Kansas State University
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Effects of Dietary Energy Concentration and Feed Intake on Growth Performance of Newly Received Growing Cattle Fed Diets Based on Corn and Corn Co-Products
Get PDFObjective:This study’s focus was to evaluate if feeding equal amounts of energy from a high-energy limit-fed diet has an effect on growth performance of growing beef cattle when compared to traditional high-roughagead libitumdiets.
Study Description:A total of 392 crossbred heifers were fed one of four experimental diets for a 70-day receiving period. Treatments included a high-roughage diet formulated to provide 45 Mcal of net energy for gain (NEg) per 100 lb of dry matter (DM) and fed forad libitumintake (AL) or a high-energy diet formulated to provide 60 Mcal of NEgper 100 lb of DM and fed at 75% (LIM-75), 80% (LIM-80), or 85% (LIM-85) ofad libitumintake. Treatments were designed to equalize for energy intake between calves assigned to AL and LIM-75.
The Bottom Line:Restricting feed intake while maintaining energy intake does not negatively influence growth performance of newly received growing beef cattle. In times of high forage cost or shortened growing periods producers could program gains based on their own financial and personal needs
Long-Term Effects of April, August, or October Prescribed Fire on Yearling Stocker Cattle Performance and Native Rangeland Plant Composition in the Kansas Flint Hills
Get PDFObjective:The objective of our experiment was to determine if prescribed fire applied in April, August, or October influenced stocker growth performance or plant community characteristics in the Kansas Flint Hills over a 6-year period.
Study Description:A total of 1,939 yearling stocker cattle were assigned to one of three prescribed-burn treatments: spring (April 11 ± 5.7 days), summer (August 25 ± 6.2 days or fall (October 2 ± 9.0 days) over a 5-year period. Calves were grazed from May to August for 90 days. Individual body weights were recorded at the start and end of the grazing season. Native plant composition and soil cover were evaluated annually in June using a modified step-point method.
The Bottom Line:Shifting prescribed fire from April to August or October reduced yearling stocker cattle weight gains by 10 to 14 lb during a 90-day grazing season. Ranchers are encouraged to consider the cost associated with herbicides versus the costs associated with reduced growth performance when developing a strategy for sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) control
Evaluation of Grazing Options During Summer for Growing Heifers – Year 3
Get PDFDeveloping methods to provide high quality forage through most of the year is important for cattle operations. The purpose of this study was to determine forage management options to offset the summer “slump” with fescue. Three grass pasture treatments (8 pastures total; 4 acres each) were used in a completely randomized design and stocked with growing heifers (n = 32; initial weight 559 ± 20 lb). Pasture treatments consisted of crabgrass (CRAB), bermudagrass (BERM), and sorghum-sudan interseeded into novel fescue (SS-FES). Novel fescue is fescue variety that has endophyte organism but does not produce toxin. Heifers were weighed and grazed pastures from May to October (150 d). All other pastures were rotationally grazed with two paddocks for CRAB and BERM and 3 paddocks for SS-FES. Sorghum-sudan was interseeded into fescue pastures in late May and June. Average daily gain (ADG) for the entire grazing period was not different between pasture systems. Bermudagrass pastures produced the greatest average biomass. Crabgrass pastures produced one of the lowest biomass early in the grazing period, then one of the highest at the end of grazing period. Biomass production results for the SS-FES pastures were very low, except for July when the sorghum-sudan had the greatest forage production
Effects of Supplementing Corn Silage to Fall-Calving Heifers and Cows Grazing Tall Fescue on Cow Performance
Get PDFThe objective was to test the effect of fescue cultivars and supplemental feeding of cows grazing fescue pastures on cow performance and pasture management. Primiparous and multiparous Angus-based crossed cows (n = 45) averaging 151 ± 7 d of gestation at turnout, were randomly allocated and stratified to pasture treatment by parity. Each pasture contained 3 cows of different ages, consisting of a young (first-calf heifer), middle-aged (3-5 yrs.), and old (≥ 6 yrs.) cow. Treatment was a 2 by 2 factorial design with two types of pasture (toxin producing or non-toxin producing fescue) and two levels of supplemental feeding (non-supplemented or supplemented at 1% of body weight on a DM basis of corn silage). Toxic fescue pastures consisted of K-31 endophyte infected tall fescue (n = 8) tested at 507 ppm ± 0.82 SEM for ergot alkaloids with a 92.5% infection rate. Non-toxic pastures consisted of novel (MaxQ) and endophyte free varieties (n = 7). Cows were fed silage (32-42% DM and 7.83% CP) daily in fence-line bunks, with feeding amount being adjusted at each weigh date. Cows were weighed on 2 consecutive days prior to turnout (middle of the second trimester), midpoint (beginning of the third trimester), and at about 2 weeks prior to the estimated calving date for herd. Body weight, body condition score, hair score, and rump fat measurements were taken at each weigh date. Supplementation tended (P = 0.07) to increase body weight gain and rump fat (P = 0.06) regardless of fescue type. Cattle grazing toxic fescue tended to have longer hair (P = 0.09) and did not “slick” off as quickly as those that were supplemented (P = 0.08). Cattle grazing toxic fescue exhibited classic fescue toxicosis symptoms, and supplementation improved cow performance regardless of fescue cultivar
Enhancing Community Policing: Exploring Formal Learning Experiences Among Urban Police Officers
Get PDFThis ground theory study investigated the formal learning experiences that enable police officers to acquire knowledge and skills related to community relations in an urban environment
Educators Creating Liberatory and Inclusive Environments using Contemplative Educational Tools
Get PDFContemplative educational tools can enhance opportunities for adult educators to develop student-centered, liberatory education, helping students to learn through their triggers, thus creating transformative learning experiences
2019 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Bermudagrass Test: 2023 Data
Get PDFKansas represents the northernmost region in the central United States where bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) can be successfully grown as a perennial turfgrass. Historically, few cultivars that have both acceptable quality and adequate cold tolerance have been available to local growers. Because new introductions are continually being selected for improved hardiness and quality, both seeded and vegetative types need regular evaluation to determine their long-range suitability for use in Kansas
Zalo Tank Mixtures for Early Postemergence Herbicide Efficacy in Corn
Get PDFThis study investigated Zalo herbicide with tank mix partners for season-long weed control in corn. All herbicide evaluated provided greater than 90% weed control early in the season, and Russian-thistle and buffalobur control remained high throughout the year. The best late-season puncturevine control was provided by Zalo plus Hornet; however, this treatment along with Liberty alone provided the least green foxtail control. Late season Palmer amaranth control declined to less than 90% with all treatments. Kochia control declined to less than 90% with Liberty, Zalo alone, Zalo plus S-metolachlor, and Zalo plus S-metolachlor and Hornet
Using the Ranked Discrepancy Model to Identify Priority Topics for Professional Development for Agricultural Extension
Get PDFIn an ever-changing agricultural context, extension agents are expected to possess the competencies to provide relevant non-formal education to their clientele on persistent and emerging issues. This research note applies the Ranked Discrepancy Model (RDM) to assess priority topic areas for professional development activities in agricultural extension. The study followed a correlation design and gathered survey data from a sample of agricultural extension agents at [University] (n = 42). Results indicated the high priority areas for professional development irrigation technologies, weed control, post-farm activities (e.g., value-added products and marketing), and GPS technologies and drones for real-time monitoring. The study also showed the simplicity of the RDM in handling repeated-measures data, as the analysis was performed entirely in Microsoft Excel. The research note provides a replicable framework for researchers examining agents\u27 professional development needs