Progress 11/29/13 to 03/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project includes beef producers (those in all phases of the industry, in Oklahoma and nationally), those involved in animal agriculture at-large, the general public (by providing needed information about the sustainability of their food supply), and fellow researchers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The pilot project conducted to complete goals 1 and 2 provided research training opportunities for two graduate students and four undergraduate students that helped with the data collection process. The projects conducted under goal 3 have resulted in one MS thesis, and will result in two more MS theses. Three graduate students have been trained and 2 undergraduate students have gained research experience. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Two peer reviewed manuscripts are under development to report the results of the research thus far. A presentation titled "Evaluation of an enteric methane emissions measurement system for cattle" was delivered at the Joint Annual Meeting for ASAS and ADSA to report the results of goals 1 and 2. Additionally, an article was published in the OSU Department of Animal Science's in house publication "Cowpoke News" to disseminate the results. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Another project evaluating the impact of an energy/ionophore dietary supplement on the enteric CH4 emissions of stocker cattle grazing winter wheat pasture is planned for the winter of 2017.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cattle release enteric methane (CH4) emissions out of their mouth that result from fermentation processes in their stomach (rumen). Capturing and measuring these emissions is of interest, because CH4 is a greenhouse gas and represents a loss of the potential energy in the feed the animal consumes. This project addresses the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's priority science area of Climate Change, and specifically addresses the challenges of mitigating and adapting to climate change and keeping American agriculture competitive while ending world hunger. Goals 1 and 2. Develop an animal training protocol for a ventilated head box system for enteric CH4 emission measurement, and develop an animal sampling protocol for a ventilated head box system for enteric CH4 emission measurement in cattle. 1) An experiment was conducted in 2015 to meet goals 1 and 2 of the project. 2) Six Holstein heifers were used in a longitudinal study that measured CH4 and carbon dioxide emissions, and oxygen consumption from the heifers with a ventilated head box system. Heifers were first trained to use the head boxes over two weeks spending three 2 hour periods, and three 6 hour periods within the head boxes prior to emissions data collection. Each heifer was measured for two 3 day periods when fed ad libitum, and one 3 day period with feed intake limited to 2% of body weight on a dry matter basis. Heifers were fed a 55% Bermuda hay, 45% grain mix (on a DM basis) diet throughout the study. When not in the ventilated head box system (that was attached to a metabolism stall inside a building), the heifers were housed in individual shaded outdoor pens that were adjacent to one another. Additionally, the respiration rates of the heifers (via visual observation at 0700h and 1400 h), lying and standing behavior (with Pendant G data loggers; Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA), and the ambient temperature and humidity (Pro V2 temp/RH loggers; Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA) were recorded daily. 3) Daily CH4 emission rates per animal were 235.0 ± 6.19 L/day (least-squares mean +/- standard error), 228.3 ± 6.18 L/day, and 193.2 ± 8.88 L/day for the first and second ad libitum and feed restriction periods, respectively. Carbon dioxide emission rates were 3627.5 ± 90.72 L/day, 3632.4 ± 90.47, and 3184.0 ± 104.79 L/day for the first and second ad libitum and feed restriction periods, respectively. Oxygen consumption rates were 3390.59 ± 99.77 L/day, 3453.90 ± 99.57 L/day, and 3001.81 ± 111.36 L/day for the first and second ad libitum and feed restriction periods, respectively. The heifers total daily lying time when housed in the ventilated head boxes as compared to the outdoor pens was not different (P=0.07); however, the heifers had more frequent (P=0.004) and shorter lying bouts (P<0.0001) when housed in the ventilated head boxes as compared to the outdoor pens. The respiration rates of the heifers when in the ventilated head box system was higher than their respiration rates when housed in the outdoor pens (P<0.0001); however, the temperature and humidity were higher inside the building where the head box system measurements took place as compared to the outdoor pen environment, and a positive correlation between a calculated temperature-humidity index (THI) and respiration rates was found (R2 =0.381; P<0.0001). Feed intake was also different between the two ad libitum gas measurement periods as compared to the feed intake of the heifers when they were housed in the outdoor pens (dry matter intake (DMI) was 11% lower in head boxes compared to outside pens, P<0.0001). Taken together, the altered lying behavior and decreased DMI indicate that being housed in the ventilated head box system did effect the heifers normal behavior and the decreased DMI likely translated into lower daily CH4 emissions, as DMI is a major driver of enteric CH4 production. Overall, the ventilated head box system can collect accurate CH4 and carbon dioxide emissions and oxygen consumption data, but care will be taken in future experiments to adapt animals to the ventilated head boxes, and not extrapolate the data collected to non-confinement situations. 