Meat Science Commons^™

Technical Note: Collection And Preparation Techniques Change Nutrient Composition Of Masticate Collected From Esophageally Fistulated Cattle, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, J. V. Judy, K. H. Jenkins, T. J. Klopfenstein, L. A. Stalker

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two experiments determined effects of collection and preparation techniques on nutrient composition of masticate samples from esophageally fistulated cattle. In Exp. 1, 12 esophageally fistulated cattle were maintained on 2 precollection diets, high CP (24% CP; n = 6) or low CP (7.7% CP; n = 6), for 8 d. On d 9, the esophageal plug was removed, screen bottom bags were attached, and each cow was offered fresh grass. Immediately after fresh grass sample collection was complete, dry grass (hay) was offered and a sample was collected. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum urea nitrogen concentration. Masticate …

Mineral Composition Of Beef Cattle Carcasses, Andrea K. Watson, Jana L. Harding, Matt P. Mccurdy Curdy, Matt J. Hersom, Kristin E. Hales, Clint R. Krehbiel, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Mineral retention was measured in 76 beef steers. Cattle were grown at different rates of gain and then finished on a common diet. Calcium and P retention were not affected by treatment and were similar between the growing and finishing periods averaging 4.2 g P and 10.8 g Ca /100 g protein gain across both experiments. As ADG during the growing period was decreased, K, Mg, and S mineral retention during the finishing period were increased. Expressing mineral retention as g/100 g protein gain reducedvariation due to animal size and ADG and suggests that current NRC predictions are accurate.

Anaerobic Digestion Of Feedlot Manure, Andrea K. Watson, Adam L. Shreck, Amy M. Schmidt Schmidt, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle diet can impact manure quality and quantity but has minimal impacts on methane production from anaerobic digestion of manure. Quality of manure, measured as OM, does affectmethane production and is largely impacted by the environment cattle are housed in and methods used to collect manure. As the amount of ash contamination of manure was increased, or OM content of the manure was decreased, organic matter degradation and methaneproduction were decreased. With adequate daily cleanout of ash from digesters, open-lot beef cattle manurecan be used for anaerobic digestion.

Mineral Composition Of Serial Slaughter Holstein Carcasses, Andrea K. Watson, Trent J. Mcevers, Lee-Anne J. Walter Walter, Nathan D. May, Jacob A. Reed, N. Andy Cole, Ty E. Lawrence, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Carcasses of 115 Holstein steers were divided into lean, bone, internal cavity, hide, and fat tissues for analysis of P, Ca, K, Mg, and S retention. Every 28 days, five steers from each of two treatments, fed Zilmax for 20 days prior to harvest or not fed Zilmax, were harvested. There were no differences due to treatment or days on feed when mineral retention was expressed as g/100 g of protein gain. Expressing mineral retention relative to protein gain reduced variation due to rate of gain and animal size.

2015 Beef Cattle Report (Complete)

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Table of Contents

Cow/Calf

Impact of Heifer Development System on Subsequent Gain and Reproduction 5

Genetic Parameter Estimates for Calving Difficulty and Birth Weight in a Multibreed Population 8

Estimation of British- and Continental-Specific Heterosis Effects for Birth, Weaning, and Yearling Weight in Cattle 10

Using Sugar Beet Pulp to Replace Wheat Straw when Limit Feeding Late Gestation Beef Cows 12

Supplementing Cow-Calf Pairs Grazing Smooth Bromegrass 14

Effects of Calf Age at Weaning on Cow and Calf Performance and Feed Utilization in an Intensive Production System 16

An Economic Analysis of Conventional and Alternative Cow-Calf Production Systems 19

Effect …

An Economic Analysis Of Conventional And Alternative Cow-Calf Production Systems, Jason M. Warner, Andrea K. Watson, K. H. Jenkins Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Kate Brooks, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Profitability through weaning was predicted for conventional and alternative cow-calf production systems using various input price scenarios. At base input price levels, conventional systems were more economical than alternative systems. As pasture price increased, alternativesystems became cost effective. Feeding cows year-round in a confinement setting appeared the least economical; however, an alternative system combining summer drylot feeding with cornstalk grazing is projected to be economically competitive given an increasing abundance of corn residue.

Effects Of Calf Age At Weaning On Cow And Calf Performance And Feed Utilization In An Intensive Production System, Jason M. Warner, Curtis J. Bittner, Karla H. Jenkins Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of calf weaning age on cow and calf performance, reproduction, and feed utilization were investigated in a two-year study. Early weaning increasedcow BW in January. Pregnancy rates were not impacted by calf age at weaning. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar between normal-weaned cow-calf pairs and early-weaned cows and calves. Feed requirements and utilization were comparable between early- and normal-weaned pairs when fed high energy diets, implying weaning decisions should be made on the basis of management rather than feed efficiency.

