Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Beef Cattle Short Course.

91 p

Development of Basic Meat Science Curriculum Standards for Secondary Agricultural Education: Delphi Model

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to develop basic meat science topics and standards for secondary agricultural education. A Delphi panel was used to develop the instrument. The Delphi panel was composed of four members from academia and industry and four from the top ten national meat FFA Career Development Events coaches from 2000 to 2005. Two Delphi rounds were used to develop the survey instrument. The modified Delphi started with an outline of basic meat science topics developed by an expert panel from 16 university basic meat science syllabi. The Delphi panel added or deleted topics, topics were consolidated into an outline, and a Likert-type scale added. Topics with a mean \u3c 2.5 were removed. Standards were added to each topic, standards were combined, and a Likert-type scale added. The initial 136 standards were reduced to 100, by removing duplicate, similar and those not clear. Agricultural education teachers from six southern states were asked to validate each standard using a Web-based survey with a drop-down menu of 4 = high, 3 = moderate, 2 = low, and 1 = not a priority. The study found 17 topics (38%) having moderate to high priority with a mean \u3e 3.0, eight (32%) topics having low priority with a mean of \u3c 3.0 but \u3e 2.0, and no topics were rated not a priority. All topics had a SD ≤\u3c 1.0 confirming a high level of agreement among agricultural education teachers, giving a basis for developing a basic meat science curriculum for secondary agricultural education. Keywords: curriculum, Delphi, education, standards, topic

Modelling the role of dairy-origin cattle for young beef production in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand

Approximately 42% of calves produced annually in the New Zealand dairy industry are slaughtered by 2-weeks of age. This is seen as a wasted economic opportunity and has perceived welfare and ethical issues which could potentially affect both the dairy and beef trade. Young beef cattle production has been proposed to finish these calves for beef at 8 to 12-months of age. This study employed mathematical models to: 1) predict hind-leg muscle weight from young beef as an indirect indicator of saleable meat yield, 2) understand feed utilization and financial effects and 3) acceptance level of young beef cattle within the existing New Zealand beef cattle production systems. A univariate analysis using carcass weight explained 61% of variations in hind-leg muscle weight. This was improved by 6% in multivariate regression analysis using carcass weight, wither height and eye muscle area. Identifying additional traits in young beef cattle would improve the prediction accuracy and efficiency of the equations. A profit optimization model developed in this study identified selling strategies of beef cattle and sheep activities to increase farm profitability and pasture utilization on beef cattle and sheep farms. Including young beef cattle in the existing beef cattle and sheep farms increased the number of beef cattle processed per hectare, farm carcass output and pasture utilization. However, the farm earnings per hectare was lower than the optimized farm when carcasses from young beef cattle were processed under manufacturer beef price (i.e., NZ$4.50). Bulls (mainly Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Frisian-Jersey cross breeds) accounted more than 50$ 4.50 per kg carcass was not competitive with the traditional beef finishing systems. A 10% increase in value per kg carcass for young beef allowed them to contribute 6% of the total processed dairy-origin beef cattle. Incorporating consumers perspectives and other decision alternatives for the finisher could improve decision making on the use of young beef cattle in New Zealand

Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 part 2

Precision Pastures Using Species Diversity to Improve Pasture Performance Anyou Liu and Clinton Revell, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia New Annual Pasture Legumes for Sheep Graziers Phil Nichols, Angelo Loi, Brad Nutt and Darryl McClements Department of Agriculture Western Australia Pastures from Space – Can Satellite Estimates of Pasture Growth Rate be used to Increase Farm Profit? Lucy Anderton, Stephen Gherardi and Chris Oldham Department of Agriculture Western Australia Summer-active Perennial Grasses for Profitable Sheep Production Paul Sanford and John Gladman, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia Pastures From Space – Validation Of Predictions Of Pasture Growth Rates DONALD, G.E.A, EDIRISINGHE, A.A, HENRY, D.A.A, MATA, G.A, GHERARDI, S.G.B, OLDHAM, C.M.B, GITTINS, S.P.B AND SMITH, R. C. G.C ACSIRO, Livestock Industries, PMB 5, Wembley, WA, 6913. BDepartment of Agriculture Western Australia, Bentley, WA, 6983. C Department of Land Information Western Australia, Floreat, WA, 6214. Production and Management of Biserrula Pasture - Managing the Risk of Photosensitivity Dr Clinton Revell and Roy Butler, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Meat Quality of Sheep Grazed on a Saltbush-based Pasture Kelly Pearce1,2, David Masters1, David Pethick2, 1 CSIRO LIVESTOCK INDUSTRIES, WEMBLEY, WA 2 SCHOOL OF VETERINARY AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE, MURDOCH UNIVERSITY, MURDOCH, WA Precision Sheep Lifetime Wool – Carryover Effects on Subsequent Reproduction of the Ewe Flock Chris Oldham, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Andrew Thompson, Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic), Dept of Primary Industries, Hamilton, Vic Ewe Productivity Trials - a Linked Analysis Ken Hart, Johan Greeff, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Beth Paganoni, School of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Australia. Grain Finishing Systems For Prime Lambs Rachel Kirby, Matt Ryan, Kira Buttler, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia The Effects of Nutrition and Genotype on the Growth and Development, Muscle Biochemistry and Consumer Response to Lamb Meat David Pethick, Department of Veterinary Science, Murdoch University, WA, Roger Heggarty and David Hopkins, New South Wales Agriculture ‘Lifetime Wool’ - Effects of Nutrition During Pregnancy and Lactation on Mortality of Progeny to Hogget Shearing Samantha Giles, Beth Paganoni and Tom Plaisted, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Mark Ferguson and Darren Gordon, Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic), Dept of Primary Industries, Hamilton, Vic Lifetime Wool - Target Liveweights for the Ewe Flock J. Young, Farming Systems Analysis Service, Kojonup, C. Oldham, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, A. Thompson, Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic), Hamilton, VIC Lifetime Wool - Effects of Nutrition During Pregnancy and Lactation on the Growth and Wool Production of their Progeny at Hogget Shearing B. Paganoni, University of Western Australia, Nedlands WA, C. Oldham, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, M. Ferguson, A. Thompson, Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic), Hamilton, VIC RFID Technology – Esperance Experiences Sandra Brown, Department of Agriculture Western Australia The Role of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology in Prime Lamb Production - a Case Study. Ian McFarland, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia. John Archer, Producer, Narrogin, Western Australia Win with Twins from Merinos John Milton, Rob Davidson, Graeme Martin and David Lindsay The University of Western Australia Precision Sheep Need Precision Wool Harvesters Jonathan England, Castle Carrock Merinos, Kingston SE, South Australia Business EBVs and Indexes – Genetic Tools for your Toolbox Sandra Brown, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Green Feed Budget Paddock Calculator Mandy Curnow, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Minimising the Impact of Drought - Evaluating Flock Recovery Options using the ImPack Model Karina P. Wood, Ashley K. White, B. Lloyd Davies, Paul M. Carberry, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), Lifetime Wool - Modifying GrazFeed® for WA Mike Hyder, Department of Agriculture Western Australia , Mike Freer, CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, A.C.T. , Andrew van Burgel, and Kazue Tanaka, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Profile Calculator – A Way to Manage Fibre Diameter Throughout the Year to Maximise Returns Andrew Peterson, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia Pasture Watch - a Farmer Friendly Tool for Downloading and Analysing Pastures from Space Data Roger Wiese,Fairport Technologies International, South Perth, WA, Stephen Gherardi, BDepartment of Agriculture Western Australia, Gonzalo Mata, CCSIRO, Livestock Industries, Wembley, Western Australia, and Chris Oldham, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Sy Sheep Cropping Systems An Analysis of a Cropping System Containing Sheep in a Low Rainfall Livestock System. Evan Burt, Amanda Miller, Anne Bennett, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia Lucerne-based Pasture for the Central Wheatbelt – is it Good Economics? Felicity FluggeA, Amir AbadiA,B and Perry DollingA,B,A CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity: BDept. of Agriculture, WA Sheep and Biserrula can Control Annual Ryegrass Dean Thomas, John Milton, Mike Ewing and David Lindsay, The University of WA, Clinton Revell, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia Sustainable Management Pasture Utilisation, Fleece Weight and Weaning Rate are Integral to the Profitability of Dohnes and SAMMs. Emma Kopke,Department of Agriculture Western Australia, John Young, Farming Systems Analysis Service Environmental Impact of Sheep Confinement Feeding Systems E A Dowling and E K Crossley, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia Smart Grazing Management for Production and Environmental Outcomes Dr Brien E (Ben) Norton, Centre for the Management of Arid Environments, Curtin University of Technology, WA Common Causes of Plant Poisoning in the Eastern Wheatbelt of Western Australia. Roy Butler, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia Selecting Sheep for Resistance to Worms and Production Trait Responses John Karlsson, Johan Greeff, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Geoff Pollott, Imperial College, London UK Production and Water Use of Lucerne and French Serradella in Four Soil Types, Diana Fedorenko1,4, Darryl McClements2,4 and Robert Beard3,4, 12Department of Agriculture, Western Australia; 3Farmer, Meckering; 4CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity. Worm Burdens in Sheep at Slaughter Brown Besier, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Una Ryan, Caroline Bath, Murdoch Universit