4) The pilot project resulted in key information regarding the operation and training of animals to use the ventilated head box system that will be crucial for all future experiments using the system. Goal 3: Quantify enteric CH4 emissions from cattle grazing dormant winter and early summer native range or winter wheat pasture and their subsequent individual finishing performance, feed efficiency, water intake, and enteric CH4 emissions. 1) In 2015, we were successful in being awarded a USDA-NIFA equipment grant to partially cover the cost of a GreenFeed system (C-Lock, Inc., Rapid City, SD), which is necessary to complete the planned research. The GreenFeed was purchased, delivered, and assembled in Stillwater, OK in 2015. In 2016, we have conducted one study so far validating the GreenFeed's ability to detect differences in enteric CH4 emissions in cattle fed different diets and comparing the system's performance to the ventilated head box system developed in Goals 1 and 2. 2) 6 Holstein heifers were used in a replicated 2X2 Latin square design, with heifer as the rows and period as the column. The two diets evaluated were a 65% Bermuda grass hay total mixed ration (65% on a dry matter basis; TMR), or a 35% Bermuda hay TMR. Periods were 22 days in length and included a 14 day dietary acclimated phase, a 6 day GreenFeed collection phase, and a 2 day head box collection phase. The heifers were group housed in an indoor/outdoor pen and were trained to use Calan gates (American Calan, Northwood, NH) to allow for the collection of individual daily dry matter intakes. While housed in the pen, heifers had continuous access to the GreenFeed system; however, only the data in the 6 day GreenFeed phase were used for analysis. Heifers were trained to use the head boxes with the protocol developed in Goals 1 and 2 and were offered feed and water ad libitum while housed in the head boxes during the 2 day head box phase. Additionally, lying and standing behavior was recorded during the GreenFeed and head box phases for all 6 heifers with accelerometers (Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA). 3) Enteric CH4 emissions were significantly different when expressed as L/heifer/day between the two diets (P<0.05) and the two systems (P<0.05); however there was no interaction between diet and systems (P>0.05). This indicates that while there was an unexplained difference between the measured enteric CH4 emissions expressed as either L/heifer/day or g/kg DMI per day, the GreenFeed system and head box system were both able to detect a difference in CH4 emissions between the two diets expressed as L/day. Consequently, we are confident in the GreenFeed system's ability to be used in experiments testing differences in enteric CH4 emissions due to different dietary treatments. Similar to the results in the pilot study for goals 1 and 2, DMI was significantly lower when heifers were in the head box phase (P<0.05) and lying and standing behavior was altered with heifers housed in the head boxes having increased frequencies of lying and standing bouts of shorter duration as compared to the heifers housed in the indoor/outdoor pen (P<0.05). These results indicate that measuring enteric CH4 emissions with the GreenFeed system does not alter "normal" cattle feed intake or lying standing behavior like measuring emissions in the ventilated head box system does. 4) Thus far, the projects conducted under this goal have resulted in one MS thesis, and will result in two more MS theses. Three graduate students have been trained and 2 undergraduate students have gained research experience. Goal 4. 1-4) Nothing to report.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Andreini, E.M., M.S. Calvo-Lorenzo, C.J. Richards, J.E. White, and S.E. Place. 2016. Evaluation of an enteric methane emissions measurement system for cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 94(Suppl.5): 576-577
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Emily M. Andreini. Evaluation of an enteric methane emissions measurement system for cattle. OSU MS Thesis. July 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Place, S.E. 2017. Environmental Consequences of Overfeeding Protein to Beef Cattle. ASAS Southern Section Meeting.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Beef Sustainability on October 6th, 2016 at Foro de Negocios Bovinos Carne in Monterrey, Mexico
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Jason White. COMPARISON OF METHANE EMISSIONS FROM HOLSTEIN HEIFERS MEASURED WITH A VENTILATED HEAD BOX SYSTEM AND GREENFEED SYSTEM. OSU MS Thesis. December 2016.
