Cattlemen's Day, 2009

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Open Access
Thermal process with additional drying provides proper lethality for controlling pathogens during jerky production
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-09T19:13:59Z) Getty, Kelly J. K.; Harper, N.M.; Boyle, Elizabeth A. E.; kgetty; lboyle
The New Mexico Department of Health linked salmonellosis to beef jerky in 2003 after 26 individuals became ill; this prompted a recall of nearly 21,600 lb of product. Following this incident, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service instituted the Compliance Guideline for Meat and Poultry Jerky Produced by Small and Very Small Plants in 2004 and updated this document in 2007 with the Quick Guide on Jerky Processing. The Quick Guide states that water activity for jerky products should be ≤ 0.85 for safety and a moisture-to-protein ratio (MPR) must be ≤ 0.75:1 for product to be labeled as jerky. Small meat processing businesses that produce jerky products must validate that their processes achieve a ≥ 5-log reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and a ≥ 6.5-log reduction of Salmonella spp. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine effects of a worst-case scenario thermal processing schedule on reducing E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. in chopped and formed beef jerky.
Open Access
Spotlight on dry aging beef: effects of loin type, aging methods, and aging time
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-09T19:13:46Z) DeGeer, S.L.; Bratcher, C.L.; Crozier-Dodson, B.A.; Johnson, D.E.; Stika, J.F.; Hunt, Melvin C.; hhunt; bethann
Dry aging is an old-time process used to produce a high quality beef product marketed to high-end customers. Its most unique quality is the distinctive dry-aged flavor. Dry aging has been accomplished through many protocols over the years, but an optimum protocol has not been adopted. Practitioners of this art are very interested in providing a consistent, quality, safe product. Traditionally, dry aging is done without packaging, which places more emphasis on plant quality control practices to achieve a consistent product. This limits the number of processors that have the ability to produce dry-aged product. Packaging bags with a very high water vapor transmission rate that may simulate traditional dry aging are now available. If the quality from dry aging in these bags is equal to that obtained with the traditional unpackaged method, other processors might consider dry aging because this bag allows for less stringent facility needs and potentially greater yields. Overall, an in-thebag dry-aging system would require fewer controls and still result in decreased weight losses, which would provide a significant yield advantage. Objectives of this research were to determine the combined effects of two different dryaging methods (unpackaged and in the bag), two loin-cut styles (bone-in shell loins and boneless strip loins), and two aging times (21 and 28 days) on flavor, juiciness, tenderness, palatability, development of the unique dry-aged flavor, moisture vapor loss, and microbial growth. An additional objective was to determine effects of vacuum packaging after dry aging on dry-aged flavor stability of steaks.
Open Access
Near-infrared tissue oximetry of beef longissimus muscle for the improvement of meat color and meat color stability
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-09T19:13:27Z) Mohan, A.; Houser, Terry A.; Barstow, T.E.; Hunt, Melvin C.; hhunt; houser
Meat color as perceived by consumers serves as a valuable guide for assessing overall quality and wholesomeness of meat. The bright cherry-red color of beef is influenced by tissue oxygen consumption, obstacles to oxygen diffusion, and thickness of the oxymyoglobin layer. The dynamics of meat color depend on several physical properties of muscle including myoglobin redox status and concentration. Physical, chemical, and anatomical differences in muscles cause large variations in color from cut to cut, within a cut, and in cuts made parallel or perpendicular to muscle fibers. Clearly, muscle fiber orientation affects measurements of tenderness and cooking yields; however, variations in myoglobin redox dynamics, oxygen penetration, and color stability due to muscle fiber orientation (parallel or perpendicular) are not well documented. Among the various meat color measurement techniques available, near-infrared (NIR) methods have the advantages of being nondestructive, rapid, inexpensive, and adaptable for online measurements. The NIR tissue oximeter is a relatively new biomedical device that has been used in exercise physiology and in medicine to measure hemoglobin and myoglobin oxygen saturation in brain tissue and cardiac and skeletal muscle. This instrument seems to have promise for use in measuring inherent properties of meat that are related to meat color stability. NIR tissue oximetry may provide continuous real-time measurements of changes in myoglobin oxygen status, thus providing information on tissue oxygenation and hemodynamics. The unique feature of the tissue oximeter is that it uses the theory of photon migration through tissue, allowing for absolute measurement of absorption in, for example, human or animal tissue. If the NIR absorption properties of any chromophore are known, quantitative analysis of color compounds is possible without constant calibration and validation. We are not aware of any research in which NIR tissue oximetry has been used to evaluate color of post-rigor meat. This study was designed to evaluate whether NIR tissue oximetry has promise for measuring meat properties related to meat color. Specific objectives were to determine: (1) effects of parallel vs. perpendicular muscle fiber orientation of meat cuts on NIR measurements, (2) amounts of deoxymyoglobin (DMb), oxymyoglobin (OMb), and total myoglobin (TMb) in the superficial and subsurface layers of beef muscle (longissimus) stored in several packaging formats, and (3) tissue oximeter responses to post-rigor muscle fiber orientation and surface measures of color.
