The aim of this study was to compare results obtained using threshold model and individual animal model in calving score genetic evaluation of Charolaise cattle population and election of the best method. The data consists in records of 2935 calving scores recorded. The pedigree covered 6022 animals: 2935 calves, 194 bulls and 2893 dams from Romanian Beef Cattle Breeding Association. The genetic parameters were estimated with threshold and individual animal models. The Spearman’s correlation shows the degree of agreement between the ranking of the same individuals for breeding values using both models. The mean for calving score was 1.35± 0.010. The breeding values for calving score ranged between -0.2749 and 0.3606 with threshold model and between -0.099 and 0.144 with individual animal model. The relative breeding values for the best cattle ranged between 126 and 131 with threshold model and between 125 and 129 with individual animal model. The Spearman’s rank correlation was very high 0.9. The heritability for calving score was 0.139 using threshold model and 0.079 individual animal model. The threshold model is the fittest model for calving ease genetic evaluation in Charolaise beef population but both models can be used successfully.

This study investigated the seroprevalence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in beefbreeding cattle in Ibaraki, revealing a seroprevalence of 43.0% with a bimodaldistribution in farms classified as either BLV-negative or very-highly infected. Theseresults underscore the need to implement appropriate strategies for very-highly infectedfarms. In particular, determining the culling prioritization of cattle is absolutelynecessary. It was revealed that effective control in very-highly infected farms isdifficult based on types of operation or herd size. On the other hand,high-transmission-risk cattle were widely distributed across entire Ibaraki and weresignificantly more prevalent in very-highly infected farms. These findings suggest thatthe transmission risk classification is a potentially effective strategy for cullingprioritization under the current circumstances in Ibaraki.

The primary objective of this study was to compare the treatment effectiveness of generic enrofloxacin (Tenotryl™ (enrofloxacin) injectable solution; TEN) to pioneer enrofloxacin (Baytril® 100; BAY) for first treatment of naturally occurring bovine respiratory disease (BRD) on subsequent health outcomes in a commercial feedlot. Five hundred cattle identified with BRD by pen riders with rectal temperature ≥ 104.0°F (40°C) were randomized to TEN or the BAY in a 1:1 ratio within each lot. Cattle treated for BRD were returned to their home pen and monitored for 60 days to observe subsequent health outcomes. Cattle were categorized by type (dairy-beef cross or traditional beef breed). General and generalized linear mixed models were used for statistical analyses. There were no differences in first treatment success (64.29% vs 58.16%; P = 0.19) or case fatality risk (10.97% vs 10.65%; P = 0.91) comparing the TEN group to the BAY group respectively. Traditional beef breed cattle had greater body weight at time of enrollment (890.3 lb vs 749.1 lb; P < 0.01) and greater third treatment success (84.44% vs 41.67%; P < 0.01) compared to the dairy-beef cross cattle. There were no differences in health outcomes in cattle administered Tenotryl compared to Baytril 100 for first treatment of BRD in commercial feedlot cattle. From an efficacy perspective, practitioners should be able to use these products interchangeably based upon the results of the study. Additional research on general animal health outcomes of dairy-beef crosses is needed for the industry.

