Brandon E. Oleen

Performance and health effects of Zuprevo 18% in newly received, highly stressed beef cattle

Experimental Procedures A total of 729 high-risk calves, over 4 phases from 2012–1013, were procured from an order buying facility in Dickson, TN. Calves were individually identified, weighed, tested for persistent infection with bovine viral diarrhea (BVD-PI), and randomly assigned to treatment group pre-shipment. Eight animals that tested positive for BVD-PI were removed from the group before shipment. Calves were then transported to the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit. Upon arrival, calves were housed in dirt-surfaced pens overnight with free access to long-stemmed prairie hay and water. Within 24 hours of arrival, calves were individually weighed (mean weight 462 lb); vaccinated with Cavalry 9 (Schering-Plough Animal Health; Omaha, NE) and either Vista 5 (Intervet; Millsboro, DE) or Vista Once (Intervet); dewormed using Safe-guard (Intervet) oral drench; and implanted with Ralgro (Schering-Plough Animal Health). In addition, calves were mass-medicated with Zuprevo (Merck Animal Health; Summit, NJ) or not (Control). Calves were allocated to 56 pens, each containing 12 to 14 animals. There were 24 pens (309 head) of Control animals and 32 pens (412 head) of calves allocated to the Zuprevo treatment during the four study phases.

Effects of Morinda citrifolia on growthperformance and health of high-risk calves

Introduction Bovine respiratory disease continues to be the most costly disease affecting productivity and profitability in the stocker segment. Long-acting injectable antimicrobials are presently used to reduce the incidence and severity of bovine respiratory disease. However, future use of antimicrobial treatment may be significantly curtailed in light of an increasing negative perception of antibiotic usage in food animals by consumers and governmental agencies. Consequently, preconditioning and enhanced nutrition programs that may include nutraceuticals could become more prevalent. MorindaMax (Morinda International, Provo, UT) is a natural product manufactured from the Morinda citrifolia fruit (i.e., Noni). Published literature suggests this plant extract has a broad range of immune-enhancing effects, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects.

Evaluation of the Productivity of a Single Subcutaneous Injection of LongRange in Stocker Calves Compared With a Positive (Dectomax) and a Negative (Saline) Control

Subclinical parasitism is commonly observed in stocker cattle. Treatment of internal parasites helps to improve weight gains, feed conversion, and immune status and decreases morbidity and mortality of beef cattle (Hawkins, 1993). Some of the most concerning classes of internal parasites include Cooperia, Haemonchus, and Ostertagia. Commonly used anthelmintics come in the form of pour-ons, oral drenches, and subcutaneous injections. A majority of these drugs are designed to be administered in a single dose and provide defense against stomach worms for approximately 14 to 42 days, but the typical grazing season lasts for approximately 120 days. For grazing cattle to have season-long protection from parasites, they may require a second dose of anthelmintic treatment, which would require cattle to be gathered and processed through a chute in the middle of the grazing season. LongRange (Merial, Duluth, GA) is the first single-dose extended release anthelmintic that provides approximately 100 to 150 days of protection. This is accomplished by combining two forms of the active ingredient: one that is released into the blood immediately after injection and a second that consists of a slow-release polymer that releases the active ingredient gradually throughout the grazing period. The objective of this study was to measure body weight productivity, fecal egg counts, and fly repellent capabilities of LongRange when administered once subcutaneously at 1.0 mg/kg body weight as a long-acting solution compared with a commercially available injectable (Dectomax; Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ) and saline in stocker cattle.

Evaluation of Calcium Hydroxide-Treated Stover (Second Crop) in Receiving and Growing Diets and Effects on Cattle Performance

Production of ethanol from corn as an alternative fuel source has significantly affected the pricing landscape for corn as an energy source for livestock. As ethanol usage has become more prevalent, corn prices have become more volatile, especially in critical corn-growing areas that have been affected by drought. Consequently, many beef cattle feeders have become interested in alternative energy sources in an effort to control cost of gain. Second Crop (ADM Corp., Decatur, IL) is a process in which calcium hydroxide is added to fibrous crop residues, such as wheat straw and corn stover. When applied to low-quality roughages, calcium hydroxide disrupts the chemical bonds between lignin and hemicellulose, thus improving digestibility of the fiber by ruminal microbes. Treatment of low-quality forage with the Second Crop process could improve the energy value of forages, effectively decreasing reliance on cereal grains as sources of supplemental energy.

