Feedlot finishing of beef cattle in Southern Alberta involves income risk due to the variability of prices of feeders, feed and finished cattle. Several strategies are available to reduce this risk, including hedging of cattle on feed, participation in a Federal- Provincial government and producer established income stabilization program for finished cattle (National Tripartite Stabilization Plan) and diversification of production plans. This study evaluated the efficacy and interaction effects of these strategies in reducing net income variability in cattle feeding in Southern Alberta. Concerns that were addressed included: (1) whether participation in hedging or Stabilization would increase firm-level slaughter cattle output, (2) whether portfolio effects exist between production and marketing alternatives, (3) whether participation in Stabilization would reduce participation in hedging (4) whether hedging performance could be increased by hedging the Canadian dollar, and (5) whether privately supplied hedging versus publicly supplied Stabilization is better able to handle income risk in cattle feeding. The theory of decision making under uncertainty was reviewed to determine how to best incorporate the risk aspects of the feedlot , management problem. Expected Value-Variance (EV)and safety-first risk analyses were identified as frameworks for formulation of the feedlot management problem in a mathematical programming context. Using data from 1976-87, linear risk programming (MOTAD and Target MOTAD) models of the feedlot process were constructed to analyze the alternatives for reducing income risk. Results for the 1986-87 feeding year suggested that, at moderate levels of risk aversion, feedlot managers should maintain high levels of hedging of both live cattle and the Canadian dollar with moderate participation (25 percent of cattle on feed) in the Stabilization plan. Significant portfolio effects were present. Hedging, but not Stabilization, was found to increase firm-level output by increasing the average weight to which a group of cattle would be finished. Participation in Stabilization was found to reduce hedging participation by an average of 10 percent. Hedging of the Canadian dollar improved the performance of live cattle hedging. Whether hedging was better at reducing risk and maintaining income than Stabilization depended on the definition of risk. / Graduation date: 1989

Studies were conducted to: (1) examine an in situ technique with sorghum grain substrates using monofilament nylon bags, (2) evaluate in vitro various reconstituted sorghum grain treatments, (3) determine digestibility and nitrogen balance of steers fed reconstituted sorghum grain and (4) evaluate sorghum grain processing methods on performance of finishing steers. Dry matter efflux, DME (water bath) and in situ dry matter disappearance, ISDMD (ventral sac of rumen) from nylon bags were higher (P < .05) as bag porosity (5 to 80 um) and incubation time (4 to 24 h) increased, and as substrate weight: bag surface area ratio (7 to 56 mg/cm²) decreased. High linear correlations were obtained between DME and ISDMD, and also between nitrogen efflux and in situ nitrogen disapperance. No permanent influx of ruminal dry matter into nylon bags were detected. In vitro dry matter digestibility (mixed rumen inoculum) of reconstituted whole sorghum grain was influenced (P<.001) by grain moisture level (18 to 31%), constant or variable temperature during storage (-18 to 41 C) and length of storage time (3 to 28 d). All interactions of these three factors were significant (P<.05 or higher). Short term flushing with O₂, CO₂ and N₂ did not affect (P>.10) the digestibility of reconstituted whole sorghum grain. With reconstituted whole sorghum grain, grain pH could be used as a satisfactory measure of quality control. Apparent digestion coefficients for dry matter, organic matter, protein and energy were similar (P>.05) for steers fed 90% concentrate diets containing reconstituted whole or flaked sorghum grain. Nitrogen retention as a percent of nitrogen intake was 35% higher (P<.05) for steers fed reconstituted than flaked sorghum grain diets. In two finishing trials with steers, feed intake and feed conversion were higher (P<.05) for dry rolled than for flaked or reconstituted sorghum grain.