|
Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project includes beef producers (those in all phases of the industry, in Oklahoma and nationally), those involved in animal agriculture at-large, the general public (by providing needed information about the sustainability of their food supply), and fellow researchers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The pilot project conducted to complete goals 1 and 2 provided research training opportunities for two graduate students and four undergraduate students that helped with the data collection process. The projects conducted under goal 3 have resulted in one MS thesis, and will result in two more MS theses. Three graduate students have been trained and 2 undergraduate students have gained research experience. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Two peer reviewed manuscripts are under development to report the results of the research thus far. A presentation titled "Evaluation of an enteric methane emissions measurement system for cattle" was delivered at the Joint Annual Meeting for ASAS and ADSA to report the results of goals 1 and 2. Additionally, an article was published in the OSU Department of Animal Science's in house publication "Cowpoke News" to disseminate the results. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Another project evaluating the impact of an energy/ionophore dietary supplement on the enteric CH4 emissions of stocker cattle grazing winter wheat pasture is planned for the winter of 2017.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cattle release enteric methane (CH4) emissions out of their mouth that result from fermentation processes in their stomach (rumen). Capturing and measuring these emissions is of interest, because CH4 is a greenhouse gas and represents a loss of the potential energy in the feed the animal consumes. This project addresses the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's priority science area of Climate Change, and specifically addresses the challenges of mitigating and adapting to climate change and keeping American agriculture competitive while ending world hunger. Goals 1 and 2. Develop an animal training protocol for a ventilated head box system for enteric CH4 emission measurement, and develop an animal sampling protocol for a ventilated head box system for enteric CH4 emission measurement in cattle. 1) An experiment was conducted in 2015 to meet goals 1 and 2 of the project. 2) Six Holstein heifers were used in a longitudinal study that measured CH4 and carbon dioxide emissions, and oxygen consumption from the heifers with a ventilated head box system. Heifers were first trained to use the head boxes over two weeks spending three 2 hour periods, and three 6 hour periods within the head boxes prior to emissions data collection. Each heifer was measured for two 3 day periods when fed ad libitum, and one 3 day period with feed intake limited to 2% of body weight on a dry matter basis. Heifers were fed a 55% Bermuda hay, 45% grain mix (on a DM basis) diet throughout the study. When not in the ventilated head box system (that was attached to a metabolism stall inside a building), the heifers were housed in individual shaded outdoor pens that were adjacent to one another. Additionally, the respiration rates of the heifers (via visual observation at 0700h and 1400 h), lying and standing behavior (with Pendant G data loggers; Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA), and the ambient temperature and humidity (Pro V2 temp/RH loggers; Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA) were recorded daily. 3) Daily CH4 emission rates per animal were 235.0 ± 6.19 L/day (least-squares mean +/- standard error), 228.3 ± 6.18 L/day, and 193.2 ± 8.88 L/day for the first and second ad libitum and feed restriction periods, respectively. Carbon dioxide emission rates were 3627.5 ± 90.72 L/day, 3632.4 ± 90.47, and 3184.0 ± 104.79 L/day for the first and second ad libitum and feed restriction periods, respectively. Oxygen consumption rates were 3390.59 ± 99.77 L/day, 3453.90 ± 99.57 L/day, and 3001.81 ± 111.36 L/day for the first and second ad libitum and feed restriction periods, respectively. The heifers total daily lying time when housed in the ventilated head boxes as compared to the outdoor pens was not different (P=0.07); however, the heifers had more frequent (P=0.004) and shorter lying bouts (P<0.0001) when housed in the ventilated head boxes as compared to the outdoor pens. The respiration rates of the heifers when in the ventilated head box system was higher than their respiration rates when housed in the outdoor pens (P<0.0001); however, the temperature and humidity were higher inside the building where the head box system measurements took place as compared to the outdoor pen