of Pseudomonas, a common spoilage microorganism, to grow in cooked beef products stored under vacuum which challenges the traditional understanding of the role of Pseudomonas during cooked beef spoilage. Understanding the mechanisms of survival and growth of Pseudomonas in these products is crucial for improving shelf life. The objective of this experiment was to determine Pseudomonas survival in a thermally processed, emulsified cooked beef model system. After eight weeks of refrigerated storage, Pseudomonas was recovered from cooked emulsified beef, indicating the potential for Pseudomonas to survive thermal processing and cause spoilage in cooked vacuum …

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 …

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% …

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 …

Training Improves The Reliability Of Temperament Assessment In Cattle, Jamie T. Parham, Jessica J. Schmidt, Ronald M. Lewis

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Accurate and precise measurement of docility in cattle is paramount when including temperament as a criterion for selection. The value of training individuals in assigning a docility score was evaluated by comparing the reliability of individual assessments of temperament in beef cattle before and after various instructional methods. Preceding training, participants’ assessment of cattle behavior, videoed while each heifer was restrained in a chute, was not impacted by age, gender, or pre- existing cattle handling experience. Groups of participants that received additional training were more accurate and precise in evaluating temperament, regardless of training method, compared to those without. No …

Mineral Concentrations Of Forages For Livestock In Nebraska And South Dakota, Rebecca J. Kern, John W. Kern, Hannah M.G. Dorn, Carrie E. Putnam, Janna J. Block, Adele A. Harty, M. E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Forage samples from Nebraska and South Dakota submitted to Ward Laboratories, Inc. from 2012– 2019 were analyzed for mineral concentrations. Samples were categorized by forage species, quality based on protein content, and mineral concentration based on requirements for lactating beef cows. ! e data indicate that copper and zinc are frequently deficient across all species and levels of forage quality, emphasizing the need for supplementation. Except for magnesium, macro- mineral deficiencies are less likely to occur when feeding high quality forages in Nebraska and South Dakota. Corn feedstuffs are particularly likely to result in mineral deficiencies if fed without mineral …

Evaluation Of Models Used To Predict Dry Matter Intake In Forage- Based Diets, Aksel Wiseman, Andrea K. Watson, Rick Stock, Terry Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Accurately predicting intake is critical to model performance of cattle in order to formulate diets to meet nutritional requirements. Modeling systems must be accurate in order to provide correct information to producers. Multiple studies with growing cattle consuming forage- based diets were summarized. Actual gain and weights of the cattle were used to determine predicted dry matter intake using the Beef Cattle Nutrient Requirements Model (2016). ! e predicted dry matter intakes were compared to observed dry matter intakes to determine accuracy of the prediction model. ! e model over predicted intakes at low TDN and under predicted intakes at …

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

A digestion study was conducted to evaluate Masters Choice corn silage hybrids on nutrient digestibility in growing beef steers. ! e three hybrids evaluated were a conventional hybrid (CON) commonly grown in Eastern Nebraska which served as the control, Masters Choice hybrid MCT6365 RIB (MC1) that has been selected to improve " ber and starch digestion and Masters Choice hybrid MCT6733 GT3000 (MC2) selected to improve " ber digestion. Treatment diets consisted of 80% of the diet dry matter (DM) of each corn silage hybrid. Steers fed MC1 corn silage had the greatest organic matter (OM), energy digestibility, and digestible …

Organic Production Of Livestock And Livestock Products In Nebraska, Elliott James Dennis

Extension Farm and Ranch Management News

First paragraph:

USDA “Certified Organic” is a form of production that has received considerable public attention in the last 10 years, particularly among small, beginning and/or minority farmers. Spiking retail prices for red meat and poultry have seemingly accelerated consumer’s interest in organic locally produced products. Consumers demonstrate their desire for these products by paying premiums when purchasing meat products. Producers receive premiums by either directly marketing live animals to consumers that are custom harvested or marketing animals to meat wholesalers. The primary difference is the way premiums are captured. Producers doing custom harvesting capture the full premium whereas producers …

Levels Of Copper And Zinc In Diets For Growing And Finishing Pigs Can Be Reduced Without Detrimental Effects On Production And Mineral Status, A Hernandez, J R. Pluske, D N. D'Souza, B P. Mullan

Animal production and livestock research articles

One hundred and sixty pigs were used to evaluate dietary copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on performance, fecal mineral levels, body mineral status and carcass and meat quality. Diets differed in mineral form (MF) (Cu and Zn in the form of proteinate amino acid chelate (organic) or sulfate (inorganic)) and inclusion level (IL) (27 mg/kg of total Cu and 65 mg/kg of total Zn (‘low’) or 156 mg/kg of total Cu and 170 mg/kg of total Zn (‘high’)) according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Pigs were used from 25 to 107 kg body weight (BW) …

The Use Of Inorganic And Organic Acids As Short Duration Antimicrobial Dips On Mitigating Pathogens Present On Commercial Chicken During Peri-Harvest, Dana Kristen Dittoe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With poultry being the most consumed meat in the United States, poultry processors must provide consumers with safe, wholesome products. As a consequence, poultry processors are faced with the challenge of reducing the presence of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter jejuni among raw poultry products. Though multi-hurdle approaches using antimicrobials are placed throughout processing to reduce these pathogens, Salmonella and C. jejuni still persist among raw poultry. Thus, it was the objective of the current dissertation to investigate various antimicrobials, organic and inorganic acids, as short duration dips and sprays as means to reduce common pathogens (Salmonella, …

Characterization Of Growth Patterns And Meat Quality Characteristics Of Four Commercial Broiler Strains In Small Bird And Large Bird Programs In The United States, Clay Johnny Maynard

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Through current trends in animal protein consumption, the United States poultry industry has seen a drastic rise in production and popularity. Over the last few decades, poultry meat has surpassed both beef and pork production to become the most widely consumed animal protein. This rise may be accredited to an increased transition to more health-conscious consumers. As more consumers purchase poultry as a lean source of protein, the need for a superior quality product is of great interest to poultry integrators.

Relationships between commercial broiler lines have been well documented in previous years, but constant and intensive genetic selection in …

Evaluation Of Selected Bacillus Direct-Fed Microbial Candidates In Reduced Energy Diets On Live Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Foot Pad Dermatitis, Kyle Teague

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bacillus spp. are ubiquitous, Gram-positive, spore forming bacteria that are commonly recovered from the environment and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of poultry. These spores are capable of withstanding harsh condition such as feed pelletization, which facilitates inclusion in poultry feeds. Once ingested by the bird, spores germinate into metabolically active vegetative cells which can produce extracellular enzymes which can hydrolyze otherwise indigestible components of the feed. Soybean meal (SBM) is the gold standard vegetable protein source for non-ruminant animals worldwide and is included in practically all poultry diets in the United States at levels ranging from 10 to more than 30%. …