Abstract
Cool-season annual forage varieties of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), cereal rye (Secale cereale), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and triticale (Triticale hexaploide Lart.) are often ...chosen on the basis of availability and affordability rather than performance. The objective of this study was to create a source of collaborative data that would aid producers in selection of superior varieties of cool-season annual forages that perform well across varying years, geographic regions, and environments. Forage yield data was collected from forage variety trials conducted in the years of 2015–2020 by University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, Pennsylvania State University, University of Kentucky, and Mississippi State University. Testing occurred at 18 different sites and across 7 states in the Eastern United States. Data from 166 annual ryegrass, 35 cereal rye, 93 wheat, and 48 triticale individual varieties were collected and standardized by expressing yields as a percentage of the mean within a given testing site-year. Standardized means were averaged across all available site-years for each variety within a species and a coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated. Varieties in each species were categorized by their relative mean yield and CV and varieties that had above average relative mean and low CV were considered desirable. The desired annual ryegrass varieties included: Marshall, K014-WLS, K0140-WEMA, FL Red 4X LATE, Angusta, RM exp-2013A, and FL AT-3. The limitedly tested but qualifying varieties of cereal rye were Wintergrazer 70, Wrens Abruzzi, NF99362, Bates RS4, and Goku, wheat were FLLA10033C-6, GA-09129-16E55, GA-051207-14E53, GA-04417-12E33, GA-03564-12E6, GA-071518-16E39, W010025-H2, PGX-16-4, AGS 3040, Oglethorpe, AGS 3030, PGX 16-1, SS EXP 8629, W010025R1, GA-09377-16LE18, GoWheat 2032, SRW 9410, and GA-071630-12LE9, and triticale were Wintermax, and TriCal 815. Results from this study will aid producers in the identification of desired cool-season annual forage varieties that consistently perform well in varying environmental conditions.
Abstract
Beef cattle producers engaged in the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) Commercial Record Keeping Program are encouraged to expand records for evaluation of whole herd ...performance. Collection of cow weight at calf weaning can be used as a metric to estimate cow performance for overall productivity. From 2019 to 2021, five beef cattle operations annually collected individual cow weight at calf weaning (n = 284 observations). Cow age was classified as 2 to 4 years old, 5 to 8 years old and 9 years and older. Cow weight was classified into three categories as small (1199 lb or less), moderate (1200 to 1499 lb) or large (1500 lb or greater). Average cow weight per category was small 1108 lb (n = 37), moderate 1353 lb (n = 180) and large 1605 lb (n = 67). Within each age range and size category, cow performance was measured by average calving interval, average calf adjusted weaning weight and percentage cow body weight weaned. For 2 to 4 years old, average calving interval was 18 days longer between small to moderate categories and 96 days longer between moderate to large categories. For 5 years of age and older, modest impact on average calving interval due to an increase in body weight was observed (3 to 7 days small to moderate; 19 to 8 days moderate to large). Across all ages, moderate impact on average calf adjusted weaning weight due to cow weight was reflected (19, 38, 43 lb. small to moderate; 37, 27, 37 lb. moderate to large). As cow age and weight increases, percentage of cow body weight weaned decreases (2 to 4 years 57%, 48%, 42%; 5 to 8 years 50%, 45% 40%; 9 years 47%, 44% 39%). In summary, measuring cow weight at calf weaning enhances genetic and management practices to illustrate and improve cow herd productivity.
