Cattlemen's Day, 2011

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Open Access
Tenderness and intramuscular lipid of most major muscles from Bos indicus cattle are less than Bos taurus cattle
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Highfill, C.M.; Font, O.E.; Kropf, Donald H.; Dikeman, Michael E.; mdikeman
In semitropical climates in the United States, Bos indicus breeds of cattle, primarily the Brahman breed, are utilized in crossbreeding programs with Bos taurus cattle to improve productivity by increasing disease and insect resistance, heat tolerance, heterosis, and additive genetic variation. About 25% of the U.S. beef population contains some Bos indicus breeding. Numerous published reports show that tenderness of ribeye and strip loin steaks and marbling are significantly reduced in Bos indicus straightbred or crossbred cattle compared to most Bos taurus breeds. One very large study reported that heritability of tenderness and marbling is around 0.4, making it a positive trait to try to improve through selection. Only one published report has compared tenderness differences between Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle for more than the ribeye and strip loin (longissimus muscle) and that study showed that other muscles were less tender for Bos indicus cattle. The objectives of our study were: (1) to compare carcass traits between Hereford x Angus crossbred cattle with those containing at least 50% Brahman and Sahiwal inheritance, and (2) to validate Warner-Bratzler shear force of steaks and roasts and proximate composition of 10 different muscles from these cattle.
Open Access
Increasing days on feed for heavy short-fed yearling stocker cattle improves carcass characteristics
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Stickel, A.; Houser, Terry A.; Olson, K. C.; Gerlach, B.; Goehring, B.; Pacheco, A.; Macek, M.; Parsons, G.; Miller, K.; Thompson, L.K.; Dikeman, Michael E.; Unruh, John A.; Blasi, Dale A.; Drouillard, James S.; houser; kcolson; jdrouill; gparsons; mdikeman; junruh; dblasi
With increasing feed costs, producers may be able to utilize forage resources to help cattle gain weight before entering a high-concentrate finishing phase. In theory, heavy stocker cattle need less time on feed before slaughter compared to lighter weight cattle; however, research determining the impact of a short feeding system on product quality is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of a shortened, high-concentrate feeding period on carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of heavy yearling stocker cattle.
Open Access
Marination technique influences whole muscle beef jerky salt content and flavor intensity
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Skaar, G.R.; Boyle, Elizabeth A. E.; lboyle
Beef jerky is a popular meat snack that is simple to recognize and define. The USDA Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book (FSLPB) allows labeling use of the title “jerky” to a product that has been dried to a moisture-to-protein ratio (MPR) of 0.75:1.0 or less, and states the species or kind (such as beef, pork, or venison) in the name. As long as the product is dried to the required MPR and the species of origin is noted, all additional ingredients used, spice applications, and processing procedures are open for interpretation and application. The USDA FSLPB goes on to state that the product may be cured or uncured, dried, and may be smoked or unsmoked as well as air dried or oven dried. With such a short list of requested, jerky has a great deal of optimization potential for small- and large-scale production. Marination of sliced meat is one stage in the jerkymaking process that is open to variation. Our study compared two common beef jerky marination techniques: 1) traditional marination via extended soaking in a tub, and 2) short-time vacuum tumbling. Additionally, a liquid smoke-based anti-mold spray provided by Kerry Ingredients & Flavors (Monterey, TN) was applied after drying to evaluate the final product for taste differences.
Open Access
Effects of prepartum ruminally protected choline supplementation on performance of beef cows and calves
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Pacheco, L.A.; Hibbard, L.R.; Macek, M.J.; Sproul, N.A.; Eckerle, G.J.; Bailey, E.A.; Bolte, J.W.; Jaeger, John R.; Olson, K. C.; jrjaeger; bolte2; kcolson
Prepartum supplementation of spring-calving beef cows is a vital part of cow-calf enterprises, often affecting subsequent reproductive success. Most research in the area of prepartum supplementation has focused on provision of either energy or protein; only modest attention has been given to the use of supplemental micronutrients. One such micronutrient is choline. Choline is classified generally as a B vitamin and is an essential nutrient. Phosphatidylcholine and other choline-containing lipids maintain the structural integrity of cellular membranes and play a vital role in metabolism of dietary fat. Choline-containing phospholipids are also important precursors for intracellular-messenger molecules and cell-signaling molecules critical to the reproductive process. Choline is commonly found in feedstuffs and forages but is highly degradable in the rumen. For choline supply to be increased effectively, it must be offered in a form that is resistant to ruminal digestion. This can be achieved by encapsulating choline in lipid. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of prepartum ruminally protected choline supplementation on cow and calf performance.