Evaluation Of The Impact Of An Alternative Corn Residue Harvest Method On Performance And Methane Emissions From Growing Cattle, Janessa J. Updike, Anna C. Pesta, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, James C. Macdonald, Samodha Fernando, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study was conducted to evaluate the impact of alternative corn residue harvesting methods and inclusion of Rumensin® on performance and methane to carbon dioxide ratio (CH₄:CO₂) of steers. Use of the alternative harvesting method resulted in greater ADG and improved F:G ratio than traditionally harvested cornstalks. Rumensin increased ADG and improved DMI; however, it did not have an impacton F:G ratio. Altering the composition of baled corn residue did affect CH₄:CO₂, while inclusion of Rumensin, whether included in the diet on a constant or rotational basis, had no impact.

Effect Of Corn Plant Maturity On Yield And Nutrient Quality Of Corn Plants, Cassandra A. Row, Adam L. Shreck, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, Curtis J. Bittner, Jana L. Harding, James C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two corn plots (short season, 102-day, and normal season, 111-day corn) were serially harvested to evaluate nutrient, digestibility, and yield change over the duration from half-milk line through black layer. Digestibility of the corn plant decreased as corn plant maturity and NDF content increased. The lower leaf in the normal season plot decreased in digestibility, but did not change in the short season plot. Little change was observed in the digestibility of the internodes across time. The NDF content of the upper plant increased in both plots. The internodes increased in NDF content across time in both plots. The results …

Digestibility Of Calcium Oxide Treated Corn Residue With De-Oiled Distillers Grains, Sarah J. Peterson, Meredith L. Bremer, Adam L. Shreck Shreck, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion study was conducted to evaluate diets containing calcium oxide treated corn residue in combination with de-oiled distillers grains in forage based growing diets. Chemical treatment did not affect digestibility of DM, OM, or NDF. However, concentration of distillers grains did improve DM and OM digestibility. The use of chemically treated residue in combination with distillers grains in growing diets may not impact diet digestibility.

Effects Of Dietary Fat Source And Monensin On Methane Emissions, Vfa Profile, And Performance Of Finishing Steers, Anna C. Pesta, Andrea K. Watson, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, Samodha C. Fernando, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary fat source and presence or absence of monensin on performance, methane (CH4) emissions, and ruminal VFA profile of cattle. No effects on performance or VFA profile were observed. Inclusion of modified distillers grain plus solubles (MDGS) in the diet tended to increase measures of CH4 production when compared to other fat sources (corn oil or tallow), while inclusion of monensin in the finishing diet was not significant for CH4 production.

Impact Of Heifer Development System On Subsequent Gain And Reproduction, Hazy R. Nielson, John D. Harms, Adam F. Summers Summers, Rebecca A. Vraspir, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Replacement heifers from 2 different calving herds (March and May) were fed ad libitum hay and 4 lb of supplement/day, or were allowed to graze meadow and received 1 lb of supplement/day from mid-January to mid-April prior to both breeding seasons. Heifers from both calving herds that received hay had a greater average daily gain during the treatment period compared with meadow grazing heifers. However, heifers grazing meadow experiencedcompensatory gain during their respective breeding season, resulting in similar body weights at pregnancy diagnosis for March-calving heifers. The proportion of heifers that attained pubertybefore breeding and became pregnant was similar between …

A Comparison Of Two Implant Protocols: Synovex-Choice/Synovex-Plus Vs. Synovex-S/Revalor-S On Steer Feedlot Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Hazy R. Nielson, Adam F. Summers, Rick N. Funston Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In a 2 year study, implant strategies were compared utilizing Synovex® Choice followed by Synovex Plus® or Synovex® S followed by Revalor® S. Spring-born crossbred steers were blocked by BW and randomly assignedto receive either Synovex Choice or Synovex S as the initial implant. Approximately100 days later, steers were reimplanted with Synovex Plus or Revalor S. Steers were slaughtered after 205 days on feed. There was no difference in average daily gain or hot carcass weight between treatment groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in yield grade, marbling score, or proportion of steers grading USDA Choice. Both implant regimens resulted …

Effects Of Ingestion And Collection Bag Type On Nutrient Composition Of Forage Samples From Esophageally Fistulated Cattle, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, Jared Judy, Aaron Stalker Stalker, Terry Klopfenstein, Karla Jenkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Ingestion and mastication of forage samples adds ash. Generally, levels of CP were lower and NDF and IVOMD were similar for post-ingested versus pre-ingestedforage. Bag type (screen vs. solid) generally did not affect ash, NDF, or IVOMD. Bag did not affect CP of alfalfabut CP of grass samples from screen bags was lower than solid bags. More fresh than dry forage was recovered through the esophageal opening.

