Stocker Cattle Research Articles

Forage yield and nutritive value of summer legumes as affected by row spacing and harvest timing

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an essential, high-quality forage used for grazing stocker cattle from fall to spring in the US Southern Great Plains (SGP). However, the lack of nutritious forages during summers limits grazing by stocker cattle. To fill this quality gap, a short season species capable of producing significant yield and quality of forage is necessary. A two-year experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of three legumes: tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), mothbean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal], and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] as a control, at different harvest dates, in response to different row spacing (38 ​cm and 76 ​cm) and moisture levels (rainfed and irrigated). Results showed forage yield by all legumes planted at 38 ​cm spacing (4.5 and 3.9 ​Mg ​ha−1) was higher than at 76 ​cm spacing (3.4 and 2.4 ​Mg ​ha−1) in 2018 and 2019. Soybean was the most productive while mothbean had the highest relative feed value (RFV) in both 2018 and 2019 (160 and 118, respectively). Although soybean produced more forage, mothbean and tepary bean provided high quality forage in terms of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in-vitro true digestibility (IVTD). The results indicate that no single legume species stands out as the unequivocal leader in delivering both high-quality and abundant forage. Consequently, the choice of which species to utilize should be tailored to the specific forage requirements and management goals. Future research should explore mothbean genotypes to identify cultivars with greater yield potential and develop agronomic practices that effectively utilize those cultivars.

Dung removal increases under higher dung beetle functional diversity regardless of grazing intensification

Dung removal by macrofauna such as dung beetles is an important process for nutrient cycling in pasturelands. Intensification of farming practices generally reduces species and functional diversity of terrestrial invertebrates, which may negatively affect ecosystem services. Here, we investigate the effects of cattle-grazing intensification on dung removal by dung beetles in field experiments replicated in 38 pastures around the world. Within each study site, we measured dung removal in pastures managed with low- and high-intensity regimes to assess between-regime differences in dung beetle diversity and dung removal, whilst also considering climate and regional variations. The impacts of intensification were heterogeneous, either diminishing or increasing dung beetle species richness, functional diversity, and dung removal rates. The effects of beetle diversity on dung removal were more variable across sites than within sites. Dung removal increased with species richness across sites, while functional diversity consistently enhanced dung removal within sites, independently of cattle grazing intensity or climate. Our findings indicate that, despite intensified cattle stocking rates, ecosystem services related to decomposition and nutrient cycling can be maintained when a functionally diverse dung beetle community inhabits the human-modified landscape.

Evaluation of performance of beef stocker cattle when fed distillers grains daily in feed bunks or distillers grains in self-feeding tubs

Evaluation of performance of beef stocker cattle when fed distillers grains daily in feed bunks or distillers grains in self-feeding tubs

Estimating the daily weight gain of beef stocker cattle grazing bermudagrass as affected by initial age and body condition

Estimating the daily weight gain of beef stocker cattle grazing bermudagrass as affected by initial age and body condition

REGIONAL CHANGES IN CATTLE AND COW POPULATION IN POLAND FROM 2010 TO 2023

The aim of the research was to assess regional changes in cattle (excluding cows) and cow population. Surveys were carried out at the provincial level in 2010-2023, and at the county level on the basis of 2010 and 2020 agricultural census data. The surveys show that the processes of spatial concentration of cattle population in Poland are occurring faster in the case of cows, and they are also more advanced 62 and 93 counties with the highest cattle population and counties with the highest cattle density without cows and cows, using 20% and 30% of agricultural land in Poland. However, there was no correlation of the level of cattle stocking without cows and cows in 2010 in individual counties with changes in stocking rates by 2020. It was found that in the case of both studied groups of animals, the stocking is located mainly in the belt from Podlaskie to Wielkopolskie provinces. The fastest depopulation process occurs in southeastern Poland.

