Copyright (c) 2009 University of Nebraska - Lincoln All rights reserved. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr Recent documents in Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports en-us Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:44:38 PDT 3600 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/545 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/545 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:35:43 PST Profitability of calf-fed and backgrounding yearling systems was determined based on actual production data and prices from 1996 to 2007, and variability across years was compared. The two systems exhibited similar profits, on average, but the calf-fed system showed less profit variability, suggesting there is more risk inherent in a yearling backgrounding and finishing system. Also, profitable years were more apt to have less variable corn prices. Rebecca Small http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/544 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/544 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:35:36 PST The purpose of beef cattle and beef product research at UNL is to provide reference information that represents the various populations (cows, calves, heifers, feeders, carcasses, retail products, etc.) of beef production. Obviously, the researcher cannot apply treatments to every member of a population; therefore, he or she must sample the population. The use of statistics allows the researcher and readers of the Nebraska Beef Report the opportunity to evaluate separation of random (chance) occurrences and real biological effects of a treatment. Following is a brief description of the major statistics used in the beef report. For a more detailed description of the expectations of authors and parameters used in animal science, see Journal of Animal Science Style and Form (beginning pp. 339) at: http://jas.fass.org/misc/ifora.shtml. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/543 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/543 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:35:29 PST Maturity Index (MI) was used in a Probit regression as an explanatory variable of dystocia, where dystocia was used in a Probit regression as an explanatory variable of rebreeding rates of primiparous cows from data collected on replacement heifers from the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory. Dystocia was found to decrease from about 40% to 13% for heifers when the MI increased from 53 to 70, supporting the notion that maturity reduces the incidence of dystocia, resulting in an increase in the second pregnancy rate. Matthew Stockton http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/542 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/542 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:35:21 PST A maturity index (MI) was developed using data from Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory to predict a heifer's optimal size for breeding. It was developed from observable information such as age, feeding regime, pre-breeding, birth and dam weights. The MI was the most precise predictor of actual percentage of mature weight versus using estimates developed from the herd's estimated average weight or the dam's mature weight. The MI also was a more accurate predictor of first pregnancy than the typically applied measure. Matthew Stockton http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/541 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/541 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:35:10 PST Dr. Ivan Rush, as you retire, those of us in the Department of Animal Science reflect on your remarkable career. We also wish to say, "Thanks!" Ivan, thanks for 35 years of making us look good. To many of Nebraska's cattlemen, you are the person who comes to mind when UNL is mentioned. Fortunately for us, your reputation for knowledge is based both on soundly designed experiments and the wisdom of practical experience with cattle. You have earned the respect of cattlemen in Nebraska, in nearby states, and even overseas. Thanks for your contributions to the development of computer programs that calculate rations, for organizing so many Range Beef Cow Symposia, and for guiding the evolution of IRM both in Nebraska and nationally. Mostly, thanks for being so sincerely dedicated to the beef industry in western Nebraska and for always rooting your advice in factual information. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/540 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/540 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:35:03 PST Ruminally fistulated steers with wireless pH probes were utilized to quantify ruminal pH plus hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels produced at different times post feeding and to determine the effect of roughage level in high byproducts diets on hydrogen sulfide production. Because of variation in H2S levels, ruminal pH was not related to high H2S levels. When treatment means were used, pH and H2S levels were highly correlated. We observed lower H2S levels in diets with 7.5% or 15% grass hay compared with no roughage. Sarah Vanness http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/539 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/539 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:34:55 PST Dietary sulfur level is associated with hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) levels in the rumen. These studies quantified H2S levels at different times post feeding with or without added iron (Fe) or copper (Cu) to bind sulfur. In addition, the correlations of ruminal pH measurements to ruminal H2S gas levels were estimated. Correlations between ruminal pH and hydrogen sulfide levels were not large and Fe and Cu did not affect H2S levels. Sarah J. Vanness http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/538 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/538 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:34:48 PST Data were compiled from 4,143 cattle on byproduct feeding experiments. Incidence of polioencephalomalacia was small (0.14%) in diets containing 0.46% or less sulfur (S). Incidences of polioencephalomalacia increased when cattle were fed diets above 0.46% S and especially above 0.56%. Phosphoric acid successfully replaced sulfuric acid in ethanol fermentation, but the amount and cost of phosphoric acid likely limit the economic feasibility of its use. Sarah Vanness http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/537 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/537 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:34:41 PST To better understand co-product utilization, inclusion rates, pricing and storage strategies, Nebraska cattle producers were surveyed regarding their co-product feeding and pricing practices. Although nearly 91% of cattle on feed in Nebraska were being fed ethanol co-products in 2007, many types of co-products were being utilized from both ethanol plants in Nebraska and surrounding states. As illustrated by the price data collected, especially those for wet distillers grains plus solubles, opportunities existed for pricing and storage strategies, although more price variation was present in the data collected from the survey as compared to the prices reported by the Agricultural Marketing Service. Josie Waterbury http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/536 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/536 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:34:34 PST Co-Product STORE -- Storage To Optimize Ration Expenses -- is a spreadsheet designed to quantify the costs of co-product storage. It allows producers to analyze and evaluate specific storage scenarios in response to changing market conditions using different storage methods. Two storage examples (bunker and silo bag) are evaluated to illustrate how the spreadsheet estimates storage costs. Co-Product STORE can be found online at http://beef.unl.edu under the byproduct feeds tab. Josie Waterbury