Effect Of Diet On The Rumen Microbial Community Composition Of Growing Cattle And The Role It Plays In Methane Emissions, Allison L. Knoell, Christopher L. Anderson, Anna C. Pesta Pesta, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Samodha C. Fernando

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

To understand the relationship betweenmicrobial community and methane, the microbial community of the rumen was examined by esophageally tubing cattle on a common diet and on 10 treatment diets. Microbial community analysis via 16S taq sequencing displayed structuring of microbial communities (Bacteria and Archaea) by diet. This study demonstrates that diet influences microbial community composition within the rumen, and the potential capacity to develop dietary interventionstrategies for methane mitigation and animal performance.

Effects Of Grazing On Nebraska Sandhills Meadow Forage Nutrient Content, Jared V. Judy, Jacki A. Musgrave, L. Aaron Stalker Stalker, Karla H. Jenkins, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Nebraska Sandhills subirrigated meadow pastures were used to measure the effects of grazing on forage nutrient content in summer pastures. Non-grazed pastures had greater diet CP content than grazed pastures early in the grazing season. By late July, grazed vs. non-grazed pastures did not differ in diet CP content. Non-grazed pastures had greater in vitro organic matter disappearance compared with grazed pastures from late July through September; however, early summer pastures were not affected. Observed results indicate the greatest differences in nutrient content between grazed and non-grazed meadow pastures occur early and late in the grazing season when the majority …

Dried Distillers Grains Supplementation Of Calves Grazing Irrigated Corn Residue, Mandi Jones, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Robby Bondurant

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steer calves grazing irrigated corn residue received supplementation of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DGS) at 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, or 1.1% of body weight. Steers were individually supplemented daily through Calan gates. Daily gain improved linearly (0.77 lb/head/day to 2.21 lb/head/day) with increasing supplementation (1.5 lb/day to 7 lb/day). Supplementing DGS to calves grazing corn residue increased gain during the winter period.

Evaluation Of Changes In Nutritional Quality Of Corn Residue Over Time, Mandi Jones, James C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Keith Glewen, Andrea K. Watson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Irrigated corn residue was sampled across time in order to determine changes in quality and proportion of corn residue as the plant dried and was exposed to effects of weathering. Corn plants from two hybrids were planted on two different planting dates and harvested at periodic intervals from August 2012 to December 2012. Proportions of stem, blade/sheath, husk/shank, and cob made up smaller components of total plant DM as it matured, with the largest relative reduction occurring in the blade/sheath or stem. Hybrid impacted TDN values primarily because the 119 day hybrid was less mature at the early sampling dates.

Efficacy Of Bovatec 2.2 Mineral Blocks For Cattle Grazing Crested Wheatgrass Pastures, Karla H. Jenkins, Jacob A. Hansen, Matt K. Luebbe Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A grazing study was conducted to determine if providing Bovatec® in a trace mineralized salt block would improve cattle performance over cattle provided a trace mineralized salt block without an ionophore while maintaining block consumption below 2 oz/head/day. Average daily block intake was 1.40 and 1.25 oz/day for the Bovatec and control cattle, respectively. Lasalocid consumption was 193 mg/head/day. Although cattle consuming the Bovatec block gained 5% more than the control cattle, this was not significant (1.75 vs 1.67 lb/day, respectively). Supplying an ionophore through a self-feeding block may not improve gain compared to supplying mineral alone in a self-feeding …

Using Enspira To Improve Fiber Digestion, Jana L. Harding, Adam L. Shreck, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt Breithaupt, Galen E. Erickson, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing a fibrolytic enzyme (Enspira™) on total tract digestion of a finishing diet. In situ NDF digestibilities of the corn bran, HMC, corn residue, and corn silage were not different between the treatments. Rate of digestion of the corn residue and corn silage was lower for the enzyme treatment compared to the control. Averageruminal pH was not significantly different between the two treatments. Correspondingly, there was no difference in VFA profile. There were no differences in DM, OM, NDF, ADF, or hemicellulose digestibilities between the control and enzyme treatment.