Two experiments evaluated nutritional management of late-gestating beef cows to enhance offspring productivity. The objective of experiment 1 was to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic Cu, Mn, Zn, and Co supplementation to beef cows during late-gestation on performance and physiological responses of the offspring. The objective of experiment...
To evaluate the immunologic and metabolic effects of OmniGen-AF® (Phibro Animal Health corporation, Quincy, IL; OG) supplementation in growing beef cattle, we designed three studies using replacement beef heifers (8.5 and 10.5 months of age) and steers supplemented across backgrounding, transition, and finishing periods. In Study 1, the effect of...
The following experiment presented herein compared growth, physical activity, stress-related responses, and puberty attainment in heifers reared on high- (HIDENS) or low-stocking densities (LOWDENS). Sixty Angus x Hereford heifers were ranked by age and BW (210 ± 2 d and 220 ± 2 kg, respectively) on d 0, and assigned...
Two research projects comprise this thesis. The first project investigated modifying the hormone dosing strategy traditionally used in superovulating donor cows for an embryo collection to decrease drug costs without decreasing the number of high quality, transferable embryos recovered. The objective of this project was to evaluate the number and...
In the first set of studies, 2 experiments evaluated the influence of supplement composition on ruminal forage disappearance, performance, and physiological responses of Angus × Hereford cattle consuming a low-quality, cool-season forage (8.7 % CP and 57 % TDN). In Exp. 1, 6 rumen-fistulated steers housed in individual pens were...
The following experiment presented herein compared growth, physiological, and reproductive responses of beef heifers with (MI) or without (CON) access to a creep-feeder, as a manner to stimulate metabolic imprinting while nursing their dams. On d 0 of the experiment, 60 Angus × Hereford heifers were ranked by initial BW...
Purebred Jersey steers are often overlooked for beef production due to the perceived poor growth and production. Currently dairy persons marketing their steer offspring are receiving minimal compensation due to lack of demand by beef feeders and a saturated veal market. Twenty purebred Jersey steers were used to evaluate lifetime...
Two studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of supplement composition on intake and digestibility of a low-quality (< 6% CP), cool-season forage, as well as cow performance. Treatments included a non-supplemented control (CON), corn (approximately 8% CP), corn and urea (LU = corn + 0.09 mg/kg BW urea, approximately...
Perennial ryegrass (PRG, Lolium perenne) is a hardy cool-season grass that is infected with the endophytic fungus Neotyphodium lolii, which enables the plant to be insect repellant and drought resistant, lowering the use of insecticides and fertilizers. However, this fungus produces the compound lolitrem B (LB, m/z 686.4) which causes...
Three experiments compared ruminal, physiological, and performance responses of beef steers consuming hay ad libitum and receiving grain-based supplements with (CAM) or without (CO) inclusion of camelina meal. In Exp. 1, 9 steers fitted with ruminal cannulas received CAM (2.04 kg of DM/d) or CO (2.20 kg of DM/d). Steers...