Chopped Sugar Beets as a Component of Beef Cow Diets

Sugar beets not accepted for human consumption were evaluated as an energy source in a limit fed ration for confined beef cows. Initial and final body weight and body condition score were not different between wheat straw based diets containing wet distillers grains and either chopped sugar beets or corn. Body condition score change tended to be greater for the diet containing corn. However, cows on both treatments finished the study with a body condition score of 5.7. Chopped sugar beets mixed with wheat straw and stored in an agricultural bag underwent ensiling and did not result in choking issues. Sugar beets appear to be similar to corn and are an acceptable energy source for maintaining gestating beef cows

Prediction of Energy Value (TDN) in Grazed and Hayed Forages

The goal of producers and nutritionists is to meet the nutritional needs of their cattle. Requirements are well established, but the diets of grazing cattle are difficult to predict. Selection by the animal, sample handling, lab analysis, and relating the lab analysis to the animal are issues that have been researched the last 20 years. Based on that research, data have been compiled to predict the energy and protein values of grazed Sandhills range, meadows, smooth brome, and corn residue. Additionally, equations used by commercial labs to predict the TDN of grass hays based on ADF were compared to TDN estimates based on in vivo digestion. Predictions of TDN values from ADF varied in accuracy and need to be used with caution

Wheat Straw, Distillers Grains, and Beet Pulp for Late Gestation Beef Cows

The feeding value of a mixture of 30:70 wet distillers grains:wheat straw or 20:20:60 wet distillers grains:beet pulp:wheat straw (DM) for late gestation beef cows was estimated. In Experiment 1, cows limit fed distillers grains and wheat straw gained as much weight and body condition as cows limit fed alfalfa hay. In Experiment 2, cows fed wet distillers grains and wheat straw or wet distillers grains, beet pulp, and wheat straw gained more weight and improved body condition compared with cows fed alfalfa hay. The results of these experiments indicate cows in late gestation will maintain body condition when limit fed by-products and crop residues to meet their energy requirements

Wheat Straw, Distillers Grains, and Beet Pulp for Late Gestation Beef Cows

The feeding value of a mixture of 30:70 wet distillers grains:wheat straw or 20:20:60 wet distillers grains:beet pulp:wheat straw (DM) for late gestation beef cows was estimated. In Experiment 1, cows limit fed distillers grains and wheat straw gained as much weight and body condition as cows limit fed alfalfa hay. In Experiment 2, cows fed wet distillers grains and wheat straw or wet distillers grains, beet pulp, and wheat straw gained more weight and improved body condition compared with cows fed alfalfa hay. The results of these experiments indicate cows in late gestation will maintain body condition when limit fed by-products and crop residues to meet their energy requirements

Cattle Grazing Effects on \u3ci\u3ePhragmites australis\u3c/i\u3e in Nebraska

Phragmites australis (common reed) is one of the most widely distributed flowering plants in North America. The introduced lineage occurs in wetland and riparian areas covering a range of climatic types. In Nebraska, an abundance of livestock could help to reduce P. australis with proper timing and grazing intensities. In 2011, a 3-yr study was initiated to evaluate targeted cattle grazing and herbicide effects and the nutritive value of this species. Treatments included a single application of imazapyr (Habitatt, BASF Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC) herbicide applied in the first year, grazing, and a control. Grazing was applied for up to five consecutive days in June and August 2011 and 2012 and in June 2013. Stem density, height, and biomass of P. australis were determined before each grazing period and in 2014. Diet samples were collected from rumenally fistulated steers each grazing period. Imazapyr provided 100% control of P. australis; however, re-establishment began 2 yr post-treatment. Grazing significantly reduced pregrazing P. australis biomass in the second and third growing season (P \u3c 0.05). Stem density and height in the grazed treatment was similar to the control through 2012; however, in 2013 and 2014, control stem density was 1.5 times greater and height was 1.4 times that of the grazed treatment. Crude protein content of diet samples was greater in 2011 (16.8%) compared with 2012 (14.3%, P \u3c 0.05). In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of diet samples (45.4%) was not affected by year or month (P \u3c 0.05). The relatively low IVDMD suggests that some form of energy supplementation would be needed to create a better nutritional balance. The cumulative effect of grazing does have the potential to reduce P. australis populations, but other methods would have to be used for greater control and site restoration

Summer Cocktail Forage Research in the Panhandle of Nebraska

Four annual forage mixtures containing brown mid- rib sorghum sudangrass or German foxtail millet, cowpeas or soybeans, and forage collards were compared to the sorghum sudangrass or millet as monocultures in the Nebraska High Plains on dryland acres to determine the tonnage, crude protein, and digestibility available for beef cattle. Th e forage mixtures and the millet resulted in greater crude protein than the sorghum sudangrass. Total digestible nutrients of the mixers were similar. Sorghum sudangrass resulted in the most tonnage. These forage options could have been hayed or windrow grazed in the fall and would have likely resulted in 1.5– 2.0 lb/d gain for 500 lb calves. Grazing these forages in the summer would have likely resulted in better quality but would require rotational grazing management. Agronomic impacts of these mixtures on the subsequent crop were not measured. Foxtail millet was the most economical crop to produce

Forage Availability and Quality of No-till Forage Crops for Grazing Cattle

No-till forage crops were planted to determine forage quantity and quality for grazing cattle. Seven combinations were evaluated using different mixtures containing forage peas, oats, winter triticale, turnips, radishes, clover, vetch, and sunflower. The cover crops were planted April 9 and sampled three times (day 54, 70, and 86 after planting) to determine forage mass and nutrient content. Mixtures containing forage peas and oats yielded the greatest quantity of DM/acre. The NDF and CP content of the mixtures are comparable to native range during the growing season. When used in place of fallow in crop rotations, grazing cover crops may provide an alternativeto native range

Effects of Feeding Microbial Feed Additives on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Steers Fed Steam-Flaked Corn-Based Diets with Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding two commercially available direct-fed microbials (DFM) on finishing steer performance fed steam-flaked corn based diets. Dietary treatments included a control diet without DFM, and two commercially available products (10-G and Bovamine). No significant differences were observed among treatments for animal performance or carcass characteristics. However, numeric advantages were observed for ADG and feed efficiency when cattle were fed a DFM

Effects of Grazing on Nebraska Sandhills Meadow Forage Nutrient Content

Nebraska Sandhills subirrigated meadow pastures were used to measure the effects of grazing on forage nutrient content in summer pastures. Non-grazed pastures had greater diet CP content than grazed pastures early in the grazing season. By late July, grazed vs. non-grazed pastures did not differ in diet CP content. Non-grazed pastures had greater in vitro organic matter disappearance compared with grazed pastures from late July through September; however, early summer pastures were not affected. Observed results indicate the greatest differences in nutrient content between grazed and non-grazed meadow pastures occur early and late in the grazing season when the majority of cool-season grass species growth occurs

Economics of Field Pea Supplementation for Cattle Grazing Crested Wheatgrass

Heifers grazing crested wheat grass were supplemented either field peas or dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) at 0.4% or 0.8% of body weight. Heifers supplemented with field peas had 10% lower daily gain compared to their DDGS supplemented counterparts. The decision to supplement field peas for producers depends on the price at which field peas can be acquired, as well as the distance that DDGS has to be hauled in order to be utilized. Field peas are a viable option in western Nebraska as a supplement for grazing cattle when DDGS is unavailable or field peas are in excess and can be obtained below the human consumption and pet food market price