Open Access
Zilpaterol-HCl reduces urinary excretion of N-tau-methylhistidine by finishing steers
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Brake, D.W.; Titgemeyer, Evan C.; etitgeme
Zilpaterol-HCl is an orally active b-adrenergic agonist that repartitions nutrient use in cattle and has been approved for use during the final 20 to 40 days of the finishing period. Zilpaterol administration to finishing cattle increases average daily gain, feed efficiency, hot carcass weight, ribeye area, and dressing percentage; however, zilpaterol decreases meat tenderness, which is detectable by sensory panelists. Attenuation of zilpaterol’s effect on tenderness would improve its benefits to cattle producers. Decreases in tenderness of meat from cattle fed zilpaterol may be closely related to decreases in protein degradation in skeletal muscles. Urinary excretion of N-tau-methylhistidine (NMH) in cattle reflects skeletal muscle protein degradation in vivo and provides a convenient research measure of muscle protein degradation. We analyzed NMH excretion by cattle fed zilpaterol to estimate the breakdown rate of skeletalmuscle protein.
Open Access
Reproduction of heifers sired by high or low residual feed intake angus bulls
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Blair, E.; Moser, Daniel W.; Marston, T.T.; Bormann, Jennifer; jbormann; dmoser
Residual feed intake (RFI) has gained popularity as a selection tool for improving feed efficiency in beef cattle. RFI is the difference between what an animal consumes and what it is predicted to consume based on size and growth rate. Animals with low or negative RFI eat less than predicted and are more efficient. Although RFI is being used by the industry, research on the impact of selection for RFI on female fertility is lacking. The objective of this study is to evaluate the reproductive performance of heifers that have been selected for RFI.
Open Access
Administration of human chorionic gonadotropin at embryo transfer induced ovulation of a first-wave dominant follicle and increased progesterone and transfer pregnancy rates
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Wallace, L.D.; Breiner, C.A.; Spell, A.R.; Carter, J.A.; Lamb, G.C.; Stevenson, Jeffrey S.; Breiner, Ryan M.; rbreiner; jss
Embryo transfer (ET) has become more widespread in recent years as a way to improve cattle genetics. According to the annual statistical survey of the American Embryo Transfer Association, more than 200,000 fresh and frozen bovine embryos were transferred in 2008. But despite advancements in reproductive technologies that have occurred since ET was commercialized in the 1970s, industrywide pregnancy rates are only 62.4 and 56.9% for fresh and frozen-thawed ET, respectively. Using ET helps avoid problems from failed fertilization; however, fertilization failure has been characterized as a relatively unimportant factor of pregnancy loss. Approximately 10% of pregnancy failures resulted from fertilization failure and another 10% from failed embryo development. Approximately 20 to 25% of the pregnancy loss in an ET program could be characterized as early embryonic loss.
Open Access
Voluntary intake of prairie hay contaminated with sericea lespedeza (lespedeza cuneata) by beef cows
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Eckerle, G.J.; Pacheco, L.A.; Olson, K. C.; Jaeger, John R.; kcolson; jrjaeger
Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is a noxious weed that infests approximately 600,000 acres of native tallgrass range in the Kansas Flint Hills. Intake of sericea lespedeza by grazing beef cattle is poor due to the presence of condensed tannins in the plant. Condensed tannins reduce protein digestion by beef cattle and may decrease plant palatability because of their astringence. Prolific seed production, in combination with little or no grazing pressure, has contributed to the rapid spread of sericea lespedeza in the Flint Hills. Increasing grazing pressure on sericea lespedeza may reduce seed production and slow its invasion; however, the difficulties associated with measurement of intake by grazing beef cattle have hampered development of workable research models. Detailed study of the appetite- suppressing effects of sericea lespedeza under controlled conditions is essential to develop appropriate strategies to increase grazing pressure on this plant. Such information could lead to a degree of biological control of this noxious weed using the most economically important grazer (i.e., beef cattle) in the Flint Hills.
Open Access
Sun-curing and harvest maturity impacts concentration and protein-binding capacity of condensed tannins in sericea lespedeza (lespedeza cuneata)
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Eckerle, G.J.; Pacheco, L.A.; Olson, K. C.; Jaeger, John R.; kcolson; jrjaeger
Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is a noxious weed that infests approximately 600,000 acres of native tallgrass range in Kansas. Intake of sericea lespedeza by grazing livestock is poor, presumably as a result of the plant’s tannins. Condensed tannins reduce protein digestion by ruminants and may also decrease plant palatability.
