Beef Tips

Category: March 2021

Understanding Internal Parasites in Beef Cattle

by A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, MS, beef extension veterinarian

Internal nematodes (or worms) have been and continue to be a major drain on beef cattle health and economic returns in the beef industry. Internal nematodes impact cattle performance in several different ways. The largest impact is the decrease in voluntary feed intake which is a physiological response due to changes in the abomasum, followed by decreased absorption and digestion of critical nutrients Immune function can also be compromised by the constant stimulation of parasitic infections. Economic losses of internal parasitism to the livestock industry have been estimated at over $3 billion annually. These losses are felt at the Cow/calf, stocker, and feedlot sectors of the industry. Continue reading “Understanding Internal Parasites in Beef Cattle”

Preventative Measures for Coyote Control

by Drew Ricketts, extension wildlife specialist,

Spring calving season is upon us, and this brings the added concern of protecting calving cattle and their calves from predators.  According to the National Agriculture Statistics Service, losses of calves to predators have increased steadily from 3.5% of all calf deaths in 1995 to 11.1% in 2015, based on a nation-wide survey of cattle producers. In Kansas, 0.2% of cattle losses and 4.6% of calf losses were due to predation. Continue reading “Preventative Measures for Coyote Control”

Sustainable Parasite Control

As the weather warms up, flies and other insects will be back to challenge our livestock.  If you have experienced decreased effectiveness of your pest management strategies over time, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity to hear from K-State Research & Extension livestock entomologist, Dr Cassandra Olds.  Continue reading “Sustainable Parasite Control”

Effects of Guanidinoacetic Acid, Creatine, and Choline on Protein Deposition and Creatine Status in Growing Cattle

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate effects of guanidinoacetic acid and creatine supplementation in the presence or absence of supplemental choline on body creatine status and lean tissue growth.

Study Description: Six ruminally-cannulated Holstein steers (321 lb) were utilized in an experiment consisting of six 10-day periods, where each steer received one of six treatments in each period. Treatments were abomasal infusion of a saline solution (control), 15 g/day guanidinoacetic acid, or 16.8 g/day creatine, in combination with 0 or 5 g/day choline, with all treatment combinations represented. Continue reading “Effects of Guanidinoacetic Acid, Creatine, and Choline on Protein Deposition and Creatine Status in Growing Cattle”

Consumer Sensory Evaluation of Plant-Based Ground Beef Alternatives in Comparison to Ground Beef of Various Fat Percentages

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if current plant-based protein ground beef alternatives offer similar palatability characteristics to ground beef patties of varying fat percentages.

Study Description: Fifteen different production lots (n = 15/fat level) of 3 lb ground beef chubs of three different fat levels (10%, 20%, and 30%) were collected from retail markets in the Manhattan, KS, area. Additionally, alternative products including a soy and potato protein-based foodservice ground beef alternative, a pea protein-based retail ground beef alternative, and a traditional soy protein-based ground beef alternative, (n = 15 production lots/product) currently available through commercial channels were collected from retail markets and a commercial foodservice chain. Continue reading “Consumer Sensory Evaluation of Plant-Based Ground Beef Alternatives in Comparison to Ground Beef of Various Fat Percentages”

Effect of Trucking Distance on Sale Price of Beef Calf and Feeder Cattle Lots Sold Through Video Auctions from 2010 Through 2018

Objective: The objective was to determine effect of trucking distance on sale price of beef calf and feeder cattle lots sold through Superior Livestock Video Auctions from 2010 through 2018.

Study Description: Data analyzed were collected from 211 livestock video auctions that included 42,043 beef calf and 19,680 feeder cattle lots delivered to 6 states (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas). Multiple regression models were used to evaluate the effect of factors, with trucking distance of main interest, on sale price of lots. Continue reading “Effect of Trucking Distance on Sale Price of Beef Calf and Feeder Cattle Lots Sold Through Video Auctions from 2010 Through 2018”

Effects of Late Summer Prescribed Fire on Botanical Composition, Soil Cover, and Forage Production in Caucasian Bluestem-Infested Rangeland in the Kansas Smoky Hills: Year 2 of 4

Objective: The objective was to document the effects late-summer prescribed fire on soil cover, botanical composition, and forage production in the Kansas Smoky Hills and the associated effects on dense Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii) stands therein.

Study Description: The study took place on a private ranch in Ellsworth County, in the Kansas Smoky Hills. Eighteen one-acre plots were assigned randomly to one of three prescribed-fire treatments: no burn, single burn (i.e., one burn treatment only in 2019), or biennial burn (i.e., two burn treatments in 2019 and 2021). Continue reading “Effects of Late Summer Prescribed Fire on Botanical Composition, Soil Cover, and Forage Production in Caucasian Bluestem-Infested Rangeland in the Kansas Smoky Hills: Year 2 of 4”

A Preliminary Investigation of the Contribution of Different Tenderness Factors to Beef Loin, Tri-tip, and Heel Tenderness

Objective: The objective is to better understand the contribution of each tenderness factor to the perception of tenderness of three specific beef muscles with similar tenderness ratings.

Study Description: Longissimus lumborum (loin), tensor fascia latae (tri-tip), and gastrocnemius (heel) were collected from 10 U.S. Department of Agriculture low Choice beef carcasses and assigned to a 5- or 21-day aging period (n = 60). Continue reading “A Preliminary Investigation of the Contribution of Different Tenderness Factors to Beef Loin, Tri-tip, and Heel Tenderness”

Breeding Soundness Exams Identify Bull Fertility Issues from Frostbite

By Sandy Johnson, Extension Beef Specialist, Colby

The impacts of the cold weather experienced in Kansas and surrounding states in early February will not be forgotten anytime soon and will leave lingering effects.  The bull battery often does not get close attention during the winter months and some may have lacked adequate bedding or wind protection needed to prevent scrotal frostbite.   Older bulls with pendulous scrotums seem more prone to issues than yearling bulls.

Continue reading “Breeding Soundness Exams Identify Bull Fertility Issues from Frostbite”