Grazing for biodiversity: Assessing the effects of cattle management practices on wetlands and amphibian communities in central Argentina

Argentina is widely recognized as a key player in the production and consumption of beef, occupying a prominent position in the global context. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the environmental consequences of beef production, particularly concerning wetlands and aquatic biodiversity. We aim to assess the effects of cattle management practices (grazing types and stocking density) on wetland attributes and associated amphibian diversity in central Argentina. During two amphibian breeding seasons, we surveyed 117 wetland sites in paddocks with different cattle grazing types (continuous grazing, glyphosate-promoted pastures and rotational grazing) and stocking densities (low and high). We analyzed the effects of cattle management practices on wetland attributes, including water quality parameters, nutrient concentrations, wetland morphometry, and vegetation cover. Effects on amphibian communities were explored using richness, abundance, and species occurrence. General Mixed-effects Models revealed significant increases in nutrients (total solid dissolved, total nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorous) and a significant decrease in vegetation cover in sites with high cattle stocking density. Likewise, we observed increased soluble reactive solids in wetlands associated with rotational grazing and decreased vegetation cover in those wetlands related to glyphosate-promoted pastures. Generalized Mixed-effects Models revealed that amphibian communities were negatively affected mainly by high stocking density, while abundance and species occurrence of hylids (Boana pulchella and Scinax squalirostris) were also affected by glyphosate-promoted pastures and rotational grazing treatments. Our results indicate that different types of grazing at low stocking density favor amphibian diversity and improve wetland water quality, therefore, reduced stocking density may result in improved wetland conditions and more diverse amphibian communities. Our results also suggest that glyphosate-promoted pastures and rotational grazing, although beneficial in terms of pasture management, may have unintended consequences on water quality in wetlands and amphibian communities. This study will contribute to our understanding of how cattle management practices influence wetland ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity in the most important cattle breeding area of South America, providing valuable insights for conservation efforts in cattle ranching landscapes.

Application of the BLUP Animal Model method in assessing the breeding value of the breeding stock of Ayrshire cattle

The aim of the study is to assess the breeding value of the breeding stock of Ayrshire cattle from 13 breeding farms in various regions of the Russian Federation using the BLUP Animal Model method.Materials and methods. The analyzed sample included data on 14,450 cows with a first calving date of 1987 – 2021, which were analyzed for identification errors and discrepancies in the dates of birth of parents and offspring. The forecast of the breeding value of cows based on milk productivity traits for 1 lactation was made using the best linear unbiased forecast method BLUP Animal Model using the RStudio program.Results. The dynamics of milk yield EBV values during the studied time period with different numbers of first calving cows was studied. EBV estimates varied not only depending on the level of absolute milk yield of first-calving cows, but also under the influence of factors such as reproduction, the number of herds being assessed, as well as management, by which herds differed.Conclusion. The assessment of breeding value using the BLUP AM method made it possible to reliably evaluate the studied array of animals of the Ayrshire breed breeding stock on farms in the Russian Federation. The best and worst producers in terms of milk yield were identified, taking into account the effects of various factors.

A comparative study between the conventional and advanced biomass pretreatment methods applied on the Napier Grass used as a biomass

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the traditional and advanced pretreatment methods on the Napier Grass used as a biomass. It is a perennial C-4 type grass belongs to a sugarcane family, also called as Pennisetum Purpureum. It is found in abundance all across the world and traditionally used as a cattle feed stock in India.The author made an attempt for better effectiveness of the Napier Grass processing towards better productivity by using various pretreatment methods viz: Spectrophotometry, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Enzyme Hydrolysis and Sonication.Napier Grass has lignocellulosic fibers with structural carbohydrates that requires pretreatment and enzymatically saccharified before they fermented into monomeric sugars and biofuel. The experimentation is carried out to examine the release of structural carbohydrate from Napier Grass using dilute acid pretreatment. In order to accelerate the process, the protein-rich fungus biomass Rhizopus Oligosporus has been added to the crude Napier Grass juice.It has been observed that, if green processed Napier Grass is treated with 5% concentrated sulfuric acid for a time span of 45 min at 120 °C, that results to yield the highest concentration of glucose from hemicellulose and cellulose with the highest quantum of xylose.The experimental result shows an increase in monomeric sugar that released from Napier Grass fibers after enzymatic saccharification process and the xylose and glucose concentrations achieved to 85.5% by dry weight of Napier grass.