Open Access
Supplementing dried distillers grains with solubles to heavy yearling stocker cattle grazing native tallgrass pastures during late summer and fall improves animal performance and carcass characteristics
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Stickel, A.; Houser, Terry A.; Olson, K. C.; Gerlach, B.; Goehring, B.; Pacheco, A.; Macek, M.; Parsons, G.; Miller, K.; Thompson, L.K.; Dikeman, Michael E.; Unruh, John A.; Blasi, Dale A.; Drouillard, James S.; houser; kcolson; jdrouill; gparsons; mdikeman; junruh; dblasi
Grazing stocker cattle on low-quality forages is a common practice in Kansas; however, animal performance typically is modest. Due to the increasing availability of ethanol co-products, producers may be able to use dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a protein source to help increase body weight of stocker cattle grazing native tallgrass pastures during the late summer and fall. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of feeding DDGS to heavy stocker cattle during late summer and fall and to document its effects on animal performance and subsequent carcass characteristics.
Open Access
Forage selection preferences of experienced cows and naïve heifers grazing native tallgrass range during winter
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Aubel, N.A.; Edwards, L.N.; Eckerle, G.J.; Pacheco, L.A.; Olson, K. C.; Jaeger, John R.; Blasi, Dale A.; Murray, Leigh W.; kcolson; jrjaeger; dblasi; lne; lmurray
Estimating the nutritive value of a grazing animal’s diet is a significant challenge. Description of the botanical composition of a grazed diet is vital in that regard. Microhistological analysis of fecal material has been used for estimating the botanical composition of wild and domestic ungulate diets since first described by Baumgartner and Martin in 1939. Little research has been conducted on the diet selection preferences of multiparous beef cows compared to primiparous beef cows. We hypothesized that foraging strategies change as cows age. To that end, our objective was to characterize differences in diet selection between experienced multiparous and naïve primiparous beef cows grazing dormant, native tallgrass pastures during winter.
Open Access
Dietary sulfur concentration has no effect on In Vitro fermentative activity of ruminal mixed microorganisms
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Uwituze, S.; Hollis, Larry C.; Drouillard, James S.; lhollis; jdrouill
We previously reported that elevated concentrations of dietary sulfur (0.65% sulfur, dry basis) in finishing diets containing dried distillers grains with solubles decreased dry matter intake and average daily gains of feedlot cattle. Furthermore, high dietary sulfur concentrations yielded lower ruminal concentrations of volatile fatty acids, but were associated with increased ruminal ammonia concentrations and improved total tract digestibility of the diet. The objective of this study was to investigate, in culture tubes, effects of added sulfur on in vitro dry matter disappearance, volatile fatty acid profiles, and ammonia concentrations from substrates containing different sulfur concentrations when fermented by mixed ruminal microorganisms from a steer fed a diet based on corn and alfalfa.
Open Access
Relationship between ultrasonically measured beef cow carcass traits and lifetime productivity
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Pacheco, L.A.; Jaeger, John R.; Bormann, Jennifer; Olson, K. C.; jrjaeger; jbormann; kcolson
Ultrasound is widely used in seed stock production, commercial operations, and in feed yards to predict carcass merit. It also has been used to assess the value of individuals as parents in the seed stock industry. Ultrasound has several advantages as a technique to evaluate body composition: it is relatively inexpensive; it produces results more rapidly compared to progeny testing programs; and data are less prone to selection bias than direct carcass data collection. Ultrasound measures of ribeye area and proportion of intramuscular fat are accurate predictors of their corresponding carcass traits in fed slaughter cattle. Thus, average heritability estimates of ultrasonically measured ribeye area and intramuscular fat are moderate to high. Moderate to high heritability allows seed stock breeders to select replacement animals with confidence based on ultrasound measurements.
Open Access
Length of weaning period but not timing of vaccination affects feedlot finishing performance and carcass characteristics of fall-weaned, ranch-direct beef calves
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Macek, M.J.; Iliff, J.W.; Schmidt, Todd W.; Pacheco, L.A.; Olson, K. C.; Jaeger, John R.; Thomson, Daniel U.; kcolson; jrjaeger; thomson
Bovine respiratory disease decreases profitability associated with cattle feeding. The cost of respiratory disease includes death loss, expenses associated with treatment, and reduced growth performance. Respiratory disease also decreases carcass weights, USDA quality grade, and ribeye area of feedlot cattle. Decreased carcass weights, fat thickness, and ribeye area have been associated with treatment of apparent respiratory disease when compared to animals not treated, whereas reduced incidence of the disease resulted in improved carcass merit. Preshipment weaning and vaccination has been found not only to prepare calves for improved performance in feedlots, but also to reduce incidence and severity of respiratory disease. Previous KSU research reported that length of the preshipment weaning period influenced carcass characteristics and time on feed during finishing. Therefore, we hypothesized that vaccination strategy and the length of the preshipment weaning period would interact to influence calf performance during finishing as well as subsequent carcass characteristics. The objective of our experiment was to compare the effects of respiratory disease vaccination administered prior to weaning on the ranch of origin or after feedlot arrival for calves weaned 45, 15, or 0 days before feedlot arrival.
