Influence of Corn Hybrid, Kernel Traits, Location, and Dry-Rolling or Steam-Flaking on Digestibility

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of corn hybrid, kernel traits, growing location, and dry rolling or steam flaking on DM or starch digestibility or both. Trial 1 used 72 commercially available corn hybrids to evaluate the influence of hybrid on kernel characteristics and their effect on digestibility. Kernel characteristics evaluated were test weight, 1,000-kernel weight, and kernel hardness using the Stenvert hardness test. All analyses were conducted on dry, whole corn samples, and DM digestibility was determined for dry-rolled corn samples. Trial 2 used 12 hybrids to evaluate steam flaking or dry rolling on DM and starch digestibility. Flaking and flaking characterization were conducted at the Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University. Trial 3 used 132 commercially available corn hybrids grown in 3 separate locations to evaluate the effect of growing location, hybrid, and kernel characteristics on DM digestibility. Hybrids evaluated represented a wide range in relative maturity and, therefore, were separated into similar maturity groups for analysis. Results from trial 1 suggest that softer kernels are more digestible than harder kernels. A 27% difference in DM digestibility was found across hybrids when processed as dry-rolled corn. Results from trial 2 show that steam flaking improved DM digestibility (P \u3c 0.01) from 5 to 29% and starch digestibility (P \u3c 0.01) from 8 to 36% compared with dry rolling. Results from trial 3 suggest that DM digestibility is affected by corn hybrid (P \u3c 0.05) but did not show consistent relationships with kernel characteristics. Our results also suggest that hybrid and growing location may interact, resulting in difficulty separating hybrid differences across locations. Overall, the results of these trials suggest that a softer kernel and a lighter-density flake improve digestibility and that hybrids vary in digestibility

Growth Performance Of Weaned Angus Bulls Housed In A Compost Bedded Pack Barn

Compost-bedded pack barns (CBP) are a typical facility utilized in dairy cattle operations across the United States. Their popularity is the result of improved animal welfare and reduced costs. The crossover of CBP into the beef cattle industry is new and the benefits and downfalls are not yet explored. Through a grant from NRCS, a CBP was built at the Derrickson Agricultural Complex in 2019-2020. In fall of 2020, the pack was established by mixing manure and sawdust shavings to start the aerobic composting process and weaned bulls were given access to the barn in November 2020. The objective of our study was to determine the performance of growing bulls utilizing a CBP compared to a fully outdoor pasture housing system. Growth data from 2 consecutive years of growing bulls were utilized, with calves born in 2019 being used as a control (CON) group and calves born in 2020 being used as the CBP group. Adjusted weaning and yearling weights reported to the American Angus Association were utilized to measure growth performance. In order to limit the potential bias due to genetics, data for the heifers born in both years were also evaluated as an outside standardization mechanism. Weaning weights for CON and CBP bulls were similar (P = 0.45), though interestingly the corresponding heifer calves weaned with CBP bulls were heavier (P \u3c 0.01) than those weaned with the CON bulls. Bulls housed in the CBP were significantly heavier (P \u3c 0.01) as yearlings compared to the CON bulls (1092 lbs vs. 935 lbs, respectively). Our results suggest that utilizing a compost bedded pack barn during the winter growing phase may be beneficial to the producer by increasing growth potential of weaned calves.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2021/1025/thumbnail.jp

Effects of two-stage weaning duration on beef cattle growth and vocalization

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1046/thumbnail.jp

Relationships Among Maternal Characteristics in Hair Sheep

Since the spring of 2022, the MSU sheep flock has been an Innovation Flock for the Sheep GEMS project, managed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The GEMS project is a multi-breed, national project evaluating longevity of ewes within flocks. Our part as a participant in the project involves collecting and sending raw data which is compiled into 1 very large data set. The research discussed here uses our preliminary data from the 2022 and 2023 lambing seasons collected from our Katahdin ewes (n =38; 1-4.5 years of age). Collected data included fecal egg count (FEC), body condition scoring (BCS), FAMACHA scores, teat and udder scores. Data were analyzed using the CORR procedure in SAS with a significance level set at P \u3c 0.05. Ewe age provided the most correlations, including a negative relationship (r = -0.384) with teat score and a positive relationship (r = 0.28) with BCS. There was also a negative correlation (r = -0.31) between FEC and ewe age, along with a positive relationship (r = 0.267) with the incidence of mastitis. Furthermore, udder scores were negatively related (r = - 0.25) to FAMACHA, and positively correlated to FEC. Also, the teat score was negatively correlated (r = - 0.34) with BCS. The results of this project underline the importance of multiple traits which could contribute to ewes leaving the flock early.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2023/1028/thumbnail.jp

Impact Of Two-Stage Weaning On Calf Growth, Behavior, and Vocalizations

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1174/thumbnail.jp

Effect of Gestation Length on Litter Size and Piglet Birth Weight

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1019/thumbnail.jp

The Role of Year and Animal Origin on Key Determinants of Ewe Longevity

The MSU sheep flock is an Innovation Flock in the Sheep GEMS project through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Sheep GEMS project is a national, multi-breed project that is focused on evaluating different sheep breeds and their longevity in different climates. As a participant, we collect/send raw data that is compiled. Our preliminary data from the 2022 (Year 1) and 2023 (Year 2) lambing season has been included. We collected measurements from Katahdin ewes (n = 38; 1-4.5 years old). We measured fecal egg counts (FEC), FAMACHA scores, body condition scores (BCS), teat and udder scores. Using the MIXED procedures of SAS, we evaluated these measurements for differences between year and origin. As the ewe flock was established in the summer of 2021, our ewes were sourced from 5 outside flocks. Main effects of treatment are reported if no interaction was observed. An interaction of year and origin (P = 0.02) was observed in FEC. A year effect was observed on FAMACHA, as ewes in Year 1 had lower and more desirable FAMACHA scores in comparison to Year 2 (2.18 vs. 1.97, respectively). Teat scores were different by year, (P \u3c 0.01) as Year 1 was higher compared to Year 2 (5.58 and 4.46, respectively). Udder scores were not different by year or origin (P \u3e 0.148). Ewe BCS differed by year (P = 0.06) and origin (P = 0.02). Effects of year were widely seen and speak to the impact of year-to-year changes in environment. IACUC #22-11-02https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2023/1004/thumbnail.jp

Influence of Corn Hybrid and Processing Method on Ruminal and Intestinal Digestion

Using the mobile bag technique, five commercially available corn hybrids harvested as either dry-rolled or high-moisture corn were evaluated for site and extent of DM and starch digestion. Total-tract DM digestibility was improved 7 to 16 percentage units, and total-tract starch digestibility was improved 9 to 18 percentage units among hybrids when processed as high-moisture corn compared to dry-rolled corn. The results of this trial suggest that hybrid and processing method interact and can influence DM and starch digestibility

Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Gestation Length, Number Born Live, and Number of Stillborns

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1016/thumbnail.jp

Influence of Corn Hybrid on Kernel Traits

Sixty commercially available corn hybrids were used to identify kernel traits that may be used as an indicator of feeding value to cattle. Three separate tests were conducted and 12 traits were evaluated for each hybrid. Most production traits were negatively correlated or not correlated to physical traits making them less indicative of cattle performance compared to some lab techniques. Based on the dry matter disappearance in the rumen, a harder kernel will be more efficiently digested. An approximately 10% change in dry matter disappearance is shown between the most and least digestible hybrid. Physical kernel traits can be helpful in determining corn hybrids used for feeding cattle