49 research outputs found

    Virtual Feedlot Shortcourse: When Life Hands Out Lemons

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    Objective The COVID-19 pandemic forced changes in how Extension programming was delivered in 2020. Web-based distance learning tools were used to deliver educational material when it was impractical to use traditional delivery methods. Study Description The SDSU Extension Feedlot Shortcourse has traditionally been an in-person event with as much opportunity for hands-on learning and demonstrations as possible. The program is offered over a two-day period in August at the SDSU Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility with approximately 30 participants each year, on average. The program addresses feed delivery and mixing, animal health, production technologies, and risk management. However, the events of 2020 turned that plan on its head. It was clear by early summer that holding in-person events would be challenging at best, with the very real risk of being forced to cancel or postpone because of changing conditions surrounding COVID-19. For that reason, we elected to offer the Feedlot Shortcourse as a virtual program using the Zoom platform. The first challenge was to attempt to replicate the program without being face-to-face. We selected seven topics that were relevant to successful backgrounding or cattle finishing enterprises that could be taught effectively on a virtual platform. Those topics and presenters were as follows in alphabetical order by topic: Backgrounding Systems – Dr. Alfredo DiCostanzo, University of Minnesota Beef Specialist Bunk Management – Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate Cattle Feeding Risk Management – Dr. Matt Dierson, SDSU Extension Risk Management Specialist Facility Management – Dr. Erik Loe, Midwest PMS Feedlot Cattle Health Strategies – Dr. Russ Daly, SDSU Extension Veterinarian Growth Enhancing Technologies – Dr. Zach Smith, SDSU Feedlot Researcher Wrap-up Panel Discussion The webinar series was held on seven consecutive Thursdays in July and August at 12:30 CDT for approximately one hour. Each session was recorded so that participants could watch at their convenience if they were unable to log on for the live sessions or wished to view the program again. Participation in the program greatly exceeded expectations. There were 275 registered participants from 25 states plus Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and South Africa

    Management and Dietary Strategies to Mitigate Environmental Stressors in Northern Plains Cattle Feeding Systems

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    Three studies were undertaken to examine strategies to mitigate environmental stress faced by Northern Plains cattle feeders. In the first study, 46 feedlot managers from SD (n = 21), MN (n = 6), and NE (n = 19) were surveyed on use and perceptions of heat stress (HS) mitigation strategies. All respondents avoided cattle handling during heat stress events and incorporated some method of HS mitigation. Buildings or shades were perceived as the most successful strategy (60.9%) and were most commonly named as strategies managers would like to employ (63% for shades and 17.4% for buildings). Increasing dietary corn silage inclusion is a method to deal with challenging weather either by expanding the harvest window or to salvage weather stressed crops. One hundred ninety steers [initial BW 420 kg (SD 24.7)] were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the effects of feeding two types of silage germplasm at two inclusion rates. A 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement was used with either a conventional hybrid or a hybrid with increased expression of alpha-amylase (Syngenta Enogen Feed corn, Syngenta Seeds, LLC) fed at either 12% or 24% of diet DM. No hybrid by inclusion rate interactions were detected for live growth performance (P ≥ 0.15). Growth performance was unaffected by silage hybrid (P ≥ 0.35). Feeding 24% silage reduced ADG and G:F (P ≤ 0.05), but increased beef produced per ha (P = 0.05). Hybrid cereal rye offers agronomic benefits as a rotational crop, but knowledge is lacking regarding feeding value in finishing beef diets. Two hundred and forty steers (initial BW 404 ± 18.5 kg) were used in a finishing experiment to evaluate the effect of hybrid rye (KWS Cereals USA, LLC, Champaign, IL) as a replacement for dry-rolled corn (DRC). Four treatments were used in a completely randomized design where DRC was replaced by rye (DRC:rye, 60:0, 40:20, 20:40, 0:60). Increased rye inclusion linearly decreased final BW, ADG, and G:F. Estimated NEm and NEg values for rye when fed at 60% of DM were 1.90 and 1.25 Mcal/kg, respectively

    Mobile and Web-Based Applications to Determine the Most Economical Feedstuffs for Livestock