Escherichia coli efflux from rangeland ecosystems in the southcentral Great Plains of the United States.

Bacterial contamination of surface water is a public health concern. To quantify the efflux of Escherichia coli into ephemeral and intermittent streams and assess its numbers in relation to secondary body contact standards, we monitored runoff and measured E. coli numbers from 10 experimental watersheds that differed in vegetation cover and cattle access in north-central Oklahoma. Escherichia coli numbers were not significantly different among the watersheds, with one exception; the grazed prairie watershed (GP1) had greater numbers compared to one ungrazed prairie watershed (UP2). Median E. coli numbers in runoff from ungrazed watersheds ranged from 260 to 1482 MPN/100mL in comparison with grazed watersheds that ranged from 320 to 8878 MPN/100mL. In the GP1 watershed, higher cattle stocking rates during pre- and post-calving (February-May) resulted in significantly greater bacterial numbers and event loading compared to periods with lower stocking rates. The lack of significance among watersheds is likely due to the grazed sites being rotationally (and lightly) grazed, data variability, and wildlife contributions. To address wildlife sources, we used camera trap data to assess the usage in the watersheds; however, the average number of animals in a 24-h period did not correlate with observed median E. coli numbers. Because of its impacts on E. coli numbers in water, grazing management (stocking rate, rotation, and timing) should be considered for improving water quality in streams and reservoirs.

Interactions between animal enterprises and marketing strategies shape organic multispecies farming systems

One of the key ways to improve the sustainability of agricultural systems is through diversification, taking advantage of synergies between farm enterprises. Among diversified systems, multispecies livestock farms with at least two animal enterprises have rarely been studied. We explored 95 organic farms from six countries, accounting for the proportion of animal enterprises, sales management, workforce size, and work organization. The study reveals various types of interactions between animal enterprises. Complementarities were observed between ruminant and monogastric enterprises, particularly fertilizer transfer from monogastric manure to grasslands. Milk production was often associated with on-farm processing and short distribution channels, which enhanced farm viability and reduced its dependency on herd productivity. Eleven out of the 95 farms combined above-average production efficiency, on-farm processing, and the majority of sales in short distribution channels. Their labor productivity converged toward 22 livestock units per annual work unit, regardless of the number of workers. Combining farm structure; livestock production efficiency; social elements, such as the workforce; and sales management led us to distinguish four types of farms: (i) small and very autonomous grassland farms with on-farm processing and short distribution channels; (ii) dairy farms associated with a high-density pig or poultry enterprise, whose feed purchase contributes to high rates of cattle feeding self-sufficiency and stocking rate; (iii) large farms with an extensive, grassland beef enterprise associated with either sheep or monogastrics; and (iv) dairy sheep associated with goat or beef cattle on rangelands, with high added-value products enhancing salaries. This study highlights for the first time the diversity of organic multispecies livestock farms and how consistent patterns of interactions among farm structure, livestock management, sales management, and workforce management shape them. The results are a preliminary basis for designing policy interventions aiming to scale up organic farming and value social assets of diversified and small farms.

423 Effects of Prescribed Fire Timing on Stocker Cattle Performance and Native Plant Species Composition in the Kansas Flint Hills