Context The large inter-annual and decadal rainfall variability that occurs in northern Australian rangelands poses major challenges for the profitable and sustainable management of grazing businesses. Aims An integrated bio-economic modelling framework (GRASP integrated with Breedcow and Dynama (BCD)) was developed to assess the effect of alternative grazing-management options on the profitability and sustainability of a beef cattle enterprise in the central-western Mitchell grasslands of Queensland over a multi-decadal time period. Methods Four grazing-management strategies were simulated over a 36-year period (1982–2017) in the GRASP pasture-growth model, using historic climate records for Longreach in central-western Queensland. Simulated annual stocking rates and steer liveweight-gain predictions from GRASP were integrated with published functions for mortality and conception rates in beef-breeding cattle in northern Australia, and then used to develop dynamic BCD cattle-herd models and discounted cash-flow budgets over the last 30 years of the period (1988–2017), following a 6-year model-equilibration period. The grazing-management strategies differed in the extent to which stocking rates were adjusted each year, from a common starting point in Year 1, in response to changes in the amount of forage available at the end of the summer growing season (May). They ranged from a low flexibility of ‘Safe stocking rate’ (SSR) and ‘Retain core herd’ (RCH) strategies, to a moderate flexibility of ‘Drought responsive’ (DR), to a ‘Fully flexible’ (FF) strategy. The RCH strategy included the following two herd-management scenarios: (1) ‘Retain herd structure’, where a mix of cattle were sold in response to low pasture availability, and (2) ‘Retain core breeders’, where steers were sold before reducing the breeder herd. Herd-management scenarios within the DR and FF strategies examined five and four options respectively, to rebuild cattle numbers and utilise available pasture following herd reductions made in response to drought. Key results Property-level investment returns expressed as the internal rate of return (IRR) were poor for SSR (–0.09%) and the three other strategies when the herd was rebuilt following drought through natural increase alone (RCH, –0.27%; DR, –1.57%; and FF, –4.44%). However, positive IRR were achieved when the DR herd was rebuilt through purchasing a mix of cattle (1.70%), purchasing pregnant cows (1.45%), trading steers (0.50%) or accepting cattle on agistment (0.19%). A positive IRR of 0.70% was also achieved for the FF property when purchasing a mix of cattle to rebuild numbers. However, negative returns were obtained when either trading steers (–2.60%) or agistment (–0.11%) scenarios were applied to the FF property. Strategies that were either inflexible or highly flexible increased the risk of financial losses and business failure. Property-level pasture condition (expressed as the percentage of perennial grasses; %P) was initially 69%P and was maintained under the DR strategy (68%P; average of final 5 years). The SSR strategy increased pasture condition by 25% to 86%P, while the RCH and FF strategies decreased pasture condition by 29% (49%P) and 65% (24%P) respectively. Conclusions In a highly variable and unpredictable climate, managing stocking rates with a moderate degree of flexibility in response to pasture availability (DR) was the most profitable approach and also maintained pasture condition. However, it was essential to economic viability that the property was re-stocked as soon as possible, in line with pasture availability, once good seasonal conditions returned. Implications This bio-economic modelling analysis refines current grazing-management recommendations by providing insights into both the economic and sustainability consequences of stocking-rate flexibility in response to fluctuating pasture supply. Caution should be exercised in recommending either overly conservative safe stocking strategies that are inflexible, or overly flexible stocking strategies, due to the increased risk of very poor outcomes.

Antibody detection tests improve the sensitivity of tuberculosis diagnosis in cattle

BackgroundLittle is known about the occurrence rate, underlying etiology or treatment of left displacement of the abomasum in beef calves.ObjectiveDescribe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of left displacement of the abomasum in 4 beef calves.AnimalsFour client‐owned beef breed calves with left displaced abomasum (LDA).MethodsRetrospective case series. Hospital medical records were reviewed to identify all beef breed cattle under the age of 6 months diagnosed with LDA.ResultsFour beef calves were treated for left displacement of the abomasum. All four had a history of decreased appetite and left‐sided abdominal distention. Two had recently been treated for necrotic laryngitis and one was being treated for clostridial abomasitis. Ultrasonography confirmed the abomasum to be displaced between the rumen and the left body wall in all calves. The calves were initially treated by rolling to correct the abomasal displacement. The abomasum redisplaced in 3 of 4 calves within 1 hour to 6 days; 1 calf developed a mesenteric volvulus. A right paramedian abomasopexy was performed in all cases. Three of 4 calves grew well and remained in the herd 6–18 months later; 1 calf was euthanized because of complications associated with necrotic laryngitis.Conclusions and clinical importanceLeft displacement of the abomasum should be considered as a differential diagnosis for beef calves with abdominal distention. Concurrent necrotic laryngitis can increase the risk of abomasal displacement in beef calves. Treatment should include surgical correction as rolling is not curative and might be associated with mesenteric volvulus.