\u3ci\u3eAgricultural Research\u3c/i\u3e Magazine August 2013

Table of Contents 4 Prescription for Curing Citrus Greening: Apply Heat and Wait 7 Screening Fresh Oranges With UV: Study Pinpoints New Value of Detection Tactic 8 Breed Matters: Selecting Rams for Rangeland Production 10 Scientific Works of Art Reveal a Hidden World 13 ARS Validates Soil Moisture Data Collected Via Satellite 14 New Strategies To Thwart Pecan Scab 15 Fire Ant Venom Compounds May Be Useful as a Fungicide 16 Possible Links Between Soil Microbial Communities and Stroke Risk 18 Early Weaning: A Good Bet for Beef Producers in Drought-Stricken Areas 20 Fungal Foam Tested Against Avocado Threat 21 Locations Featured in This Magazine Issu

Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 - Part 1

Proceedings of the Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 Forward Dr Mark Dolling Manager, Sheep Industries and Pasture, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Keynotes Australian Wool Innovation Limited DR LEN STEPHENS AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION LIMITED (AWI) Commercialisation of Sheepmeat Eating Quality Outcomes, David Thomason, General Manger Marketing Meat & livestock Australia Limited PLENARY The Fitness of the Future Merino, Norm Adams and Shimin Liu, CSIRO Livestock Industries Ovine Johne’s Disease – Managing the Disease, Managing the Issues, PETER BUCKMAN, CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WESTERN AUSTRALIA Animal Welfare – Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes, Michael Paton and Dianne Evans, Department of Agriculture Western Australian. Live Sheep Exports, JOHN EDWARDS. CHAIRMAN, WESTERN AUSTRALIAN LIVE SHEEP EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION MeCustomising to the Needs of the Customer – Insights from the New Zealand Merino Experience, DR SCOTT CHAMPION, RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCT INNOVATION MANAGER, THE NEW ZEALAND MERINO COMPANY LIMITED Agribusiness Sheep Updates Conference -Economic and Financial Market Update Alan Langford, Economist, BankWest Concurrent sessions - Meeting the Market Breeding Wool to Address Consumer Requirements in Fabrics A.C. SCHLINK CSIRO Livestock Industries, J.C. GREEFF AND M. E. LADYMAN Department of Agriculture Western Australia Fibre Contribution to Retail Demand for Knitwear Melanie LadymanA and John StantonAB ADepartment of Agriculture Western Australia and BCurtin University of Technology Sustainable Merino, is this the Future for Merino? Stuart Adams, iZWool International P/L Meeting lamb Market Specs from Crossbred Ewes Dr. Neal Fogarty, NSW Agriculture and the Australian Sheep Industry CRC Use of Serial Body Weight Measurements in Prime Lamb Finishing Systems Matthew Kelly, CSIRO Livestock Industries, James Skerritt, Ian McFarland Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Australian Sheep Industry CR

