Cattlemen's Day, 2006
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Item Open Access Comparison of corn and grain sorghum dried distillers grains as protein supplements for growing beef heifers(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:50:11Z) Harborth, K.W.; Marston, T.T.; Llewellyn, Donald A.; harborthAn experiment was conducted to determine if corn and grain sorghum dried distillers grains could be effective protein supplements for growing beef replacement heifers. Crossbred heifers (n=77) were individually fed 6 lb/heifer daily (dry matter basis) of supplements containing 20% crude protein. The three supplements compared were: 1) 50% cracked corn, 25% soybean meal, and 25% ground grain sorghum; 2) 50% cracked corn and 50% corn distillers grains with solubles; and 3) 50% cracked corn, 31% sorghum distillers grains with solubles, and 19% ground grain sorghum. Heifers grazed a common native- grass pasture and had free-choice access to smooth broom hay in round bale feeders. During the last week of the trial, heifers (n=4) from each supplement were used to determine diet digestibility. Although there were no differences in weight gain or total diet digestibility, dry matter intake as a percentage of body weight was less for heifers receiving supplements containing dried distillers grains from either corn or grain sorghum. Our data indicate that producers can expect similar growth performance, regardless of the grain source of dried distillers grains used to formulate a 20% crude protein supplement fed at about 1% of body weight daily.Item Open Access Accelerated and “natural” production-system effects on performance and carcass traits(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:43:15Z) Veloso, L.; Loe, E.; Unruh, John A.; junruhSixteen crossbred steers were used to compare performance and carcass characteristics of animals from accelerated and “natural” cattle production systems. Steers in the accelerated group (8 head) were implanted with Component TE-S (120 mg of trenbolone acetate, 24 mg estradiol), and received 200 mg/steer daily of ractopamine-HCl (Optaflexx) during the last 33 days of feeding. Tylan and Rumensin were also fed to the accelerated group. “Natural” steers were not implanted and were not given feed additives. Steers in the accelerated group had improved gain; heavier final weights; heavier carcasses; larger ribeye areas; and less kidney, pelvic, and heart fat. “Natural” cattle had better quality grades, but would require a $3/cwt carcass premium to offset the performance advantages of accelerated cattle.Item Open Access Color of cooked ground beef patties is affected by cooking rate and post-cooking holding time(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:43:05Z) Ryan, S.M.; Seyfert, M.; Hunt, Melvin C.; Mancini, R.A.Two experiments investigated the effects of cooking rate and post-cooking holding time on the internal cooked color of ground beef patties. In Experiment 1, patties were cooked rapidly (1.8ºF/second) or slowly (0.4ºF/second). At temperatures below 180ºF, rapidly cooked patties were redder and appeared less well done than those cooked slowly. All slowly cooked patties appeared well done, even at unsafe final internal temperatures. In Experiment 2, patties were cooked rapidly and held for 1, 3, 6, or 12 minutes after cooking. Increasing the post-cooking holding time to 6 minutes after rapid cooking decreased pinkness and maximized well-done appearance. This allowed ground beef patties to be cooked to a lower temperature, likely preserving juiciness and flavor. Employing either a slow cooking rate or rapid cooking with a post-cooking holding time will foster a well-done appearance. Internal cooked color is not an adequate indicator of ground beef doneness. Only strict temperature control and monitoring can ensure product safety.Item Open Access A novel method to dry age beef by using vacuum packaging(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:42:55Z) Ahnström, M.L.; Seyfert, M.; Hunt, Melvin C.; Johnson, D.E.The traditional dry-aging method for beef was compared with a novel technique of dry aging in a highly moisture-permeable vacuum bag. Paired beef strip loins were cut into four sections and were dry aged traditionally (unpackaged) or packaged in the novel bag for 14 or 21 days. Cooking loss, tenderness, juiciness, and all flavor attributes were similar for the aging methods. Beef dry aged in the bag had less weight loss during aging, less trim loss after 21 days, and lower yeast counts after either aging time, compared with beef dry aged unpackaged. This novel method of dry aging beef in a vacuum bag can increase yields, decrease microbial contamination, and provide processors greater flexibility of facility use, all of which would positively impact processors’ profits.Item Open Access Comparison of CIDR to MGA in a 7-11 cosynch protocol with timed insemination of beef heifers(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:42:46Z) Eborn, D.R.; Freneau, G.E.; Grieger, David M.; dgriegerPrevious research has shown that the 7-11 Cosynch protocol using melengestrol acetate (MGA) is effective in synchronizing beef heifers. This study compared MGA and a vaginal insert containing progesterone (CIDR) in the 7-11 Cosynch protocol on beef heifers. Replacement beef heifers (n=179) from three herds were assigned to MGA or CIDR treatments. Beginning on day 1, heifers on the MGA