Abstract
The Bermudagrass Hay Summit is an in-state Extension workshop that began in 2017. The objective of this workshop has been to provide recent updates and advanced information to bermudagrass ...hay producers in Northern Alabama. Topics have included insect pests, weed control, soil nutrients, and hay storage techniques. In 2021, organizers of the meeting were left with the conundrum of canceling the event or converting the event into a virtual-only platform as current Alabama Cooperative Extension guidelines would not allow an in-person meeting. As a result of deciding to convert the meeting to a virtual format, the organizers broaden the promotion of the event. The meeting was a 6-hour workshop with multiple speakers. The videoconferencing software Zoom (Zoom Video Communications, Inc., San Jose, CA) was used to register and deliver the workshop. The workshop was advertised on social media, through an Extension communications press release, email blasts, and word of mouth. All presentations were delivered remotely from different locations across Alabama. To ensure technology problems could be resolved quickly, an Extension information technology specialist participated in the videoconference, as well as a graduate student to communicate any chat questions/discussions from participants and assist individual participants as necessary. There were 129 people registered for the meeting, a 1,075% increase over the average from the four previous years (12 participants). Of those registered, 26% were out of state and 1 participant was out of the US. Even though the platform was virtual, the overall satisfaction of the meeting did not change in 2021 (4.7 on a 5-point scale) compared with 2020 (4.8 on a 5-point scale). While it is important to continue in-person and one-on-one interactions in Extension, the ability to provide virtual or hybrid events will allow Extension agents to be relevant to a broader audience, as well as inform potential clients of Extension’s mission.
Abstract
The objective of this educational initiative (International Beef Cattle Academy; IBCA) was to present translational research-driven content regarding beef production to international ...stakeholders. The methodology for development of the IBCA program included: 1) determination of content courses (n = 7); 2) assignment of faculty members as content creators and instructors (n = 11), general coordinator (n = 1) and associate coordinators (n = 2); 3) selection of participants from applicant pool using a rubric designed to create an inclusive and diverse learning community of international industry leaders. Course structure and content delivery remained consistent across all courses. Asynchronous lectures were delivered via a LMS (D2L), and weekly, hour-long synchronous remote meetings for participants were hosted by instructors. Within courses, content was distributed to yield 3.49 ± 0.41 h of recorded material per week. Automatically graded quizzes with multiple attempts allowed, were utilized as formative assessments and mechanism for control of content release. Access to subsequent topics was granted when the quiz score was of 80% or above. At the end of each program cycle (11 months) an optional experiential learning opportunity was offered. Participants were invited to a week-long instructor supervised workshop in which they took part in hands-on practicums as well as field trips. After 3 full cycles, qualitative analysis of participant feedback given in the form of interviews (n = 19) has generated emergent themes of learning environment satisfaction and successful adoption/application of new technologies. Interaction during the live synchronous sessions and the applicability of the content were amongst the positive aspects according to participant feedback. Based on these interviews, the IBCA successfully met the objective of improving knowledge and adoption of research-based technologies through content delivery and learning community creation for beef industry stakeholders from 14 different countries (USA, Canada, Brazil, Romania, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic, Germany, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Australia, Pakistan).
Abstract
Adequate pasture management can decrease costs related to supplemental feed in horse operations. However, the purpose of the horse operation may influence the level of pasture management ...applied. An online survey was conducted from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate if pasture management strategies used on Florida horse farms are associated with the purpose of the operation. This survey also provided inputs as needs assessment for educational programs in Florida and the Southeast United States. Survey data (n = 79 respondents) were submitted to descriptive analysis and Fisher’s exact test. Significantly associated variables were also evaluated using multiple correspondence analysis. The primary function of the operation most reported was recreational (62%), followed by training (15%), boarding (8%), breeding (6%), and other (5%). Horses were turned out onto pasture full time (24 h/d) in 57% of operations. The purpose of the operation tended to be associated with turnout practices (P = 0.08). Multiple correspondence analysis revealed that boarding- and recreational-purpose operations tended to turn horses out full time or most of the day (12 h/d), while training facilities tended to turn horses out during the night or for a short duration (~4 h/d) during the day. As for level of pasture management, pasture establishment but no maintenance was implemented by 3% of the respondents, 9% implemented pasture establishment and maintenance, 82% performed maintenance only, and 6% did not implement any pasture management. Concerning types of pasture management, pastures were overseeded by 34% of the operations, fertilized by 57%, and continuously stocked by 52%. The purpose of the operation was not associated (P > 0.05) with the level or type of pasture management strategy. Results demonstrate that pasture management practices were implemented similarly among Florida horse operations regardless of their purpose. These results illustrate an educational need to provide information and resources for horse owners aiming to improve the adoption of best pasture management strategies and decrease feeding costs.