Analysis of alternative coordination mechanisms for the Saskatchewan cow-calf sector

This study analyzed alternative production and marketing arrangements for the Saskatchewan beef industry where the focus was on the cow-calf sector. The study was based on primary data collected from 185 cow-calf producers through a mail survey. The results indicate that the Saskatchewan cow-calf sector is characterized by a large number of small producers with a herd size between 50-100 cows. There is a considerable integration of cow-calf and backgrounding functions. A large majority of producers recognized that declining beef consumption in North America was a problem for the beef industry. This was primarily attributed to the lack of product consistency and not producing the product that the consumer wants. Some producers are responding to this challenge by introducing improved management practices such as improved breeds and feeds. However, there are very few attempts being made to establish joint ventures (or contractual arrangements) with feedlots and slaughter/processors. Producers felt that increased vertical and horizontal coordination were essential for further improvements of the beef industry. They thought that the development of ready-to-eat beef products was very important along with improvements in meat quality. This includes a need for improvement in meat standards and the grading system. Given its current problems producers, however, were highly optimistic about the future of the beef industry. Producers felt that a Australian Marketlink type program would result in a loss of independence, requiring higher capital investment and inconvenience of third party verification compared to the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) type program. They felt that a Marketlink type program is more likely to emerge in Saskatchewan in the next five years than a MSA type program. They also tended to prefer other initiatives, which focused on carcass-based pricing linked to eating quality. The importance of the beef cattle enterprise to producers net family income and the experience the producers have in beef cattle operations were found to be the most important factors supporting increased coordination. Conjoint analysis results showed that producers' preferences are toward producing backgrounded cattle meeting buyers' requirements and selling at auction markets. Based on these results, it can be concluded that Saskatchewan beef producers are prepared for a more coordinated beef industry

Examination of the expression of genes and proteins controlling M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum growth in steers

The first study conducted investigated the effect of sire breed and genetic merit for growth potential of the transcriptional regulation of the somatotropic axis followed by a proteomic approach to assess differentially abundant proteins. Following this, a second study was set up to examine the compensatory growth phenomena in cattle which aimed to investigate the effect of feed restriction and feed realimentation on animal production and physiological variables and the residual effects on meat quality attributes. The final chapter in this thesis focused on the transcriptional regulation of compensatory growth in M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum in crossbred Aberdeen Angus steers. It is evident from this thesis that genetic merit for growth potential in cattle is under molecular control and chapters 3 and 4 offer revealing insight into the somatotropic axis and glucose metabolism. RNAseq, a highly sensitive approach to transcriptome sequencing, was used to conduct the transcriptional sequencing analysis in chapter 7. During the differential feeding period, gene pathways relating to lipid metabolism were significantly different between the two treatments and consistent with plasma leptin concentrations and ultrasonically scanned fat depth data (chapter 5). During the realimentation period, when previously restricted steers were experiencing compensatory growth, the TGF-βR1 gene involved in the TGF-β signalling pathway, a negative regulator of growth, was down-regulated in expression. The results obtained from this study offer a novel insight into key regulatory genes and pathways controlling compensatory growth in skeletal muscle of cattle which following appropriate validation may be incorporated into genomically assisted selection strategies for beef cattle. Overall, this thesis has offered significant insight into key pathways regulating growth in cattle such as the somatotropic, glycolytic and TGF-β signalling pathways