Relationship between expected progeny differences (EPD) and performance of Angus and Simmental bulls in central bull tests

The performance of bulls (n = 656 for Angus and n = 1343 for Simmental) at the Beloit and Potwin bulls tests from 1989 to 1992 were compared to their expected progeny differences (EPDs). In general, correlations between on-test ADG and weaning and yearling EPD were low for both breeds. However, the correlations between actual yearling weight and yearling EPD was moderate for Angus. Differences in actual yearling weight were 2.80 and 1.71 pounds (for Angus and Simmental, respectively) for each pound of difference in yearling weight EPD, which is close to the 2.0 pound difference expected. Thus, although the relationship between EPDs and average daily gain on test was not strong, EPDs did a good job of predicting differences in weight at a standardized age

Factors influencing the price paid for bulls at central test stations in Kansas from 1988-1992

Results of 13 sales of Angus (n=185) and Simmental (n=544) bulls at central bull tests in Kansas from 1988 through 1992 were analyzed to determine the relationship between performance and the price received. The Kansas bull test index (based 50% on weight per- day-of-age and 50% on test ADG) was the most significant single factor determining price in both Angus and Simmental bulls. Birth weight, final weight, and frame score were other major contributors to price in Angus bulls, whereas weaning weight ratio, birth weight, and being polled were important in Simmental bulls. Expected progeny differences made small but significant (P<.05) contributions in Angus bulls but not in Simmental bulls

Effect of limited-creep feeding on performance of spring-born calves: results of 1988 field trials

Two field trials were conducted to evaluate limited-creep feeding of spring- born calves using pelleted creep rations with either 0.5, 5, or 10% salt. Average daily gain was increased (P\u3c.05) over controls in trial 2 and when both trials were combined. However, intakes were higher than desired and feed conversion much poorer than expected

Effect of various dosages of Ralgro® in the suckling period on weight gain during the growing period

We studied how implanting with various dosages of Ralgro® during the suckling period affected gains in the growing period. Preweaning performance was reported in the 1985 Cattlemen\u27s Day Report. All calves, regardless of suckling period treatment, received 36 mg Ralgro® at the start of the growing period. Average daily gains during the growing period were similar for all treatments. Consequently, the added weight obtained from the suckling-period implants was still present at the end of the growing period

Estrus synchronization of cattle in Kansas

In 22 field trials involving 1,692 cattle, we evaluated Lutalyse as an estrus-synchronization agent for both natural mating and artificial insemination. Only 52.7% of the females in all 22 trials were cycling at the start of the breeding season. Both body condition and days postpartum at the start of the breeding season influenced the response to Lutalyse. First-service pregnancy rate in the 2 or 3 days of synchronization was 38.4% for all 453 females bred artificially in 12 trials in northwestern Kansas. The rate was 59%, however, if only females observed to be in heat were counted; but only 24.5% if only those in which no heat was observed were counted

Comparison of Synovex-S® and two levels of Revalor-S® in heavy-weight Holstein steers

In two field trials, 434 Holstein steers averaging 849 lbs were assigned randomly to three single implant treatments: 1) Synovex- S®, 2) Revalor®-S 120 (120 mg trenbolone acetate (TBA) + 24 mg estradiol), and 3) Revalor®-S 140 (140 mg TBA + 28 mg estradiol). Revalor-implanted steers gained .05 to .10 lb per day faster, but this improvement was not statistically significant (P>.05). Both Revalor-implanted groups produced trimmer carcasses with less (P<.05) backfat than Synovex steers. All other carcass characteristics and beef sensory properties, including taste panel evaluations of tenderness, juiciness, and flavor, were not influenced by implant used

Relationship of milk expected progeny differences (EPD\u27s)to milk production and calf weaning weight

Spring-calving Angus (n=37) and Simmental (n=28) cows were used to evaluate the relationship between milk expected progeny difference (EPD), milk production, total milk energy, and weaning weight. There were positive correlations between milk EPD\u27s and milk produced during lactation, total milk energy per lactation, and calf weaning weight. On average, a 1 lb increase in milk EPD predicted a 1.8 lb increase in calf weaning weight and an increase of 56.6 (Angus) and 70.2 (Simmental) lb in total milk per lactation. Our results suggest that producers can use milk EPD\u27s as selection tools to influence the milk production of their cows and subsequent weaning weights of their calves

Effects of dietary energy on reproductive function and production in suckled beef cows

Twenty-eight Hereford x Angus cows were utilized to determine the effects of dietary energy level before and after calving on reproductive function and production in suckled beef cows. Low levels of dietary energy before calving resulted in losses of body composition prior to calving, reduced calf birth weight, lengthened intervals from calving to ovulation, and decreased milk production and calf weight at 70 d of age (P\u3c.05). Low levels of dietary energy after calving decreased measures of body composition after calving, reduced the percentage of cows that ovulated following calving, and decreased cow milk production and calf weight at 70 d of age (P\u3c .05). We conclude that dietary energy before and after calving impacts the reproductive function and production of suckled beef cows

Holocene evolution of the Chan May coastal embayment, central Vietnam: Changing coastal dynamics associated with decreasing rates of progradation possibly forced by mid- to late-Holocene sea-level changes

Southeast Asian coastal environments are undergoing massive transformations with unprecedented population and infrastructure development. These transformations are occurring on a backdrop of intense natural and anthropogenic environmental change, which are increasing the risk to the burgeoning coastal population. Little is known about how central Vietnamese coastal environments have changed naturally since the mid-Holocene sea-level highstand and how recent anthropogenic change and sea-level variation have affected the coastal system. The Chan May embayment in central Vietnam allows us to examine how recent changes in both anthropogenic development and sea-level change have affected the coastline. The embayment preserves a series of prograding beach ridges and is subject to intense human pressures with the construction of a large economic and industrial park, and expansion of tourist facilities. Using ground penetrating radar and quartz optical dating we identify a switch from 6000 years of prograding beach ridges to transgressive dunes within the past century resulting in a decreasing rate of beach ridge progradation possibly in the last 100 years. The recent modes of sediment deposition through washovers and a transgressive dune indicates that coastal progradation has slowed and might have stopped

IBD risk loci are enriched in multigenic regulatory modules encompassing putative causative genes.

GWAS have identified >200 risk loci for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The majority of disease associations are known to be driven by regulatory variants. To identify the putative causative genes that are perturbed by these variants, we generate a large transcriptome data set (nine disease-relevant cell types) and identify 23,650 cis-eQTL. We show that these are determined by ∼9720 regulatory modules, of which ∼3000 operate in multiple tissues and ∼970 on multiple genes. We identify regulatory modules that drive the disease association for 63 of the 200 risk loci, and show that these are enriched in multigenic modules. Based on these analyses, we resequence 45 of the corresponding 100 candidate genes in 6600 Crohn disease (CD) cases and 5500 controls, and show with burden tests that they include likely causative genes. Our analyses indicate that ≥10-fold larger sample sizes will be required to demonstrate the causality of individual genes using this approach