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Brought to you by Kansas State University
Agricultural Practices
September 2006 |
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Impact of cow
nutrition on reproduction and calf performance
Recent research reported in the Journal of Animal Science evaluated
influence of supplemental protein prepartum and grazing subirrigated
meadow postpartum on cow reproductive and calf feedlot performance
parameters. A 2x2 factorial arrangements resulted in prepartum
treatments of cows receiving 0.45 kg of supplement / day (42% CP) or no
supplement. Post partum management (30 days prior to breeding) compared
cows grazing a common subirrigated meadow and the remainder fed grass
hay in a drylot. Prepartum feeding supplement improved BCS precalving
(5.1 vs. 4.7) and prebreeding (5.1 vs. 4.9) and increased the percentage
of live calves at weaning (98.5% vs. 93.6%). Calves born to dams
supplemented prepartum had higher weaning weights compared to calves
from dams with no supplement. Calves from both groups had similar birth
weights and feedlot characteristics (DMI, ADG, HCW). Postpartum grazing
improved prebreeding BCS, but did not impact pregnancy rate. The grazing
also increased weaning weight, but did not significantly change feedlot
parameters. The increased percentage of live calves at weaning resulting
from supplemental protein prepartum increased net returns at weaning and
through the feedlot phase. Grazing subirrigated meadow postpartum
improved net returns regardless of whether calves were marketed at
weaning or after finishing in feedlot.
Stalker, L.A., D.C. Adams, T.J. Klopfenstein, D.M. Feuz and R.N.
Funston. Effects of pre- and postpartum nutrition on reproduction in
spring calving cows and calf feedlot performance J Anim Sci 2006 84:
2582-2589.
Certified Angus Beef
changes requirements
Wooster, OH; Sep 12, 2006
Certified Angus Beef (CAB) recently adjusted brand specifications in
response to beef industry changes and industry demand. Finished cattle
weights have increased steadily and beef fabrication styles have evolved
in the 28 years since CAB was founded. The changes will address
uniformity issues and in place of a longstanding yield grade limit of
3.9, the brand will use a more specific consistency requirement in the
future. The program adopted a ribeye size bracket of 10 to 16 square
inches and a carcass weight cap at less than 1,000 pounds. The program
will also investigate limits on external fat thickness to refine
compositional consistency. More information on CAB products and programs
can be found at:
www.CABpartners.com
National ID Expo Proceedings
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture recently held a conference
regarding the current state of animal identification. Participants
discussed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal
Identification System (NAIS) and projected implementation of this
program. Presentations covering a wide variety of issues were made by
producers, government officials, veterinarians and representatives of
technology companies. The proceedings are available online at:
http://www.animalagriculture.org/proceedings/2006IDProceedings.asp
Beef Export Guidelines for
Japan
Export regulations for sending U.S. beef to foreign countries are a
frequent topic of discussion. Media reports have described that Japanese
retailers and restaurants selling U.S. beef are running short of
supplies. Recently South Korea announced it will resume U.S. boneless
beef imports from cattle less than 30 months of age. South Korea was the
third largest export market (behind Japan and Mexico) before the ban in
2003. The opening of these markets and potential for regaining lost
market share also comes with additional requirements to qualify cattle
for export to these countries. Specific export verification program
requirements for beef going to Japan can be found on the USDA’s website
at:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/arc/evjapan.htm
KSU Veterinary
Career Opportunities Workshop in November
Kansas State University Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Business
Administration are holding a Veterinary Career Opportunities Workshop on
November 3-4, 2006. The goal of this meeting is to help busy, practicing
veterinarians find the right person to join their practice as a new
associate. Education includes skills related to finding new associates,
graduating student expectations, fair benefits packages, and reasonable
job descriptions. This meeting is a great chance to learn about
recruiting and hiring the new associate. Practitioners will meet and
interact with current veterinary students who are interested in mixed
animal practice. Upon leaving the Workshop, practitioners will have a
professional, printed job description and a wealth of new knowledge to
help build their practices. The conference will be in Manhattan, KS and
ten hours of continuing education credit will be awarded for attendance.
Veterinary students from Kansas State University will attend a portion
of the Workshop. Brief, mock, interviews between the students and
practitioners will be conducted to allow both prospective employers and
new associates to discuss expectations related to the specific job.
The cost for this Workshop is $300 for pre-registration, which is due by
October 10, 2006. Registration fee includes lectures, proceedings,
Friday lunch, reception/dinner, breaks, and Saturday breakfast and
lunch. Registration after October 10, 2006 is $350. A block of rooms has
been reserved at the Clarion Hotel. The cutoff date for reservations is
October 10, 2006, and the rate is $71.00 per night + tax. To register,
please send your payment to Veterinary Career Opportunities Workshop,
Division of Continuing Education, 141 College Courts Bldg., Kansas State
University, Manhattan, KS 66506-6015. Please contact Erin Thomas
(785-532-4281,
ethomas@vet.k-state.edu ) with any questions.
KSU-CVM Agricultural
Practices Expands Faculty
Dr. Matt Miesner recently joined the Agricultural Practices section in
the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Miesner
received his DVM from Washington State University in 1999. Dr. Miesner
was an associate veterinarian in general private practice in Pasco,
Washington before going on to do a residency in Food Animal Medicine and
Surgery at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. After his
residency Dr. Miesner remained at The Ohio State University as a
clinical instructor and a year later was appointed as an assistant
professor. He then joined Kansas State in August 2006. Dr. Miesner’s
primary interests include bovine lameness and metabolic diseases of
small and large ruminants. He is currently working on utilizing
thermographic imaging as a diagnostic tool for various conditions.
_____________________________________________________________________
Beef Research News is produced by the Agricultural Practices section at
Kansas State University. To modify your subscription to this service
please email Erin Thomas (
ethomas@vet.k-state.edu )
For more information please contact:
Brad White, DVM, MS
Beef Production Medicine
Q211 Mosier Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
bwhite@vet.ksu.edu
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