Abstract Ranchers in the Kansas Flint Hills apply spring-season prescribed fire to improve growth performance of yearling stocker calves, increase native warm-season grass production, and reduce encroachment of woody and invasive plant species. Shifting prescribed fire application from spring (i.e., April) to late summer (i.e., August) or early fall (i.e., September) can reduce Sericea lespedeza infestation, increase native forb diversity, and improve air quality by distributing smoke produced from burning the Flint Hills throughout the year. Effects of late-summer or early-fall prescribed fire on yearling grazing cattle performance is unknown; therefore, our objective was to determine the impact of prescribed-fire timing on growth performance of yearling grazing cattle and plant community characteristics in the Kansas Flint Hills. Over a four-year period, 18 pastures were grouped by watershed and each watershed was assigned to one of three prescribed-fire treatments (24 pastures/treatment): spring (9 April ± 5.1 d), summer (23 August ± 4.9 d), or fall (29 September ± 8.7 d). Burn treatments were applied in years 1, 2, and 3 but were not applied in year 4 due to unfavorable burn conditions. Over 4 consecutive grazing seasons, 1,416 yearling calves (initial BW = 304 ± 49.6 kg) were grazed from May to August following prescribed fire application. Calves were grazed for 90 d at a targeted stocking density of 280 kg live-weight· ha-1. A permanent 100 m transect was established in each pasture and was used to determine plant species composition and soil cover using a modified step-point method. Plant species composition was determined annually in June. Data were analyzed as a completely random design using a mixed model. The final model contained treatment as a fixed effect and year and pasture within treatment as random effects. Average daily gain (ADG) tended to be greater (P = 0.06) for spring-burned pastures compared with fall-burned pastures, whereas ADG for summer-burned pastures were intermediate. Proportions of bare soil were greater (P < 0.01) in spring-burned pastures compared with summer- and fall-burned pastures. Conversely, proportions of litter on the soil surface were greatest (P < 0.05) in summer, intermediate (P < 0.05) in fall, and least (P < 0.01) in spring-burned pastures. Total grass, native grass, total forb, and native forb basal cover did not differ (P ≥ 0.13) among treatments. Conversely, basal cover of nectar-producing forbs was greater (P < 0.01) in fall-burned pastures compared with spring- and summer-burned pastures. Overall, fall prescribed-fire tended to reduce ADG; however, stocker cattle growth performance and native rangeland plant composition was similar between spring- and summer-burned pastures.

PSII-15 Effects of Tillage Method and Fertilization Rate on Fall Performance of Stocker Cattle Grazing Wheat Pasture and Stand Performance

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of fertilization rate and wheat pasture establishment method on fall stocker and wheat stand performance. Twenty-four, 1.62-ha pastures were utilized, with 8 pastures per fertilizer (N) treatment. Fertilization consisted of urea applied at 50.44, 67.25, or 84.06 kg N/ha. To measure responses associated with tillage method, 2 fields from each N treatment were prepared using clean-till (CT, n = 6), and the remaining fields were prepared with a no-till (NT) method. Beef steers (278.51 ± 29.42 kg) were randomly allocated at a fixed rate of 2.47 steers/ha (4 steers/pasture), with a combined total of 240 steers used in fall of 2021 and 2022. Steers were weighed upon arrival, at turnout, every 28 days, and when pulled off pasture. Steers were pulled off pasture when forage mass (FM) became insufficient, or temperatures became too cold to support forage regrowth. Forage mass sampling was recorded with a 0.25 m2 plate meter. Sampling dates coincided with weigh dates. Twenty plate meter readings were taken in every field (600 readings in total per sampling date) and 0.25 m2 grass clippings were obtained from 15 fields every sampling date to form a regression curve to estimate FM. An analysis of co-variance using the Mixed Model procedure in JMP was used to analyze this data. Tillage method and N rate were fixed categorical and continuous covariates, respectively. Year was modeled as a random effect. Tillage × N interaction was used to examine differences in slope estimates for N rate between CT and NT. Non-significant interactions were removed from the model. Total weight gain per hectare and final weight were both greater in CT compared with NT (P = 0.01), More grazing days was observed with CT (P < 0.01), as well as a trend toward greater mean FM (P = 0.06). Ending FM was also greater for CT pastures (P < 0.05). No significant effects from tillage were found for initial weight, average daily weight gain, initial FM, or FM slope change. No differences (P > 0.1) among responses were associated with a linear response to N rate. In conclusion, CT demonstrated greater performance than NT, with CT having greater FM response, more grazing days, and greater body weight gain per hectare, and N rates greater than 50.4 kg/ha did not appear beneficial for the studied stocking rate and climate conditions.

