Applying Corn Condensed Distillers Solubles to Hay Windrows Prior to Baling: I. Procedure and Effects on Bale Temperature and Nutrient Composition

Two experiments investigated the effects of applying liquid corn condensed distillers solubles to grass-hay windrows prior to baling on storage, bale temperature, and nutrient composition. Application of the wet material did not impair the ability of hay to expel heat post-baling in either study. Increased CP and decreased NDF for hay treated with corn condensed distillers solubles indicated successful within-bale storage occurred. Results suggest application prior to baling is a feasible strategy for storing liquid co-products while improving forage quality

Use of Expected Progeny Differences for Marbling in Beef: I. Production Traits

Six Angus bulls with HIGH (\u3e.4) and six bulls with LOW (\u3c-.16) expected progeny differences (EPD) for marbling were used to evaluate the impact of marbling on progeny production and carcass traits. Bulls were randomly bred to MARC II (¼ Hereford, ¼ Simmental, ¼ Angus, ¼ Gelbvieh) composite cows in each of 2 yr to calve in the spring. At weaning, steers and heifers were separated and managed in different production systems. Steers (n = 131) were fed a growing diet (1.1 Mcal of NEg/kg) for 48 d followed by adaptation to a 93% concentrate finishing diet. Heifers (n = 125) were fed a growing diet (.79 Mcal of NEg/kg) for 191 d followed by adaptation to the same 93% concentrate diet. Steers and heifers from each treatment were slaughtered at two times spaced about 60 d apart within both years. Marbling EPD class had no effect on fat thickness, USDA yield grade, carcass weight, finishing daily gain, finishing DMI, or finishing efficiency ( P \u3e .18). More ( P \u3c .05) carcasses of calves from sires with HIGH EPD for marbling graded USDA Choice than from LOW EPD sires, 74% vs 47%, respectively. Angus sires can be selected to produce progeny that have increased ability to grade Choice without increasing yield grade or decreasing animal growth or feed efficiency

NF96-270 Handling Feed Moisture in Ration Formulation and Inventory Control

This NebFact has information on livestock feed moisture

G74-149 Bloat Prevention and Treatment

This NebGuide discusses the types of bloat which may occur in cattle and methods to prevent and treat bloat. Bloat is a form of indigestion marked by an excessive accumulation of gas in the rumen. Immediately after cattle consume a meal, the digestive process creates gases in the rumen. Most of the gases are eliminated by eructation (belching). Gases that are trapped and not eructated may form a foam or froth in the rumen which further prevents their elimination. Froth formation can be caused by many factors resulting from interactions between the animal, rumen microorganisms, and differences in plant biochemistry

G4-1228 Wintering and Backgrounding Beef Calves

This NebGuide discusses feeding and management practices and possible feeding rations for summer grazing programs or for calves that are weaned and backgrounded before entering a feedlot for finishing. Reasons for Backgrounding Calves Backgrounding programs allow calves to grow and develop bone and muscle without becoming fleshy. Reasons for backgrounding weaned calves include: Calves can be retained rather than sold at weaning when prices are typically low. Developing replacement heifers. Allows producers to use inexpensive home-grown feeds, crop residues, and/or pasture to put weight on calves economically. Can add weight on small to medium framed calves or lightweight calves born late in the calving season before selling. Put minimal weight on calves during the winter before they graze on pasture the following spring and summer

G89-915 Testing Livestock Feeds For Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Sheep and Horses (Revised April 1997)

This NebGuide provides tips on how to determine feeds you should analyze and nutrients to measure. It tells how to interpret the results of feed analysis. Why Test Feeds? Nutrient concentration can vary considerably in feeds, especially forages. Protein in alfalfa hay can range from 10 to 25 percent or more of the dry matter; grass hay will contain between four and 18 percent protein. Use feed tests to target specific feeds to different livestock. Feed high quality forage to the most productive livestock or when nutrient needs are highest. Feed lower quality forage to animals with lower nutrient needs

G74-170 Nitrates in Livestock Feeding

This NebGuide describes symptoms, causes, prevention and treatment of nitrate poisoning in livestock. Nitrate poisoning in cattle occurred long before the use of nitrogen fertilizers. In the late 1800s there were reports of cornstalk poisoning in Nebraska, and nitrate poisoning from oat hay in North and South Dakota and from weeds in the high-organic matter soils in Florida and Wisconsin. Nitrate concentrations in feeds for livestock depends more on plant species and environmental conditions prior to harvest than on the amount of available nitrogen in the soil

Supplementing Cow-Calf Pairs Grazing Smooth Bromegrass

A three-year study evaluated supplementing ethanol co-products mixed with low-quality forage to cow-calf pairs grazing smooth bromegrass as a method to replace grazed forage intake. Supplementing a 30:70 modified distillers grains plus solubles:cornstalks mixture reduced estimated grazed forage intake by approximately 40%. Doubling the stocking rate and supplementing did not impact cow or calf performance. A summer supplementation program designed to reduce grazed forage intake is a viable strategy for increasing stocking rate if forage for grazing is limited

Use of Expected Progeny Differences for Marbling in Beef: II. Carcass and Palatability Traits

A 2-yr study was conducted to determine the effect of EPD for marbling on marbling score, palatability traits, and carcass fatness in beef. Steer (n = 122) and heifer (n = 123) carcasses were obtained by mating Angus bulls having a high (\u3e.4) or low (\u3c-.16) EPD for marbling to MARC II cows (¼ Angus, ¼ Hereford, ¼ Simmental, and ¼ Gelbvieh). Carcass traits, composition of primals, quarters, and sides, palatability, and shear force data were obtained and adjusted to the mean number of days on feed, equal marbling score (Small50) , fat thickness (1.0 cm), and carcass weight (318 kg) end points. Steer carcasses from the high marbling EPD group, adjusted to the mean number of days on feed, had significantly more marbling ( P \u3c .01) and less subcutaneous fat in the side and the hindquarter ( P \u3c .10) than their low marbling EPD counterparts. Adjusting steers to Small50 marbling produced smaller longissimus muscle area (by 5 cm2) , less fat thickness (1.15 vs 1.28 cm), and lighter side weights (306 vs 333 kg) for high marbling vs low marbling EPD groups, indicating a faster rate of marbling deposition. Similar relationships of a greater magnitude were found for heifers, perhaps because the heifers were older than the steers at slaughter. No differences in taste panel ratings or shear force values were noted among steer carcasses. Heifer carcasses from the high marbling EPD group had better ( P \u3c .05) ratings for juiciness, muscle fiber tenderness, and overall tenderness than the low marbling EPD group heifers. These results indicate that it is possible, using existing genetic resources, to maintain marbling score and decrease fat in other depots of the carcass without compromising palatability

An Economic Analysis of Conventional and Alternative Cow-Calf Production Systems

Profitability through weaning was predicted for conventional and alternative cow-calf production systems using various input price scenarios. At base input price levels, conventional systems were more economical than alternative systems. As pasture price increased, alternativesystems became cost effective. Feeding cows year-round in a confinement setting appeared the least economical; however, an alternative system combining summer drylot feeding with cornstalk grazing is projected to be economically competitive given an increasing abundance of corn residue