Open Access
Is GnRH necessary at CIDR insertion using a 7-Day CIDR synchronization protocol for beef heifers?
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Eborn, D.R.; Blair, E.E.; Grieger, David M.; dgrieger
The EAZI-BREED CIDR is commonly used in estrous synchronization protocols for both beef heifers and cows. The label calls for insertion of a progesterone-impregnated controlled internal drug release (CIDR) for 7 consecutive days with an injection of prostaglandin F2α given a day before CIDR removal. Animals should display estrus 1 to 3 days after CIDR removal. Modifications to this protocol include administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at the time of CIDR insertion and administration of the prostaglandin injection at the time of CIDR removal on day 7. Use of GnRH in conjunction with a CIDR may improve estrous synchronization in beef cows and fertility at fixed-time insemination but may not be necessary when synchronizing beef heifers. Our objective was to compare heat response and fertility in heifers with or without GnRH administration at the time of CIDR insertion. Our hypothesis was that heifer fertility would be similar between treatments.
Open Access
Grazing wheat did not reduce beef cow pregnancy rates
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Johnson, Sandra K.; Harmoney, Keith R.; sandyj; kharmone
Beef producers can lower feed costs by extending the grazing period and reducing the need for harvested forages. Complementary forage systems extend the native range grazing season; wheat pasture is common in the southern portion of the High Plains. Anecdotal reports have been made concerning lowered fertility in beef cows bred on lush forage such as wheat pasture; however, ruling out other possible causes of low fertility is difficult. In lactating dairy cows, fertility is lower during consumption of high-protein diets that result in high blood urea nitrogen content. Lower uterine pH that in turn affects embryo survival is thought to be the general mechanism responsible for lower fertility. Little information is available on the fertility of beef cows consuming high-protein diets. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare pregnancy rates of springcalving cows consuming either wheat pasture or native range before and during the early breeding season.
Open Access
Nutrient restriction does not affect implant efficacy
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Lee, T.; Mamedova, Laman K.; Wileman, Benjamin W.; Thomson, Daniel U.; Bradford, Barry J.; Reinhardt, Christopher D.; thomson; bbradfor; cdr3
Anabolic implants in finishing beef cattle offer significant return on investment. Anabolic implants improve average daily gain feed efficiency in pasture and feedlot cattle. One way growth-promoting implants stimulate growth is through increasing production of insulin-like growth factor 1. This hormone causes muscle cells to increase their uptake of glucose and amino acids from the bloodstream. Plasma urea nitrogen is a simple measure of the protein nutritional status of animals. If lean growth is stimulated, more feed protein is utilized and retained as body protein, reducing the amount of circulating plasma urea nitrogen. If an animal is stressed and is not growing, more of the feed protein is broken down, processed, and excreted as urea nitrogen.
Open Access
Export sales of U.S. beef semen increased faster than domestic semen sales
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Johnson, Sandra K.; Dhuyvetter, Kevin C.; sandyj; kcd
The use of artificial insemination (AI) in the dairy industry grew tremendously in the 1940s and has since become the industry norm. Adoption of AI in the beef industry has been much slower largely due to the more extensive nature of beef production systems. Improvements in protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation now allow beef producers to achieve high pregnancy rates to AI with no heat detection and value-driven marketing programs have provided more incentive for use of high-accuracy genetics. The 2007 USDA National Animal Health Monitoring Surveillance survey reports the proportion of beef operations that use AI is only 7.6%. However, adoption of AI in herds of 200 head or greater was 19.8% compared to 5.6% and 8.4% for herd sizes of 1 to 49 and 50 to 99 head, respectively, indicating larger operations are more likely to adopt this technology. Little information is available concerning changes in semen use over time in the beef industry and what this may reflect about the adoption of AI by beef producers. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in domestic, custom frozen, and export sales of semen over time and how these trends relate to beef feeder calf prices and cow inventories.
Open Access
Optimizing a new 5-day CIDR-CO-Synch timed artificial insemination program
(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2011-03-30) Stevenson, Jeffrey S.; Pulley, Stephanie Leeann; Mellieon, H.I.; Olson, K. C.; Johnson, Sandra K.; Grieger, David M.; Jaeger, John R.; Breiner, Ryan M.; jss; kcolson; jrjaeger; sandyj; dgrieger; rbreiner
The 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol is a popular ovulation-synchronization program used by cow-calf producers to facilitate artificial insemination (AI). A progesterone- impregnated controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insert is placed intravaginally and an injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is given. After 7 days, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is administered and the CIDR insert is removed. Between 58 and 72 hours after insert removal, cows are inseminated after another injection of GnRH to induce ovulation. Timed AI pregnancy rates generally have ranged from 40 to 60% when suckled cows are treated with the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol.