SBAR Animal & Hay Granting Committee Minutes
November 9, 1998
The SBAR Animal and Hay Granting Committee meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. on November 9, 1998 at the Seven Seas in Mandan. Committee members present were: Chairman Dick Tokach, Victor Mathern, Daryl Dukart, Bill Riebe, Jim Marshall, Dr. Jerry Dodd (designee for Cole Gustafson), and Dr. Vern Anderson. Others present were Lori Capouch and Jerilyn Assel.
Proposal Presentations - for Animal Agriculture Committee consideration
Determination of Meat Tenderness by Fluorescence
Presented by Dr. Martin Marchello
This project is designed to provide an on-line system to determine the tenderness of beef, and thus provide a more equitable pricing system for the producer. The grant funds are needed to prove that calcium ion concentration is the key variable in predicting tenderness.
Assessing the Human Plasma Cholesterol Potential of Beef
Presented by Dr. Martin Marchello
This project will survey the fatty acid profiles of fed beef and calculate the plasma cholesterol potential for beef as a food. The outcome will demonstrate the possibility of producing beef which will have no hypercholesterolemic affect. This information can be used to effectively combat negative perceptions about the nutritional attributes of beef as food.
CNF-1 as Potential Control Target for E. Coli-Caused Calf Scours
Presented by Dr. Lisa Nolan
This project seeks to lay the groundwork for e. Coli scours control-based on CNF-1, a toxin produced by e. Coli isolates causing disease in North Dakota cattle. The total grant request is for supplies needed to clone and express the gene encoding CNF-1 and to make monoclinal antibodies against CNF-1. By producing CNF-1 antibodies, they will be able to assess the potential of CNF-1 based detection strategies and vaccines to control E. Coli caused calf scours.
Sequences as Potential Markers of Disease-Causing Escherichia Coli of Production Animals
Presented by Dr. Shelley Horne
There is an emergence of disease-causing E. Coli strains against which current vaccines are less effective. Dr. Horne has identified a gene in E. Coli (iss-increased serum survival) which is associated with pathogenesis in avian E. Coli. This project will screen E. Coli isolated from North Dakota production animals for the presence of this gene.. The iss gene and its protein product may be good targets for detection and control of colibacillosis in production animals.
The grant funds will be used to purchase the reagents and supplies needed to screen 1,000 E. Coli isolated from North Dakota production animals for the presence of the iss gene using polymerase chain reaction procedures.
Bison Nutrition Research
Presented by Dr. Vern Anderson
North Dakota is the center of bison production and very limited data is available on feeding bison. Currently, there is very little or no profit in bison feeding. The industry is, however, expanding. This research proposes to 1) develop a data base from producer feeding experiences, 2) determine effects of energy level, and season, on gain, intake and efficiency for bison in separate weight categories, 3) record, analyze, summarize and publish the results, 4) conduct feeding trials under controlled conditions to improve precision of data base, 5) calculate NEm and NEg for grains used for bison, and 6) evaluate digestibility of feeds at various energy levels.
Beef & Dairy Replacement Heifer Development System
Presented by Dr. J.W. Schroeder
This project is proposing to evaluate a simple stair step feeding regimen that can be readily implemented by replacement heifer operations in North Dakota. In addition to cost effectiveness, this feeding system has been proven to enhance life-long lactation performance.
Evaluation of Tempering & a Yeast/Enzyme Cocktail on the Performance & Digestion of Calves Fed Barley During Growing & Finishing
Presented by Dr. Vern Anderson
Barley is generally undervalued as a feedstuff for a variety of reasons. This project is feedlot study that will evaluate methods to improve the feed value of barley. The study will compare tempering, the addition of moisture to grain several hours before feeding, the addition of a yeast/enzyme combination to complement high grain diets, and the combination of the two treatments. It is expected that these practices will make barley safer to feed, improve animal performance from barley diets and increase price and demand for fee barley.
DON in Barley: Titration of the Threshold Concentration for Acceptance by Growing-Finishing Swine
Presented by Dr. Robert Harrold
Deoxynivalenol commonly called vomitoxin is a fungi mycotoxin associated with "scabby" grain. When present in barley at certain levels, this compound causes feed refusal in swine. This project is intended to quantify the threshold levels for the intake by swine.
Enhancement of Sow Reproductive Rates & Litter Productivity
Presented by Dr. James Tilton
This proposal will study the use of an oral progestogen to regulate and enhance the reproductive rate and litter productivity of early weaned sows. The project proposes to compare their reproductive rates to those of non-treated, early weaned sows and conventionally weaned sows. The grant funds will be used to partially support the research technicians, support a graduate student throughout the project, purchase the hormonal product and allay some feed costs as well as contributing to partial coverage of the publication and travel costs.
Application of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Livestock
Dr. Lawrence Reynolds
A critical aspect of reducing the high input cost of livestock production is to improve reproductive efficiency; reproductive failure remains one of the most costly factors in livestock production. Modern technologies are being developed for the enhancement of reproductive efficiency and the improvement and preservation of livestock genetics. The focus is to address the growing need for applied research to make these modern technologies practical for on-farm use.