Open Access
Needle-free injection enhancement of beef improves tenderness but slightly increases microbial translocation
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-08T19:29:25Z) Sutterfield, A.; Crow, B.A.; Grobbel, J.P.; Phebus, Randall K.; Dikeman, Michael E.; Hollis, Larry C.; phebus; mdikeman; jgrobbel; lhollis
Blade tenderization has been used for decades to increase tenderness in beef cuts that are highly variable in tenderness or predicted to be “tough.” Injection enhancement also is commonly used in industry to increase tenderness, juiciness, and flavor of some beef muscles. These processes have the potential to translocate microbial organisms on the exterior to interior portions of whole muscles. One research study reported that 3 to 4% of surface bacteria are transferred into the interior of muscles but only penetrate an average of ¼ inch deep into the surface. Even though the frequency of subprimal surfaces being contaminated with pathogens is low, translocation of these contaminants into the interior of subprimals by tenderization or injection procedures poses a public health risk. Microbial contamination on beef surfaces generally is eliminated during typical cooking; however, given the low infectious doses of pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, internalized contamination may survive if adequate temperatures are not reached at the center of cuts (i.e., rare and medium rare endpoints) and lead to illness. Industry groups have developed a guide, Best Practices: Pathogen Control During Tenderizing/Enhancing of Whole Muscle Cuts to minimize any hazard that may be present with such technologies. Although needle injection enhancement currently is common in beef processing, there may be alternative, safer, or more effective means to apply these technologies. One potential method involves utilizing an air-pressured needle-free injection system similar to an instrument currently being investigated for use in vaccinating cattle. In theory, eliminating the need for physical penetration of the muscle with a needle-free instrument using air-pressure fluid streams would reduce the translocation of surface microbial contamination to the interior and would additionally minimize carryover contamination from subprimal to subprimal during continuous injection operations. Therefore, we investigated use of needle-free injection enhancement as an alternative strategy to needle injection enhancement. Our objectives were to determine the safety and efficacy of using needle-free injection for enhancing beef muscles and the application of needle-free injection enhancement for improving beef quality.
Open Access
Aging improves tenderness of longissimus muscle steaks from fed mature cows
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-08T19:28:09Z) Gipe, A.N.; Marston, T.T.; Higgins, James J.; Hutchinson, Stacy L.; Unruh, John A.; sllhutch; junruh; jhiggins
Steaks from cows are tougher than those from young steers and heifers. This difference is often attributed to the increased cross-linkage of collagen in muscle of mature animals that is considered very stable and more resistant to postmortem degradation. Aging steaks from young steers and heifers is a common postmortem practice used to improve tenderness of steaks from the ribeye roll and strip loin. Improvement in tenderness because of aging has been attributed to enzymatic degradation of, primarily, the myofibrillar fraction of muscle and is most beneficial for low connective tissue muscles. Because muscles from mature cows have more collagen cross-linking, postmortem tenderization methods, such as blade tenderization and enzymatic tenderization, are often used to increase tenderness of steaks from mature cows. However, few studies have investigated the effect of aging on tenderness of longissimus muscle steaks from fed mature cows. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine effects of aging on tenderness of longissimus steaks of fed mature cows from different management strategies.