Greenhouse gas emissions from beef production systems in Denmark and Sweden

In this issue - September 2013

Contribution of Leptospira, Neospora caninum and bovine viral diarrhea virus to fetal loss of beef cattle in New Zealand

A nationwide survey of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection was conducted among dairy and beef breeding cattle in Japan from 2009-2011 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of a total of 20,835 cattle tested, 35.2% were seropositive for BLV and the animal type-level seroprevalences in dairy and beef breeding cattle were 40.9 and 28.7%, respectively. By the time animals were 1 year old, 21.0% of dairy and 13.7% of beef breeding cattle were considered infected. Our findings indicate that BLV is widespread among dairy and beef breeding cattle in Japan with the BLV seroprevalences approximately 10- and 4-fold higher, respectively, than previously reported for 1980-1982 in Japan.

The study aims were (1) to confirm the effects of nutritional improvement in prepartal and postpartal periods, monitored using the serum metabolic profile test (MPT) and reproductive performance, and (2) to clarify regional characteristics of the MPT results within our jurisdiction by using our MPT database. Experiment 1: Among 42 breeding cattle herds in our jurisdiction mainly fed home-pasture roughage, 3 experimental herds showing subnormal blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were selected and compared with 1 representative excellent herd. Dietary remedial measures were implemented from feed analysis in each herd. BUN concentration in all 3 herds increased significantly, and open days postpartum in 2 of the herds were significantly reduced, compared with values before dietary supplementation. Experiment 2: Thirty-seven herds within our jurisdiction were grouped into 3 categories (Area 1, 2 and 3) by location and soil condition of the herd pastureland. The MPT and reproductive performance in cows whose blood samples were collected at both prepartum (60-20 days before calving) and postpartum (30-90 days after calving) were compared among the 3 areas. Significant regional differences were found in prepartal albumin, total cholesterol, BUN, and glucose and postpartal BUN, glucose and open days (P<0.05). Overall, the MPT (especially BUN) might be useful for determining the metabolic nutritional status of breeding cattle herds, particularly those fed home-pasture roughage. Additionally, poor/unsatisfactory reproductive performance of beef breeding cattle herds probably reflects inadequate nutritional content of the diet, possibly arising from regional pastureland differences.

Over the last decade in Latvia, the production levels of beef, pork and poultry meat have been dramatically reduced. The yearly meat consumption per capita in Latvia is about 60 kg. Traditionally, pig meat consumption is higher than consumption of bovine meat, which has higher production costs. Lower priced meat from European countries is imported and placed on the market in Latvia. The Research Institute of Biotechnology and Veterinary Medicine “Sigra”, Latvia, LUA, performs important research on meat quality and acquisition of safe and healthy food of animal origin. Cattle herds of meat breed are highly varied both from the aspect of animals and the quality of the sold meat produce. In meat of bovine animals, the settling of cholesterol on the blood vessel walls is precluded by 5.4-8.13% ω-3 and 12.97-16.27% ω-6 on average. The meat of the beef breed cattle contains wholesome proportions of proteins, fatty acids in quantities sufficient for humans, a relatively low cholesterol level (about 77 mg%) and good qualities of the culinary flavours and aromas. There are on-going research studies on the quality of meat of different pig breeds and their influencing factors, as well as on acquisition of meet in accordance with the consumer requirements. Extensive research is carried out also on the quality of broiler meat, with the target of acquisition of new quality meat. Assessment of the role of game meat in human consumption and the hygiene aspects of its acquisition are also included. Due to the development of heliculture in Latvia, the assessment of snail meat and its role in human consumption has also been launched.

In current simulation packages for the management of extensive beef-cattle enterprises, the relationships for the key biological rates (namely conception and mortality) are quite rudimentary. To better estimate these relationships, cohort-level data covering 17 100 cow-years from six sites across northern Australia were collated and analysed. Further validation data, from 7200 cow-years, were then used to test these relationships. Analytical problems included incomplete and non-standardised data, considerable levels of correlation among the ‘independent’ variables, and the close similarity of alternate possible models. In addition to formal statistical analyses of these data, the theoretical equations for predicting mortality and conception rates in the current simulation models were reviewed, and then reparameterised and recalibrated where appropriate. The final models explained up to 80% of the variation in the data. These are now proposed as more accurate and useful models to be used in the prediction of biological rates in simulation studies for northern Australia.