Abstract
Knowledge of equine populations and demographics is of vital importance to educational, economic, and health aspects within Tennessee. While the United States Department of Agriculture ...(USDA) census assesses equids on operations making a set amount of income per year, this method alone may not effectively capture the recreational-use equine population. This study aimed to develop a novel approach of characterizing the population, demographics, and location of equids in Tennessee through annual Coggins test reports and to determine how Coggins test data compared to the USDA census population data. Information was collected from the 2018 Coggins tests (n = 31195), provided by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, including sex, age, breed, owner location, equid location, and reason for testing. The equine population and location of equids per county (n = 86928) were collected from USDA census data. Statistical analysis was performed using the frequency procedure and means procedure in SAS 9.4. The middle region of Tennessee represented the highest proportion of equids in both the Coggins (60.32%, n = 18816) and USDA (52.05%, n = 45244) data. The counties with the highest proportion of equids from the Coggins data were Putnam (10.21%, n = 3186), Bedford (5.33%, n = 1664), and Shelby (4.18%, n = 1304) whereas the USDA data showed Bedford (4.41%, n = 3832), Williamson (3.38%, n = 2941), and Wilson (3.04%, n = 2643) as the most populated. Per the Coggins data where sex was reported (n = 31073), 48.46% (n = 15059) of the equids were geldings and 51.44% (n = 15983) were mares. Reported breeds within Coggins data (n = 31043) indicated the highest proportion of non-mixed breeds were Quarter Horses (28.20%, n = 8755), Tennessee Walking Horses (22.20%, n = 6892), and Spotted Saddle Horses (7.46%, n = 2316). While neither method fully captures the entire population of the equine industry, assessing both data sets may be helpful in developing targeted strategies for educational programming, population or disease models, and marketing campaigns.
Abstract
The Oklahoma Quality Beef Network utilizes three health protocols for producer choice based on vaccine timing and viral components. The study objective was to examine the effects of vaccine ...type and timing on animal performance, and immune response pre-and post-weaning. A total of 151 Angus, Angus x Hereford, or Angus x Charolais calves were randomly assigned to one of three health protocols stratified by breed of sire, sex, and date of birth. Vaccination treatments were 1) KV/MLV – multivalent inactivated BRD vaccine (KV) administered on d 0 and revaccination with a pentavalent modified-live virus on d 125; 2) MLV/MLV – pentavalent modified-live virus on d 0 and d 125; or 3) WEAN – pentavalent modified-live virus on d 125 and 139. Virus-specific antibody (Ab) titer data was determined using serum-neutralization from serum collected at six time points. Antibody titers, BW, and ADG variables were evaluated following vaccination. Results indicated there was no treatment effect on BW. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVD) also displayed significance for treatment x date interaction. The MLV/MLV provided greatest response from d 0 (branding) to d 125 (weaning) than the other two treatments. There was no difference between the KV/MLV group and the WEAN group from d 0 to d 125. By d 167 the KV/MLV group had a greater immune response than the MLV/MLV and WEAN groups. The MLV/MLV provided the greatest protection from branding to weaning. Providing a KV at branding had minimal effect on BVD titers but responded well to MLV vaccine at weaning by d 167. The WEAN group generated the least number of titers overall. Further investigation is needed to determine the long-term protection of vaccination strategies.