treatment were fed to consume 0.5 mg daily of MGA for 7 days. On day 7, the last day of MGA feeding, the MGA heifers received an injection of Lutalyse (PGF). Heifers on the CIDR treatment received a CIDR on day 3; on day 9 the CIDR was removed, and heifers received an injection of Lutalyse. On day 11, all heifers received an injection of OvaCyst (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone; GnRH), followed by another injection of Lutalyse® 7 days later (day 18). At 48 hours after the final Lutalyse injection, all heifers were time inseminated and received an injection of OvaCyst. Pregnancy status was determined 33 days after breeding by ultrasonography. No difference in pregnancy rate was observed between the CIDR (46%) and MGA (47%) treatments.Item Open Access Measuring scope efficiency for crop and beef farms(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:42:35Z) Langemeier, Michael R.; Jones, R.D.; mlangeThis study evaluated scope efficiency (the degree of efficiency gained from producing more than one product within the same farm) for a sample of crop and beef farms in Kansas. Scope and economic efficiency were estimated for each individual farm. Average scope efficiency was 0.25, indicating that joint production of crop and beef enterprises on the same farm reduced cost approximately 25%. Scope efficiency was significantly higher for smaller farms. Despite the relatively higher scope efficiency levels, economic efficiency (relative cost efficiency) was significantly lower for smaller farms. Economic efficiency is related to cost control and economies of size, which are both positively related to farm size.Item Open Access Examining death loss in Kansas feedlots(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:42:24Z) Babcock, A.; Jones, R.; Langemeier, Michael R.; mlangeThis study had three primary objectives: 1) to determine if there is an annual and/or seasonal trend in percentage of death loss in Kansas feedlots; 2) to examine the difference in death loss between steers and heifers; and 3) to evaluate if “in” weight has had an effect on percentage of death loss in Kansas feedlots. The annual trend in death loss for both steers and heifers was found to be significant and positive, indicating that death loss has been increasing over the sample period. Seasonal increases in death loss were significant for early-spring closeouts for both steers and heifers. The annual trend in the difference between the death loss for steers and heifers, though not significant, was negative. There were, however, certain closeout months in which there were significant differences in the death loss of steers relative to heifers. Placement weight had a significant negative impact on death loss in heifer finishing, but no significant impact on steer finishing. Our regression analysis indicates that death loss has been increasing over the sample period, that certain closeout months tend to impact steer and heifer death loss differently, and that placement weight in heifers has had a significant impact on percentage of death loss in cattle.Item Open Access Examining cost of gain in Kansas feedlots(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:42:12Z) Babcock, A.; Jones, R.; Langemeier, Michael R.; mlangeThis study had three primary objectives: 1) to examine the effects that individual performance and ingredient price factors have on cost of gain; 2) to quantify the annual and/or seasonal trend in cost of gain in Kansas feedlots; and 3) to examine the difference in cost of gain between steers and heifers. For both steers and heifers, corn price was significant and positive, indicating that as the price of corn increases so does cost of gain. The price of hay, which is a feedstuff in the majority of feedlot diets, has a positive, but insignificant, effect on feeding cost of gain. As average daily gain increased, predicted cost of gain decreased for both steers and heifers, but the result was only significant in steers. Death loss had a positive impact on cost of gain, but may be a more important factor when feeding steers. The trend over time was positive. Feed conversion is positive and highly significantly related to cost of gain for both steers and heifers. As feed conversion (feed/gain) increases, the cost of gain increases. There seems to be a significant negative trend over time in the difference between steer and heifer cost of gain, and the difference seems to be seasonal.Item Open Access Variation in performance of electronic cattle ear tags and readers(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:41:58Z) Bryant, A.M.; Barnhardt, B.B.; Epp, M.P.; Glaenzer, S.J.; Blasi, Dale A.; dblasi; mepp; glaenzerThis study was conducted to evaluate the performance of ISO 11785 radio frequency identification (RFID) cattle ear tags and readers under ideal laboratory conditions. Tag and reader manufacturer identities are masked to prevent unintentional conclusions being drawn about any particular tag or reader at this stage of the U.S. National Animal Identification System (US-NAIS) proposed plan. Eight commercially available tag designs were evaluated, and included the half-duplex and full-duplex air interface technologies. Performance parameters of interest for tags were tensile strength, tampering evidence characteristics, as well as the average reading range. Three fixed-antenna stationary readers were used to determine the variability