Two trials were conducted to evaluate changes in the quantity, quality, and moisture of available forage in the pasture, and shrub utilization by cattle during a 30-d late summer grazing period (Trial 1) and the effect of cow age (experience) on grazing distribution and diet composition (Trial 2) in mountain riparian areas. In the trial 1, a pasture (44.7 ha) in the Catherine Creek site at OSU���s Hall Ranch in northeast of Oregon was grazed with 30 yearlings and 30 mature cow/calf pairs from early August to early September in 2001, and from late July to late August in 2002. Sampling dates were d 0, d 10, d 20, and d 30 of the grazing period. The forage availability before grazing was 1058 kg/ha and declined to 323 kg/ha at the end of the grazing period (P<0.10). Grasses dominated the pasture, followed by forbs, grasslikes, and shrubs. Kentucky bluegrass was the most prevalent forage species followed by timothy, sedges, and common snowberry. The highest percent disappearances of forage species was (83.7-92.7%) observed with quackgrass, western fescue, California brome, redtop, and heartleaf arnica, though their initial contributions to the available forage were less than 5%. High levels of shrub utilization were observed from d 20 through the end of the grazing period (45% for willow and 59% for alder). Forbs and shrubs did not vary in moisture content between the 10 d intervals and across the years averaging 59% and 61%, respectively (P>0.10). In contrast, the moisture content of grasses were over 50% at the beginning of the grazing period but declined dramatically to 34% from d 10 to d 20. Likewise, forbs and shrubs were higher (P<0.05) than grasses in CP (11, 14, and 6%, respectively) and IVDMD (58, 49, and 42% respectively). In summary, our results suggest that cattle grazing late summer riparian pastures will switch to intensive shrub utilization when grasses decline in quality and quantity, and forbs decline in quantity. In the trial 2, thirty first calf heifers, and thirty mature cows were randomly assigned to four pastures (15 head per pasture, average 21.5 ha) in the Milk Creek site of Hall Ranch from late July to early September of 2000 and 2001. Botanical composition of diets was determined by analyzing the feces from 10 animals (5 per pasture) in each treatment during the fourth week of the trial using the microhistological procedure. Correction factors were calculated for the 22 major plant species. First calf heifers had higher portions of grasses (75% versus 71%; P<0.05), but lower portions of shrubs and trees (9% versus 13%; P<0.10) as compared to mature cow diets, respectively. On an individual species basis, ponderosa pine consumption was a major contributor with mature cows consuming greater quantities (P<0.10) than first calf heifers. In summary, mature cows seem to have selected diet less in the amount of grasses and more in the amount of shrubs and trees as compared to younger cows. / Graduation date: 2004

Graduation date: 1992

Backgrounding cattle is risky. Large amounts of short-term capital are required to buy feeders and feedstuffs, and a ten month cost-revenue gap makes financial planning difficult. In addition, finished cattle prices are volatile and, frankly, unknown at the time the management places its feeders. Income risk and financial risk must be addressed by the management. Several strategies are available to reduce return risk, including anticipatory hedging with cattle futures contracts, placing custom feeders, placing feeders at different months and investing off-farm. This study developed a shot-term decision making model for a backgrounding operation that addresses the interaction between feeder ownership options, the feeder placement month, cash flow requirements, hedging alternatives, off-farm investments, the line of credit and the management's degree of risk-aversity. The following backgrounding issues were examined: (1) whether participation in a classical hedging program with Feeder and Live Cattle contracts would result in lower farm return variability and would increase owned feeder placements, (2) whether managements would be deterred from using hedging strategies if a gradually increasing downward BIAS was introduced, (3) whether managements would be deterred from using hedging strategies if margin calls had to be deposited during the hedging period and (4) to what extent cash flow constraints would affect the management's decision set. The literature of decision making under uncertainty was reviewed to determine the approach which would best accommodate the backgrounding management's risk concerns. The Expected Value-Variance analysis was identified to formulate these management concerns in a mathematical programming context. A quadratic programming model was chosen to derive the expected return and return standard deviation frontiers (risk-efficient frontiers). The participation in an anticipatory hedging program provided a compelling risk management tool for reducing the backgrounding operation's return variability. Compared to the no-hedging case, the standard deviation of returns was almost cut by half for the hedging case. The introduction of a downward BIAS reduced hedging ratios drastically, whereas margin calls hardly effected the use of hedging. Custom feeders proved themselves essential in closing the typical cost-revenue gap in backgrounding and, despite offering the lowest returns, enabled the backgrounder to engage in more risky activities.