Open Access
Using sequential feeding of Optaflexx and Zilmax to improve performance and meat quality in cull beef cows
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-08T19:27:29Z) Daniel, M.J.; Dikeman, Michael E.; Houser, Terry A.; Unruh, John A.; Jaeger, John R.; Murray, Leigh W.; mdikeman; junruh; jrjaeger; houser; lmurray
Beef cows are culled from herds because of reproductive inefficiency, poor performance, old age, or farm downsizing due to high production costs. The National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality Audit of 1999 reported that challenges associated with cull cow carcasses are undesirable dressing percentages and meat yields. Since 1999, an increasing number of producers are either selling cows in better physical condition or feeding cows a high concentrate ration for 50 to 100 days prior to harvest. According to the 2007 audit, cow carcasses were heavier and leaner and had more desirable muscle and fat color scores than in 1999. Although these improvements are positive steps toward increasing the value of cull cows, use of growth promoting agents, such as steroid implants and β-adrenergic agonists, can increase muscling and leanness more efficiently than feeding a concentrate ration alone. Currently, there are two β-agonists on the market for use in beef cattle in the United States: Optaflexx (ractopamine hydrochloride; Elanco, Greenfield, IN), a β1-agonist, and Zilmax (zilpaterol hydrochloride; Intervet Inc., Millsboro, DE), a β2-agonist. These growth promotants have been studied individually and in combination with implants (primarily in young steers and heifers), but no research published to date has investigated feeding a sequence of these growth promoting agents. Therefore, our objective was to investigate effects of feeding Optaflexx for 25 days followed by Zilmax for 20 days plus a 3-day withdrawal on cull cow performance, carcass traits, and meat quality.
Open Access
The combination of implanting with Revalor-200 and feeding Zilmax increases ribeye area of fed cows
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-08T19:26:40Z) Neill, S.; Marston, T.T.; Higgins, James J.; Unruh, John A.; Jaeger, John R.; junruh; jrjaeger; jhiggins
Mature cows are typically removed from the cow herd for various reasons, such as reproductive inefficiency and poor performance. It has been estimated that as much as 15 to 25% of a ranch’s revenue may be from cull cows. When cows are culled from the herd, they are normally in thin condition and potentially can be fed to gain weight and increase income. Previous studies indicate that feeding a high-energy diet and implanting cull cows can improve performance and increase meat yield. Zilmax (zilpaterol hydrochloride; Intervet Inc., Millsboro, DE) is a β-adrenergic agonist approved as a growth promotant in feedlot cattle for use during the last 20 to 40 days prior to harvest. β-agonists repartition nutrients away from fat deposition and toward protein deposition. Studies in young animals have shown β-agonists to improve performance and carcass cutability characteristics. However, few studies using β-agonists in cull cows have been conducted. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of concentrate feeding, implanting, and feeding Zilmax on performance and carcass characteristics of cull cows fed for 70 days.
Open Access
The combination of implanting with Revalor-200 and feeding zilmax increases subprimal meat yield of fed cows
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-08T19:25:47Z) Neill, S.; Marston, T.T.; Daniel, M.J.; Higgins, James J.; Unruh, John A.; Jaeger, John R.; junruh; jrjaeger; jhiggins
Mature cows are culled from herds for reasons such as poor performance and failure to rebreed. When these cows are removed from the herd, they are typically in thin condition and potentially can be fed to gain weight and increase income. Previous research has shown that feeding cull cows high-energy diets can increase carcass weight, fatness, and meat yield. Management practices of implanting and feeding β-adrenergic agonists, repartitioning agents that favor protein deposition at the expense of fat deposition, have been shown to further improve performance and carcass yields. As reported elsewhere in this publication, carcasses from concentrate-fed cows implanted with Revalor-200 (Intervet Inc., Millsboro, DE) and fed Zilmax (zilpaterol hydrochloride; Intervet Inc.) had more muscling as indicated by larger ribeye areas than carcasses from grass-fed cows and both implanted and non-implanted concentrate-fed cows. These carcasses potentially would have increased subprimal meat yields. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of concentrate feeding, implanting, and feeding Zilmax on subprimal meat yield of mature cows fed for 70 days.
Open Access
Management practices affect tenderness of strip loin but not knuckle steaks from fed mature cows
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:39:07Z) Neill, S.; Marston, T.T.; Daniel, M.J.; Higgins, James J.; Unruh, John A.; Dikeman, Michael E.; Hunt, Melvin C.; junruh; mdikeman; hhunt
Approximately 16% of cattle slaughtered in the United States are cows. When these cows are removed from the herd, they are typically in thin condition. Steaks from these cows are considered tougher than those from young steers and heifers but could potentially be improved with alternative management practices, such as high concentrate feeding. Feeding high-concentrate diets, implanting, and feeding β-agonists prior to harvest have been shown to improve performance and carcass meat yields. However, the effect on steak tenderness of feeding Zilmax (zilpaterol hydrochloride; Intervet Inc., Millsboro, DE) to mature cows is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of concentrate feeding, implanting, and feeding Zilmax on tenderness of strip loin and knuckle steaks from cull cows fed for 70 days.