PSIII-23 Supplementing Bovacillus to Newly Weaned Cattle During a 90-Day Grazing Period

Abstract This experiment compared performance, health, and physiological responses of weaned cattle receiving Bacillus subtilis derivative in a 90-d grazing period. Recently weaned Angus-influenced steers (n = 120) were obtained from an auction yard on d -1 and transported 150 km to research facility. Immediately after arrival on d -1, shrunk body weight (BW) was recorded and steers were grouped with access to native forage and water. On d 0, an additional body weight was recorded and combined with d -1 values to represent initial body weight (BW; 236 ± 2 kg). Steers were ranked according to initial BW and allocated to 1 of 12 pastures (4-ha pastures; 10 steers/pasture). Pastures were randomly assigned to receive daily supplementation with dried distillers grains at 1% of BW with either: 1) Bacillus subtilis ingredient (BOV; 2 g/steer daily of Bovacillus; Chr Hansen A/S, Horsholm, Denmark), or 2) no additive (CON). Cattle received treatments for the duration of the experiment (d 0 to d 90) while housed in pastures containing stockpiled native forage, primarily Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum dilatatum, as well as free-choice access to water and a commercial mineral + vitamin mix not including ionophores. Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) signs were assessed daily throughout the experimental period. Steer unshrunk BW was recorded on d 14, 28, 56, and 90 and shrunk BW recorded on d 91 added 8% shrink as final BW. Blood samples and fecal swabs were collected from all steers on d 0, 14, 28, 56, and 90. Average daily gain (ADG) was increased in BOV groups compared with CON (0.858 and 0.760 kg/d, respectively) from d 56 to d 90 (P = 0.09) although this BW gain was not sufficient to impact final BW. Steer BW did not differ between treatments for all days (P ≥ 0.43). Incidence of BRD was within the expected range for high-risk stocker cattle, although the number of sick animals was not reduced due to BOV supplementation (P = 1.00). Steers not completing the trial due to health-related complications tended to be increased in CON vs. BOV (P = 0.08). Differences in percentage of steers not completing the experiment, in conjunction with treatment effects for ADG in the final third of the experiment, increased the production total BW per BOV pasture by 43% (790 vs. 550 kg BW change; P = 0.02). Bacillus subtilis supplementation was effective in increasing production BWt during a 90-d grazing period despite no observed difference in BRD incidence.

160 Effect of Diets Containing Soybean Co-Products Formulated for High-Risk Stocker Cattle on Growth Performance, Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Respiratory Disease

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of including soybean co-products on growth performance and respiratory disease incidence in high-risk stocker cattle. For this study, crossbred beef bulls and steers [n = 272; initial body weight (BW) 230.9 ± 19.7 kg] were purchased from local auction markets at 3 time points (load 1: n = 93 cattle; load 2: n = 91 cattle; load 3: n = 88 cattle). On day 0, cattle were processed (ear tagged, vaccinated, dewormed, ear notched for identification of cattle persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus, castrated intact bulls), stratified by BW and allocated randomly to 1 of 8 pens (0.45 ha). Pens were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: 1) a control supplement containing no soy co-products (CON); 2) a supplement containing soybean meal (SBM); or 3) a supplement containing soy oil (SBO). All supplements were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Cattle were fed supplements (2.45 kg DM/day) and offered bermudagrass hay for ad libitum intake for a 42-day trial. Body weights were taken on days 14, 28, 41, and 42 of the trial. Each morning, cattle were observed for signs of morbidity. If presenting with symptoms, cattle were pulled and rectal temperatures were recorded; if temperature exceeded 40°C, calves were treated according to a standard protocol. Cattle were deemed chronic if they received 3 antibiotic treatments and had an overall average daily gain (ADG) of less than 0.5 kg/d. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4, with PROC MIXED used for BW, ADG, and antibiotic cost analysis. Body weights were analyzed with the repeated measure of day and for treatment, day, and treatment by day interaction. PROC GLIMMIX was used for morbidity and mortality analyses. There was no treatment by day interaction (P = 0.99) or main effect of treatment (P = 0.86), but there was a day effect (P < 0.0001) with BW increasing throughout the trial. Average daily gain was not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.42; 0.81 kg/d for SBM, 0.79 kg/d for SBO, and 0.76 kg/day for CON). Overall morbidity and mortality were 71% and 1%, respectively, and were not affected by treatment (P = 0.62 and P = 0.99, respectively). Relapse rates and chronics were not affected by treatment (P = 0.52 and P = 0.51, respectively). Total cost of antibiotic treatments was not different (P = 0.8; $30.37 for SBO, $28.95 for CON, and $28.52 for SBM). While the inclusion of soybean co-products did not affect BW, respiratory disease incidence, or cost of antibiotic treatments in high-risk stocker cattle, further work will focus on haptoglobin, hemocytology, and antibody titer responses during the receiving period.