environment, and a positive correlation between a calculated temperature-humidity index (THI) and respiration rates was found (R2 =0.381; P<0.0001). Feed intake was also different between the two ad libitum gas measurement periods as compared to the feed intake of the heifers when they were housed in the outdoor pens (dry matter intake (DMI) was 11% lower in head boxes compared to outside pens, P<0.0001). Taken together, the altered lying behavior and decreased DMI indicate that being housed in the ventilated head box system did effect the heifers normal behavior and the decreased DMI likely translated into lower daily CH4 emissions, as DMI is a major driver of enteric CH4 production. Overall, the ventilated head box system can collect accurate CH4 and carbon dioxide emissions and oxygen consumption data, but care will be taken in future experiments to adapt animals to the ventilated head boxes, and not extrapolate the data collected to non-confinement situations. 4) The pilot project resulted in key information regarding the operation and training of animals to use the ventilated head box system that will be crucial for all future experiments using the system. Goal 3: Quantify enteric CH4 emissions from cattle grazing dormant winter and early summer native range or winter wheat pasture and their subsequent individual finishing performance, feed efficiency, water intake, and enteric CH4 emissions. 1) In 2015, we were successful in being awarded a USDA-NIFA equipment grant to partially cover the cost of a GreenFeed system (C-Lock, Inc., Rapid City, SD), which is necessary to complete the planned research. The GreenFeed was purchased, delivered, and assembled in Stillwater, OK in 2015. In 2016, we have conducted one study so far validating the GreenFeed's ability to detect differences in enteric CH4 emissions in cattle fed different diets and comparing the system's performance to the ventilated head box system developed in Goals 1 and 2. 2) 6 Holstein heifers were used in a replicated 2X2 Latin square design, with heifer as the rows and period as the column. The two diets evaluated were a 65% Bermuda grass hay total mixed ration (65% on a dry matter basis; TMR), or a 35% Bermuda hay TMR. Periods were 22 days in length and included a 14 day dietary acclimated phase, a 6 day GreenFeed collection phase, and a 2 day head box collection phase. The heifers were group housed in an indoor/outdoor pen and were trained to use Calan gates (American Calan, Northwood, NH) to allow for the collection of individual daily dry matter intakes. While housed in the pen, heifers had continuous access to the GreenFeed system; however, only the data in the 6 day GreenFeed phase were used for analysis. Heifers were trained to use the head boxes with the protocol developed in Goals 1 and 2 and were offered feed and water ad libitum while housed in the head boxes during the 2 day head box phase. Additionally, lying and standing behavior was recorded during the GreenFeed and head box phases for all 6 heifers with accelerometers (Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA). 3) Enteric CH4 emissions were significantly different when expressed as L/heifer/day between the two diets (P<0.05) and the two systems (P<0.05); however there was no interaction between diet and systems (P>0.05). This indicates that while there was an unexplained difference between the measured enteric CH4 emissions expressed as either L/heifer/day or g/kg DMI per day, the GreenFeed system and head box system were both able to detect a difference in CH4 emissions between the two diets expressed as L/day. Consequently, we are confident in the GreenFeed system's ability to be used in experiments testing differences in enteric CH4 emissions due to different dietary treatments. Similar to the results in the pilot study for goals 1 and 2, DMI was significantly lower when heifers were in the head box phase (P<0.05) and lying and standing behavior was altered with heifers housed in the head boxes having increased frequencies of lying and standing bouts of shorter duration as compared to the heifers housed in the indoor/outdoor pen (P<0.05). These results indicate that measuring enteric CH4 emissions with the GreenFeed system does not alter "normal" cattle feed intake or lying standing behavior like measuring emissions in the ventilated head box system does. 4) Thus far, the projects conducted under this goal have resulted in one MS thesis, and will result in two more MS theses. Three graduate students have been trained and 2 undergraduate students have gained research experience. Goal 4. 1-4) Nothing to report.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Andreini, E.M., M.S. Calvo-Lorenzo, C.J. Richards, J.E. White, and S.E. Place. 2016. Evaluation of an enteric methane emissions measurement system for cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 94(Suppl.5): 576-577