Open Access
Higher ruminal pH increases in vitro digestion of diets containing dried distillers grains with solubles
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:37:40Z) Uwituze, S.; Heidenreich, J.M.; Drouillard, James S.; heid0129; jdrouill
Advantages of steam flaking grain are less with respect to growth performance and diet digestion when a portion of distillers grains is substituted for grain. Ruminal pH typically is lower in cattle fed flaked-grain diets than in cattle fed rolled-grain diets. Ruminal pH for cattle fed finishing diets based on steam-flaked corn is observed below pH 6.0. Previous research observed a 5% decrease in digestion of organic matter when 13% distillers grains (dry-matter basis) was added to steam-flaked corn finishing diets. A decline in ruminal pH below 6.2 reduces activity of ruminal fiber-digesting organisms. Furthermore, ruminal protein digestion declines with pH below 5.5. It is plausible that low ruminal pH may restrict digestion of distillers grains in flaked-grain diets. The objective of this study was to examine effects of pH on in vitro fermentative activity of ruminal contents from cattle adapted to a finishing diet containing 25% dried distillers grains (dry-matter basis).
Open Access
Effects of megasphaera elsdenii on ruminal pH, ruminal concentrations of organic acids, and bacterial genomes following a grain challenge
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:37:09Z) McDaniel, M.R.; Higgins, James J.; Heidenreich, J.M.; Shelor, M.K.; Parsons, G.L.; Henning, P.H.; Drouillard, James S.; jhiggins; heid0129; mshelor2; gparsons; jdrouill
Upon arrival in feedlots, cattle normally must be adapted to high-concentrate diets. The microbial population in the rumen of incoming cattle normally is suited to digestion of forages, and when cattle are transitioned onto concentrate diets, opportunistic bacteria that produce lactic acid can proliferate rapidly, leading to excesses of lactic acid in the rumen. High levels of lactic acid in the rumen may cause mild to severe acidosis. Megasphaera elsdenii is a lactate-utilizing bacterium that normally is present in rumens of cattle that have been adapted to high-grain diets, but numbers of the organism are relatively low during the step-up phase. Increasing the numbers of lactate-utilizing bacteria in newly arrived cattle by orally dosing with M. elsdenii may be a useful means of reducing the risk of ruminal acidosis in feedlot cattle. Our objectives were to evaluate ruminal parameters and determine efficacy of increasing ruminal populations of lactateutilizing bacteria in cattle following an abrupt diet change and administration of 10 mL (low dose), 100 mL (medium dose), or 1000 mL (high dose) of a culture containing 1.62 × 108 CFU/mL of live M. elsdenii compared with a control group given a placebo without live Megasphaera.
Open Access
Extruded complete feed for finishing cattle
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:36:36Z) Strabler, R.; Crisler, A.J.; Depenbusch, Brandon E.; Drouillard, James S.; bdepenbu; jdrouill
Steam flaking is the predominant means of processing grains in large commercial feedlots. Compared with dry rolling, steam flaking improves total tract digestibility and feed efficiency by 8 to 15%. In steam-flaked corn diets, alfalfa hay often is used as a source of roughage. A survey of industry consultants showed that the range of roughage levels used is between 4.5 and 13.5%. Roughages are commonly the highest-cost ingredient per unit of energy and are highly prone to shrink. Low roughage levels are desirable, but a modest level must be maintained to ensure rumen health. Cattle, like other species, can be selective in their eating. We proposed that we could achieve a greater level of grain processing with an extruded processed diet than with steam flaking. In addition, a complete extruded diet would ensure that all cattle received the desired ratio of concentrate and roughage.
