Integration of Cool- and Warm-Season Grass Pasturing Systems into Cattle Finishing Programs

In a previous report (ISRF01-10), we reported on a study that demonstrated that fall-born steer calves pastured on bromegrass for either portions of or all of the grazing season and then finished in drylot, outperformed calves placed directly into the feedlot in terms of profit/head at harvest. Areas consisting of highly productive soils, interdispersed with highly erodible land, are well suited for this kind of production practice. Production systems of this nature are quite consistent with the concepts of sustainable agriculture. In an effort to capture more grazing potential, it was decided to incorporate warmseason grasses into the pasture program so that forage production would be enhanced during the hot summer months of July and August when cool-season grasses may become nearly dormant. Therefore, the objective of this multiyear study was to compare steer calves provided a combination of cool- and warm-season grass pastures with calves provided cool-season grass pastures only and followed by all calves being finished in drylot. Growth performance and carcass composition, were compared among treatments

Progress Report: Pasture Finishing of Beef Steers Using Contemporary Feedlot Protocols

Environmental regulations in Iowa can place animal population restrictions on a given site. This study explores the possibility of finishing cattle in a remote pasture location to handle an overflow of animals and yet remain in compliance with environmental mandates

Progress Report: Effects of Condensed Corn Distillers Solubles on Steer Performance and Carcass Composition

Condensed, corn, distillers solubles provides an effective energy supplement for finishing cattle across a number of finishing systems

Integration of Cool- and Warm-Season Grass Pasturing Systems into Cattle Finishing Programs

Previously we reported on a study that demonstrated that fall-born steer calves pastured on bromegrass for either portions of or all of the grazing season and then finished in drylot, significantly outperformed calves placed directly into the feedlot in terms of profit/head at harvest time. Areas consisting of highly productive soils, interdispersed with highly erodable land, are well suited for this kind of production practice and in turn production systems of this nature are quite consistent with the concepts of sustainable agriculture. In an effort to capture more grazing potential, it was decided to incorporate warm-season grasses into the pasture program so that forage production would be enhanced during the hot summer months of July and August when cool-season grasses normally become nearly dormant. Therefore, the objective of this multi-year study is to compare steer calves provided a combination of cool- and warm-season grass pastures with calves provided cool-season grass pastures only and followed by all calves being finished in drylot

Developing Berkshire Market Pig Growth Curves

Several factors have stimulated interest in an old, rather minor swine breed, Berkshire pigs. Berkshires produce pork that is darker, with more intramuscular fat than most swine breeds and lines currently. As the majority of modern pigs were genetically selected to be leaner, the Berkshire breed has continued to produce more flavorful pork. Asian consumers, especially Japanese, prefer and will pay a premium for Berkshire pork. American chefs and discriminating consumers request Berkshire pork, a strong market demand that has caused a flourish in the pork niche market largely centered around pork from Berkshirebred pigs. Some Iowa pork producers are raising Berkshire or Berkshire-cross pigs exclusively for export and niche markets. Several Berkshire niche markets and marketers are currently active in Iowa. Many of these markets require that the pigs must be reared in bedded or outdoor settings. A popular housing system used in Iowa is the bedded hoop barn

Progress Report: Effects of Condensed Corn Distillers Solubles on Steer Performance and Carcass Composition

This study looked at the use of condensed corn distillers solubles (CCDS) as a feed source for steers backgrounded on pasture as well as steers being fed in the feedlot. In addition, a treatment group was finished on pasture with CCDS as a part of their ration. The two feedlot rations were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The pasture finishing steers were fed a ration based on the feedlot ration containing CCDS but were not fed any hay. The goal of this study was to establish the benefits, as well as the limitations, of feeding CCDS to feedlot and backgrounded steers

Effects of Condensed Corn Distillers Solubles on Steer Performance and Carcass Composition

