Source: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA submitted to NRP
BEEF CATTLE BREEDING AT THE V BAR V RANCH
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0229282
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2012
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2017
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
888 N EUCLID AVE
TUCSON,AZ 85719-4824
Performing Department
Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences
Non Technical Summary
Production of a consistent high quality and efficient beef animal in the arid southwest. This project evaluates various purebreds and/or composites relative to their productivity in the arid southwest both on the ranch and in the feedlot. Provide producers with information on beef cattle performance from conception to consumption of selected purebreds and/or composites. Provide educational materials and conduct workshops for students, ranchers and the general public.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3013310108030%
3033310108030%
3063310108010%
3073310108030%
Knowledge Area
303 - Genetic Improvement of Animals; 307 - Animal Management Systems; 306 - Environmental Stress in Animals; 301 - Reproductive Performance of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3310 - Beef cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1080 - Genetics;
Goals / Objectives
1)Evaluation of composite and/or purebred cow productivity and profitability under stressful environmental conditions and subsequent progeny performance in the feedlot. 2) Evaluation and implementation of existing estrous synchronization protocols and AI in Arizona beef production systems. 3) Maintain a DNA sample on all animals for use in parentage identification and subsequent genetic analyses and for potential use in marker assisted selection. 4) Exchange information, plan cooperative research both within and across disciplines, conduct workshops and field days, and participate in cattlemen functions at a local, state and national level.
Project Methods
The V Bar V Ranch is currently evaluating various composites and/or purebreds for potential use in the arid Southwest. Data is being collected on the cattle from conception to consumption. Currently, four different breed groups are at or in the process of being introduced to the V Bar V Ranch: Hereford, Bar T Bar Composite (25% Hereford, 25% Red &/or Black Angus, 25% Gelbvieh, 25% Barzona or Senepol), the CGC Composite (50% Red Angus, 25% Tarentaise, 25% Charolais), and the Waguli Composite (50% Wagyu, 50% Tuli). The experimental design is to introduce a minimum of 150 animals into the herd over a three year period to reduce year effects. The evaluation of each composite/purebred continues until less than 50 head remain in the herd at which time another composite/purebred is introduced. Each of the groups will be evaluated against a constant control of Purebred Hereford cows which also provides ties to the National Hereford database. Additionally, through the donation of semen and purchase of animals, the Hereford breed at the V Bar V is genetically tied to San Carlos Apache Tribe's R-100 Ranch, the Colorado State University-San Juan Basin Research Center and the USDA Fort Keogh Livestock and Ranch Research Laboratory allowing for direct comparison of the genotypes from these locations in a single environment. Comparisons will be made between the Hereford cattle and the introduced composite/purebred cattle relative to the cow's productive life under a nutritionally stressed environment. Traits to be evaluated include but are not limited to cow fertility, genetic potential for milk production and calf growth, calf weaning weight and subsequent feedlot performance and the relationships among these traits. Composite and/or purebred breeds will be selected from reputable breeders with performance records and pedigrees to better facilitate a comparison of the composite and/or purebred performance in the arid Southwest versus the environment in which the cattle were developed and/or produced. In conjunction with the previous studies, research is being conducted using new methods of improving and implementing existing synchronization protocols utilizing the University of Arizona V Bar V Ranch as a model for Arizona and Southwestern beef production systems. The scope of the ranch, both in numbers of cattle, and environmental factors, mimics a typical production scenario here in the Southwest. Annual workshops are conducted on the ranch for producers, the general public, graduate and undergraduate students, 4-H and FFA students and leaders as well as elementary and secondary school students and teachers. While not all the workshops are exclusively genetic workshops, nearly all of them contain some level of discussion on genetic principles. Researchers, faculty and staff involved with the V Bar V Ranch regularly attend and contribute to the knowledge base of such meetings as Western Coordinating Committee (WCC-1), Beef Improvement Federation (BIF), National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), Arizona Cattle Growers, and Yavapai Cattle Growers Association.

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? PI has retired.