The recent prevalence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection among Japanese cattle

Abstract Six animals in a free-ranging herd often Aberdeen Angus cattle showed mouth movements induced by skin stimulation by grooming of the sacro-coccygeal region with a horse grooming brush. Three of the animals reacted by mouth movements similar to stereotypic tongue rolling. Twenty-two (ie 37 %) of 59 animals at a cattle show reacted by mouth movements when firmly scratched by hand on the skin in the sacro-coccygeal region and among these animals, significantly more beef breed cattle reacted compared to dairy breeds (P&lt;0.02).Stereotypic mouth movements of cattle including tongue-rolling, bar-biting and bar-licking are regularly observed in dairy cows and calves. Although it is generally accepted that these kinds of behaviour are behavioural stress reactions, scientific evidence related to the mechanisms behind these oral movements is scarce. In relation to animal welfare science these behavioural stress reactions ewe important because knowledge of the aetiology of the abnormal behaviour is necessary for the prevention and cure of the symptoms. The present demonstration of skin stimulated induction of mouth movements in cattle, similar to tongue-rolling, therefore seems interesting, as the discovery of such a behaviour may be used in further research on oral stereotypies in cattle.

A purebred three-year-old Limousin bull developed diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss a few days following topical application of chlorpyrifos Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Michigan 48640.&#x0D; Approximately one month following exposure, the bull was referred to the Oklahoma State University, College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital for evaluation and treatment. The clinical syndrome was very similar to chlorpyrifos poisoning previously described in dairy bulls. Chlorpyrifos [0, 0-dimethyl-0-) 3, 5, 6-trichloro -2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate], insecticide is used for the control of lice and horn flies on beef-breed cattle by pouring on the skin at the withers as a one-time seasonal treatment.

Effect of breeding bull on the fatty acid composition of the carcass lipid in steers of a beef breed cattle

ANY high-income investors deduct substantial farming losses from their nonfarm incomes. Farmers have expressed concern over competing with operations which do not need to show an operating profit. Their concern has been registered by Senator Metcalf (D-Montana), who has introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate to limit the use of farming losses to reduce taxes on nonfarm income [6, p. 37]. What are the tax advantages of incurring operating losses from a farm investment? This paper will analyze the after-tax returns for a tax-sheltered investment in beef breeding cattle. It will show how investors in high-income tax brackets profit while incurring apparent large cash losses from their investment. It will also demonstrate that taxpayers in the highest marginal tax brackets have the greatest incentive to locate investments, such as breeding cattle, which offer some tax shelter. An essential feature of a tax-sheltered investment is the opportunity to realize capital appreciation. This appreciation may be the result of generally rising values or it may be due to property improvements which can be deducted from taxable income as an ordinary expense.' Beef breeding cattle fall in the latter category. Livestock held for breeding purposes for more than 12 months are considered capital assets and any gain is taxed at a maximum rate of 25 percent. Costs of raising breeding cattle are a deductible expense and purchased breeding stock are depreciable property. Table 1 presents a model budget for an investment in 100 beef breeding cows for a six-year period. A management company purchases bred cows for an investor, places them on a ranch under a maintenance contract, and manages the investment for a fee of 8.5 percent of gross cash expenditures.2 The investor makes a down payment of 10 percent on the cows. He must prepay interest on the cattle mortgage and also prepay the

EXTENSION publications describing selection programs designed to measure performance of beef breeding cattle first began to appear in 1953. Some of the early publications were authored by Bogart and Eling (1953), Flint (1954), Riggs and Maddox (1955), Albaugh et al. (1955) and Godley and Cato (1957). State extension programs came earlier, however, because most of the early publications were being used in mimeograph form for 1 to 5 years before printing. I wish I could document the number of man-hours or man-years spent developing the program to date. The time of administrators, state livestock specialists, area livestock specialists, county agricultural agents-at-large, county agricultural agents and secretarial help at all levels would total to an impressive amount. Beef breed associations also have a stake in Record of Performance programs. According to Lyle B. Springer, Director of Breed Improvement Department, American Angus Association, their Herd Improvement Record program was established in 1959 and, as of February 16, 1966, they had a total of 523 breeders participating.