Project objectives are to 1) optimize and apply endoscopic techniques for evaluation of ovulation rate and retrieval oocytes and embryos in sheep and pigs under experimental conditions; and 2) perform in vitro fertilization and evaluate fertility rate, blastocyst development and success of cryopreservation of embryos in pigs and sheep. The immediate practical impact of this research will be the development of practical methods of ART to help the animal agriculture industry in North Dakota by enhancing reproductive efficiency and thus reducing high input cost.
Mineral Concentrations & Availability of Forages for Grazing Livestock in the Northern Great Plains
Presented by Dr. Woodrow Poland
Armed with knowledge regarding forage mineral availability, livestock producers can then begin to approach mineral nutrition in a logical, cost-effective manner. Mineral concentration in forages, digestibility and antagonistic relationships among minerals are all known to affect specific mineral availability. This project is designed to help increase the understanding of mineral availability of forages in the Northern Great Plains and to provide information to producers regarding base mineral supply to grazing cattle.
Odor Sensor for Animal Agriculture
Presented by Dr. James Lindley & Dr. Suranjan Panigrahi
Odor production from animal agriculture, including swine production, has become a major concern in many areas of the nation and is a growing concern in North Dakota. This project will develop an odor sensing system for agricultural field use. The grant funds are requested to support a graduate student, equipment and other expenses.
Proposal Presentations - for Hay Committee consideration
Factors Influencing Frost Tolerance of Seedling Forage Legumes
Presented by Dr. Dwain Meyer
Ten legume species will be evaluated for frost tolerance at four growth stages. Once the 50% killing temperature is determined, other factors like rate of temperature decline, soil texture and duration of affecting the killing temperatures will be evaluated in greenhouse experiments. Most grant funds will be used for salary of Dr. Badaruddin who will perform the experiments. The remainder will be used for supplies, publication costs and travel.
Also considered was "Mineral Concentration & Availability of Forages for Grazing Livestock in the Northern Great Plains."
Funding Decisions and business
It was moved to accept the minutes from the October 19, 1998 committee meeting as transcribed. The motion was seconded and carried.
The committee members individually ranked the proposals. The following is a list of how they ranked:
Animal Agriculture Rankings
Meat Tenderness by Fluorescence
1. Evaluation of Tempering & a Yeast/Enzyme Cocktail on the Performance &
Digestion of Calves Fed Barley During Growing & Finishing
CNF-1 as Potential Control Target for E. Coli-Caused Calf Scours
2. Beef & Dairy Replacement Heifer Development System
3. Odor Sensor for Animal Agriculture
6/7. Mineral Concentrations & Availability of Forages for Grazing Livestock in
the Northern Great Plains
6/7. Bison Nutrition Research
Application of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Livestock
9/10 iss Sequences as Potential Markers of Disease-Causing Escherichia Coli of
Production Animals.
9/10.Enhancement of Sow Reproductive Rates & Litter Productivity
DON in Barley: Titration of the Threshold Concentration for Acceptance by
Growing-Finishing Swine
Assessing Human Plasma Cholesterol Potential of Beef
Hay Rankings
Mineral Concentrations & Availability of Forages for Grazing Livestock in the Northern Great Plains
1. Factors Influencing Frost Tolerance of Seedling Forage Legumes
Animal Agriculture Decisions
Dr. Vern Anderson and Dr. Jerry Dodd informed the committee they would be abstaining from voting on the projects, however they would serve in an advisory capacity.
It was moved to grant funding of up to $20,000 to "Determination of Meat Tenderness by Fluorescence." The motion was seconded and carried.
It was moved to grant funding of up to $24,322 to "Evaluation of Tempering & a Yeast/Enzyme Cocktail on the Performance & Digestion of Calves Fed Barley During Growing & Finishing. The motion was seconded and carried.
It was moved to grant funding of up to $14,000 for the first year of "CNF-1 as Potential Control Target for E. Coli-Caused Calf Scours. The motion was seconded and carried
It was moved to grant funding of up to $10,000 for "Beef & Dairy Replacement Heifer Development System." The motion was seconded and carried.
It was moved to grant funding of up to $12,000 for "Odor Sensor for Animal Agriculture." The motion was seconded and carried. The dollar amount is less than the amount requested by the researcher. The researcher has the option to: 1) revise the research objectives, showing what could be accomplished with the dollars granted, or
2) raise the remaining matching funds needed to accomplish the project as presented. If the objectives are revised, the committee will need to approve the revisions.
It was moved to grant funding of up to $9,277.09 for the first year of "Mineral Concentrations & Availability of Forages for Grazing Livestock in the Northern Great Plains. The motion was seconded and carried.
It was moved to grant funding of up to $10,623.16 for "Bison Nutrition Research." The motion was seconded and carried. The dollar amount is less than the amount requested by the researcher. The researcher has the option to: 1) revise the research objectives, showing what could be accomplished with the dollars granted, or
2) raise the remaining matching funds needed to accomplish the project as presented. If the objectives are revised, the committee will need to approve the revisions.
Hay Decisions
It was moved to grant funding of up to $12,797.91 for the first year of "Mineral Concentrations & Availability of Forages for Grazing Livestock in the Northern Great Plains. The motion was seconded and carried.
Project that received funding for the first year of a multi-year project will be required to report back the results of the first year of the project to be considered for funding on subsequent years.
The committee meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
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