234 Can We Use Moderate Quality Round Bale Bermudagrass Silage to Stretch Wheat pasture?

Abstract Grazing wheat pasture with growing calves is an economically important enterprise in the Southern Great Plains and Southeastern U.S. Wheat forage is available when there are few other high quality forage options, and a offers a favorable seasonality of net returns for the stocker cattle enterprise. Our objective was to determine if a moderate quality wrapped round bale silage can be used to profitably increase stocking rates during the fall and winter. This research was conducted at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Livestock & Forestry Research Station near Batesville, AR (35°50′N, 91°48′W; elevation 150 m) over 3-yr from fall 2018 to spring 2021. Treatments were: HCON, where steers were stocked at 2.47 steers/ha in the fall without bermudagrass baleage or were stocked at 1× (H1.0), 1.5× (H1.5), or 2× (H2.0) the HCON stocking rate with ad libitum access to bermudagrass round bale wrapped silage during the fall. In the spring all pastures were stocked at 5.56 steers/ha without baleage (HCON) or with access to baleage (H1.0, H1.5, H2.0). Steer performance, forage mass and nutritive quality were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc. Cary, NC). The bermudagrass baleage was analyzed to be 48.8% DM in yr 1, 40.2% DM in yr 2, and 46.8% DM in yr 3; and ranged from 13 to 14% CP and 55 to 56% TDN across the 3-yr (Table 1). Baleage intake based on estimated disappearance from feeders increased (P < 0.01) with increasing stocking rate in the fall and tended (P = 0.07) to increase during the spring with increased fall stocking rate. Steer ADG showed a positive associative effect of baleage feeding in the fall with greater (P = 0.01) ADG for H1.0 than HCON, while HCON and H1.5 did not differ (P = 0.71), but were greater (P ≤ 0.03) than H2.0. Gain per hectare in the fall tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for H1.0 than HCON, H1.5 and H2.0 were greater (P < 0.01) than H1.0 but did not differ from each other. Performance and BW did not differ (P ≥ 0.73) during the spring, but steer grazing days/ha and BW gain/ha were greater when baleage was offered in the spring compared with HCON. Supplemental efficiency of feeding silage did not differ (P ≥ 0.47) among treatments, on the average gains were increased by 0.22 kg/kg baleage DM fed in the fall and 0.11 kg/kg baleage DM in the spring. Offering moderate quality warm-season grass baleage to steers on wheat pasture enabled increased stocking rates in the fall while maintaining acceptable levels of performance and extending the length of the grazing season in the spring.

Developing the herbage allowance-nutritive value- based pasture factor for estimating daily herbage intake of stocker cattle grazing bermudagrass pasture

Developing the herbage allowance-nutritive value- based pasture factor for estimating daily herbage intake of stocker cattle grazing bermudagrass pasture

Replacing Fertilizer with Dried Distillers' Grains in Stocker Cattle Systems on Southern Great Plains Old World Bluestem, USA.