between reading ranges of each reader. Tensile strength parameters differed among tag designs. Only one tag design did not display tamper-evident characteristics. Average reading ranges differed among all eight tag designs, and there were significant differences in performance ranges among the three readers. Performance variation in tags and readers exists due to differences in material makeup (die and copper) and design characteristics. The results of this study support the need for minimum performance standards for ISO 11785 RFID technology as it applies to the US-NAIS.Item Open Access Performance of calves born to beef cows seropositive but subclinical for bovine leukosis virus(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:41:44Z) Llewellyn, Donald A.; Teutemacher, K.L.; Marston, T.T.; Sanderson, M.W.; Hollis, Larry C.; lhollis; dllewellCalves from a commercial beef herd were evaluated for weight gain differences based upon the bovine leukosis virus (BLV) serological status of their dams. One hundred forty-two multiparous cows from a commercial beef herd were tested for BLV by agar gel immunodiffusion. Eighty-nine cows (62.6%) were found to be seropositive for BLV. Weights were collected from all calves at weaning, from heifers on the date when selection of replacement heifers was made, and from steers on the day of harvest after being fed to finish weight in a feedlot. Offspring from seronegative cows tended to have heavier weaning weights (+17 lb) and heifer selection weights (+31 lb) than those from seropositive cows.Item Open Access Comparison of Dectomax and Valbazen on beef cattle carcass traits(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:41:30Z) Christopher, J.A.; Marston, T.T.; Brethour, J.R.; Stokka, Gerald L.The objective of this trial was to determine if types of dewormers affected carcass characteristics. Crossbred steers (n=428) were stratified by weight and ultrasound marbling score and administered either Dectomax (subcutaneous injection) or Valbazen (oral) dewormer. Fecal egg counts indicated that both dewormers cleared internal parasites from the cattle. Carcass data indicated that Dectomax increased fat deposition as measured by 12th rib back fat; kidney, pelvic, and heart fat; and marbling score, when compared with Valbazen. Deworming products may affect carcass traits that are used to value cattle.Item Open Access Effect of implant strategy and Optaflexx administration on feedlot performance and skeletal muscle β-adrenergic receptor and insulin-like growth factor I mRNA abundance(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:41:16Z) Sisson, E.K.; Hutcheson, J.P.; Yates, D.A.; Johnson, B.J.Feedlot heifers (1,147) weighing 622 lb were used to evaluate the effects of implant strategy and Optaflexx administration. Implant treatments included Revalor-200 (R200) at arrival, or Revalor-IH at arrival and reimplantation with Finaplix-H on day 58 (RF). Optaflexx (200 mg/heifer daily of ractopamine-HCl) was fed the last 28 days. Treatments were randomly assigned to 16 pens. After 182 days, heifers were slaughtered, at which time carcass data were obtained and semimembranosus muscle tissue was excised for RNA isolation. Optaflexx administration significantly increased average daily gain (0.7 lb/day), feed efficiency (3%), hot carcass weight (10.5 lb), and ribeye area (0.42 square inches); decreased back fat thickness; and improved yield grade. There was no significant treatment effect on the expression of β1-adrenergic receptor (AR) mRNA, but there was a tendency for Optaflexx feeding to increase β2-AR mRNA concentrations. For β3-AR mRNA, Optaflexx treatment numerically increased β3-AR mRNA in heifers implanted with R200, but significantly decreased expression in heifers implanted with RF. Optaflexx also significantly decreased IGF-I mRNA in heifers implanted with RF, but numerically increased IGF-I mRNA in heifers implanted with R200. This data aids our understanding of the interaction between steroidal implants and Optaflexx in feedlot heifers. Knowledge about the modes of action of various growth promotants will aid in designing growth promotion strategies to enhance the efficiency of lean tissue deposition in feedlot cattle.Item Open Access Effect of Optaflexx and days on feed on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and skeletal muscle gene expression in yearling steers(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:41:01Z) Winterholler, S.J.; Parsons, G.L.; Sissom, E.K.; Hutcheson, J.P.; Swingle, R.S.; Johnson, B.J.; gparsonsTwo-thousand two-hundred fifty-two yearling steers (690 lb) were used to evaluate the effects of Optaflexx and days on feed on finishing steer performance and carcass characteristics. Treatment groups included serial harvest dates of 150, 171, or 192 days. Within each harvest date, steers either received Optaflexx (200 mg/steer daily of ractopamine-HCl) for the final 28 days, or did not receive Optaflexx. All steers were initially implanted with Revalor-IS and were re-implanted with Revalor-S after 75 days on feed. At harvest, muscle samples from the inside round were obtained for mRNA analysis of the β- adrenergic receptors (AR). Optaflexx increased daily gains, hot carcass weight, and ribeye area, and improved feed efficiency. Optaflexx did not affect dressing percentage, USDA yield grade, or quality grade. Optaflexx did not change overall feed intake across the