Consumption and performance by beef heifers provided dried distillers grains in a self-fed supplement containing either 10 or 16% salt while grazing Flint Hills native grass

Introduction Optimizing cattle performance and maintaining pasture health are important considerations when striving to maximize profitability and sustainability on a Flint Hills pasture yearling grazing operation. The two growing seasons prior to initiation of this study were droughty and stressful to pastures. This situation provided an opportunity to evaluate the value of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a self-fed supplement to ensure that nutritional resources were adequate for a 78-day grazing period. Grazing density was increased from 200 to either 225 or 250 lb of beef while simultaneously providing salt-limited DDGS supplements containing 10 and 16% salt, respectively.

Wheat straw improved by half-rate application of anhydrous ammonia

Introduction Many tons of crop residues and other low-quality forages are produced in Kansas each year. Use of these forages often is limited by their low nutrient content and poor digestibility. The process of applying anhydrous ammonia to low-quality forages enhances their feeding value by increasing crude protein content and dry matter digestibility. In the summer of 2012, the persistence of drought conditions throughout Kansas reduced forage supplies and resulted in a dramatic increase in forage prices. In an effort to aid livestock producers, the K-State Beef Extension Specialist Team, in conjunction with the Livestock Production Program Focus Team, conducted wheat straw ammoniation demonstrations at 6 locations across Kansas. The objectives of these demonstrations were to: (1) demonstrate the process of using anhydrous ammonia to treat low-quality roughages, and (2) determine if the recommended rate of 3% anhydrous ammonia application (dry weight) could be decreased as a cost-saving measure. The effects of two anhydrous ammonia application rates (1.5 and 3.0% dry matter weight of stack, equivalent to 30 or 60 lb anhydrous ammonia/ton of dry forage) on subsequent forage quality and digestibility were evaluated.

Insecticide ear tags numerically improve grazing cattle performance

Introduction Stocker cattle grazing pastures during the summer months face challenges due to horn flies, which can result in reduced weight gains and less efficient use of forages. One strategy for controlling horn flies is insecticide-impregnated ear tags. The use of pesticide ear tags may be an effective management practice to improve overall productivity during a grazing season. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of insecticide ear tags as a means of improving growth of stocker calves grazing native pastures in the Flint Hills region of Kansas.

Effects of corn processing and wet corn gluten feed on newly received and growing cattle

Introduction Newly arrived feedlot cattle present numerous challenges and are often considered to be the most difficult type of fed cattle to handle. Receiving cattle typically are highly stressed and have had feed withheld for a significant amount of time. Formulating rations that are cost-effective and nutrient-dense is essential to accommodating lowered intake. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate effects of corn processing (whole shelled or dry-rolled), wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) inclusion, and their interaction on cattle performance.

Wet distillers grain and solubles vs. wet corn gluten feed for newly received and growing cattle

Introduction In many instances, due in part to price per unit of energy and proximity to production, Kansas beef producers have the opportunity to incorporate grain-processing byproducts such as wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) into diets for newly received and growing cattle. Although a number of previous studies have compared these two byproducts for use in finishing diets, little information is available for receiving and growing cattle diets. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the performance outcomes of newly arrived and growing calves fed either WDGS or WCGF relative to a standard corn-based diet.

Direct-Fed microbials for receiving cattle I: Effects of ProTernative stress formula fed in a liquid suspension on growth and health performance of receiving beef heifers

Introduction Lightweight stocker calves experience variable degrees of physiological stress resulting from weaning, transport, food and water deprivation, diet changes, inclement weather, and infectious diseases. Consequently, preconditioning and specialized nutrition that include direct-fed microbials may become more common in the beef industry as a means of controlling disease and minimizing the effects of stress.