Evaluation of Low Test Weight Corn for Finishing Lambs

The floods of 1993 caused the corn crop to be low in test weight. The following study was conducted to determine the relative feeding value of low test weight corn. The ability to feed this discounted corn to lambs could be a means of adding extra value to the discounted crop and lower the cost of lamb gain. Performance parameters indicated that low test weight corn was of equal value to normal test weight corn

Storage Project of Wet Distillers Grains

On October 18, 2006, one load of wet distillers grains from Pine Lake Corn Processors LLC, Steamboat Rock, IA was delivered to the ISU McNay Research Farm southwest of Chariton, IA via walking-bed semi-truck. The analysis of that product is given in Table 1

Effectiveness of Mixing Wet Distllers’ Grains and Hay with a Mixer Wagon or a Front End Loader for Long Term Storage

Long term storage of wet distillers’ grains is important in order for small beef producers to effectively utilize these feeds due to their short shelf life. Many smaller beef producers do not have access to mixing equipment to produce mixtures of wet distillers’ grains and forages. This study measured the variation in feed mixtures mixed with a mixer wagon or a front end loader. Variation was reduced by approximately one half by mixing though a mixer wagon. Using the front end loader to mix the feeds resulted in variation that would be considered acceptable for many production situations

Evaluation of Bagging to Extend Storage Life of Wet and Modified Distillers Grains—A Demonstration Project

The ethanol industry is rapidly expanding. As much as 40% of the energy cost is associated with drying the feed co-products. Distillers grains are excellent sources of nutrients for the diets of beef cattle, but have a short shelf life. To expand the use of wet distillers feeds to more producers, longer term storage methods are required

A Summary of Monthly Nutrient Values for Stockpiled Forages in Iowa State University Research Studies

It appears from this summary of previous Iowa State University research results that protein and energy levels in forages stockpiled starting in August will for the most part have sufficient protein and energy to maintain a beef cow during the middle and last part of their pregnancy. Tall fescue-alfalfa stockpiled forage had two months that would not meet protein and energy requirements, but it is important to realize that selective grazing in that forage type would likely overcome those deficiencies. However, it is important to realize that sufficient forage accumulation is imperative to meeting the total nutrient demand of the beef cow

A Summary of Monthly Nutrient Values for Research Pastures in the Growing Months

This analysis shows that research pastures contain sufficient protein and in most months energy to maintain a beef cow during the lactation phase of the yearly beef production cycle. Crude protein in comparison to the needs of a 1400 pound lactating beef range from 113 percent to 220 percent of the requirement. Energy in comparison to the same need ranged from 87 percent to 118 percent. Eleven of 36 months evaluated were below energy needs. However, previous research has demonstrated that cattle will have selected forage intake that is 3 percent higher in digestible dry matter

Modified Distillers’ Grain with Solubles Stored for an Extended Period in a Silo Bag Used to Develop Breeding Heifers

Developing breeding heifers were fed two levels of modified distillers’ grains with solubles (MDGS), 17.7 and 32.7% of ration dry matter, in combination with haylages over a 122 day period. Heifers that received 32.7% MDGS in their diet started on feed significantly slower and gained significantly less during the first 46 day period. However, during the remainder of the test the 32.7% MDGS heifers gained significantly faster while consuming less feed than either the controls or the 17.7% MDGS treatment group. After 122 days on trial there were no significant difference in ADG or dry matter conversion between the control or treatment groups, but the 32.7% MDGS group consumed significantly less dry matter per day. There were no significant differences between treatment groups for either synchronized AI pregnancy rate or overall pregnancy rate

LDRD final report on chemical functionalization of oligo(hydrido)silanes, economically attractive routes to new photoresponsive materials

Metathesis-catalyzed polymerizations of primary silanes were performed to generate polysilanes suitable for functionalization with a variety of side groups. Modeling was employed to predict conformations and estimate electronic properties of candidate functionalized polysilanes. Chemical functionalization of oligo(hydrido)silanes with terminal {alpha}, {omega}-dienes under free radical conditions yielded highly crosslinked, nonporous polysilane networks. Ketone reduction with oligo(hydrido)silanes under free radical conditions led to novel poly(phenylalkoxysilanes). Free radical reduction of terminal alkenyl(alkoxy)silanes forms functionalized polysilanes which can be further transformed into sol-gel matrices with the polysilane functionality intact. These gels may be processed into nonporous xerogels or high surface area aerogels