Kikuyu pasture (Pennisetum clandestinum) is potentially the most important source of roughage used to feed dairy heifers in summer in KwaZulu-Natal. It is commonly believed that on kikuyu pasture beef breed females grow at a faster rate than those from dairy breeds when no supplementation is given. Little conclusive evidence is, however, available to support this. Explanations as to why such differences may exist are also limited. Eight Hereford and eight Holstein heifers of similar age and maturity stage were used in a trial. The trial was run over a twenty week period. For the first ten weeks all the animals in the trial grazed ad libitum kikuyu pasture with no supplementation except for a mineral lick. Over this (grass only) period the two breed groups formed the two treatments. During the second ten week period of the trial all of the Holsteins and four of the Herefords were fed a restricted but equivalent amount (1 .7 kg) of a maize meal based concentrate. The use of a computerized, mobile feeding system allowed concentrate intake of individual animals to be measured. Animal height, weight and condition score readings were taken weekly over the grass only and the concentrate (final seven weeks) periods of the trial. Herbage intake and digestibility were estimated using n-alkanes as indigestible markers in two experiments conducted during the grass only and concentrate periods. The Herefords had a significantly higher ADG than the Holsteins (0.82 vs. 0.04 kg/day; P < 0.01) over the grass only period. During the concentrate period the rate of mass gain of the Holstein treatment did not differ significantly (P >0.05) from the Hereford treatment receiving concentrate. The Herefords receiving concentrate were also not significantly different (P > 0.05) in rate of mass gain from the Herefords not receiving concentrate. Rate of height gain was not significantly different (P> 0.05) between treatments over either the concentrate or the grass only periods. During the grass only period the Holsteins lost condition (0.07 condition score units per week) whilst the Herefords gained condition at an equivalent rate. The voluntary intake of concentrates was not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the Herefords and Holsteins (19.19 vs. 16.40 g/kg/L.W(liveweight) (0.75)). Regression coefficients relating level of concentrate intake to rate of mass gain were also not significant (P > 0.05) for either of the treatments receiving concentrate. The use of n-alkanes as indigestible markers showed the intake of the Holstein treatment to have an intake 55% (P < 0.0 1) higher than the Herefords (185.4 vs. 120.5 g/kg L.W(0.75)) over the first experiment where both treatments were grazing ad lib. kikuyu alone (grass only period). During the concentrate period intake of the Herefords receiving concentrate exceeded that of the Holsteins (P < 0.01) by 23% (139.1 vs. 113.1 g/kg L.W(0.75)). Review of the literature, suggests that the double alkanes technique greatly over-estimated intake. Errors in herbage sampling (accentuated by pasture rotation in the first experiment), a low daily dose of the synthetic alkane (C(32)) and incorrect estimation of the C(32) content in the daily doses are identified as possible causes of the over-estimation of intake. Faecal recoveries of the herbage n-alkanes were demonstrated to increase with increasing chain length and hence C(35) was proposed as the most reliable herbage alkane for dry matter digestibility determination. Digestibility differences between treatments estimated using the C(35) alkane were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in either the first or second experiments. The mean digestibility estimates (using the C(35) alkane) for the first and second experiments were 64.9 and 56.61 %, respectively. In conclusion, higher growth rates of Herefords on kikuyu pasture would seem to be primarily due to differences in the dry matter intake of the grazed herbage. Further work using other breeds of dairy and beef animals is required. The underlying cause of differences in dry matter intake between breeds also requires investigation. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1995.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-01-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:44:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 sarti_lmn_dr_botfmvz.pdf: 586571 bytes, checksum: 1ac7284e05a3eca975e4a50d8f0bcde2 (MD5) / O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição de fontes de lipídeos naturais e protegidos da degradação ruminal na dieta de bovinos Nelore durante o período pré-condicionamento e confinamento no desempenho e características de carcaça. Foram utilizados cento e vinte bovinos, machos, não castrados, da raça Nelore (366,9 ± 28,7 kg) de aproximadamente 24 meses, provenientes de sistema de recria em pasto. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, composto por três dietas caracterizando os tratamentos: (CONTR) sem fonte adicional de lipídeo, (GDESP) com fonte de lipídeo natural a base de coprodutos do algodão (torta de algodão), e (GPROT) com fonte de lipídeo protegido rico em ácidos graxos poli-insaturados. O estudo foi dividido em duas fases: pré-condicionamento, 30 dias antes do transporte, com os animais mantidos em pasto recebendo suplementação a base de grãos com adição ou não de fonte de lipídeo conforme os tratamentos; e confinamento. Antes do embarque, os animais foram pesados e logo depois transportados por aproximadamente 16 horas. No confinamento, os animais foram mantidos em 24 baias com cinco animais por baia, sendo que cada tratamento foi composto por oito baias, consideradas as unidades experimentais, e pesados a cada 21 dias. O uso de torta de algodão (GDESP) proporcionou maiores ganhos de peso na fase de pré-condicionamento. Contudo, os animais suplementados com lipídios protegidos (GPROT) durante o período de confinamento apresentaram desempenho semelhante (peso vivo final, ganho de peso diário, conversão e eficiência alimentar)... / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding sources of natural lipids and rumen-protected PUFA to the diet of Nellore cattle in the preconditioning and feedlot periods on performance and carcass characteristics. One hundred and twenty 24-mo-old Nellore yearling bulls were used (366.9 ± 28.7 kg), coming from rearing on pasture system. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of three diets according to the treatments: (CONTR) without additional source of lipid, (GDESP) with source of natural lipid based on co-products from cotton (cottonseed cake), and (GPROT) with rumen-protected lipid source rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The study was divided into two phases: pre-conditioning, 30 days before shipping, the animals were kept on pasture receiving supplement just described with or without lipid source according to the treatments; and feedlot. Prior to shipment, the animals were weighed and transported approximately for 16 hours. In feedlot, animals were kept in 24 pens with five animals per pen, 8 pens per treatment, which were considered the experimental units, and weighed every 21 days. The use of cottonseed cake (GDESP) led to greater weight gains during preconditioning. However, animals supplemented with GPROT during the feedlot period presented similar performance (final body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion and efficiency) to animals that consumed GDESP treatment, but lower intake of dry matter was observed in the GPROT treatment compared GDESP. The fat sources did not influence carcass characteristics... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Mário de Beni Arrigoni / Coorientador: Cyntia Ludovico Martins / Banca: Danilo Domingues Millen / Banca: Rodrigo Dias Lauritano Pacheco / Banca: Paulo Roberto de Lima Meirelles / Banca: Reinald Fernandes Cooke / Resumo: O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição de fontes de lipídeos naturais e protegidos da degradação ruminal na dieta de bovinos Nelore durante o período pré-condicionamento e confinamento no desempenho e características de carcaça. Foram utilizados cento e vinte bovinos, machos, não castrados, da raça Nelore (366,9 ± 28,7 kg) de aproximadamente 24 meses, provenientes de sistema de recria em pasto. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, composto por três dietas caracterizando os tratamentos: (CONTR) sem fonte adicional de lipídeo, (GDESP) com fonte de lipídeo natural a base de coprodutos do algodão (torta de algodão), e (GPROT) com fonte de lipídeo protegido rico em ácidos graxos poli-insaturados. O estudo foi dividido em duas fases: pré-condicionamento, 30 dias antes do transporte, com os animais mantidos em pasto recebendo suplementação a base de grãos com adição ou não de fonte de lipídeo conforme os tratamentos; e confinamento. Antes do embarque, os animais foram pesados e logo depois transportados por aproximadamente 16 horas. No confinamento, os animais foram mantidos em 24 baias com cinco animais por baia, sendo que cada tratamento foi composto por oito baias, consideradas as unidades experimentais, e pesados a cada 21 dias. O uso de torta de algodão (GDESP) proporcionou maiores ganhos de peso na fase de pré-condicionamento. Contudo, os animais suplementados com lipídios protegidos (GPROT) durante o período de confinamento apresentaram desempenho semelhante (peso vivo final, ganho de peso diário, conversão e eficiência alimentar)... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding sources of natural lipids and rumen-protected PUFA to the diet of Nellore cattle in the preconditioning and feedlot periods on performance and carcass characteristics. One hundred and twenty 24-mo-old Nellore yearling bulls were used (366.9 ± 28.7 kg), coming from rearing on pasture system. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of three diets according to the treatments: (CONTR) without additional source of lipid, (GDESP) with source of natural lipid based on co-products from cotton (cottonseed cake), and (GPROT) with rumen-protected lipid source rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The study was divided into two phases: pre-conditioning, 30 days before shipping, the animals were kept on pasture receiving supplement just described with or without lipid source according to the treatments; and feedlot. Prior to shipment, the animals were weighed and transported approximately for 16 hours. In feedlot, animals were kept in 24 pens with five animals per pen, 8 pens per treatment, which were considered the experimental units, and weighed every 21 days. The use of cottonseed cake (GDESP) led to greater weight gains during preconditioning. However, animals supplemented with GPROT during the feedlot period presented similar performance (final body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion and efficiency) to animals that consumed GDESP treatment, but lower intake of dry matter was observed in the GPROT treatment compared GDESP. The fat sources did not influence carcass characteristics... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Backgrounding cattle is risky. Large amounts of short-term capital are required to buy feeders and feedstuffs, and a ten month cost-revenue gap makes financial planning difficult. In addition, finished cattle prices are volatile and, frankly, unknown at the time the management places its feeders. Income risk and financial risk must be addressed by the management. Several strategies are available to reduce return risk, including anticipatory hedging with cattle futures contracts, placing custom feeders, placing feeders at different months and investing off-farm. This study developed a shot-term decision making model for a backgrounding operation that addresses the interaction between feeder ownership options, the feeder placement month, cash flow requirements, hedging alternatives, off-farm investments, the line of credit and the management's degree of risk-aversity. The following backgrounding issues were examined: (1) whether participation in a classical hedging program with Feeder and Live Cattle contracts would result in lower farm return variability and would increase owned feeder placements, (2) whether managements would be deterred from using hedging strategies if a gradually increasing downward BIAS was introduced, (3) whether managements would be deterred from using hedging strategies if margin calls had to be deposited during the hedging period and (4) to what extent cash flow constraints would affect the management's decision set. The literature of decision making under uncertainty was reviewed to determine the approach which would best accommodate the backgrounding management's risk concerns. The Expected Value-Variance analysis was identified to formulate these management concerns in a mathematical programming context. A quadratic programming model was chosen to derive the expected return and return standard deviation frontiers (risk-efficient frontiers). The participation in an anticipatory hedging program provided a compelling risk management tool for reducing the backgrounding operation's return variability. Compared to the no-hedging case, the standard deviation of returns was almost cut by half for the hedging case. The introduction of a downward BIAS reduced hedging ratios drastically, whereas margin calls hardly effected the use of hedging. Custom feeders proved themselves essential in closing the typical cost-revenue gap in backgrounding and, despite offering the lowest returns, enabled the backgrounder to engage in more risky activities. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Linseed meal (LSM) was fed to ovariectomized ewes exposed to estradiol 17-ß (E2) implants over time, and LSM was supplemented to beef cows during late gestation and early lactation to evaluate the estrogenic potential of the phytoestrogen secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG) found in LSM. Forty-eight ovariectomized ewes were fed a diet containing 12.5% LSM for 0, 1, 7, or 14 d and implanted with estradiol-17ß (E2) for 0, 6, or 24 h before tissue collection. Uterine cellular proliferation, vascularity, and the expression of the angiogenic factors and their receptors were recorded. There was an interaction of LSM and E2 on uterine mass (P = 0.05). At 24 h of E2 exposure, proliferation was reduced (P < 0.001) when ewes were fed for 14 d compared to being fed 0 or 1 days. There was a LSM x E2 interaction (P ≤ 0.03) on VEGF receptor-2 (KDR) and hasicfihrohlast growth factor receptor (FGFR2) decreasing by 24 h E2 exposure. Exposure of LSM and E2 may impact the estrogenic response of sensitive tissue. Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of supplementing beef cows with LSM during late gestation or early lactation on calf growth and development. In Experiment 1, multiparous cows received either LSM or a control (CON) supplement (approximately 10% diet dry matter) for the last 60 d of gestation. Offspring weights, ADG, heifer age at puberty, conception percentage and steer carcass characteristics were recorded. In Experiment 2, multiparous cows received LSM or CON supplements (approximately 10% diet dry matter) during the first 60 d of lactation, and only heifer calf development performance was observed and recorded. Heifer calf weight, average daily gain, and attainment of puberty were assessed. For both experiments, birth weight, weaning weight and ADG were not affected (P > 0.31) by LSM supplementation. While final body weights were heavier (P = 0.04) for steer calves in Experiment 1, there was no effect (P = 0.09) of supplementation on carcass characteristics. In Experiment 1 and 2, attainment of puberty in heifer calves was not influenced (P > 0.58) by supplement type. Linseed meal supplementation during late gestation or early lactation does not appear to have a negative impact on calf growth, onset of puberty in heifer calves, or steer carcass quality, implicating that it may make a good supplement choice in cattle.