Publications


    Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Target Audiences include Mingus Union High School, Camp Verde High School. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, San Carlos Apache Nation, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Yavapai Cattle Growers, Arizona Cattle Growers Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Arizona Society of Range Management. University of Arizona undergraduate students in Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Range Management and Wildlife Biology, student interaction included internships, calving management class and workshops Changes/Problems:Shift cow herd management to have spring and fall calving. Increase use of AI, process more cattle through University of Arizona West Campus Ag Center and Food Product and Safety Laboratory What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provides learning opportunities for high school students, interns and individuals enrolled in a calving management class. Allows them to experience real-time data collection and gain hands-on experience working with beef cattle. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A presentation was made at the July meeting of the Arizona Cattlemen's Association. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1) Expand ACBS 399 (Calving Workshop) to 2 semester class 2) Alter calving season to develop fall and spring calving units. 3)Continue to collect data, conduct field days, attend meetings and present at workshops.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? We continue our quest to produce a high quality and efficient beef animal in the arid southwest. This project evaluates various purebreds and/or composites relative to their productivity in the arid southwest both on the ranch and in the feedlot. Information is provided to producers on beef cattle performance from conception to consumption of selected purebreds and/or composites. Additional DNA samples were collected to add to our current store of samples. Attended various industry meetings for Cattlemen's Associations & Farm Bureau.

    Publications

    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: ACBS 399 Calving Class Handbook


    Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

    Outputs
    Target Audience:Target Audiences include Mingus Union High School, Camp Verde High School, Gilbert High School, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Yavapai Cattle Growers Association, Arizona Cattle Growers Association, Experience International organization, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Arizona Society of Range Management. Student internships, calving management class, group tours and workshops, Ranch Explorer's Field Day. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provides learning opportunities for high school students, interns and individuals enrolled in a calving management class. Allows them to experience real-time data collection and gain hands-on experience working with beef cattle. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We hold a general ranch field day every August which targets the public at large to educate them on our research and agricultural issues in general. Personnel presented results in a variety of workshops and field days around the state. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to collect data, conduct field days, attend meetings and present at workshops.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? We continue our quest to produce a high quality and efficient beef animal in the arid southwest. This project evaluates various purebreds and/or composites relative to their productivity in the arid southwest both on the ranch and in the feedlot. Information is provided to producers on beef cattle performance from conception to consumption of selected purebreds and/or composites. Additional DNA samples were collected to add to our current store of samples. Attended various industry meetings for Cattlemen's Associations & Farm Bureau. Tested several cows and heifers in the GrowSafe system and obtained RFI values. Continued collecting grazing behavior data on RFI cows to relate to their efficiency score. Introduced Akaushi breed into the herd.

    Publications

    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Long, N.M. and D.W. Schafer. 2013. Sex effects on plasma leptin concentrations in newborn and postnatal beef calves. Prof. An. Sci. 29:601-605.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Long, N.M., T.A. Burns, S.K. Duckett, and D.W. Schafer. 2014. Reproductive performance and serum fatty acid profiles of underdeveloped beef heifers supplemented with saturated or unsaturated rumen bypass fat compared to an isocaloric control. Prof. An. Sci. 30:502-509; doi:10.15232/pas. 2014-01311.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Tolleson, D.R. and D.W. Schafer. 2014. Application of fecal near-infared spectroscopy and nutritional balance software to monitor diet quality and body condition in beef cows grazing Arizona rangeland. J. Anim. Sci. 92:349-358.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Knight, C. W., D. W. Bailey, D. Faulkner, and D. W. Schafer. 2015. Intake and grazing activity of mature range cows on Arizona rangelands. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Vol. 66.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tolleson, D.R., and D.W. Schafer. 2015. Short and long-term forensic evaluation of cattle brand burn scar healing. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Vol. 66.


    Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Target Audiences include Mingus Union High School, Camp Verde High School, Gilbert High School, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Yavapai Cattle Growers Association, Arizona Cattle Growers Association, Experience International organization, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Arizona Society of Range Management. Student internships, calving management class, group tours and workshops, Ranch Explorer's Field Day. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project provides learning opportunities for high school students, interns and individuals enrolled in a calving management class. Allows them to experience real-time data collection and gain hands-on experience working with beef cattle. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We hold a general ranch field day every August which targets the public at large to educate them on our research and agricultural issues in general. Personnel presented results in a variety of workshops and field days around the state. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue to collect data, conduct field days, attend meetings and present at workshops.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? We continue our quest to produce a high quality and efficient beef animal in the arid southwest. This project evaluates various purebreds and/or composites relative to their productivity in the arid southwest both on the ranch and in the feedlot. Information is provided to producers on beef cattle performance from conception to consumption of selected purebreds and/or composites. Additional DNA samples were collected to add to our current store of samples. Attended various industry meetings for Cattlemen's Associations & Farm Bureau. Tested several cows and heifers in the GrowSafe system and obtained RFI values. Also began collecting grazing behavior data on RFI cows to relate to their efficiency score.

    Publications

    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Tolleson, D.R. and D.W. Schafer. 2013. Application of fecal near infrared spectroscopy and nutritional balance software to monitor diet quality and body condition in beef cows grazing Arizona rangeland. 12/2013; DOI 10.2527/jas.2013-6631.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kiesling, D.D., D.B. Faulkner and D.W. Schafer. 2014. Update:early weaning calves and its effects on two- and three-year old cows' reproductive performance and feedlot performance and carcass traits of the calf. Producer's Update and Research Highlights: p 25.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Knight, C.W., D. Faulkner and D.W. Schafer. 2014. Relative feed intake in mature range cows raised on Arizona rangeland. Producer's Update and Research Highlights: p26-30.


    Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Target Audiences includeMingus Union High School, Camp Verde High School, Gilbert High School, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Yavapai Cattle Growers Association, Arizona Cattle Growers Association, Experience International organization, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Arizona Society of Range Management. Student internships, calving management class, group tours and workshops, Ranch Explorer's Field Day. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project provides learning opportunities for high school students, interns and individuals enrolled in a calving management class. Allows them to experience real-time data collection and gain hands-on experience working with beef cattle. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We hold a general ranch field day every August which targets the public at large to educate them on our research and agricultural issues in general. A research field day was held in November to inform the agricultural community of research results. Personnel presented results in a variety of workshops and field days around the state. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue to collect data, conduct field days, attend meetings and present at workshops.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? We continue our quest to produceahigh quality and efficient beef animal in the arid southwest. This project evaluates various purebreds and/or composites relative to their productivity in the arid southwest both on the ranch and in the feedlot. Information is provided toproducerson beef cattle performance from conception to consumption of selected purebreds and/or composites.A research field day was held in November to present research results. Additional DNA samples were collected to add to our current store of samples. Attended various cattlemen's meetings, WERA-01 meeting, and Beef Improvement Federation meetings. Installed a GrowSafe system to aid in the identification of more efficient range beef cows.

    Publications

    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Long, N.M., T.A. Burns, S.K. Duckett, and D.W. Schafer. 2013. Reproductive performance of beef heifers supplemented with saturated or unsaturated rumen bypass fat. J. Anim. Sci. 91 (E-Suppl. 2):235. (Abstr.).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Long, N.M. And D.W. Schafer. 2013. Changes in plasma leptin in newborn and postnatal beef calves. J. Anim. Sci. 91 (E-Suppl.2):344-345. (Abstr.).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Schafer, David W. 2013. New technologies in the beef business. Producers Update and Research Highlights: p11-14.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Faulkner, Dan B., David W. Schafer, Dan D. Kiesling and Michelee M. Regan. 2013. Management factors to improve range cow reproduction. Producers Update and Research Highlights: p15-20.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Beard, Ashley, Colt Knight, David W. Schafer and Dan B. Faulkner. 2013. Improving range cow efficiency. Producers Update and Research Highlights: p57-58.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kiesling, Daniel D., Dan B. Faulkner and David W. Schafer. 2013. Early weaning calves and its effects on two- and three-year old cows reproductive performance, feedlot performance and carcass traits of the calf. Producers Update and Research Highlights: p59-60.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Tolleson, Doug, Lacey Halstead, Larry Howery, Dave Schafer, Stephen Prince, and Kris Banik. 2012. The effects of a rotational cattle grazing system on elk diets in Arizona Pinon-Juniper rangeland. Rangelands: February 2012, Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 19-25.


    Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: Data continues to be collected and input for analysis. Parentage analysis of calves was brought up to date this year so analyses can begin again in more earnest. The DNA repository has grown to around 5600 samples with complete pedigree and performance information. A GrowSafe system was installed at the ranch to begin studies on range beef cow efficiency. Our Ranch Explorer's Field Day was a great success with 275 participants attending. We continue to work with students at both the college and high school levels to give them hands-on experience handling and caring for beef cattle. Ranch personnel are actively involved in the local, state, and national cattlemen activities. We also continue to work closely with the Native American tribes in Arizona both in management techniques and workshops. PARTICIPANTS: David W. Schafer - PI and Resident Director of the ranch. Collects, inputs and maintains all cattle records and oversees overall management of the ranch. Hosts tour groups, conducts workshops and helps teach calving management class. Coordinates all research projects on the ranch. Keith G. Cannon - Ranch Manager. Helps collect data, oversees day to day ranch operations, assists with ranch workshops and student training and internships. Keith O. Cannon - Ranch Livestock Specialist. Assists with data collection and day to day ranch operations. Assists with ranch workshops and student training and internships. Debra L. Pearson - Business Manager. Maintains all financial records, assists with data collection, prepares promotional materials, helps organize workshops and field days. Doug R. Tolleson - Range Management Specialist. Assists with data collection, range monitoring, cattle nutrition, conducts workshops and field days. Christopher Bernau - Range Management Technician. Assists with data collection, range monitoring, conducts workshops and field days. Peder Cuneo - Veterinarian. Advises and assists with herd health, teaches workshops and calving management class. John Marchello - Meat Scientist. Harvests animals and collects carcass data. Conducts research relative to meat quality. Dan Faulkner - Beef Extension Specialist. Nutritional and RFI feed efficiency data. Jayne Collier - Research Technician. Handles DNA samples and provides parentage verification information and research. Partner Organizations Mingus Union, Payson and Camp Verde High School FFA Students - Help to process cattle and gather research information on calves. In the training and/or professional development area, Mingus Union High School students and Buckeye High School have been given opportunities to get hands-on experience at the ranch. Calving Management Class students spend weekends at the ranch when the heifers are calving and learn pre & post natal management of the cow and calf. Members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Hopi Tribe and the Navajo Nation frequent the ranch to attend workshops to learn new management techniques and procedures. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute brings older adults to the ranch to learn about ranching and the projects we are doing. Ranch Explorer's Field Day provides an opportunity for the general public to come to the ranch and learn about ranching and research activities. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences Mingus Union High School, Camp Verde High School, Buckeye High School, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Yavapai Cattle Growers Association, Arizona Cattle Growers Association, Experience International organization, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Arizona Society of Range Management. Student internships, calving management class, group tours and workshops, Ranch Explorer's Field Day. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

    Impacts
    Provide producers with information on beef cattle performance from conception to consumption of selected purebreds and/or composites. Provide educational materials and conduct workshops for students, ranchers and the general public.

    Publications

    • Long, N.M. and D.W. Schafer. 2012. Reproductive performance of beef heifers supplemented with StrataG or Energii compared to heifers fed an isocaloric diet with no bypass fat source. Producers Update and Research Highlights: p55-56.
    • Dal Molin, T., D. Tolleson, J. Sprinkle, M. Sprinkle, D. Schafer, and B. McMurry. 2012. Remote monitoring of individual animal mineral supplement intake by range cattle. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 63:328-332.
    • Dal Molin, T., D. Tolleson, J. Sprinkle, M. Sprinkle, D. Schafer, and B. McMurry. 2012. Remote monitoring of individual animal mineral supplement intake by range cattle. Producers Update and Research Highlights: p49-54.