entire feeding period, but feed intake was increased during the 28-day period that steers received Optaflexx. As expected, greater days on feed decreased daily gains, overall feed intake, and the number of yield grade 1 and 2 carcasses, and worsened feed efficiency. Also, greater days on feed increased hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and the number of prime and choice carcasses, as well as the number of yield grade 4 and 5 carcasses. Increasing days on feed decreased the abundance of mRNA for β1-AR and β3-AR, and increased the abundance of β2-AR mRNA. Optaflexx had no effect on abundance of mRNA for β1-AR or β3-AR, but it increased the abundance of mRNA for β2-AR. Optaflexx may affect expression of the β2-AR gene in skeletal muscle, which could impact the performance responses to Optaflexx feeding in steers.Item Open Access An investigation into the mechanisms of action of Revalor-S and Optaflexx in growing steers(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:29:08Z) Walker, D.K.; Higgins, James J.; Johnson, B.J.; Titgemeyer, Evan C.; etitgeme; jhigginsAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the interaction between steroidal implantation and feeding ractopamine on nitrogen retention, blood metabolites, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Six Holstein steers (initially weighing 509 lb) were implanted or not with Revalor-S (120 mg trenbolone acetate plus 24 mg estradiol-17β), and all were fed no ractopamine for the initial 28 days and then 2 grams per steer daily of Optaflexx (200 mg/day ractopamine-HCl) on days 29 through 56. Implantation increased nitrogen retention. Optaflexx increased nitrogen retention in nonimplanted steers, but did not significantly increase retained nitrogen in implanted steers. Implantation increased serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I concentration. Optaflexx, however, numerically decreased serum IGF-I concentrations. Implantation numerically increased IGF-I mRNA in the longissimus muscle, but expression of IGF-I mRNA was significantly decreased when Optaflexx was fed. Both growth promotants increased nitrogen retention in steers, but, despite perceived differences in their mode of action, the combination yielded a less than additive response for nitrogen retention.Item Open Access The effects of Flaxlic block supplementation on finishing feedlot heifers(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:28:52Z) Quinn, M.J.; Loe, E.R.; Webb, A.S.; Corrigan, M.E.; Drouillard, James S.; Depenbusch, Brandon E.; mjq; jdrouill; bdepenbuAn experiment was conducted to determine the effects of FlaxLic supplement blocks, fed free-choice during feedlot finishing, on heifer performance, carcass quality, and fatty acid profiles of loin steaks. Heifers (n=302, 1059±7 lb initial bodyweight) were fed diets based on steam-flaked corn. Cattle were assigned to dirt surfaced pens (12 to 13 heifers/pen, 12 pens/treatment). Treatments consisted of control (no block) or FlaxLic free-choice block supplements. Loins were obtained from three animals randomly selected from each pen for measurement of fatty acid profiles. Average daily gain and feed:gain were not different over the 75-day feeding trial. Dry matter intake was less for heifers supplemented with FlaxLic blocks. There were no differences between treatments for carcass characteristics. Heifers supplemented with FlaxLic blocks had greater concentrations of 18:3n3 (alpha-linolenic acid) fatty acids in loin steaks, compared with controls. The ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids was also reduced by supplementation with FlaxLic blocks.Item Open Access Effects of spring pasture burning, pasture deworming, and grain supplementation on performance of stocker steers grazing native Flinthills pasture(Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, 2010-08-02T20:28:36Z) Barnhardt, B.B.; Forcherio, J.C.; Scott, R.R.; Reinhardt, Christopher D.; Blasi, Dale A.; cdr3; dblasiA grazing study was conducted using 445 crossbred beef steers (496 lb) to determine the benefits of feeding a grain-based supplementon burned and unburned native pasture, with and without a Safe-Guard (fenbendazole) treatment while on pasture. Treatments consisted of mineral only, mineral with Safe-Guard treatment at day 29, and a supplement based on dry-rolled corn with a Safe-Guard treatment on day 29. All three treatments provided GainPro to the steers. Twelve pastures were used, six that were burned and six that were not burned during the month before the start of the trial. The control pastures were stocked at 272 lb per acre; the pastures with cattle receiving supplements were stocked at 312 lb per acre, 15% more than controls. Cattle grazing burned pastures had greater daily gains (1.81 vs. 1.65 lb/day; P=0.05) and gained 9 lb more per acre (85 vs. 76 lb/acre; P=0.03) than those grazing unburned pastures. Supplementation with grain mix improved the pounds of gain per acre, compared with cattle not receiving supplement (95 vs. 76 lb/acre; P<0.01). Steers treated with Safe-Guard while on pasture tended to have greater daily gains (1.73 vs. 1.61; P=0.17) and gained slightly more weight per acre, but this increase was not significant (P=0.24). Analysis of fecal samples indicated that deworming while on pasture did not reduce the average number of eggs shed per animal, but did increase the percentage of steers shedding no eggs.