Open Access
Feed depredation by european starlings
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:35:53Z) Parsons, G.L.; Shelor, M.K.; Depenbusch, Brandon E.; Drouillard, James S.; Lee, Charles D.; bdepenbu; jdrouill; clee; gparsons; mshelor2
European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were first introduced to the United States in the late 1800s. It is believed that the starlings were imported from Europe and released in New York City’s Central Park so that all of the birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s works would inhabit the new country. For the next 50 years, the starling population grew exponentially; by 1942, starlings had spread to the West Coast. Starlings are not considered migratory and remain in the same general area year round; however, some may migrate several hundred miles. During much of the year, the inconspicuous starlings disperse into small flocks and feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. During winter months, starlings form flocks of several hundred up to 750,000 birds that share feeding and roosting sites. These large flocks prefer to roost in coniferous trees, which provide protection from wind and adverse weather conditions. Previous research has documented that a 3-oz starling consumes nearly 2 lb of feed in a 30-day period. Commercial feedlots have been infested with large populations of starlings during winter months. The attraction to feedlots is due to open feed bunks that provide a convenient source of feed. Currently, there are limited means for controlling starlings in feedlots. The objective of our experiment was to compare susceptibility of different rations to depredation by starlings.
Open Access
Feeding steam-flaked diets with and without dry-rolled corn and dried distillers grains results in similar feedlot performance
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:33:56Z) Black, P.L.; Parsons, G.L.; Shelor, M.K.; Karges, K.K.; Gibson, M.L.; Reinhardt, Christopher D.; Drouillard, James S.; gparsons; mshelor2; cdr3; jdrouill
Increased ethanol production in the United States has increased availability of by-products, giving producers an alternative to cereal grains. The by-product we evaluated was dried corn distillers grains with solubles. Research has been conducted at Kansas State University to evaluate the quantity of distillers grains that can be added to a finishing diet without negatively affecting feedlot performance or carcass value. Feeding cattle distillers grains is an important option for feedlots to consider. The second issue that has arisen is the energy costs associated with processing grains. In Kansas, two of the more common methods for processing grains are steam flaking and dry rolling. Previous research has shown that the nutritive value of distillers grains can be influenced by grain processing method. This experiment was designed to evaluate feedlot performance and carcass merit in heifers fed flaked-corn diets with added dry-rolled corn and/or dried corn distillers grains.
Open Access
Distillers grains do not change carcass composition but change some fatty acids when added to finishing diet
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:33:31Z) Black, P.L.; Parsons, G.L.; Shelor, M.K.; Karges, K.K.; Gibson, M.L.; Dikeman, Michael E.; Smith, J. Scott; Drouillard, James S.; gparsons; mshelor2; mdikeman; jsschem; jdrouill
Distillers grains are a by-product of ethanol production and have become increasingly available in recent years. Some research has revealed negative effects of distillers grains on quality and yield grades. Distillers grains contain substantial amounts of unsaturated fats and therefore could alter the ratios of saturated and unsaturated fats to achieve a more desirable composition in beef. Heterocyclic amines are the carcinogenic compounds released during high-temperature grilling of meat and would be increased if fat composition is changed. Our objectives were to evaluate effects of feeding distillers grains on carcass fatness, fatty acid profiles, and formation of heterocyclic amines.
Open Access
Combinations of steam-flaked corn, dry-rolled corn, and dried distillers grains yield beef with similar yet subtle changes in sensory traits
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:33:04Z) Black, P.L.; Parsons, G.L.; Shelor, M.K.; Karges, K.K.; Gibson, M.L.; Dikeman, Michael E.; Drouillard, James S.; gparsons; mshelor2; mdikeman; jdrouill
Rapid expansion of fuel ethanol production has made available abundant supplies of distillers grains with solubles, which are well-suited as a substitute for cereal grains in finishing cattle diets. Several recently reported experiments have revealed that feeding distillers grains may have adverse effects on carcass value as a result of the tendency to produce carcasses with lower quality grades and/or higher yield grades. The effects on quality grade have been most evident in flaked-grain diets, but effects on yield grade are more or less independent of the type of grain fed. In Kansas, two common methods for processing grains are steam flaking and dry rolling. Thus, feeding cattle distillers grains with different grain processing types is an important consideration for feedlots. Our experiment was designed to evaluate meat quality and composition in heifers fed flakedcorn diets containing dry-rolled corn and/or dried corn distillers grains.
Open Access
Heifer synchronization using 7-11 synch or 7-11 synch + CIDR
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:32:30Z) Eborn, D.R.; Spiker, C.R.; Sullivan, R.R.; Grieger, David M.; dgrieger
Two aims of heifer estrus synchronization protocols are to induce prepubertal heifers to start cycling by the beginning of the breeding season and to shorten time spent in estrous detection. Use of progestins such as melengestrol acetate (MGA) and intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices (CIDR) can induce prepubertal heifers to begin cycling as well as synchronize estrus in cycling heifers. In past years, a timed artificial insemination protocol (7-11 COSynch) has been tested with varying results. Pregnancy rates using 7-11 COSynch have typically ranged from 40 to 60%. The objective of the current trial was to determine the effect of a similar heat-detection protocol (7-11 Synch) with or without a CIDR. We compared heat response, interval to estrus, and conception rates in beef heifers.
