Replacement Beef Heifer Economics

The nutritional management of weaned heifer calves affects not only the conception rate of yearling heifers but also their subsequent conception rate as 2-year-old cows and the weight of their first weaned calf. The costs involved in raising the replacement heifer and the value of cull heifers, 2-year-old cull cows and weaned first calves all need to be considered when determining the least cost method of raising replacement heifers. \u27The effects of raising replacement heifers to prebreeding weights of 50% 62.5% and 70% of expected mature weight are evaluated from an economic perspective. If replacement heifers are only evaluated for one year (1st conception), then raising replacement heifers to only 50% of mature weight is the most economical. However, if the replacement heifer is evaluated through calving, rebreeding and weaning the first calf, then it is most profitable to raise the replacement heifer to 62.5% of expected mature weight

Some Items to Consider Before You Change the Calving Season of Your Beef Cow Herd

This publication gives important items to consider before changing calving seasons of beef cow herds

Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis: time trends in positivity rates in the canton of Basel-Stadt, Switzerland

National health statistics report a 2·5-fold increase in laboratory-confirmed Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) cases over the last decade in Switzerland where no CT screening programme exists. We obtained essential denominator information to describe the epidemiology of CT in the canton of Basel-Stadt, an urban canton in north-western Switzerland. Laboratories reporting at least two CT infections from Basel-Stadt residents to the SFOPH in 2010 provided demographic and test-related data. CT positivity rates were calculated for 2002-2010. The influences of test year, age, sex and laboratory on CT positivity were investigated in a multivariable model. Positivity differed between sexes and age groups. In our sample of 32 034 records, female and male CT positivity rates were 4·7% and 11·1%, respectively. Test year was significantly associated with test outcome in the multivariable analysis but no time trend was observed. CT positivity did not change over the past 9 years in Basel-Stadt. In contrast to other European countries without CT screening, we found no evidence that the observed increase of Chlamydia cases in the national notification system represents an epidemiological trend, but rather results from an increased testing frequenc

AmelHap: Leveraging drone whole-genome sequence data to create a honey bee HapMap

Honey bee, Apis mellifera, drones are typically haploid, developing from an unfertilized egg, inheriting only their queen’s alleles and none from the many drones she mated with. Thus the ordered combination or ‘phase’ of alleles is known, making drones a valuable haplotype resource. We collated whole-genome sequence data for 1,407 drones, including 45 newly sequenced Scottish drones, collectively representing 19 countries, 8 subspecies and various hybrids. Following alignment to Amel_HAv3.1, variant calling and quality filtering, we retained 17.4 M high quality variants across 1,328 samples with a genotyping rate of 98.7%. We demonstrate the utility of this haplotype resource, AmelHap, for genotype imputation, returning >95% concordance when up to 61% of data is missing in haploids and up to 12% of data is missing in diploids. AmelHap will serve as a useful resource for the community for imputation from low-depth sequencing or SNP chip data, accurate phasing of diploids for association studies, and as a comprehensive reference panel for population genetic and evolutionary analyses.For the purpose of open access, the author has applied a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission. This work was supported by a grant from the CB Dennis British Beekeepers’ Research Trust awarded to MB and DW, and through strategic investment funding to the Roslin Institute from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBS/E/D/30002276). MP was supported by a Basque Government grant (IT1233-19)

The Profit Potential of Different Beef Breeding and Marketing Strategies

Questions in three important areas need to be settled: In what years is retained ownership profitable? What type of cattle are most suitable for each type of program? If cattle are retained to a slaughter weight, does marketing method affect profit? The answers are based on 1) relative prices of calves, feeders, and fed cattle, 2) impact of genetic differences in cattle on profitability in various retained ownership programs, and 3) the effect of marketing method on profits for various types of cattle

Consumer Visual Preference and Value for Beef Steaks Differing in Marbling Level and Color

To determine visual preference and value for fresh beef steaks differing in marbling level and color, consumers in Chicago and San Francisco (n = 124 per city) evaluated two pairs of steaks in a retail case. Steaks differing in marbling level (Modest/ Moderate vs. Slight) and color (bright, cherry-red vs. dark red) were purchased at retail stores in each city. Consumers selected their preferred steak in each pair, described their selection criteria, and provided the price they were willing to pay for each of the four steaks. There was a difference in visual preference in each city, with most consumers preferring (P \u3c 0.01) low (Slight) over high (Moderate/Modest) marbling; however, more (P \u3c 0.01) consumers in Chicago (86.7%) preferred low marbling than in San Francisco (67.0%). Selection criteria were categorized into five groups: marbling, fat, color, appearance, and palatability. Marbling was mentioned by 65.4% of consumers who preferred high marbling, whereas 64.9% of consumers who preferred low marbling mentioned fat as a selection criterion. Bright, cherry-red color was preferred by a higher (P \u3c 0.01) percentage of consumers in both Chicago and San Francisco (67.6 and 76.5%, respectively). Color was mentioned both by consumers who preferred bright, cherry-red color (64.8%) and those who preferred dark red color (63.9%). All preference groups were willing to pay more for their preferred steak (P \u3c 0.01), but consumers who preferred low marbling were willing to pay more (P \u3c 0.01) for their preferred steak than consumers who preferred high marbling. Consumers who preferred bright, cherry-red color were willing to pay more (P \u3c 0.01) for their preferred steak than consumers who preferred dark red color. Consumers who preferred low marbling seemed to desire lean products, and consumers who preferred high marbling seemed to desire products with high eating quality. In this study, consumers were willing to pay more to purchase their preferred product; however, most consumers preferred low marbling and bright, cherry-red color

Effect of Slaughter Cattle Martketing Method on the Production Signals Sent to Beef Producers