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    Producers are turning to mobile and Web-based decision-making tools in increasing numbers to better manage their businesses. To assist livestock producers in evaluating feed options, a Feed Cost Calculator was developed as an app for iOS, Android, and Web-based platforms. Mobile applications are a viable alternative to spreadsheet tools to address the needs of Extension clientele; however, there are certain inherent limitations to using mobile technology that must be considered

    Manger Space Restriction Does Not Negatively Influence Growth Efficiency in Program Fed Feedlot Heifers

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    Effect of Corn Silage Inclusion Level and Steroidal Implant Type on Growth Performance, Dietary Net Energy Utilization, Beef Production Per Acre and Apparent Total Tract Digestibility in Feedlot Finishing Steers

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    Objective The experimental objective was to determine the influence corn silage inclusion level and terminal implant type have on animal performance, carcass traits, and beef production per acre of cropland in finishing steers harvested at a common fatness endpoint. Study Description Maine-Anjou × Angus beef steers (n = 156 steers; initial BW 807 ± 81.9 lbs) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement finishing experiment at the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD. Steers were weighed on 2 consecutive days and assigned into 5 weight blocks. Dietary treatments consisted (DM basis) of 1) 15% (CS15) or 2) 30% corn silage (CS30). Implant treatments consisted of 1) Coated implant, 200 mg trenbolone acetate (TBA), 28 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) (Synovex ONE Feedlot, ONE) or 2) Non-coated implant, 200 mg TBA, 28 mg EB (Synovex PLUS; PLUS)

    Effects of Harvest Maturity and/or Kernel Processing on Corn Silage Processing Score and Particle Size of Corn Silage

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    Objective A single corn hybrid was used to evaluate harvest maturity (Mat) and/or kernel processing (KP) effects on corn silage processing score (CSPS) and particle size (PS). Study Description Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial of: 1) Mat (early and late) and 2) KP (no or yes). A single corn field was planted on April 27, 2020. There were 12 loads (experimental unit) per simple effect treatment mean. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design. Early harvest (3/4 milk line) occurred on August 28, 2020 [yield (as is) = 17.40 tons/acre; DM = 43.1%; CP, NDF, and starch = 6.5, 46.0, and 32.9%, respectively (DM basis)]. Late harvest (black layer) occurred on September 9, 2020 [yield = 16.83 ton/acre (as is); DM = 49.2%; CP, NDF, and starch = 6.6, 49.8, and 37.5%, respectively (DM basis)]. The same equipment was used for both Mat with KP achieved by narrowing processing rollers. The CSPS was determined as the proportion of starch retained below a 0.19 in sieve. Grain content (DM basis) of the corn silage was calculated from: starch content/0.72. Particle size was assessed using the Penn State Particle Separator. A Mat × KP interaction (P = 0.05) was detected for CSPS. Early/no and late/no had decreased (P ≤ 0.05) CSPS compared to early/yes and late/yes had the greatest CSPS (P ≤ 0.05) compared to others. Grain content was 13.9% greater in late compared to early (P = 0.01). A Mat × KP interaction (P = 0.03) was detected for PS. Early/no had the greatest (P ≤ 0.05) PS, early/yes and late/no were intermediate, and late/yes had decreased PS compared to others (P ≤ 0.05). Tak

    Evaluation of Dietary Roughage Inclusion in a Single or Two-Diet System for Backgrounding and Finishing

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    Study Description: Pre-conditioned crossbred beef steers (n = 46; initial shrunk [4%] BW = 621 ± 89.1 lbs) were used in a 210-d grow-finish experiment at the Ruminant Nutrition Center (RNC) in Brookings, SD. Steers were fed once daily, and bunks were managed according to a slick bunk management system. Cattle were fed in 25 × 25 ft concrete surface pens (n = 10 pens; 5 pens/treatment) with 25 linear ft of bunk space and heated, concrete, continuous flow waterers. Treatments included: 1) A single-diet program (targeted a 59 Mcal/cwt NEg diet fed for 210-d; 1D) or 2) two-diet program (targeted a 55 Mcal/cwt NEg diet fed for 98-d, a 59 Mcal/cwt NEg diet fed for 14-d, and a 63 Mcal/cwt NEg diet fed for 98-d; 2D). All steers were implanted initially (d 1) with a 100 mg trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 14 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) implant (Synovex Choice) and re-implanted with a 200 mg TBA and 28 mg EB implant on d 112
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