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Emily M. Andreini. Evaluation of an enteric methane emissions measurement system for cattle. OSU MS Thesis. July 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Place, S.E. 2017. Environmental Consequences of Overfeeding Protein to Beef Cattle. ASAS Southern Section Meeting.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Beef Sustainability on October 6th, 2016 at Foro de Negocios Bovinos Carne in Monterrey, Mexico
|
Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project includes beef producers (those in all phases of the industry, in Oklahoma and nationally), those involved in animal agriculture at-large, the general public (by providing needed information about the sustainability of their food supply), and fellow researchers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The pilot project conducted to complete goals 1 and 2 provided research training opportunities for two graduate students and four undergraduate students that helped with the data collection process. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A peer-reviewed manuscript is under development to report the results of the research completed thus far. To increase the awareness of sustainability issues in cattle production, the following presentations were delivered to cattle producers, extension personnel and animal scientists: "Sustainability: Key to Leaving a Legacy" on October 17th, 2015 at National Block & Bridle Conference in Tulsa, OK "Livestock Sustainability" on August 9th, 2015 at Livestock Congress in San Carlos, Costa Rica "Beef sustainability: What does that mean?" at Arizona Women in Agriculture Conference on July 17th, 2015 in Litchfield Park, AZ "Beef sustainability: What is it and what does it mean?" at Beef Improvement Federation Conference on June 10th, 2015 in Biloxi, MS "Animal Science Headlines: Fact vs. Fiction" at Cow-Calf Bootcamp on April 21st in Claremore, OK Department of Animal Science Seminar "Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability" on February 6th, 2015 in Stillwater, OK What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?A research trial will be conducted in the coming year to compare the emissions data from cattle fed the same diets in the ventilated head box and GreenFeed system to validate the GreenFeed system, and determine the appropriate sample size and experimental design for Goal 3.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cattle release enteric methane (CH4) emissions out of their mouth that result from fermentation processes in their stomach (rumen). Capturing and measuring these emissions is of interest, because CH4 is a greenhouse gas and represents a loss of the potential energy in the feed the animal consumes. This project addresses the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's priority science area of Climate Change, and specifically addresses the challenges of mitigating and adapting to climate change and keeping American agriculture competitive while ending world hunger. Goals 1 and 2. Develop an animal training protocol for a ventilated head box system for enteric CH4 emission measurement, and develop an animal sampling protocol for a ventilated head box system for enteric CH4 emission measurement in cattle. 1) Major activities completed/experiments conducted: An experiment was conducted in 2015 to meet goals 1 and 2 of the project. 2) Data collected: Six Holstein heifers were used in a longitudinal study that measured CH4 and carbon dioxide emissions, and oxygen consumption from the heifers with a ventilated head box system. Heifers were first trained to use the head boxes over two weeks spending three 2 hour periods, and three 6 hour periods within the head boxes prior to emissions data collection. Each heifer was measured for two 3 day periods when fed ad libitum, and one 3 day period with feed intake limited to 2% of body weight on a dry matter basis. Heifers were fed a 55% Bermuda hay, 45% grain mix (on a DM basis) diet throughout the study. When not in the ventilated head box system (that was attached to a metabolism stall inside a building), the heifers were housed in individual shaded outdoor pens that were adjacent to one another. Additionally, the respiration rates of the heifers (via visual observation at 0700h and 1400 h), lying and standing behavior (with Pendant G data loggers; Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA), and the ambient temperature and humidity (Pro V2 temp/RH loggers; Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA) were recorded daily. 