Data collected from 759 steer calves that were consigned to the South Dakota Retained Ownership Demonstration were utilized to examine the effect of slaughter cattle marketing methods on production signals sent to beef producers. Marketing systems examined included basing price on live weight (LW), dressed weight (DW), grade and dressed weight (G and Y), or Excel Corporation\u27s proposed muscle scoring system (MS). Profitability per head averaged $6.64,$23.54, $26.00, and$27.09 for the LW, DW, G and Y, and MS marketing systems, respectively. For the LW pricing system, average daily gain, cost of gain, initial feedlot weight, and days fed accounted for 86.6% of the variation in profitability. For the DW pricing system, average daily gain, dressing percentage, cost of gain, initial feedlot weight, and days fed accounted for 92.9% of the variation in profitability. Average daily gain, dressing percentage, quality grade, cost of gain, and days fed accounted for 83.1% of the variation in profit for the G and Y marketing system. Average daily gain, dressing percentage, cost of gain, days fed, carcass fatness, quality grade, and rib eye area explained 75.6% of the variation in profitability for the MS pricing system. Only the MS pricing system rewarded production of muscle and penalized the production of carcass fat. Current fed cattle pricing systems used in the industry fail to transfer consumer demand for lean beef to beef producers

Consumer Sensory Acceptance and Value of Wet-Aged and Dry-Aged Beef Steaks

To determine sensory preference and value of fresh beef steak differing in aging technique, strip steaks were evaluated by consumers in Denver (n = 132 consumers) and Chicago (n = 141 consumers). Wet-aged Choice strip loins were matched with dry-aged Choice strip loins, whereas wet-aged Prime strip loins were matched with dry-aged Prime strip loins. Dry-aged strip loins were commercially aged in air in a controlled environment for 30 d and vacuum-aged for 7 d during shipping and storage. Wet-aged strip loins were vacuum-packaged and aged for 37 d in a 1°C cooler. Pairs of strip loins were matched to similar Warner- Bratzler shear force values and marbling scores. Twelve sensory evaluation panels (of 12 scheduled panelists each) were conducted over a 3-d period in each city. Individual samples from a pair of steaks were evaluated by the panelists for sensory traits. Bids were placed on the samples after sensory traits were obtained utilizing a variation of the Vickery auction with silent, sealed bids. No significant differences for sensory traits of flavor, juiciness, tenderness, or overall acceptability were detected between wet-aged Choice samples and dry-aged Choice samples. Although wet-aged Choice samples were numerically superior for all sensory traits, consumers placed similar bid values (P = 0.12) on wet- and dry-aged Choice samples ($3.82 per 0.45 kg and$3.57 per 0.45 kg, respectively). Wet-aged Prime samples were rated more desirable (P \u3c 0.001) for flavor, tenderness, and overall acceptability than dry-aged Prime samples. Wet-aged Prime samples were valued at $4.02 per 0.45 kg, whereas dry-aged Prime samples brought$3.58 per 0.45 kg (P = 0.008). Consumers (29.3%) who preferred the dry-aged Choice samples over the wet-aged Choice samples were willing to pay $1.99/0.45 kg more (P \u3c 0.001) for dry-aged samples. The consumers who preferred the wet-aged Choice over the dry-aged Choice samples (39.2$1.77/0.45 kg more (P \u3c 0.0001). Consumers who preferred wet-aged Prime over dry-aged Prime samples (45.8%) paid $1.92/0.45 kg more (P \u3c 0.0001). Consumers who preferred dry-aged Prime samples (27.5$1.92/0.45 kg more than for the wet-aged Prime samples. Although more consumers preferred wet-aged samples, markets do exist for dry-aged beef, and consumers are willing to pay a premium for this product

Strict Enforcement of Zero Tolerance: Effect on Carcass Weight and Dressing Percent

Strict enforcement of Zero Tolerance regulations in the beef industry is a concern to producers and beef packers. Data on over 1,500 steers, fed and slaughtered over a four period, as part of the South Dakota Retained Ownership Demonstration Project were used to estimate the cost to producers of zero tolerance enforcement. Regression analysis was used to estimate hot carcass weight and dressing percent using the first three years data (time period prior to zero tolerance enforcement). Hot carcass weight and dressing percent were then predicted for year four. On average 13.8 Ib of additional hot carcass weight was predicted compared to actual hot carcass weight. If this is due to the additional trimming associated with the enforcement of zero tolerance, then the loss to producers would have averaged $1 5.73 per head in 1994

Feeding a Brown Midrib Corn Silage-Based Diet to Growing Beef Steers Improves Growth Performance and Economic Returns

A feedlot experiment was performed to determine growth performance, ruminal fermentation characteristics, and economic returns for growing beef steers when fed a brown midrib corn silage-based total mixed ration (BMRT) compared with a conventional corn silage-based total mixed ration (CCST). Twenty-four Angus crossbred steers (initial body weight=258±23.2 kg) in individual pens were used in a completely randomized design (n=12). Intake of dry matter was not different between the treatments. Steers fed the BMRT tended to have greater average daily gain (1.54 vs. 1.42 kg d−1; P=0.09) and gain-to-feed ratio (0.165 vs. 0.146; P=0.07) compared with those fed the CCST. Feeding the BMRT increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration (P=0.01) compared with the CCST, while it decreased molar proportion of acetate (P\u3c0.01), and increased propionate proportion (P=0.01), resulting in decreased acetate-to-propionate ratio compared with the CCST (P\u3c0.01). Steers fed the BMRT increased feed margin (P=0.05) and net return (P=0.02) compared with those fed the CCST throughout the trial. Overall results of this study indicate that feeding the BMRT to growing beef steers enhanced ruminal fermentation and beneficially shifted VFA profiles, which contributed to improved growth and economic performance of steers © 2015, Agricultural Institute of Canada. All Rights Reserved