The objective was to examine the effects of dried distillers' grains supplementation and fertilization strategies on the cattle performance and resource use efficiency of stocker cattle grazing on Plains Old World bluestem. Over 4 consecutive years, heifers and steers (average n = 239) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: (1) low input, low stocking density, and no fertilizer or distillers grains supplementation (LOW); (2) high stocking density and no fertilizer with distillers grains supplementation (DDGS); (3) high stocking density and 90 kg of nitrogen/ha with no distillers grains supplementation (NFERT); (4) high stocking density, 90 kg of nitrogen/ha, and 39 kg of phosphorus/ha with no distillers grains supplementation (NPFERT). Cattle grazed in the pastures from mid-May to mid-September each year, except for 2011, when the experiment ended in July due to lack of forage. Data were analyzed using a linear model with fixed effects of treatment, year, and treatment × year (R software). Nitrogen use efficiency (retained/inputs) was affected by a treatment × year interaction, where LOW had the greatest efficiency in all years and DDGS was greater than NFERT and NPFERT in all years except 2012, with NFERT and NPFERT being not different in all years. The estimated total carbon equivalent emissions were greater for DDGS, NFERT, and NPFERT than LOW, but the carbon footprint (kg CO2eq/kg weight gain) was lesser for LOW and DDGS, which were not different, than NFERT and NPFERT, which were also not different. Replacing nitrogen fertilizer with dried distiller's grains improved the cattle performance and the efficiency of resource use, and could be a viable economic alternative to traditional systems.

Tulathromycin metaphylaxis increases prevalence of multidrug resistant Mannheimia haemolytica while improving health in stocker calves

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is commonly controlled by metaphylaxis, but increasing prevalence of antimicrobial re­sistant (AMR) Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) may decrease ef­ficacy. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of macrolide metaphylaxis on 1) morbidity and mortality in stocker cattle over a 21-day period and 2) isolation rate and anti­microbial susceptibility of MH at arrival (d0) and d21.

Pembangunan dan Implementasi Sistem Informasi Pendaftaran dan Absensi Online Magang Berbasis Website pada BPTU HPT Padang Mengatas

Balai Pembibitan Ternak Unggul Hijauan Pakan Ternak (BPTU HPT) in Padang Mengatas is the only Livestock Breeding Center in Indonesia that specializes in producing breeding stock of Simental and Limousin beef cattle. While BPTU HPT Padang Mengatas focuses on livestock farming, they also recognize the need for technology and programs to streamline their work and keep up with the evolving times. Currently, various activities such as internship registration, cattle sales, visit requests, guest registration, and community satisfaction indexing are still carried out manually, resulting in significant time consumption for both data entry and report compilation. Specifically, in the internship process, BPTU HPT Padang Mengatas requires the implementation of an internship attendance information system for interns. This system enables evaluation of the interns based on their performance and presence during the internship period. The introduction of this information system is expected to assist the employees of BPTU HPT Padang Mengatas, enabling internship supervisors to expedite the data collection process. Additionally, it is anticipated that this application will facilitate BPTU HPT Padang Mengatas in monitoring and controlling its activities.

Effects of implant strategy in extended stocker cattle programs and subsequent carcass characteristics

Our objective was to understand the effects of different implant protocols in a long-duration stocker program on high-quality forage and potential carryover effects into later production phases. In Oklahoma (OK) and Mississippi (MS), steers were grazed on cool-season annual pastures in fall 2018 through spring 2019. Steers were ran- domly assigned to 1 of 3 implant treatments: (1) Synovex One Grower (Zoetis) at d 0, (2) Component TE-G (Elanco Animal Health) at d 0, or (3) Component TE-G at d 0 and again at d 82 (OK) or d 85 (MS). Steers from each treatment were commingled in 2 (OK) or 3 (MS) pastures for 159 (OK) or 161 d (MS). At the end of the grazing sea- son, steers were finished in commercial feedyards, where they were implanted identically upon arrival. Steers were slaughtered when the pen was visually estimated at 1-cm backfat. Carcass data included hot carcass weight, rib-eye area, back fat thickness, and marbling score. Implant program had no sig- nificant effect on animal performance (weight and ADG) during the stocker phase (P > 0.39), but marbling score tended to be greater in the single Component TE-G versus the other 2 treatments (425 vs. 408 and 410, SEM = 5.9, P = 0.07). No evidence was found to recommend an extended-release implant or stock- er-phase reimplanting even in a relatively long grazing phase (up to approximately 160 d), and producers should consider selecting the least-cost implant protocol.