3) Summary statistics and discussions of results: Daily CH4 emission rates per animal were 235.0 ± 6.19 L/day (least-squares mean +/- standard error), 228.3 ± 6.18 L/day, and 193.2 ± 8.88 L/day for the first and second ad libitum and feed restriction periods, respectively. Carbon dioxide emission rates were 3627.5 ± 90.72 L/day, 3632.4 ± 90.47, and 3184.0 ± 104.79 L/day for the first and second ad libitum and feed restriction periods, respectively. Oxygen consumption rates were 3390.59 ± 99.77 L/day, 3453.90 ± 99.57 L/day, and 3001.81 ± 111.36 L/day for the first and second ad libitum and feed restriction periods, respectively. The heifers total daily lying time when housed in the ventilated head boxes as compared to the outdoor pens was not different (P=0.07); however, the heifers had more frequent (P=0.004) and shorter lying bouts (P<0.0001) when housed in the ventilated head boxes as compared to the outdoor pens. The respiration rates of the heifers when in the ventilated head box system was higher than their respiration rates when housed in the outdoor pens (P<0.0001); however, the temperature and humidity were higher inside the building where the head box system measurements took place as compared to the outdoor pen environment, and a positive correlation between a calculated temperature-humidity index (THI) and respiration rates was found (R2 =0.381; P<0.0001). Feed intake was also different between the two ad libitum gas measurement periods as compared to the feed intake of the heifers when they were housed in the outdoor pens (dry matter intake (DMI) was 11% lower in head boxes compared to outside pens, P<0.0001). Taken together, the altered lying behavior and decreased DMI indicate that being housed in the ventilated head box system did effect the heifers normal behavior and the decreased DMI likely translated into lower daily CH4 emissions, as DMI is a major driver of enteric CH4 production. Overall, the ventilated head box system can collect accurate CH4 and carbon dioxide emissions and oxygen consumption data, but care will be taken in future experiments to adapt animals to the ventilated head boxes, and not extrapolate the data collected to non-confinement situations. 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: The pilot project resulted in key information regarding the operation and training of animals to use the ventilated head box system that will be crucial for all future experiments using the system. Future experiments will assess practical, economic ways that cattle producers can improve their feed efficiency and reduce enteric CH4 emissions. One M.S. student successfully completed their degree as a result of the project and will continue their training in a Ph.D. program. Another M.S. student and four undergraduate students gained valuable research training during their help with the data collection. Goal 3. Quantify enteric CH4 emissions from cattle grazing dormant winter and early summer native range or winter wheat pasture and their subsequent individual finishing performance, feed efficiency, water intake, and enteric CH4 emissions. 1) Major activities completed/experiments conducted: We were successful in being awarded a USDA-NIFA equipment grant to partially cover the cost of a GreenFeed system (C-Lock, Inc., Rapid City, SD), which is necessary to conduct the planned research. The GreenFeed has been purchased and delivered to Stillwater. 2) Data collected: Nothing to report. 3) Summary statistics and discussions of results: Nothing to report. 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: Nothing to report. Goal 4. Evaluate the use of shade as a heat stress abatement strategy and its impact on animal well-being, performance, nitrogen use efficiency, and economics in feedlot steers. 1) Major activities completed/experiments conducted: Nothing to report. 2) Data collected: Nothing to report. 3) Summary statistics and discussions of results: Nothing to report. 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: Nothing to report.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Sustainability: What does it mean and why does it matter? Beef Improvement Federation. 47:11-17.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Invited presentation: "Sustainability: Key to Leaving a Legacy" on October 17th, 2015 at National Block & Bridle Conference in Tulsa, OK.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Invited presentation" "Livestock sustainability" on August 9th, 2015 at the Livestock Congress in San Carlos, Costa Rica
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Invited presentation: "Beef sustainability: What does that mean?" on July 17th, 2015 at the Arizona Women in Agriculture Conference in Litchfield Park, AZ.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Invited presentation: "Animal science headlines: Fact vs. fiction" on April 21st, 2015 at Cow-Calf Bootcamp Extension meeting in Claremore, OK.