Condensed corn distillers solubles (CCDS) have become a prevalent feed source in Iowa. In this study, we looked at the impact of CCDS in finishing steer rations and the influence CCDS had on steer performance as well as carcass composition. In the first year of the study, 112 steers were randomly sorted into four equal groups where each group contained four pens and 7 steers per pen. The second year of the study was a repeat of the first year however a fifth treatment was added in which 28 steers were placed on pasture and provided a finishing grain diet. The first of the four treatments consisted of the feedlot group (F), which was placed directly in to the feedlot and fed shelled corn, alfalfa hay, a protein, vitamin, and mineral supplement, and molasses. The second treatment was feedlot + CCDS (F+CCDS). This treatment group was placed directly into the feedlot and received shelled corn, alfalfa hay, a protein, vitamin and mineral supplement, and CCDS. The third treatment group was backgrounded on pasture for the duration of the summer (P), and then put into the feedlot where they received the same ration as the F group. The fourth treatment group was backgrounded on pasture for the duration of the summer, and while on pasture had access to free choice CCDS via a lick tank (P+CCDS). In the fall this group was placed into the feedlot and received the same ration as the F+CCDS group. In the second year, a fifth treatment was added, called the pasture finishing group (PF). The steers in this treatment received the same shelled corn, and protein, vitamin and mineral supplement, and CCDS as the cattle in the F+CCDS treatment, minus the alfalfa hay. Grass consumption for the PF cattle was estimated using the 2007 BRANDS program. Although the study is not yet completed, it appears as though CCDS can be implemented in feedlot rations successfully. The existing trends of the study would indicate that a feedlot ration containing CCDS will slightly increase steer ADG and improve F:G, without effecting QG

Lean and Fat Deposition Measurements for Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Barns in Iowa

Previous research on meat quality of pork has demonstrated that purebred Berkshires have advantages over most commodity based pork. Therefore a Certified Berkshire Pork program has developed and is a vital niche market in Iowa and the United States that provides economic opportunity for a growing number of producers. This research has also documented that Berkshires have a significantly poorer feed conversion than other breeds, thus raising their cost of production. Understanding how feed programs and growth rates affect lean and fat deposition rates is a critical aspect to these niche programs in order to maximize profitability and quality of the Berkshire pork products marketed. From these two trials there are differences between the two trials for both barrows and gilts that may not be accounted for by seasonal affects. Overall, barrows averaged an inch of backfat between 200 and 240 lb body weight whereas gilts approached this backfat depth between 260 and 300 lb. Lean deposition rates were different between barrows and gilts and between trials. This difference makes it critical when selecting animals for marketing and achieving consistency in meat quality within a marketing system. The differences between barrows and gilts indicate it may be more critical that each are fed differently than in commercial production systems

Feed Intake and Growth Rate in Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Buildings in Iowa

Niche marketing continues to grow in Iowa and the United States as the demand for high quality pork increases for both in home and out of home consumption. The majority of pigs in demand for these markets are Berkshires, with many raised in bedded hoop barns. Berkshires have been shown to have significant advantages in meat eating quality, with significantly poorer feed conversion and higher feed costs. However very little information exists as to how these pigs grow and the nutritional needs to optimize both growth and feed efficiency. Producers have little production data to evaluate and adjust feeding programs. These trials were initiated to help characterize these parameters and allow Berkshire producers a means to be more effective within their production and marketing system. This trial demonstrated that Berkshire pigs grow as fast but consume more feed than expected from traditional commodity genetic lines, resulting in a challenging feed conversion ratio. Barrows grow faster, consumed more feed than gilts, but gilts were more efficient converting feed to gain. Although seasonal feed intakes differ for both sexes, growth rates were similar within gilts and barrows. This information can perhaps be used in designing rations and feed budgeting systems that can lower the feed costs for production of Berkshire pork

Cost-effectiveness of telecare for people with social care needs: the Whole Systems Demonstrator cluster randomised trial

Purpose of the study: to examine the costs and cost-effectiveness of ‘second-generation’ telecare, in addition to standard support and care that could include ‘first-generation’ forms of telecare, compared with standard support and care that could include ‘first-generation’ forms of telecare. Design and methods: a pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial with nested economic evaluation. A total of 2,600 people with social care needs participated in a trial of community-based telecare in three English local authority areas. In the Whole Systems Demonstrator Telecare Questionnaire Study, 550 participants were randomised to intervention and 639 to control. Participants who were offered the telecare intervention received a package of equipment and monitoring services for 12 months, additional to their standard health and social care services. The control group received usual health and social care. Primary outcome measure: incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. The analyses took a health and social care perspective. Results: cost per additional QALY was £297,000. Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves indicated that the probability of costeffectiveness at a willingness-to-pay of £30,000 per QALY gained was only 16%. Sensitivity analyses combining variations in equipment price and support cost parameters yielded a cost-effectiveness ratio of £161,000 per QALY. Implications: while QALY gain in the intervention group was similar to that for controls, social and health services costs were higher. Second-generation telecare did not appear to be a cost-effective addition to usual care, assuming a commonly accepted willingness to pay for QALYs