Abstract
The CowManager (Agis, Harmelen, the Netherlands) ear sensor technology was developed for dairy cows in confinement and has recently been adopted for pastured beef cows. The sensors fit ...around the ‘840’ RFID button and houses a 3-dimensional accelerometer that registers movement of the cow’s ear. Each sensor stores up to 7 d of internal data at a time and is transmitted by solar powered routers in the pasture. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of the CowManager system’s estrus detection (ED) feature in beef cows during estrous synchronization (ES), AI, and during exposure to bulls for 60 d. Fifty 6-8 yr multiparous commercial Angus-crossbred cows with calves, were fitted with CowManager ear sensors for 14 d to allow for acclimation. Cows then underwent ES using a 6-d CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol with AI at 72 h post CIDR + prostaglandin F2α with sexed female semen. Estrus detection was determined using breeding patches (Estrotect™, Rockway Inc., Spring Valley, WI), with estrus classified as greater than 50% of color rubbed off, and CowManager sensors with a notification to a smartphone and/or computer. The CowManager sensors were effective in determining estrus in 92% (46/50) of the synchronized cows, and the first service conception rate was 74% (37/50). CowManager sensors detected 100% (37/37), and ESTROTECT patches detected 91% (34/37) of the cows in estrus that conceived by AI. During bull exposure, CowManager detected 100% (13/13) of estrus and the natural breeding dates were confirmed by ultrasound fetal aging. ESTROTECT patches were not used during exposure to bulls. However, CowManager detected 5 of the AI pregnant cows as in estrus during the exposure to bulls. CowManager’s ED feature was highly effective in determining estrus for beef cattle and was similar to breeding patches for ED.
Abstract
To market sheep and goat meat products directly to consumers, producers need to have access to a state/federally inspected facility allowing for the resale of meat. Producers in central, ...southern and eastern Virginia have limited access to these facilities, experience scheduling delays, and require long transport to harvest animals at available facilities. Successful funding by a USDA grant allowed Virginia State University to design and build a mobile processing unit (MPU) to enhance marketing opportunities for Virginia’s small ruminant producers. To assist in developing a model for MPU launch, a survey of small ruminant producer’s current processing needs and the perceived use and benefits of the MPU was conducted. A link to the online survey (Qualtrics) was emailed to all Virginia Cooperative Extension agents for distribution to their small ruminant clientele and left open for responses for 2 weeks. There were 110 responses; majority were sheep producers (54%) and most respondents had 25 or less breeding females (59%). Thirty-four percent currently marketed meat products directly to consumers and 60% utilized state or federally inspected facilities in the state. Most respondents (43%) processed only 5 animals/year with processing mostly in September - November (46%). A high number of respondents (76%) had experienced scheduling delays in processing over the last year and almost all (94%) indicated the urgent need for additional processing facilities or access to a MPU in their county. Additionally, 65% were willing to learn to harvest and process their own sheep and goats if they could have access to a state/federal inspected MPU. Due to these responses, a MPU Certification Program was launched with the model of training producers to be their own butchers and leasing them the MPU to harvest under custom, state, or federal inspection. The program has 5 modules and covers all aspects of MPU operation and hands-on training on its use.
Abstract
Three workshops were held to increase producer awareness of new production practices and opportunities for sheep production. These events were coordinated by Amazing Grazing with the ...assistance of county livestock agents. All workshops included classroom and breakout sessions featuring hands-on activities. In September 2016, the first sheep-focused workshop was held at the E. Carroll Joyner Beef Education Unit in Raleigh. Topics included opportunities for sheep production, ram selection, marketing, using temporary electric fence, grazing management to improve soil health, grazing sheep in solar farms and health management. The 2017 event was held in May at the Western NC Regional Livestock Center near Canton. Producers learned about opportunities for sheep production, improved grazing management, sheep marketing and fencing options. The Piedmont Research Station near Salisbury served as the location for the 2018 workshop. The agenda featured hoof health management and pre-breeding nutrition management, improving forage systems, breeding stock selection, pasture improvement cost-share programs and hoof trimming. Total registration was 132 with 83 evaluations completed. Participants were 60% male and 40% female with 57% being over age 50. Total pasture hectares grazed by participants was 886 with 97 ha as hay. Livestock inventories totaled 2,183 sheep, 733 goats, 720 beef cattle and 99 horses. A few participants had no livestock but were gathering information for future ventures. Post-workshop evaluation indicated 100% of attendees increased understanding of each major agenda topic. On a scale of 1 to 4 (1 = not satisfied to 4 = very satisfied), participants indicated they were very satisfied with the instructors’ knowledge (3.80±0.45), workshop environment/format (3.68±0.58), and overall quality (3.78±0.44). Ninety-seven percent of the attendees indicated that this workshop met their expectations, and one hundred percent would recommend it to others. Producer responses indicate a growing interest in sheep/goat production and a need for practical education programs.
PDF