Evaluating the Agronomic Feasibility of Planting late Season Corn for Feedlot Cattle

Yield, Ib/acre, bushel weight (BD), Ib/bu, relative maturity (RELMAT), chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were used to screen corn varieties In = 20) of varying maturities grown under the stress of a shortened growing season. Corn varieties were planted in late June of 1996. Whole shell corn (WSC) and ear corn (EC) were harvested. Bushel weight was quantified on WSC. Yields for WSC, and EC were 1941 + 706 and 2307 ± 997 Ib DM/acre, respectively. Whole shell corn and EC were sorted into yield (YGP) groups. Whole shell corn yields were 2942 ± 248, 2305 ± 138, and 1292 ± 343 Ib DM/acre for YGPI through YGP3, respectively. The EC yields were 3740 ± 207, 2980 ± 208, 1897 ± 235 and 1139 ± 455 Ib DM1 acre for YGP 1 through 4, respectively. For WSC, YGP 1, YGP 2 and YGP 3 produced 2529, 1956 and 1099 Ib TDN/ac, respectively. Ear corn YGP 1, YGP 2, YGP 3 and YGP 4 produced 2980, 2180, 1437 and 780 Ib of TDN/ac, respectively. Increased yield in corn varieties grown under the stress of a shortened growing season was attributed to an increase in starch content. Even so, digestibility and energy content were not related (P \u3e .05) to yield or BD. Relative maturity did not influence (P \u3e .05) chemical composition, digestibility or energy content. Results suggest that while selecting earlier maturing corn for short growing seasons improves yields, it gives no advantage to feed value. Bushel weight, yield or maturity date should not be used as single criteria when predicting feed value of corn grown under the stress of a shortened growing season

Relative Feed Values for High Fiber Corn and Conventional Corn Silage for Growing Steers

The relative feed value of a corn variety developed for the primary purpose of corn silage production was evaluated using a 70-d steer growing trial. The high fiber corn (CSV1) and conventional corn (CSV2) varieties were planted in adjacent plots and harvested at approximately 30% DM. Silage varieties were stored in separate bunker silos and allowed to ferment for 52 d. CSVl yielded 5.4 T/acre while CSV2 yielded 4.7 T/acre (DM basis). Variety affected (P\u3c.001) NDF (43.3% vs 38.6%), ADF (24.1% vs 20.2%), lignin (5.7% vs 4.6%), starch (18.69% vs 30.18%) and CP content (7.37% vs 6.89%) of CSVl and CSV2, respectively. IVDMD was not, different (P\u3e. 10) between varieties. One hundred sixty steers were divided into light (516 ± 7.1 Ib.) and heavy (595 ± 9.7 Ib.) BW groups. Steers within those groups were stratified by BW into 10 pens, and pens were randomly assigned to one of two corn silage variety treatments. Steers that were consuming CSV2 tended to gain faster (P\u3c. 10) and were more efficient (P\u3c .05). CSV2 had a greater (P\u3c.05) caloric density than CSV1, as predicted by three prediction methods. Net energy values predicted using NIR were significantly (P=.05) lower than energy values predicted by proximate analysis or by steer performance. This trial demonstrates the need for multiple selection criteria when choosing a corn variety for corn silage production. CSVl yielded 1593 Ib. of beef per acre compared to 1417 Ib. of beef per acre yielded by CSV2 when evaluating varieties on a field-to-feedbunk basis

Stakeholder Engagement: Beyond the Myth of Corporate Responsibility

corporate irresponsibility, corporate responsibility, human resource management, social reporting, stakeholder engagement, stakeholder theory,

Mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

The genetic make-up of an individual contributes to the susceptibility and response to viral infection. Although environmental, clinical and social factors have a role in the chance of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-191,2, host genetics may also be important. Identifying host-specific genetic factors may reveal biological mechanisms of therapeutic relevance and clarify causal relationships of modifiable environmental risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcomes. We formed a global network of researchers to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Here we describe the results of three genome-wide association meta-analyses that consist of up to 49,562 patients with COVID-19 from 46 studies across 19 countries. We report 13 genome-wide significant loci that are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe manifestations of COVID-19. Several of these loci correspond to previously documented associations to lung or autoimmune and inflammatory diseases3,4,5,6,7. They also represent potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection. Mendelian randomization analyses support a causal role for smoking and body-mass index for severe COVID-19 although not for type II diabetes. The identification of novel host genetic factors associated with COVID-19 was made possible by the community of human genetics researchers coming together to prioritize the sharing of data, results, resources and analytical frameworks. This working model of international collaboration underscores what is possible for future genetic discoveries in emerging pandemics, or indeed for any complex human disease