|
Progress 11/29/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this project includes beef producers (those in all phases of the industry, in Oklahoma and nationally), those involved in animal agriculture at-large, the general public (by providing needed information about the sustainability of their food supply), and fellow researchers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The design and construction process for the ventilated head boxes has provided the opportunity to train undergraduate and graduate students about how the system works, and the fundamentals of indirect calorimetry. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? To increase awareness of sustainability issues in cattle production, the following presentations were given to cattle producers, extension personnel, and animal scientists: Invited presentation: "Living is a Dirty Business: Beef Industry Component" at Beef Industry Conference, April 11th, 2014 at Conoco Phillips Alumni Center in Stillwater, OK Invited presentation: "Animal Science Headlines: Fact vs. Fiction" at Cow-Calf Bootcamp on April 22nd, 2014 in Shawnee, OK Invited presentations: "Beef Sustainability" at four "Meet Your Beef" events for the NY Beef Council (http://www.nybeef.org/meatyourbeefmaytours.aspx) throughout New York State on May 20th-23rd 2014 Invited presentation: "Beef and Sustainability" at Grassfed Beef Conference on May 29th, 2014 in College Station, TX Invited presentation: "Sustainability and the impact of cattle on climate change" on July 23rd, 2014 to students and faculty from the Animal Science and Ecology Department at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Mexico in Stillwater, OK Invited presentation: "Sustainability: What does it mean to the beef industry?" on August 4th, 2014 at the Texas A&M Beef Short Course in College Station, TX Invited presentation: "Cow Efficiency: Implications for Beef Sustainability" on September 18th, 2014 at the Innovative Intensification in Cow-Calf Systems Symposium in San Antonio, TX Invited presentation: "Beef Sustainability: Where does Climate Change Fit?" on November 6th, 2014 at the Cattle & Climate Workshop in Stillwater, OK Invited presentation: "Sustainability: Implications for the Beef Industry" on November 15th, 2014 at the American Akauski Convention in Bastrop, TX Invited presenter and participant in a Beef Sustainability Roundtable Discussion (with representatives from McDonalds, JBS, and the Environmental Defense Fund) on December 9th, 2014 at the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention in Des Moines, IA What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the next reporting period, the pilot study to achieve project goals 1 and 2 will be conducted.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Cattle release enteric methane (CH4) emissions out of their mouth that result from fermentation processes in their stomach (rumen). Capturing and measuring these emissions is of interest, because CH4 is a greenhouse gas and represents a loss of the potential energy in the feed the animal consumes. In a pilot study, we will use head boxes made of clear polycarbonate plastic, which the animal places its head in, to measure CH4 emissions from Holstein dairy heifers. An animal training and sampling protocol will be developed from this study for using the head box system in any future studies. The proposed work will address the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's priority science area of Climate Change, and specifically address the challenges of mitigating and adapting to climate change and keeping American agriculture competitive while ending world hunger. Goal 1. Develop an animal training protocol for a ventilated head box system for enteric CH4 emission measurement. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted: The ventilated head box system was designed and constructed. 2) Data collected: Nothing to report. 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results: nothing to report 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: nothing to report Goal 2. Develop an animal sampling protocol for a ventilated head box system for enteric CH4 emission measurement in cattle. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted: The ventilated head box system was designed and constructed. 2) Data collected: Nothing to report. 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results: nothing to report 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: nothing to report Goal 3. Quantify enteric CH4 emissions from cattle grazing dormant winter and early summer native range or winter wheat pasture and their subsequent individual finishing performance, feed efficiency, water intake, and enteric CH4 emissions. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted: The an equipment grant proposal to USDA-NIFA-AFRI Foundation program was submitted to obtain funding to purchase a GreenFeed system (Rapid City, SD). The GreenFeed system is required to meet this project goal. 2) Data collected: Nothing to report. 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results: nothing to report 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: nothing to report Goal 4. Evaluate the use of shade as a heat stress abatement strategy and its impact on animal well-being, performance, nitrogen use efficiency, and economics in feedlot steers. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted: Nothing to report. 2) Data collected: Nothing to report. 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results: nothing to report 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: nothing to report
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Place, Sara, E. 2014. Cow efficiency: Implications for beef sustainability. In: Proceedings for Innovative Intensification in Cow-Calf Systems held in San Antonio, TX September 18th, 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Invited presentation: Beef and Sustainability at Grassfed Beef Conference on May 29th, 2014 in College Station, TX
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Invited presentation: Living is a Dirty Business: Beef Industry Component at Beef Industry Conference, April 11th, 2014 at Conoco Phillips Alumni Center in Stillwater, OK
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Invited presentation: Animal Science Headlines: Fact vs. Fiction at Cow-Calf Bootcamp on April 22nd, 2014 in Shawnee, OK
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Invited presentation: Sustainability: What does it mean to the beef industry? on August 4th, 2014 at the Texas A&M Beef Short Course in College Station, TX
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Invited presentation: Beef Sustainability: Where does Climate Change Fit? on November 6th, 2014 at the Cattle & Climate Workshop in Stillwater, OK
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