Open Access
Backgrounding health associated with area of the truck where cattle were housed during transport
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:32:09Z) Blasi, Dale A.; Epp, M.; White, Bradley J.; dblasi; mepp
Cattle are commonly moved between geographic regions by using commercial transport carriers, and the vast majority of cattle are transported at least one time during their lives. Both handling and travel associated with moving cattle between locations have been identified as potentially stressful events. The objective of this research was to identify potential associations between calf location within the transport carrier and subsequent calf wellness in the short term (40 to 60 days) following shipment. Health outcomes and average daily gain (ADG) were used to measure calf wellness during the backgrounding period. Although some research has described the overall effect of hauling cattle, we are aware of no recent literature describing the effects of location within the vehicle on subsequent animal wellness and performance.
Open Access
Dried corn germ in natural finishing programs reduces incidence of liver abscess
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:31:44Z) Wallace, J.O.; Drouillard, James S.; Reinhardt, Christopher D.; jdrouill; cdr3
Changes in consumer preference for beef produced without growth promotants, ionophores, or antibiotics and consumers’ willingness to pay price premiums for such products have led some producers to begin raising beef under “natural” feeding regimens. Some natural programs prohibit use of injectable antibiotics, feed additive drugs, or growth promoting implants throughout the life of the animal. This creates challenges for maintaining efficient growth and preventing disease or metabolic disorders. A key problem facing producers who feed cattle under a natural regimen, without use of antibiotics such as tylosin and ionophores, is ruminal acidosis, which is commonly linked with liver abscesses. Abscesses are the primary cause for condemnation of livers, and severe abscesses have been shown to decrease daily gains (ADG) and efficiency of gain (F:G). In addition, severely abscessed livers can lead to greater carcass trim, ultimately reducing hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentages. Fusobacterium necrophrum and Actinomyces pyogenes, normal inhabitants of the bovine rumen, are believed to be the primary and secondary bacteria that cause liver abscesses. Acidosis frequently causes ruminitis, which allows these bacteria to enter the portal circulation and migrate to the liver. The bacteria then colonize in the liver, ultimately creating abscesses. We previously observed a decrease in number of abscessed livers of approximately 5 to 7%, compared with controls, when dried, full-fat corn germ (GERM) was included in diets of finishing steers and heifers at rates ranging from 5 to 15%. These diets also included tylosin, which is commonly used to control liver abscesses. We speculated that adding GERM to the diet may decrease starch or alter intake patterns, resulting in decreased bouts of acidosis and subsequent ruminitis, or may suppress growth of F. necrophorum. Both scenarios could lead to decreased liver abscesses. The latter hypothesis was refuted in a previous study when we observed a tendency for increased concentrations of F. necrophorum when feeding supplemental fat at a rate of 4%. Objectives of this experiment were to assess the effect of GERM on growth performance, carcass yield and quality grades, and incidence of liver abscesses when fed to finishing cattle as part of a natural feeding regimen applied under commercial feeding conditions.
Open Access
Concurrent metaphylaxis with aureomycin and Draxxin in high-risk calves has no additive effects on cattle health and performance
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2009-12-07T15:31:02Z) Wallace, J.O.; Reinhardt, Christopher D.; Thomson, Daniel U.; cdr3; thomson
The shipping and receiving period is one of the most stressful experiences during a calf’s lifetime. Stressors include weaning, commingling, transportation, processing, feed and water changes, and disease challenge placed on the animal upon entering a stocker operation or feedlot. These stressors result in decreased appetite, loss of body mass, decreased immunity, and increased risk of disease. Bovine respiratory disease complex has one of the highest treatment costs of all diseases affecting feedlot cattle and can negatively affect feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of animals, resulting in decreased profit. Mass medication (metaphylaxis) is the treatment of all cattle at arrival processing despite observed health status by using either injectable or feed-grade antibiotics. However, no research has examined effects of concurrent metaphylaxis with both Draxxin (Pfizer Animal Health; New York, NY) and chlortetracycline simultaneously. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine effects of concurrent metaphylaxis with Draxxin and chlortetracycline upon arrival on high-risk stocker calf health and performance.